DAY 1: ARRIVE LIMA, PERU    

Upon arrival, we are met by our representatives and transferred to our hotel. ROYAL PARK HOTEL 

DAY 2: LIMA / CUZCO
Transfer for a flight to Cuzco, Peru.  Upon arrival in Cuzco, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Balance of morning at leisure to acclimatize. This afternoon, we shall tour Cuzco city. We will see several of the Inca ruins, including Qenqo (Ceremonial Altar), Tambomachay (Ritual Baths) and Puca Pucara (Red Tower Fortress) which took over 80 years to build; but the most impressive of these ruins is the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, overlooking Cuzco. Here, we will see three parallel levels of fortifications constructed out of enormous rocks - some of them weighing an estimated 30 tons - which all fit perfectly together without the use of any mortar. Across the parade ground, which they face, is the solid rock throne where the Sapa Inca is reputed to have sat while viewing his troops. It was here at Sacsayhuaman, that the Incas made their last stand against Pizarro's forces before retreating down the Urubamba Valley. MONASTERIO OR LIBERTADOR HOTEL (B)

DAY 3: CUZCO / URUBAMBA (SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS)
Transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting the colorful Indian town of Pisaq (On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, we shall visit the Market. On all other days, the Pisaq Ruins will be visited instead). Pisaq is located in the Urubamba valley where magnificent Inca ruins spread out over a large area on very steep mountain slopes. After lunch, enjoy a tour to Ollantaytambo - a beautiful and tranquil village. Here, we find some spectacular and extensive Inca ruins, most of them enclosed with a Temple Fortress. The unfinished temple, begun by the Pachacuti, contains some of the largest stones ever used by the Inca builders. The village itself is constructed on top of Inca foundations - so we can see typical Inca stonework down almost any street. POSADA DEL INKA    (B,L,D)

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DAY 4: URUBAMBA / MACHU PICCHU
A morning transfer to the rail station to board the train to Machu Picchu. Our journey by rail will take us over the Andes, via a series of spectacular switchbacks through the Urubamba Valley, to the semi-tropical jungle at the base of Macchu Picchu. On arrival, small buses take us 2,350 feet to the entrance of the ruins at an altitude of 8,200 feet.  We shall be guided through this Lost City and final refuge, where only remains of women and children were found.  Legend has it that Machu Picchu was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marches of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stoneworks of the Cuzco Imperial Style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was closely associated with the earth cult revolving around the coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca Royal family and priests. Machu Picchu does not owe its reputation to colossal dimensions. No single building is more than three stories high, though some structures take advantage of the slope to build up complexes in tiers. Rather, it is a beautiful jewel in an equally beautiful setting, perfectly proportioned to the contours of the mountain, at times appearing to be suspended in the mist, a shrouded apparition of the past. MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO HOTEL (B,L,D)

DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU / CUZCO
The morning is at leisure to explore the Machu Picchu area on our own (guide services, bus tickets or entry fees in to Machu Picchu are not included today as it is a day at leisure for you to explore on your own). We shall take the afternoon train and bus back to Cuzco, and transfer to our hotel. MONASTERIO OR LIBERTADOR HOTEL (B,L)

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DAY 6: CUZCO / LIMA
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima. Today, we venture out for a half day tour of Lima. Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 to be the capital of the viceroyalty, and up to the present, old Lima preserves the architecture and street plans of colonial Lima. Our guided tour will include Lima's superb colonial churches, palaces and promenades (Cathedral, Government Palace, Passo de Aguas, etc.) Then continue to the Gold Museum to visit the fascinating gold collection, which gives the evidence of the high skill reached by the goldsmiths of the pre-columbian cultures. ROYAL PARK HOTEL (B)

DAY 7: DEPART LIMA
Approximately 2 hours prior to departure, we transfer to the airport for our flight out. (B)

Departures: Daily (includes internal air Lima/Cuzco/Lima)
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