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This itinerary requires a high level of physical fitness with up to 8 hours of walking per day. The route and activities are subject to change. Please see the "Is This Trip Right for You?" section and the Trip Preparation tab for more information.
DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Peru
Depart for Peru. Upon arrival in Lima, transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Lima
DAY 2, Saturday - Lima City Tour, Flight to Cuzco, Drive to Sacred Valley
This morning, tour Lima and its 2000 years of history. Begin at the colonial center of the city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic buildings surrounding the splendid Plaza Mayor. View the impressive Palace of the Archbishop with its fine carved balcony, the opulent Government Palace, the official residence of the President, and the 16th-century Cathedral of Lima whose first stone was laid by Pizarro. Return to beautiful Miraflores district to see modern Lima and vistas of Pacific Ocean. Afterward attend a cooking demonstration, followed by lunch. Later, board your connecting flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival, drive through the rugged mountainous region to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, followed by dinner
Overnight: Sacred Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activity Level: Easy, 2 miles, 2 hours
DAY 3, Sunday - Pisac Ruins & Village, Moray & Maras Salt Mines
The exploration of Sacred Valley begins with a scenic drive to Pisac. Visit the hilltop ruins and enjoy a panoramic view of the valley below before hiking down a steep path to Pisac village. Explore the town and bargain with vendors on the cobblestone streets of the Pisac handicraft market. Following a box lunch, walk around Moray, a remarkable agricultural center that demonstrates the ancient Incans' mastery of high-altitude crop growing. Next, travel to the colonial town of Maras, to visit its nearby salt evaporation ponds. Begin the hike down to Urubamba riverside. Tonight, enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a Peruvian family, along with a warm and friendly cultural exchange
Overnight: Sacred Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activity Level: Moderate, 6 miles, 5 hours
DAY 4, Monday - Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu
Early this morning, transfer to the Sacred Valley's Ollanta Station and board The Expedition Train to Km 104. Begin your gradual uphill trek along the Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. During your hike, soak up the magic of the Inca Trail. Surrounded by stunning scenery, view ancient Inca ruins and witness the endemic flora and fauna. Stop to visit the Inca ruins of Wiñaywayna. Following a box lunch, resume your hike towards Intipunku (Sun Gate). Arrive by mid-afternoon and catch your first glimpse of the forgotten city of Machu Picchu, an unforgettable sight. Complete your journey hiking the rocky path down to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a panoramic view of the citadel before you board a bus to Aguas Calientes. This evening, savor a Peruvian dinner at your hotel
Overnight: Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activity Level: Challenging, 8 miles, 8 hours
DAY 5, Tuesday - Machu Picchu and Discover Machu Picchu Citadel
Rise early this morning for an optional hike to Huayna Picchu, meaning "young mountain", for panoramic views of the citadel and surrounding area. After breakfast, board the bus to Machu Picchu, then follow an original Inca stone trail to discover the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known as "The Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century at the height of the Inca Empire and abandoned about 100 years later. Explore the ancient citadel and marvel at the imposing Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved rock likely used as a sundial by the ancient Incas. The images of this significant archaeological site will be a long-lasting memory. Afterward, travel to your hotel in Cuzco for overnight
Optional: Huayna Picchu Hike up to 3 hours (Challenging)
Overnight: Cuzco ▲
Meals: Breakfast
Activity Level: Moderate, 5 miles, 6 hours
DAY 6, Wednesday - Sacsayhuaman Inca Fortress, Explore San Blas
Drive to Wayllarcocha for a shaman ceremony. Meet with a local "shaman" (holy man) and learn about Andean culture and traditions. Afterward, hike down to the impressive fortress of Saqsaywaman, an enormous Incan site that overlooks Cuzco. During your tour, observe the precision masonry of the massive stones that fit together without mortar. Hike down to the historic center of Cuzco. In the afternoon, visit the artistic colonial San Blas neighborhood. Walk along the narrow and winding streets filled with quaint galleries, before returning to the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight: Cuzco
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Activity Level: Moderate, 4 miles, 5 hours
DAY 7, Thursday - Morning at Leisure in Cuzco, Flight to Lima
Spend the morning at leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima; rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, you bid farewell to your Tour Manager at dinner with Peruvian specialties
Overnight: Lima
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Friday - Depart Peru
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your departure flight*
*Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of Day 8 and will require a transfer on Day 7. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time.
Meals: Breakfast
▲ Due to the high elevation, travel in the Peruvian highlands may cause some passengers to experience the temporary effects of altitude sickness. If you have any concerns about traveling to higher than your accustomed elevation, please consult your healthcare provider.
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