The Experience

Fascinating Peru ,“ rich in culture, history, and natural beauty ,“ is a country that has so much to offer. Consider our 9-night program as a good introduction to Peru. It covers Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, and Lake Titicaca ,“ all a must-see for any first-time visitor. If you have more time, we highly recommend extending your stay ,“ add an extension to a jungle lodge; see the Nazca Lines; there is much more to see in this country of many contrasts.

Includes:

• All air and ground transfers, including Vistadome train to Machu Picchu, and the Andean Explorer to Puno
• 2 nights Lima
• City tour
• 1 night Sacred Valley
• Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Ruins tour with lunch
• 1 night Machu Picchu with dinner
• 2 entrances to Machu Picchu including 1 Machu Picchu tour with lunch
• 2 nights Cuzco
• City & ruins tour
• 2 nights Puno
• Uros and Taquile Islands tour
• Daily breakfast

Day 1 – Lima:
Begin your journey in Lima, Peru’s coastal capital city founded by the Spaniard Pizarro in 1535. Lima, with its historic buildings and museums, offers visitors an introduction to the colonial history of Peru. Airport greeting and transfer to Miraflores (suburb of Lima) to your selected hotel. Overnight.

Day 2 – Lima:
After breakfast, you will be picked up for a half-day city tour of Lima. The three-hour sightseeing tour offers the best of modern and colonial Lima. It includes visits to the Government Palace, The Plaza Mayor, City Hall, and the 17th century San Francisco Monastery, followed by a drive through the modern suburb of San Isidro, with a stop at the pre-Inca pyramid of Huaca Huallamarca. Afternoon at leisure to explore, or arrange an optional tour. Overnight at your selected hotel.

Day 3 – Lima to Sacred Valley:
Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight (departure from Lima will be between 6:00 ,“ 7:30 am; the flight time is 75 minutes) to the ancient imperial capital of Cuzco. Situated at an altitude of 11,200 ft., Cuzco reflects both the Incan and Spanish cultures. Airport greeting and transfer by minivan (1 ½ hours) to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Experience an unforgettable view as you cross over the mountain from Cuzco and drop down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The road follows the meandering Urubamba River and passes through rich agricultural lands and picturesque villages. Enroute you will have a private excursion to Pisac Market and the Incan ruins of Ollantaytambo, including lunch. Late afternoon arrival at your selected hotel. Overnight.

Note: It is recommended that you only bring an overnight bag with you to Machu Picchu. Before leaving Cuzco, you will be able to leave your luggage at your Cuzco hotel.

Day 4 – Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu:
After breakfast, transfer to the Ollantaytambo Train Station to board the train to the village of Aguas Calientes, in the valley below Machu Picchu. There you will board a bus that will take you up the switchback road (approximately 20 minutes) to the legendary “Lost City of the Incas”. Enjoy a guided tour of the Ruins, followed by lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge (adjacent to the site). Rest of afternoon at leisure to explore the ruins, before returning by bus to Aguas Calientes (unless you are staying at the Sanctuary Lodge). Overnight at your selected hotel.

Day 5 – Machu Picchu to Cuzco:
Morning at leisure to return to Machu Picchu. The bus departs from the Puente Ruinas station every 10 minutes, beginning at 5:30 am. Mid-afternoon (3:30 ,“ 5:00 pm depending upon your train confirmation time) return to Ollantaytambo Train Station. Continue to Cuzco by bus, arriving in the early evening. Transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight.

Day 6 – Cuzco:
Morning at leisure. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco includes a visit to the Koricancha Temple and the Cathedral, followed by a visit to the nearby fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and the Tambomachay ruins. After the tour, explore the city on your own. Cuzco is a city of plazas and colonial buildings with red tile roofs. Walk the City’s ancient cobblestone streets, lined with the massive stone walls that are an Incan legacy. Return to your hotel for overnight.

Day 7 – Cuzco to Lake Titicaca:
Travel from Cuzco to Puno by train, motorcoach or airplane. Transfer to your selected hotel for overnight.

By train: On MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY (April ,“ October), or MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY (November ,“ March), board an Orient-Express train at 8:00 am in Cuzco for a 10-hour train ride across the wind-swept altiplano to the town of Puno.

By air: After a morning of leisure in Cuzco, board a DAILY LAN Peru flight at 3:05 pm (subject to change) for a 50-minute flight to Juliaca, the closest airport to Puno.

By motor coach: Depart Cuzco at 8:00 am DAILY on an Inka Express motor coach. The scenic journey across the altiplano takes about 9 hours, with stops at Pukara, Raqchi, and Andahuaylilias, as well as a lunch stop at Las Tunas restaurant. Arrival into Puno is at approximately 5:00 pm.

Day 8 – Lake Titicaca
After breakfast, depart for full day excursion to the floating reed islands, home of the Uros Indians, and a visit to the peaceful Quechuan community on Taquile Island. After lunch on Taquile, there is time to explore the island before boarding the boat to return to Puno. Transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight

Day 9 – Lake Titicaca to Lima
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Lima (subject to change). Airport greeting and transfer to your selected Lima hotel. Overnight.

Day 10 – Depart Lima
Your personal Ultimate Peru experience concludes with your private transfer to the airport for your flight home with a lifetime of wonderful memories to keep and cherish.