Discovery Journey to Peru

Overview

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Detailed Itinerary

Deadline for reservation: August 30, 2017

Day 1: Depart Miami/Arrive Lima

2 nights Marriott Courtyard Miraflores, Lima.

• Depart Miami on your flight bound for Lima, Peru
• Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in
• Please refer to your flight schedule for departure times, you must check in at the airport at least 3 hours prior to your flight's departure
• NOTE: Tuesday departures from Miami must check-in the night before the tour date

Day 2: Lima

Breakfast.

• After breakfast visit the Larco Herrera Museum
• Enjoy some free time for lunch
• In the afternoon embark on a panoramic tour of Lima

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast, your exploration begins with a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum, boasting one of the greatest private collections of pre-Columbian artifacts. Its permanent exhibition includes a variety of colorful textiles, ceramics and jewelry, but perhaps its most interesting collection consists of ancient erotic artifacts. Next, enjoy some free time for lunch before embarking on a panoramic tour of Lima, driving by the Monastery of San Francisco, the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral of Lima, the ornate Archbishop’s Palace and other buildings. You will also visit the fashionable districts of San Isidro and Miraflores with their beautiful parks and elegant residences overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Day 3: Sacred Valley

1 night Casa Andina Private Collection, Sacred Valley. Breakfast & dinner

• After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco
• Explore Pisac Market and shop for unique crafts
• Continue to Ollantaytambo and tour the fortress and ruins

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a short flight to Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire (11,000 feet above sea level). Upon arrival, travel to nearby Pisac, a picturesque Andean village with a wonderful market. Here you'll have a chance to buy locally made ponchos, sweaters and other handcrafted clothing, ceramics and hand-painted beads. Enjoy browsing the "locals" section of the market, where villagers come from miles around, dressed in their traditional clothing, to barter and sell their produce.

Continue to Ollantaytambo (10,000 feet above sea level), located at the foot of spectacular Inca ruins which protected the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley. The temple area is at the top of a series of steep terraces which helped provide excellent defenses. Stone used for these buildings was brought from a quarry high up on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, an incredible feat involving the efforts of thousands of workers. Afterwards, check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Machu Picchu

1 night El Mapi Hotel, Machu Picchu. Breakfast

• Transfer to Ollanta station to board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
• Enjoy a guided tour of the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu

Full Day Itinerary: It's a short drive from your hotel to the Ollanta railroad station where you'll board the Vistadome train that will take you through the lush Urubamba Valley, passing through stunning scenery en route to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, one of the most spectacular and enigmatic archaeological sites in the world. (8,000 feet above sea level)

Unknown to the outside world until archaeologist Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911, Machu Picchu is now the most recognizable symbol of the Incan Empire. Believed to have served as a country retreat town for Inca nobility, the complex consists of giant walls, terraces, and ramps constructed from precisely cut rock formations. This impressive architectural feat, in combination with its breathtaking natural setting amid mist-covered green mountains above the rushing Urubamba River, makes for a visually stunning, and even mystical, experience. Enjoy the remainder of the day and evening in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Day 5: Machu Picchu & Cusco

2 nights Novotel Cusco. Breakfast.

• Morning at leisure
• Return to Ollanta station by Vistadome train then transfer to Cusco by bus

Full Day Itinerary: Enjoy the morning at leisure to explore the quaint town of Aguas Calientes. This afternoon, journey back to Ollanta station by Vistadome train, then continue to Cusco by motor coach. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for overnight.

Day 6: Cusco

Breakfast.

• Morning city tour of Cusco
• Visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress & Puka Pukara
• Afternoon at leisure

Full Day Itinerary: After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic city tour of Cusco. You'll see the Plaza de Armas, center of the Inca Empire, where Francisco Pizarro proclaimed the conquest of Cusco. Here, you'll visit Cusco's beautiful 16th century cathedral. Then, just a few blocks away, you will discover the ruins of the Koricancha, an important temple built to honor Inti, the Incan sun god. When the conquistadors first arrived in Cusco, the temple was covered in sheets of solid-gold and adorned with golden statues, but within months of their arrival, the temple was stripped and the gold plundered as treasure for Spain.

Next, continue to the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an emblematic Inca construction built in the 15th century. The size of the fortress and its massive stones are remarkable, and the manner in which they were transported, cut, and laid is still a mystery. Next, travel to Puka Pukara, also known as the "red fortress", which is thought to have been a military stronghold. It has many rooms, courtyards, bathrooms, aqueducts, and towers to explore. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

Day 7: Cusco & Lima

Breakfast.

• Day at leisure
• This evening transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima

Full Day Itinerary: Enjoy the day at leisure in this beautiful town in the high Andes Mountains. You may stroll through the main square, or wander through the many charming side streets. This evening, bid adiós to Peru as you transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight via Lima.

Day 8: Depart Lima/Arrive Miami

• Depart Lima shortly after midnight on your overnight return flight
• Arrive in Miami later today

The high altitudes reached on this trip (up to 11,000 feet above sea level) and the amount of walking involved, often on uneven terrain, requires that you be in good physical condition to fully enjoy the trip. We strongly suggest that you consult your physician if you have any concerns regarding your ability to handle these conditions.

Contact Information

For information on Continuing Education Units for professionals in education, medicine, health and human services contact:

George Palamattam
Tel: (312)545-6882
Email: gpalamattam@gmail.com

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Peru? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.