DAY 1 LIMA
Arrival at Jorge Chavez Airport. Pickup by guide, introduction to Peru. Dire through Lima to Hotel Nirvana in Miraflores. Rest and eat good food. Walk on beach, visit the Museo de Electricidad, ride tranvia. Go to a dinner at a contemporary seaside restaurant. Return to hotel for sleep or take the option to go out to experience a little of the night life. Approximate travel time 40 minutes
DAY 2 PISCO - PARACAS - LA CARTAVEDO
Head south on the Pan-American through coastal desert anf farming valleys. Stop at Pisco for lunch. Visit Paracas National Marine Reserve, with its La Catedral, a large natural arch stone formation. Head inland to La Cartavedo, Peru’s only certified organic winery. Tour operation with owner, sampling the fine wine and pisco. Optional horseback ride or hike through surrounding farmland, Spend the night at the wineries guesthouse. Approximate travel time 40 minutes
DAY 3 HUACACHINA - ICA - NASCA
Rise early and visit the desert oasis of Huacachina, Take a short hike through majestic sand dunes. Stop by the regional museum to admire many cultural artifacts including mummies from before the time of Christ. Continue to Nasca and fly over the lines, large earthworks best seen from the sky. Optionally visit Cahuachi a desert citadel, currently being excavated.
DAY 4 PAMPA GALERA - CHAULHUANCA
Enter the Andes. Get to know the alpacas of Pampa. Learn a little about this important traditional fiber producing animal. Continue on to the hot spring resort of Chaulhuanca. Soak in the medicinal waters and stay the night.
DAY 5 ALBACAY - LIMATAMBO
Continue on through Albacay and various mountain pueblos. Visit the Inca ruins of Limatambo, and a historical resting point on the Inca Trail. Finish the last leg to Cuzco with excellent views of glaciated mount Salkantay, the highest peak in the province.
DAY 6 CUZCO - SAKSAYWUAMAN
Awake to the ancient city of Cuzco. Meet with knowable local guide who will be accompanying us on the remainder of the trip. Take an early morning stroll through the Plaza de Armas once the center of South –America. Meander through small lanes, admiring the fine stonework. Visit Saksaywuaman, a ruin of huge stones above the city, which was the site of some of the final battles when the Spanish conquered the Inca empire. Continue on the Sacred Valley.
DAY 7 URUBAMBA
Relax. a free day to wander through the fields and small town of Urubamba. If motivated one can go for a walk by the river, take a short trek in the mountains or visit the traditional salt gathering area.
DAY 8 OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES
Explore the ruins of Ollantaytambo in the morning, catch the afternoon train to Aguas Calientes just below. Enjoy a walk to admire the richly varied vegetation of the upland jungle.
DAY 9 MACHUPICHU
Catch an early bus to Machupichu. Spend the day exploring the various sites within this mountain top sanctuary. Learn the prevailing theories on the uses of the different areas. Take in the expansive vistas of the verdant cloud forest covered mountains. Imagine what it was like in the time of the Incas as a functioning community.
DAY 10 CUZCO
Return on train to Ollantaytambo. Return to Cuzco, relax if so inclined have a massage. Say fairwells and for those return home. Catch the flight to Lima.
