Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival, your guide will greet you at the Airport and privately transfer you to the trendy neighborhood of Barranco. The evening is yours to relax in your hotel at your leisure. Lima is shrouded in history, full of aesthetic delights and just a hint of what is to come. Also an art gallery, Arts Boutique Hotel B, is located in a turn-of-the-century, refurbished mansion and is a feast for the senses with its impressive collection of art, twenties charm, rooftop deck with ocean views and impeccable service. Rooms are characterized by hardwood floors, high ceilings and in the “atelier” suites, a private balcony. The restaurant is equally elegant and offers a sumptuous selection of Peruvian and Mediterranean dishes.

Awaken refreshed and ready for your Peruvian culinary experience, beginning with a visit to the local market for a remarkable glimpse into the daily shopping of limeños. Top chef Yurac will guide you through eclectic stalls to marvel in the sights and immerse the senses in the joy of collecting seasonal ingredients and tasting exotic fruits. A foodie’s paradise, the cuisine of Peru is world renowned as outstanding and unique in its skillful merging of flavors and traditions from the Pacific Ocean, Andes Mountains and Amazon rainforest. In the afternoon, embark on a guided tour of Lima, a city oozing sophistication yet perched on an expansive coastline of crumbling cliffs and a cultural heritage centuries old with history. Wander through the famous Larco museum where fuchsia colored bougainvilleas tumble over the white walls that house the world’s largest private collection of pre-Columbian art and intriguing artifacts, such as the thousand year old, ceramic, “portrait heads”.

At dawn you will fly to Cusco, a breathtaking Andean City and former capital of the Inca Empire. A short drive away and tucked under the tawny skirts of formidable foothills, lies the beautiful Río Urubamba Valley, known as El Valle Sagrado (The Sacred Valley), home of attractive colonial towns and isolated weaving villages. Along the way, you will visit the local market and Pisac Archaeological Site, a place of sprawling views, temples, terraces and a collection of Incan tombs. A memorable lunch at the exclusive Hacienda Huayoccari, full of homemade Peruvian specialties crafted from ingredients grown on the property’s farm, will satisfy and tantalize the taste buds for all the culinary delights still to come. After lunch, settle in to Sol y Luna Lodge and Spa, a luxury property that runs wild with whimsy and folk art. French-Swiss owned, the lodge will charm you in a playful atmosphere that graces the rooms with carved wooden beds, freestanding tubs and dainty rod-iron chandeliers. Avant-garde circus productions with former Cirque de Soleil artists provide evening entertainment and Peruvian paso horses can be ridden through the countryside by day.

Awaken the adventurer within and allow your imagination to take flight as you explore the spectacular temple-fortresses of Sacred Valley. Your private guide will take you to to the little visited site of Pumamarca ruins and the village of Ollantayatambo, a formidable stone structure of massive terraces climbing to a high peak with panoramic views. In the afternoon, visit the impressive Moray terraces, a colossal amphitheater and archaeological wonder, believed to mimic 20 different microclimates and ensure the agricultural protection of the empire!

Begin your second day of discovering the Sacred Valley of the Incas in the Andean village of Chinchero, high in the windswept and panoramic plains of Anta. Here in this village where locals move through mud brick adobe houses in their traditional dress, you will visit the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. Dedicated to preserving ancient textile designs and weaving techniques from all over the Andes, the center features 2000 thousand year old treasures once thought to be lost. After a beautiful hike over rolling plains and surrounded by the striking Andean snow-capped mountains, you will reach Huyllabamba town, where you may return to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure.

The panoramic windows of the Vistadome train will carry you through magnificent landscapes, ample with photographic opportunities to the base of Machu Picchu. After lunch, enjoy a bus ride up the winding mountain for a privately guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel. One of the seven wonders of the world, the “Lost City of the Incas” is true a marvel, magnificently perched at 2,430 meters / 7,972 feet above sea level. Dinner is included tonight at your lodging, the stunning eco-lodge Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel which boasts rustic, elegant stone bungalows with exposed beams and cathedral ceilings set in a mini tropical cloud forest. A land of hummingbirds and orchids, bird watching and twilight nature hikes make for popular excursions.

Today, your private guide will escort you along the infamous Inca Trail for a three hour hike to reach a summit of 3,000 meters and witness the breathtaking views of Machu Picchu from above. Enjoy lunch at Sanctuary Lodge and then spend the afternoon at leisure as you wish. Some programmed activities at Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel are included in your room rate. Dinner is included at your hotel this evening.

Awaken inspired by adventure and enjoy the scenic train ride back to Ollantaytambo. After lunch, you will continue on to Cusco. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure, exploring the cosmopolitan Inca capital rich in South American heritage, or unwinding at the Hotel Monasterio. As its name suggests, Hotel Monasterio is a beautifully restored monastery, which dating back to 1952, is considered a national historic monument. The austere beauty of the complex, with lodging even including the original chapel with its ornate gold altar and collection of Cusqueño art, is combined with modern amenities for a luxuriant and atmospheric stay.

After a relaxing morning, your private transfer will accompany you back to Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima. Flight: Cusco to Lima Connect with your international flight back home (no assistance provided).