Peru Magic

Arrival in Lima, the 'City of Kings' famous for its Spanish Colonial architecture, extraordinary museums and cuisine. Lima is internationally recognized as the 'Gastronomic Capital of the Americas', and its cuisine is considered among the most diverse and exquisite in the world on par with French cuisine. Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering.

This tour visits sites which include the lovely Plaza de Armas framed by its beautiful Cathedral and the Archbishop's palaces, and Municipal Government; it will transport you back in time with only one of their steps to tread. Then visit a masterpiece of colonial architecture: the Convent of San Francisco with its famous catacombs. We will continue with modern Lima and its beautiful tourist neighborhoods of San Isidro and Miraflores, from which you can shoot incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and the cliffs of the Costa Verde.

Early morning transfer from the hotel to the airport for a short but spectacular flight over the snowcapped Andes to the oldest inhabited city in the hemisphere, Cusco, at an elevation of 11,440 feet. Immediate transfer to the Sacred Valley at 8,200 feet of altitude. Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering.

Full Day Excursion to the Pisac Indian Market and the Ollantaytambo Fortress - Morning departure for a drive through the fertile countryside of the Urubamba Valley to the colonial village of Pisac where a unique Indian Market takes place daily. The variety of products offered is overwhelming, from pottery with reproductions of archaeological pieces, to all kinds of textiles, jewelry and Peruvian handicrafts. During your visit to this bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the artisans and indigenous traders. Grab the items you like, you will hardly see the same one again. Continue to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex, the Incas built it as a fort that included a temple, agricultural terraces, and an urban area. There are two distinct sectors: The religious and worship zone, and the residential area. Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center with probable military functions if one considers the walls and towers. There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a 'Living Inca Town' since the inhabitants maintain very old practices and customs. Lunch is at a beautiful country estate in the Sacred Valley. Afternoon you will be transfer to Ollantaytambo station to take the train to Machu Picchu town. Overnight and dinner at the selected hotel in Aguas Calientes

Morning visit the 'Lost City of the Incas,' Machu Picchu. Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered by Hiram Bingham of Yale University in 1911. Archaeologists believe that the Inca 'Virgins of the Sun' took refuge from the Spanish Conquistadors here. Guided tour of the ruins. Afternoon return to Cusco.

Tour of Cusco and Nearby Ruins – Visitors are caught up in the excitement of touring the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. The tour visits important landmarks such us Cusco's Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha “The Temple of the Sun”. This tour of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere also includes the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-Pucara, Tambomachay as well as the Sacsayhuaman fortress, an imposing example of Inca military architecture

Transfer to the airport for your departure to Lima and your connecting international flight. Arrive home full of great memories of the rich tradition of Colonial Lima and the mystical Land of the Incas.