Majestic Machu Picchu

Upon arrival you will transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Lima

Today is spent touring Lima, the Colonial “City of Kings.” Start by visiting Santo Domingo Convent, then on to a number of well-known sites like the Presidential Palace and the Plaza de Armas, a perfect place to appreciate Lima’s magnificent Colonial architecture as well as vignettes of its pre-Colombian past. Finish by trying Peru’s national drink, the Pisco Sour. Salud! Overnight in Lima

On arrival into Cusco, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Cusco, set at an elevation of 11,000 feet in the Peruvian Andes, was once the capital of the Inca Empire. It is known for its Spanish Colonial architecture and Incan remains. Narrow, cobble-stoned streets lined by Inca walls stretch out from the main plaza in every direction. Many of the colonial buildings were built on top of Incan foundations and the stonework is unparalleled in its precision and beauty. Overnight in Cusco

Today, explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Start at the Old Casa Hacienda and head towards the village of Huayllabamba. Then, ride across the village of Urquillos and see the famous Inca terraces used for the cultivation of corn, as well as some Colonial houses, such as the Pumacahua House. Take the Huycho route back to the Hacienda in Huayoccari, where the ride ends at the New Casa Hacienda for lunch. After eating, continue your journey to Maras and the Salineras salt ponds, which are filled with natural underground salt springs that come from the surrounding mountains. The Andean villagers have worked and harvested the salt the same way since the time of the Incas. Overnight in Sacred Valley

Today, head along the River Urubamba, to Ollantaytambo. The town, which is dominated by a giant Inca fortress, is perhaps the best surviving example of Inca town planning and was the scene of a rare Inca victory over the invading Spanish. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the train station in Ollantaytambo to take the train to Aguas Calientes. Comfortable seats with tables in front allow you to share the journey with friends and enjoy a refreshing beverage. Onboard services include a selection of drinks prepared with Andean herbs and fruits, all of which will fill you with energy and keep you ready for the next adventure. Overnight in Aguas Calientes

The tour starts with a bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. The 15th century Inca site is located 8,000 feet above sea level on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley. It is the most famous of all Inca sites, brought to the world’s attention by the American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. The Incas abandoned the city just prior to Spanish colonization so the city was never pillaged and as a result the ruins are still in fantastic condition. With its location on a dramatic ridgeline, surrounded by sheer cliffs and the Urubamba River on three sides, the city of Machu Picchu is a remarkable place to visit. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and in 2007 it was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. You will be astonished at your first view of Machu Picchu, a stunning display of ancient architecture with incredible surroundings. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins and monuments.

After exploring Machu Picchu, you will travel from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo in the comfort of the modern Vistadome train featuring very comfortable, semi-reclining seats and large expansive panoramic windows that immerse you in the scenery. Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station in the Sacred Valley to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco

You will be picked up from your hotel for a tour through Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. Visit the fascinating Qorikancha Temple of the Sun, the 12-Angled Rock, and the Cathedral, built on the ruins of an Inca Palace. From here head to the archaeological remains located around the city, including the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo (giant rock), the ancient site of Puca Pucara, and finally the Water Temple of Tambomachay. On completion of your tour, you will be taken to your hotel. Included in your tour price is the BTG (Tourist Ticket of Cusco) which allows you entrance into 16 attractions around Cusco. Overnight in Cusco

Transfer to airport for your flight home – or extend your stay in South America!