Salt Lake City to Lima, Peru

We depart our home cities for Lima, Peru for an overnight flight.  

Lima

Morning arrival in Lima. Transfer to the hotel for breakfast and an early check-in. This afternoon we set out to discover the exciting sites and history of Lima, Peru’s capital city. We will begin the visit of the city with an exploration of Colonial Lima with a stop at the Main Square, surrounded by the Government Palace, the Cathedral, and the City Hall; these are all examples of Lima's still-present colonial architectural opulence. We visit the Cathedral and its chapels. One of the most interesting is the tomb of Conquistador Pizarro. We have included a tour of the San Francisco Convent built in the 17th century, with its “Catacombs” the ancient underground cemetery of Lima. Every tour to Lima should include the Larco Museum, an eighteenth-century Viceregal mansion that houses more than 3,000 years of Peru's pre-Columbian history. The museum boasts a supremely fine collection of gold and silver jewelry besides mummies of the Paracas, and other lost civilizations of Peru.

Lima

Morning drive to the archaeological sanctuary of Pachacamac. Twenty miles south of Lima, in the Lurin Valley,we reach the archaeological site of Pachacamac, one of ancient Peru's most famous religious centers. It was here that the oracle to the great god Pachacamac, the most important deity of pre-Hispanic coastal Peru, resided. This sanctuary was built by the Ichma civilization using mud bricks. We will explore the sanctuary as we visit the temple of Urpi Wachak. The Temple of the Moon, The Pilgrims Plaza, the Residence of the local Chief and the Acllahuasi—where the chosen virgins of the "Sun" lived.  A visit to the local museum will give us a better overview of site. From the top the pyramids, we can enjoy a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean and the Lurin Valley. Overnight in Lima.

Lima to Trujillo

Morning transfer to the airport for our flight to Trujillo.  Upon arrival, reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel.  Afternoon tour. Today we will explore the imposing Pyramid of the Moon, a great power center on Peru’s northern coast during the Pre-Inca Moche period. Here, we will take the time to marvel at the beautiful frescoes that decorate the mud brick walls at the Temple of the Moon, uncovered by archaeologists in the late 20th century. Following this visit, we will continue to Huaca Dragón, also known as the Temple of the Rainbow, built by the Chimú civilization. Time for a visit to the Church of Jesus Christ Trujillo Temple. Overnight in Trujillo.

Trujillo to Chiclayo

Bus Transfer from Trujillo to Chiclayo. This is a magic experience, seeing the Peruvian desert. Half day tour of El Brujo archaeological along the way. We will explore this fascinating archaeological complex located 15 miles north of Trujillo, in the Chicama valley. El Brujo pyramid rises over more than 10 feet above the desert It was built using thousands of mud bricks, and the walls were decorated with beautiful relief designs and polychrome murals, featuring depictions of warfare, deities, animals, plants and fishing nets. In 2006, the mummified remains of the so-called Lady of Cao were discovered. She was young Moche noblewoman. Her mummified remains are now exhibited in the Lady of Cao Museum. Overnight in Chiclayo.

Chiclayo

Full Day tour of Sican, Tucume and Royal Tombs Museum. We tour the Sicán Museum, home to invaluable treasures created by the Sicán culture, descendants of the Moches but not connected to the Sipán culture. Details of these civilizations were uncovered during extensive archaeological excavations. Almost one and a half tons of precious metals, jewels and religious paraphernalia were unearthed. These objects are now displayed in the National Museum of Sican. The arts and crafts of the Sicán culture, including their stunning work in pottery and precious metals, are displayed as well as replicas of the tombs discovered.

After this visit we explore Túcume, an imposing complex of 26 Lambayeque culture pyramids. From here, we will continue to the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum. This is one of the most spectacular museums in the Americas; it houses the grave of the world-famous Lord of Sipán tomb, discovered in an ancient adobe pyramid. This six-million-dollar museum contains the most magnificent gold artifacts ever discovered in the Americas, and it was designed in the form of the Pre-Columbian pyramid where Peruvian archaeologists discovered the tomb of a Moche lord in 1987. Overnight in Chiclayo.

Chiclayo

Half Day tour of Sipan (Huaca Rajada). Early in the morning, we will explore the magnificent mud brick platform of Huaca Rajada, where the world-famous tomb of the Lord of Sipán was discovered. He was called the King Tut of Sipan. The exhibit traveled in Europe and the United states. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight in Chiclayo.

Chiclayo - Lima - Cuzco

Today’s flight will take us to Cuzco via Lima.  Upon your arrival in Cusco, we are escorted to our hotel. Afternoon half day city tour of Cuzco: San Pedro Market, Qoricancha Inca Temple and Cusco Cathedral. We will also visit the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman a colossal structure built with huge carved rocks joined with absolute accuracy, this astounding sample of the Incan military architecture is, undoubtedly, the greatest architectonic work of the Tahuantinsuyo. (The empire of the Incas.) We continue to visit the San Pedro Market, Cusco’s main market, offering of all the local products of the Cusco region. Following the visit enter the Qoricancha Temple (which means room of gold in Quechua), a temple dedicated to the Sun god. Legend has it that its inner walls were once completely lined with gold. We end the tour visiting the Cuzco Cathedral. This cathedral has no parallel with those in Europe. The syncretism of the Inca religion mixes with the Cristian religion brought by the Spanish Conquistador. The large picture of the Last Supper painted by a descendant of the Incas paints a perfect example of the clash of the two cultures.

Cuzco to Sacred Valley

A full day tour of the Sacred Valley: Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Fortress. Lunch at Hacienda Huayoccari. The best lunch in the heart if the Sacred Valley.

This morning, we journey to the Sacred Valley to reach Pisac, a beautiful village where Incan and Colonial influences have reached a perfect balance creatin a unique way of life of the local inhabitants. We get a chance to explore this quaint town, famous for its artisan markets where we can find extraordinarily fine jewelry and ceramic and textile craftwork. Lunch at Hacienda Huayoccari. Our last stop is Ollantaytambo a fortress used to defend the valley from tribes coming from the rainforest. The little village at the foot of the majestic fortress is an authentic Inca town. Overnight in the Sacred Valley.

Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Sacred Valley - Cuzco

Bus transfer to the train Station. The comfortable Vistadome train ride will take us to the Aguas caliente station. The Train rides through a canyon following the course of the Urubamba River (1 hours 45 minutes). Upon arrival, we will take a bus to the top of the Lost Citadel of the Incas; Machu Picchu itself. Unearthed for modernity by Hiram Bingham more than a century ago, Machu Picchu, considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Its architectural beauty, spectacular natural setting, and the energy that radiates from its enigmatic buildings will take your breath away. We will follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incas as we take a tour of the magical citadel led by one of our guides. You will enjoy a delicious lunch at Sumaq hotel. We return to Aguas Calientes' train station and catch the Vistadome train back to Ollanta station and bus to Cuzco.

Cuzco to Puno

Private transfer from Cusco to Puno on the shore of Lake Titicaca.

Today we will have an early departure from Cusco to the city of Puno. This beautiful journey to Andahuaylillas town to visit the church, known as the Sistine Chapel of America for the art it houses. The sanctuary was built by the Jesuits in the 16th century on top of an Inca temple. The church is a small structure consisting of a single nave and the bell tower. The walls and ceilings are covered by works of art.

From the Saint Peter Apostle church, we reach Raqchi. The most important building within the complex is the Wiracocha temple. Wirachocha was the white god of the Incas.

We will also visit the Pukara museum. During its heyday, this town covered more than a square mile and housed thousands of bureaucrats, priests, craftsmen, farmers, shepherds, and possibly warriors. Passing the highest altitude point in our journey in Peru, we arrive to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Puno

Full day Titicaca Lake navigation: Uros islands and Taquile island

Today we enjoy an extraordinary journey across the world's highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca. We will sail to legendary places where time seems to have stood still. Our first stop will be the Uros floating islands. These are a peculiar group of around 40 small islands made totally of totora reed, the cheerful inhabitants will invite us to get to know their traditional lifestyle and customs. We will continue our sailing across the placid waters of the lake, and arrive at the picturesque Taquile Island, a peaceful place where old Quechua traditions live in perfect balance with modern times. The rich colors of the clothing worn by the local inhabitants will amaze us as well their beautiful hand-made fabrics. Most importantly, we will enjoy the unbelievable hospitality of the islanders, known as Taquileños, who will make our visit to the island a memorable experience. Before making our way back to Puno, we will have lunch at a local home. Overnight in Puno.

Puno to Lima to U.S.A.

Breakfast at hotel. Later, transfer to the Juliaca airport with a stop at the archaeological complex of Sillustani, an amazing pre-Incan cemetery where more than 90 Chullpas or funerary towers (some of them up to 40 feet high), rise up around Lake Umayo. Evening flight back to Lima.

Lima to the U.S.A.

We arrive in Los Angeles early morning (8:00 a.m.), on time for our connecting flights to final destination.

TOUR ID#9224B06

CASH DISCOUNT of $100.00 for final payment by check