Peru Escape

Welcome to Lima! Meet your Tour Director upon arrival.

Empire of the Andes Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Head into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit the old mountain village of Pisaq. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue into the Sacred Valley for an overnight stay. (B,L) ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME TRADITIONS & TREASURES Enjoy free time to browse Pisaq’s famous market to find handmade textiles and wares of the Sacred Valley. Here, vendors offer unique local products such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, and hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases.

Mystery on the Mountain Board a scenic train that travels through scenic Urubamba Valley. Upon arrival, ascend to legendary Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas,” high above the steep valley overlaid with dense tropical jungle. Your Local Guide will bring you closer to the lives and mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures built by the Pre-Columbian masters of this sacred land. Later this afternoon, return to Cusco via train for an evening at leisure. (B) NOTE: 7-8 hours will be spent in Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes region TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT Machu Picchu – Found between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon basin, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most impressive Incan site from the Incan Empire. Discover this city that was abandoned in the 16th Century when the Spanish conquered the Incas, only to be rediscovered in 1911.

Monumental Stories This morning, learn more about the Incas, their traditions, and their struggle against invading Spaniards. Learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. See them up close and learn how their coats are transformed into precious fibers for ancient weaving techniques still in use today. Later, visit the Temple of Sacsayhuaman high on the hillside overlooking Cusco. Some of the best examples of Inca masonry can be found at this fortress, where stones weighing up to 350 tons are pieced together to form a complex that could house up to 10,000 men. Learn about the ceremonies and battles that took place here on your tour. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION In Cusco, meet with the locals who preserve the ancient technique of Pre-Columbian weaving using South American camelid fleece. This is your chance to get up close to the various camelids, including alpaca, llama, guanaco, and vicuña, indigenous to the region.