Highlights of Peru

The Capital of the New World extends a warm welcome on your epic voyage through the iconic and unexpected highlights of Peru. Meet your local host on arrival and transfer to your hotel in the upscale shopping district of Miraflores. This evening, you’ll join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner.

Connect with the colonial heritage of Francisco Pizzaro’s 'City of Kings', admiring the colonial splendor of Lima’s UNESCO-listed Historic Center, with your Local Specialist. Stand in the birthplace of this ancient, yet modern city, surrounded by the Baroque façades of Cathedral of Lima and Palace of the Union. See the Church of San Francisco and discover its hidden catacombs. Celebrate Lima’s status as the culinary capital of South America and Connect With Locals when you meet Ignacio Barrios, who has worked alongside many of Peru's most award-winning chefs. We visit a local market where Ignacio will explain how Peruvian fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats are the basis of Peruvian cooking. Then, continue to Chef Ignacio's cooking school where we’ll enjoy a demonstration on how to prepare some of Peru's most popular dishes and have an opportunity to sample some at a Be My Guest experience with lunch before spending the rest of the day at leisure.

Fly to Cusco this morning and head straight into the Sacred Valley, where your day begins with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Manos de la Comunidad weaving center. You’ll uncover the traditions of the Sacred Valley, called “lindaje”. After a lunch of local flavors, check in to your Stays with Stories experience at Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay, a former 18th-century monastery set among peaceful gardens. Later, connect with artisans working to protect Peru’s textile heritage. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps fund skills training and job creation across villages like Chinchero and Parobamba.

The mystical empire of the Incas takes center stage today. We visit the famous Sacred Valley stronghold of Ollantaytambo before boarding the Vistadome train (light snack included) for our epic journey to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Delve into the mysteries of this once-great civilization, admiring the 15th century stone ruins of temples, palaces and terraces perched high amidst the clouds. Join your local Specialist, who will take you through the ruins and explain their historical and archaeological significance, as well as the importance of their location.