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Incas & Condors Arequipa and Colca Canyon Cuzco, capital of the Inca empire Sacred Valley of the Incas Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu Lima "City of Kings" 15 Days

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Friday

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Friday- Miami - Lima: Afternoon flight south to Lima, arriving in the evening. Meeting and assistance with getting to the Costa del Sol Airport hotel for overnight stay.

Saturday - Lima - Arequipa: Mid-day flight south to Arequipa, arriving in the early afternoon. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to your hotel, the Casa Andina Private Collection, in the heart of the historic city, for a two night stay. Balance of the day at leisure. (B)

Sunday - Arequipa: Morning visit to Arequipa, a historic city declared a World Heritage Cultural site by UNESCO and Peru's second most important city, distinguished for its handsome architecture, delicious food and eternally blue sky. Sitting at the foot of impressive Misti volcano, it is often called The White City because of its buildings made of white petrified volcanic ash thrown up by Chancani volcano. Visit the main points of interest in Arequipa and stop by the Museo Santuarios Andinos, with a collection of Inca mummies and archaeological remains, but dominated by one small girl:  "Juanita", the Ice Maiden of Ampato. Juanita was discovered is almost perfect condition in 1995 after the eruption of Ampato melted her icy ritual grave. She is thought to be some 500 years old. Afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace. (B)

Monday - Arequipa - Colca Valley: Morning departure for three hour scenic drive along the lower slopes of Mount Chachani, up across the high plains studded with ichu and yareta (plants used for fuel), with a stop at the small but excellent museum before dropping down into the valley, an area of breath-taking landscapes surrounded by terracing and snow-capped peaks. Far below, at a depth of 3,400 meters, the Colca River winds along the bottom of the canyon, one of the world's deepest. There are 14 towns based on both riverbanks, towns which were founded in the sixteenth century to settle the Collagua natives who were scattered around the area. Continue through Chivay, the first of the towns along the way, through the valley to your hotel, the charming Las Casitas for a two night stay. You'll arrive in time for lunch and this afternoon you can enjoy activities as offered by the hotel. (B/L/D)

Tuesday - Colca Valley: Early morning drive to the "mirador" to watch the condors, who nest far down in the canyon, begin their slow circling ascent up the canyon and out into the valley for the day's hunting expedition. It is a majestic site and a morning ritual in the valley. Then visit a few of the villages in the area before returning to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon enjoy activities as offered by the hotel. (B/L/D)

Wednesday - Colca Valley - Arequipa:   Morning return drive back to Arequipa, arriving mid-day, with drop-off at your hotel, the Casa Andina Private Collection. In the afternoon visit  the Santa Catalina Convent, just opened in 1970 after four centuries of mysterious seclusion. The convent is a complete miniature walled colonial town of over two hectares in the middle of Arequipa, where over 450 nuns lived in total seclusion except for their women servants. It has been beautifully restored and is a fascinating look into the past. (B)

Thursday - Arequipa - Cuzco: Early morning transfer to the airport for flight to Cuzco, ancient capital of the Inca empire and considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Upon arrival, meeting and transfer to the lovely La Casona for two night stay. In the afternoon visit to the main points of interest in Cuzco, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Cuzco was the capital of the ancient Inca empire and is considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. Cuzco was founded around 1100 A.D. and thought to have been a Holy City, a must pilgrimage for any ranking citizen of the empire. You will also visit the ruins on outskirts of town. Sacsayhuaman has three walls that run parallel for over 360 meters, with 21 bastions and huge rocks of up to 130 tons fitted together in absolute perfection. It was thought to have been a fortress but the layout and architecture suggest a great sanctuary and temple to the sun. Also visit the amphitheater of Kenkko (Qenqo), an excellent example of Inca stone carving; Puka Pukara, possibly an Inca "tambo" where travelers were lodged and goods & animals kept, and Tambo Machay, the spring shrine thought to have been an Inca bath and possibly the site of a water cult. (B)

Friday - Cuzco: Day at leisure to explore Cuzco at your own pace. It's immensely walkable with something historic or colorful around each corner. (B)

Saturday - Cuzco - Urubamba: Today you will enjoy a full day exploring the the Sacred Valley of the Incas. As you drive over the Andes, make a stop at Awanacancha, a weaving center where you can see and learn about the four members of the cameloid family - llama, alpacas, vicunas and guanacos. Then drive to the town of Pisac and then wind uphill to the ruins of Pisac.Your first views are of Kanchiacay agricultural area but around the corner & cascading down the mountain are a military area Q'Allaqasa, palaces of the moon and sun, solstice markers, baths & water channels and even further down the Intihuatana group of temples and Pisaqa with a fine curving wall. Then drive down the mountain and through the valley to the town of Pisac to visit its colorful Indian market, now open on a daily basis.  Have lunch at one of the popular restaurants in the valley and continue on to your hotel, the Rio Sagrado Hotel, Villas and Spa for a two night stay in the Sacred Valley. (B/L)

Sunday - Urubamba: This morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the town of Ollantaytambo where the road is built along the long "Wall of 100 Niches". The archaeological site includes the Bana de le Nusta (bath of the princess),and the small ruins of Inca Misanca, believed to have been a temple or an observatory. There is also a complete irrigation system, including a canal at shoulder level cut out of rock. The flights of terraces leading up above town were successfully defended against Pizarro in 1536 and for those making the climb up to the top spectacular vistas of the valley can be enjoyed. Also make a stop at Pablo Seminario's Ceramic Studio which is dedicated to the discovery of techniquies and designs from ancient Peruvian cultures. Pablo Seminario presents a new art expression, providing continuity to these cultural inheritances. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the Rio Sagrado. (B)

Monday - Urubamba-Machu Picchu: Early morning transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo for VistaDome rail service to Aguas Calientes for mini-bus 2,000 foot serpentine ascent to the top of the mountain and the entrance to famed Machu Picchu, Lost City of the Incas. Enjoy a guided tour of these spectacular ruins, never found by the Spanish Conquistadores and only re-discovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu was a stunning archeological find - it was the only major Inca site  that escaped 400 years of looting and destruction. Machu Picchu is a complete city strategically perched atop a mountain. Sprawled across the mountainside are staircases. terraces, temples, palace, towers, fountains and the famous Intihuatana, or "Hitching Post to the Sun", possibly a center-point between cardinal alignments or nearby sacred peaks. The Incas worshipped nature: the celestial bodies, mountains, lightning, rainbows, rocks - anything, in fact, was imbued with "huaca", or spiritual power. The spiritual component is important to understanding Machu Picchu, deliberately abandoned for some still undetermined reason. Have lunch and time to explore at your own pace. Your accommodations are in Aguas Calientes at the bottom of the mountain at the charming Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. (B/L/D)

Tuesday - Machu Picchu-Cuzco: Day at leisure to explore at your own pace. You can go back up to the ruins if you want, enjoy activities exclusively for the guests of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel or simply explore the village of Aguas Calientes. In the late afternoon, board the luxury Hiram Bingham train for return trip to Cuzco. While on board you will enjoy cocktails, hors-d'oeuvres, entertainment and a four course dinner.  Meeting upon arrival Cuzco and transfer to your hotel, La Casona, for an overnight stay. (B/D)

Wednesday - Cuzco - Lima: Late morning return flight to Lima. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to your hotel, the Miraflores Park in fashionable Miraflores. Afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace. (B)

Thursday - Lima: Today you will enjoy a full day exploring Lima, once the seat of the Vice Royalty of Spain and often called "The City of Kings", including the Plaza de Armas with government palace and cathedral, the San Francisco or Santo Domingo Convent and the new suburbs of the city. Also visit your choice of either the famed Gold Museum, Larco Herrera Museum or the Archaeology Museum, make a stop by the handicraft market with many stalls and an excellent overview of the crafts of Peru.  You'll have lunch enroute today at the Rosa Nautica Restaurant, located on a pier jutting out into the Pacific Ocean.  (B/L)

Friday - Lima - Miami: Early morning transfer for return flight to Miami. Clear customs and immigrations and make connections to your home city.

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