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Home > Peru > Peru Adventures >
Cultures of Peru
17-day adventure
Detailed, day-by-day itinerary for this adventure!
Accommodations are noted, and meals are coded as B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
Above: Pyramids of Túcume, Peruvian north coast (Bill Roberson). Below: Woman in traditional Pisac dress (Weston Walker).
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Day 1 |
Arrive in Lima, Peru |
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Fly from your home city to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in and overnight.
Miraflores Park Hotel |
Day 2 |
Lima |
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Lima is a large city with a population of over 9 million in its metropolitan area. It also has flower gardens, great plazas, huge cathedrals, elegant colonial homes, fine museums, surfing, hopping nightlife, unique cuisine, and excellent hotels and restaurants. We tour historic Lima, including the Plaza de Armas, where you'll see elegant carved wooden balconies and colonial architecture.
We visit the National Museum of Archeology, Anthropology and History which has one of the largest collections of Pre-Hispanic art and relics including exceptionally well preserved mummies. From here we proceed to Museo Larco to see an impressive collection of pottery, gold and silver.
Now with our work for the day almost completed, we have earned a sumptuous lunch that will take care of both you and the rest of the afternoon! We then transfer to the airport for a short flight north to the typical north coast farm community of Chiclayo.
Gran Hotel Chiclayo, BLD |
Day 3 |
Sipán, Huaca Rajada, Túcume |
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We visit the following sites today: the Museo Tumbes Reales de Sipán that houses a fine collection of artifacts from many north coast archeological sites, including the Moche site of Sipán; the ruins at Huaca Rajada; the royal Moche Tomb of the Lord of Sipán (AD 300) and its small on-site museum; and the pyramids at Túcume, just north of Chiclayo.
Gran Hotel Chiclayo, BLD |
Day 4 |
Witch Doctor Market, Peruvian Pasos, Trujillo |
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To get a sense of daily life, we visit Chiclayo's colorful and very typical local market, the Mercado de Brujas (Witches Market). There we learn of amazing remedies, lotions and potions. We meander among stands piled high with fruits, vegetables, flowers and other edibles.
In the afternoon we'll stop for lunch and a Peruvian Paso horse show at La Hacienda de Paijan. We then explore the coastal route south to Trujillo. Time permitting, we will visit the Lambayeque archeological site of El Brujo before arriving in the colonial city of Trujillo.
Hotel Libertador, BLD |
Day 5 |
Huacas del Sol y de la Luna, Chan Chan, Lima |
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Just south of Trujillo we visit two Moche sites-Huaca del Sol, an adobe pyramid that covered an area comparable to that of the Great Pyramid at Ghiza, and Huaca de la Luna.
We have lunch at Club Nacional Huanchaco at Playa del Huanchaco, where we will marvel at the caballitos-small one-person fishing boats made from balsa reeds according to a design that has been unchanged over the last 1,600 years.
After lunch we explore the huge adobe Chimu complex of Chan Chan, reputedly the largest urban center in all of pre-Columbian America. Restoration of this site is in progress; crude sheds have been erected to prevent damage to these fragile adobe walls by periodic El Nińo rains. From Chan Chan we go directly to the flight to Lima where we transfer to the hotel for the night. Diner in Lima on your own.
Miraflores Park Hotel, BL |
Day 6 |
Pachacamac, Family Visit, Paracas |
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We leave Lima and head south on the Pan-American Highway. We visit Pachacamac, an important pre-Inca and Incan religious complex dedicated to worship of the Sun God.
For lunch, we have the rare experience of visiting with the Valleumbroso family in San Jose. The musical Valleumbroso family is one of a small community of black Peruvians who are descendants of slaves brought to Peru to work the grand haciendas. Mrs. Valleumbroso herself prepares our lunch, and afterwards the family entertains us with traditional music and dancing. You may find yourself dancing, too!After lunch we head south to the oasis of Ica for overnight.
Las Dunas Resort, BLD |
Day 7 |
Nazca Lines, Ica, Wineries |
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Weather permitting, we have an early flight over the intriguing Nazca Lines. Learn the many theories of their origins and purpose. Back in Ica we lunch at Las Dunas, and then visit the regional museum to view artifacts from Paracas, Nazca and Ica cultures. We also learn about modern Peru's pecan, date and olive production, then move on to solve the Nazca Lines mystery at a local winery, where we discover the potent ingredient of pisco sours.
Las Dunas Resort, BLD |
Day 8 |
Paracas Bay, Islas Ballestras, Lima |
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We explore the Bay of Paracas and the coastal islands of Islas Ballestras by boat. We’ll see large colonies of sea lions and seabirds, including boobies, pelicans, terns and penguins. Penguins!
We return to Lima to visit the incomparable collection of ancient, central-coast textiles at the by-appointment-only Museo Amano. Dinner on your own, for you to choose from the many excellent restaurants in Lima.
Miraflores Park Hotel, BL |
Day 9 |
Cuzco |
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A quick flight over the snow-covered Andes brings us to the legendary city of gold—Cuzco (alt. 11,200 feet)—the Center of the Inca Universe. Inca means "ruler," or "king" - an equivalent to the Roman Caesars.
After check-in, we have breakfast and sip coca-leaf tea while acclimating to the elevation. We begin our walking exploration of Cuzco after lunch (on your own), walking along streets where the Incas and later the Spaniards walked.
In the course of the day we will stop at Coricancha, the partially restored Temple of the Sun at the center of the Inca Universe, where the gold-covered walls were stripped by the Conquistadors. Along narrow cobblestone streets, we pass walls of stone so precisely fitted that they remain in superb condition centuries later, even after many earthquakes. We look into the University, churches and shops that face onto the Plaza de Armas.
Dinner tonight will be in the courtyard of the Art Museum at the delightful MAP Café accompanied by traditional music of the High Andes.
El Monasterio del Cuzco, BD |
Day 10 |
Cuzco, Sacsayhuaman |
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We visit the bustling Cuzco "Mercado Central", a traditional market were we will get a sense of the daily rhythm of Cuzqueño life. From open air stalls, everything from coca leaves, carrots, rubber boots, jeans, padlocks, beef, live chickens and ducks, to cuys, Band-Aids, and a range of familiar and unfamiliar fruits and vegetables are sold —sometimes for cash, sometimes in the traditional manner—barter.
Later we will be admitted to view an archbishop's private collection of colonial and Indian art. After lunch we will visit the Inca Historical Museum for a fine overview of the history of the Inca Empire from its beginning to its demise.
In the late afternoon we will venture to Sacsayhuaman to explore the spectacular ceremonial and "parade" grounds used by the Incas for major celebrations, pageants and sporting events. Inti Raymi, the Incan "Festival of the Sun," is still celebrated here beginning every June 24. Cuzco fills with colorfully dressed, chicha-drinking Indians from villages all over the Andes, who come for this week-long festival of folk-dance competitions, pageantry and renowned debauchery.
We will be treated to a special ceremony with plants and herbs conducted by a shaman before we descend into Cuzco.
El Monasterio del Cuzco, BLD |
Day 11 |
Pisac, Sacred Valley of the Incas |
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Our first stop on the way out of town is the fountains of Tambo Machay right outside of Cuzco. After a scenic ride through rich fields of quinoa and amaranth, we descend into the scenic Urubamba Valley, cross the river and drive high above the valley floor to explore the ruins of the Inca Fortress of Pisac.
On our return drive we make a short stop to explore the typical, indigenous village of Pisac (or if you are inclined, you may hike down from the Fortress through the terraces to the village where we will meet you), before continuing to lunch at Huayoccari Hacienda Restaurant, an elegant farmhouse filled with exquisite antiques and art in the hills above the Sacred Valley. Following lunch we continue through the valley to Sol y Luna, where you will have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the gardens, spa and property.
Sol y Luna, BLD |
Day 12 |
Ollantaytambo, Chinchero Market, |
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We begin our day with a visit to the spectacular temple-fortress and village of Ollantaytambo, a site that is little changed from the days of the Incas.
We then climb out of the valley to a very scenic 12,000-ft. plain en route to the Sunday Indian market at Chinchero. There we will observe how the local population shops for the week. You may find a few things that you simply must have!
We have planned a weaving demonstration orchestrated by Nilda Challañaupa, the founder, and director of The Center for Traditional Textiles of Cuzco. This organization is dedicated to preserving ancient textile designs and weaving techniques from all over the Andes. Some designs are more than 2000 years old and were thought to have been lost. Textiles created at the Center may be available for purchase.
We return to Sol y Luna for a late lunch and possibly a Peruvian Paso horse show. Late in the afternoon, you will have a cooking demonstration by the inn's chef, where you will learn about and sample the local cuisine and taste the delicious preparations.
Sol y Luna, BL D is cooking demonstration |
Day 13 |
Train to Machu Picchu, hike to Machu Picchu Mountain |
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We catch the early train in Ollantaytambo for one of the most breathtaking rail journeys in the world. The rail line follows the river down the impressive Canyon of the Vilcanota to the foot of Machu Picchu.
If our accommodations are at Hotel Pueblo de Machu Picchu, we leave the train at Aguas Calientes to check in to this lovely riverside inn. Then we head up the mountain by bus to Machu Picchu.
If our accommodations are at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge on the mountain by the ruins, we transfer to a bus for an exhilarating 20-minute dash up the mountainside to Machu Picchu. We check into the hotel on arrival.
We start our exploration of Machu Picchu with an orientation stroll around the site. This helps us get a sense of the layout of the ruins.
Machu Picchu is truly a place to explore on your own. The elevation is about 7,500-ft., much lower than Cuzco’s 11,500-ft., so you will feel much better. After lunch we will all have an extended guided walking tour.
Machu Picchu Sanctuary or Hotel Pueblo de Machu Picchu, BLD |
Day 14 |
Machu Picchu |
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The park opens at sunrise, a magical time of the day. Mist often shrouds the major peaks and floats onto the valley. The rising sun casts a golden glow into this fantasy land; it is not to be missed at this hour. Enjoy, and then return to the hotel for a quick breakfast.
We have an optional (weather-dependent) hike to the peak of Machu Picchu Mountain—a 5-6 hour round trip scenic workout! We'll bring our picnic lunch and feast on it as well as the sights.
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Depending on the weather, we have another optional hike climbing the steep, challenging trail, hidden in crevasses and bushes, that leads to the top of Huayna Picchu, the slender granite peak that appears in every photo of Machu Picchu. On top we have an overwhelming view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding valleys and snow-capped peaks. The climb is impressive and requires no more than 1.5 - 2 hours, even if you are a very slow hiker. It is a challenging hike, but the reward of reaching the summit is one of the greatest views in the world! The descent is relatively quick and easy, but steep, and leads straight to lunch!
After lunch you have the afternoon to yourself to explore the ruins, snooze in the sun, read and take photos. This is the special time that is all yours to savor Machu Picchu as you see fit.
Machu Picchu Sanctuary or Hotel Pueblo de Machu Picchu, BLD |
Day 15 |
Machu Picchu, train to Cuzco |
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This morning is all yours to enjoy Machu Picchu. You may hike up to the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu or explore the Inca Bridge, take photos or muse about Machu Picchu until you meet the rest of the group for lunch.
After lunch we bus down to the train for Cuzco. Once there we tumble into the Monasterio del Cuzco for the night.
El Monasterio del Cuzco, BL |
Day 16 |
Cuzco to Lima |
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We have time to do last minute shopping and lunch before our flight to Lima. In Lima, you may rest, shop, and explore on your own. You may select from Lima's many fine restaurants for dinner.
Miraflores Park Hotel, B |
Day 17 |
Lima to home or other adventures |
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Transfer to the airport with check-in to your homeward bound flight unless you are remaining for more adventures. |
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