Peru: Lima, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley May 13, 2016-May 22, 2016
Day 1, 2016
Lima
Welcome to Lima!
On arrival at Lima International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, Belmond Miraflores Park, an excellent city boutique property which as a relatively small hotel has a very personal feel. Beautiful sea views in the summer, typical Belmond high standard of service, and being ideally located for the main sights, shops and restaurants.
Dinner on your account.
Belmond Miraflores Park
Jr Suite Ocean View Room
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Day 2, 2016
Lima
Breakfast at your hotel.
This morning, you will enjoy a half day of Cooking Experience with Penelope Alzamora, a well-experienced chef; where you learn how to make Ceviche, the famous Peruvian National dish, and other local dishes that you may savour on this experience.
Cooking Class Chef, Penelope Alzamora
Just after meeting Penelope, you will continue to the market, where you will participate in the process of buying the freshest seasonal ingredients for your ‘hands on’ cooking experience.
Then we will head to Penelope’s apartment in Barranco, a district known for its bohemian character and home to a number of famous Peruvian writers of the 20th century, to enjoy a refreshing Pisco sour.
All the preparations will be richly rewarded with a gourmet feast overlooking a Lima’s coast.
This afternoon you will embark on a city tour beginning with a visit to the Plaza Mayor, official center of the city and the original site upon which Lima was founded. You will visit the historic Cathedral an architectural masterpiece. From the Cathedral, you will walk past the Presidential Palace where the soldiers guarding the palace offer an excellent photo opportunity, and on to the Church of Santo Domingo.
Visit the Casa Aliaga, Lima’s oldest colonial mansion. Located in Lima’s central Jir�n de la Uni�n, just half a block from the beautiful Plaza de Armas, centuries of restoration undertaken by the countless generations of Aliagas’s have given the house its own particular physiognomy that you will be able to appreciate today as you visit with your guide.
Larco Herrara Museum
You will visit to the Larco Herrera Museum, an extensive private collection of pre-Inca ceramics – probably the largest collection of its kind in the world.
Dinner at Café Del Museum Restaurant. The Museo Larco Restaurant/Café offers the best of Peruvian and International cuisine, including hot dishes, salads, sandwiches, pastries, desserts and drinks, in an enchanting ambiance. The restaurant is situated on the terrace, overlooking its beautiful gardens and the vice-regal mansion which houses the Museo Larco Collection. B – L – D
Belmond Miraflores Park
Jr Suite Ocean View Room
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Day 3, 20165
Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley
Lima Cusco Sacred Valley
Breakfast at your hotel.
At proper time transfer to the airport. Lima airport assistance with your internal flight to Cusco.
Upon arrival in Cusco, Andean community and former ancient capital of the Inca Empire, you will be met and transferred to the Sacred Valley.
Awana Kancha
En route, visit Awana Kancha, a center where South American camelids (llamas, alpacas and vicunas) are bred. Learn about the valuable fibers created from their coats as well as the ancient weaving techniques still used today. Relax and acclimatize to the altitude.
You will enjoy a lunch and Horse Show at Wayra Ranch. As you walk up to the entrance of the ranch, you are greeted by a handful of warm-hearted horses who are indulging in their lunch before ShowTime.
The flowers and landscape are enough to grace the cover of any travel magazine and as you enter front doors you soon realize this is not your typical ‘ranch’. The decor inside the Wayra Ranch is one of a 5-Star hotel, boasting local colors, crafts and animals and is equipped with full bar, fireplace and enough room to entertain a full wedding party. Undoubtedly serene and charming, the inside of the restaurant is just the beginning, as you walk onto the terrace in the back of the restaurant; a feeling of personal paradise overcomes you.
Wayra Ranch
Large white umbrellas accompany comfortable table settings, and the scent of the rotisserie captures your senses as you walk into the main outdoor dining area. Once seated, the food and drinks start flowing and seem to never let up, which is a great problem to have. The selections of fresh local produce taste like it was hand-picked from their beautiful grounds that same day. The salads, fruits, breads, empanadas, rotisserie chicken, meats, potatoes, and vegetables are constantly circling each table and there is never a moment when your plate goes empty. The flaky texture of the empanadas, the crispy skin of the perfectly rotisseried chicken, and the freshness of the local flavours assure this to be one of your favourite meals in Peru.
After lunch you will continue to Inkary Museum which was created thanks to an initiative of a group of artists and archaeologists to show the world an impressive demonstration of the most important pre-Columbian cultures of Peru through a modern language and easy reading texts. The main goal of the project is to protect the value of our history with emphasis on the human factors of pre-Colombian societies filling in gaps of Peruvians about their ancestors. In addition to completing a vision of our past, the project illuminates Peru as a country of various cultures; not only the splendid Incan Empire, but also the cultures of Caral, Chavin, Paracas, Moche, Nasca, Wari, Lambayeque and Chimo.
Chinchero
On the way to Sacred Valley you will visit Chinchero, a town of Inca origins where the former Tupac Yupanqui Hacienda is located, as well as a charming colonial church built on top of Inca remains.
At night: The Chef’s table
For years we have shared with our fellow diners the flavors of our country and region, and have collected their 
expressions of astonishment and pleasure experienced in the discovery of our cuisine. Discover the produce of the Sacred Valley of the Incas during a walk along the Route of the Plots, and attend a cooking demonstration that allows you to appreciate the use of these local products. You may wish to take part in our cooking workshop before joining the Chef’s Table, where you will be part of an exclusive group of people enjoying the attentions and explanations of our chef inside his own kitchen. B – L – D
Sol & Luna
Casita Deluxe
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Day 4, 2016
Sacred Valley
After lunch, continue on to the massive fortress of Ollantaytambo. The fortress, a formidable stone structure that climbs massive terraces reaching the top of a high peak, was the valley’s main defense against the Antis and was the site of the Incas’ greatest victory against the Spanish during the wars of conquest. Constructed of rose-colored granite, this huge installation was once a thriving complex of baths, temples and military barracks. Below the fortress lies a complete Incan town, also called Ollantaytambo, still inhabited and with its original architecture and layout preserved.
Continue on to visit the Children of the Rainbow Kuychi Center. The Foundation was created in 2003 to support Helena Van Engelen’s Foundation “Ninos del Arco Iris” in Peru. The name of the project and of the Foundation refers to the Rainbow: “Arco Iris” in Spanish and “Kuychi” in Quechua (Indian language). The project focuses on offering a future to underprivileged children who are exposed to many risks as a result of abject poverty. The project assists the community by offering services and programs to children, their parents and community members in and around Urubamba. During your visit, you learn about the Foundation and its work to improve the predicament of Peruvian children and young people.
Enjoy a barbecue lunch with the underprivileged children at Ninos del Arco Iris (Children of the Rainbow), a project supported by A&K Philanthropy. B – L
Dinner on your account.
Sol & Luna
Casita Deluxe
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Sacred Valley in Spring
Day 5 ,2016
Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the train station for your journey through the beautiful mountain countryside to reach Machu Picchu.
Board the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu (1h35m journey), and travel along the Sacred Valley to arrive at the famous Incan site.
Machu Picchu
On arrival, you will be transported 25-minutes by shared bus to the ruins of Machu Picchu to explore this famous “Lost City of the Incas”. Overlooking the raging Urubamba River, in a hidden tangle of vines and trees atop the mountain, the city of Machu Picchu will forever hold its secret of its destruction since the Incas left no written record.
Buffet Lunch at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.
Explore the city’s ruins with your private guide and feel its pulse as you visualize the lives of the priests, craftsmen and servants who lived in this seemingly uninhabitable citadel.
Excavations have only added to the mystery, revealing the skeletons of 173 people (50 of them are women), artifacts and woollen clothing, but no gold.
B – L -D
Your Casita at Inkaterra
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo
Jr Suite Room
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Day 6, 2016
Machu Picchu – Cusco
Second Day in Machu Picchu with your guide.
Ideas for today:
1) This morning, you will have the opportunity to hike up the Old Mountain, located towards the south of the Citadel and near the famed Inca Trail. A slow climb takes approximately three hours and once you reach the top, you will enjoy the spectacular views. Not many visitors climb peak (3,000 meters above the sea level).
2) A 35-minute hike from the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge will take you to the opposite side of the Machu Picchu Mountain. From there, you will be able to see the San Miguel Bridge over the Urubamba River and part of the hydroelectric plant – now a lake bed, due to the effects of the ‘El Nino’ climate phenomenon. This bridge is a masterpiece of engineering, as it is carved out of the protruding rocks embedded in the mountainside, which served as a protection of the sacred citadel.
Inkaterra
Enjoy lunch at Café Inkaterra.
In the afternoon, you will join the Vistadome Train back to Cusco.
Upon arrival at Cusco’s train station, a representative will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco. B – L
Dinner on your account.
Belmond Monasterio
Deluxe Room
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Day 7, 2016
Cusco
Breakfast at your hotel.
This morning, you will visit the Mercado Central de San Pedro, a great spot for buying local souvenirs, but also where locals go to buy their fresh produce.
You will be driven to the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo, a Dominican church and convent built 
upon the foundations of the Koricancha, or the ‘place of gold’.
After seeing the sights of the ancient city, you will continue to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a true testimony to Incan architectural skills. Comprised of massive stones (one weighs 125 tons!) you are challenged to try to slip a piece of paper through the cracks in between these blocks, cut and fitted together with incredible precision without a single drop of mortar to hold them in place. This ancient fortress (where the greatest battle between the Spanish and Incas took place) overlooks the red-tiled roofs of Cusco and the breathtaking countryside surrounding the city.
This evening enjoy a Music Lecture:
Gustavo Leon is a Cusqueian musician, who has spent many years studying and interpreting the music of the Peruvian Andes.
He has conducted concerts as a soloist and as a part of ensembles in different parts of Peru and the world, including, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, United States of America, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia.
He is a member of the musical group Expression. They have received numerous awards and recognition for the work of collecting and composing Cusqueian music, and has won awards in multiple festivals on the national and international levels.
Gustavo Leon has participated in the recording of several different albums including: Music Anthology of Cusco, �awpa Taki, Riqchary, Wasichacuy. He is also the composer of several popular pieces, including: Wichasun, Haylly, Qeros, Raqchi, Riqchary, Wasichacuy and many others.
The experience Mr. Leon has gained through teaching at different academic levels, along with his knowledge and love for ancient Peruvian culture, are important components in presenting an entertaining and interactive presentation.
This lecture includes an exhibition of native and mestizo Andean wind instruments (aer�fanos; fit, Wakra puku, flute, Phun, pincuyllo, sikus, antara, Okarina, manchaypuytu etc.), percussion instruments (idiophone, rattles, Zapaca, Chapchas, chawranas, Wanka tinya etc.) and string instruments (charangos, pachajchaki, domingacha etc). The presentation includes an explanation of the origin, characteristics, tradition, and influence of the instrument in the local culture. The exhibition also includes an explanation of the techniques used for implementation.
Based on the type of the program desired by special groups, this exhibition may be supplemented by classes about the execution of the instruments on display.(*)
Small Crowns Pre-Columbian Art Museum
Farewell Dinner today will be served at the Restaurant in the Pre-Columbian Art Museum. This building was originally an Inca ceremonial court around 1450 A.D before becoming the mansion of the Spanish conqueror Alonso Diaz in 1580 and in 1850 the mansion of the Earl of Cabrera. In June 2003 it was restored and turned into Cusco’s Pre-Columbian Art Museum. This extraordinary historic monument is home to the only museum in Peru dedicated to the art of ancient Peruvian cultures.
Pre-Columbian Art Museum
After dinner you will have the opportunity to visit the museum. The exhibition uses texts in Spanish, English and French to emphasize the artistic context of its collection, displayed across 11 showrooms. Its galleries were designed to meet the highest standards of modern museography and to enable visitors to admire Pre-Columbian art at its dazzling best. B – _ -D
Belmond Monasterio
Deluxe Room
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Day 8, 2016
Cusco
Day at leisure.
Fascinating Cusco
Enjoy this day … take time to explore this intriguing city! A few of the highlights include the Plaza de Armas, the historic center of Cusco, the Mercado Central de San Pedro, close to the main interest points and full of the sights and smells to pique your appetite. You’ll also find souvenirs will be less expensive here than in many shops. For historic sites, don’t miss Coricancha, one of the most important temples in the Inca Empire, and still impressive today.
Lunch is under your own arrangements. B
Belmond Monasterio
Deluxe Room
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Day 9, 2016
Cusco – Lima
Return to Lima for an evening at leisure. Perhaps get in some last-minute shopping in a local crafts market or sample some of Peru’s culinary offerings. You may also enjoy viewing the city’s buildings, noting their mix of architectural designs, including colonial and Baroque styles.
Lunch is under your own arrangements. B
Belmond Miraflores Park
Jr Suite Ocean View Room
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Day 10, 2016
Lima – Depart
At proper time transfer to Lima Airport Lima airport assistance board your homebound flight or begin the Galapagos Post-Tour Extension. B
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