Peru

Arrive in Lima late this evening and transfer to our hotel.

Head out on a walking tour to see Plaza de Armas, the stage for Peru’s 1821 declaration of independence. Located in Lima’s historic center, the plaza is surrounded by the Government Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Basilica Cathedral of Lima. Continue to the Larco Herrera Museum to take in more than 5,000 years of pre-Columbian Peruvian history. Enjoy lunch in the museum, which is housed in an 18th-century viceroy mansion and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Gather this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning, depart for the central highlands of Peu, stopping enroute at the World Heritage site of Caral-Supe, a 5,000-year-old archaeological site and one of the earliest monument sites in the Americas—predating even the use of pottery. Arrive in Chavín de Huántar late this afternoon after passing through a panorama of Andean landscapes.

Today, we experience Chavín de Huántar, one of the earliest and best-known pre-Columbian temple centers, dating to 1200–500 BCE. Professor Rick guides us through the ceremonial plazas and massive temple platforms and down into the enigmatic labyrinth of subterranean passageways inside them.

Return to the archaeological site, visiting the current excavations and viewing the towering Lanzón monolith, a 15-foot sculpture depicting a Chavín deity deep inside a temple. In Professor Rick's lab, we will learn about the conservation challenges that Stanford University and Peru's Ministry of Culture are facing to preserve the architecture and artifacts from this ancient center of Andean civilization. End the day with John’s guidance through the sculptural and ceramic treasures of the Chavin Museum, one of the few National Museums of the country.

Return to Lima by motorcoach, stopping at smaller archaeological sites along the way. Spend the night next to the Lima Airport Terminal in preparation for tomorrow’s flight to Cusco.

Fly to Cusco this morning. After lunch, stop in the small town of Chinchero for a demonstration of traditional weaving technique. Continue to our luxurious hotel in the Sacred Valley. We have time to enjoy the hotel’s amenities and beautiful setting this afternoon.

Begin at the ruins of the massive Inca fortress/temple of Ollantaytambo, the site of the Inca's greatest victory over the Spanish in the 16th century. Still using Inca walls, Ollantaytambo is Peru’s best surviving example of Inca town planning. This afternoon, take in the archaeological site of Moray where monumental concentric terraces remain carved into the earth.

Embark on a scenic ride aboard the luxury Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes, the town located at the foot of Machu Picchu. Nestled in a cloud forest, Machu Picchu is arguably the most important archaeological site in the Americas. Surrounded by steep agricultural terraces, this masterfully planned site, built in the mid-1400s, was a center of worship and the private retreat of the Inca ruler Pachacútec. This “Lost City of the Incas” also included an astronomical observatory. Explore the stone temples, grassy plazas, palaces and workshops with an expert guide.

Enjoy a free morning at Machu Picchu before the crowds arrive. We depart late this morning for our return train ride to Cusco. Upon arrival, tour the Plaza de Armas and see Cusco’s impressive cathedral. Dinner is on our own this evening.

Venture outside the city to see the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, begun by the Killke people early in the 10th century and expanded by the Incas in the 13th century. The massive stones (one weighs 125 tons!) were cut and fitted together with incredible precision and without a single glob of mortar to hold them in place. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before gathering to toast our journey at a farewell reception and dinner.

Relax this morning or choose to visit the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and the Coricancha Temple. Late this afternoon, we fly to Lima and check in to day rooms at the Wyndham Costa Del Sol Airport Hotel before connecting to late evening flights home.