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Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Lima, Peru

Day 2: Arrive Lima Upon arrival in the Peruvian capital early this morning, we transfer to our hotel for breakfast and time to rest (rooms are ready for our early arrival). This afternoon we visit the Larco Herrera Museum whose ceramics collection, featuring a renowned set of erotic pre-Columbian pots, is unparalleled. Later we tour colonial Lima, then dine tonight at a local restaurant. B,D

Day 3: Lima/Cuzco/Sacred Valley Early this morning we transfer to the airport for the brief flight to Cuzco, where upon arrival we stop for brunch, then continue on to the beautiful Sacred Valley, a region of Inca sites and indigenous villages. After stopping at the colorful Indian market at Pisac, we reach our hotel mid-afternoon. Before dinner there tonight, we attend a native ceremony, Offering to the Earth. B,L,D

Day 4: Sacred Valley Today’s tour begins with a visit to the Incan farming town of Chincheros, set on a broad plateau presided over by a snow-capped mountain. Here residents live much as their ancestors did, wearing traditional clothing and conducting business and local government by traditional means. Next we tour the important salt mines in the lovely colonial town of Maras, where we enjoy lunch together. We spend the afternoon exploring Ollantaytambo, a living town and site of massive Incan ruins that still inspire wonder today. We return to our hotel late this afternoon and dine there tonight. B,L,D

Day 5: Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes Early this morning we board a train for the 1½-hour journey to Aguas Calientes, where after lunch we board a bus for Machu Picchu and our first guided visit of the stunning “Lost City of the Incas.” Thanks to its small size, our group will move nimbly through the ruins and have the leisure to absorb the beauty and mystery of this site whose original purpose has been lost to time. B,L,D

Day 6: Machu Picchu/Cuzco This morning before the crowds of day trippers arrive we take our second guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, when the early morning sun bathes the stones in a haunting, evocative light. After lunch in Aguas Caliente, we return to Cuzco by train. The remainder of the day is at leisure. B,L

Day 7: Cuzco We set out this morning on a tour of the archaeological hub of the Americas, the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city, and UNESCO World Heritage site. Dynamic and historic, Cuzco is rich with the legacies of its Inca and Spanish forebears. We stop at the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, the still beautiful “House of the Sun,” an Incan masterpiece, then enjoy lunch in the home of a gracious Cuzco family. This afternoon is at leisure. B,L

Day 8: Cuzco/Puno This morning we depart for the day-long journey by coach to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. As we travel through the rugged snow-capped Andes dotted with small villages and herds of llama and alpaca, we make several stops along the way: Andahuaylillas, an attractive village known for its lovely 17th-century church; the ruins at Raqchi, once the holiest site in the Incan empire; La Raya, perched on Peru’s altiplano (high plane) and home to the Llama and Alpaca Research Center; and the ceramics center of Pucara. We reach our hotel on the shores of Esteves Island on Lake Titicaca late this afternoon; it’s a short walk to the center of Puno from our hotel. B,L

Day 9: Puno/Lake Titicaca We spend the day exploring the fascinating life of Lake Titicaca, South America’s largest lake and at 12,500 feet above sea level, among the world’s highest navigable lakes. Up here the air is clearer, the colors sharper, and the horizon farther. By boat we visit the Floating Island of Los Uros, where the top-hatted Uros people live on “islands” made of the reeds that grow in the lake’s shallows; in fact, the Uros rely on these reeds for their boats, the small huts in which they live, household items, and the handcrafts they sell to visitors. We also visit Isla Taquile, known for the high quality textiles crafted by the indigenous people who live here; sales of their textiles support the self-sustaining Taquilenos. On our visit, we see the men in their signature woven woolen caps with floppy earpieces, and women in tailored waistcoats and multi-layered skirts. We also witness the breath­taking natural beauty surrounding us, with Bolivia’s snow-capped Cordillera range a striking backdrop to the deep blue of Lake Titicaca. Tonight we celebrate our Peruvian adventure at a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. B,L,D

Day 10: Puno/Lima This morning we visit the mysterious burial towers (chullpas) at Sillustani overlooking Lake Umayo. Then we transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima, arriving in the evening. B

Day 11: Depart for U.S. Very early this morning we depart for the airport and our flight to Miami, where we connect with our flights home. B

Please note: This trip involves considerable walking uphill, on uneven terrain, and at sites of ancient ruins. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest. In addition, the high altitude of Lake Titicaca (12,500 feet) and Cuzco (11,150 feet) could pose problems for travelers with certain health conditions. You should consult with your physician if you have concerns.

Included

Tour Price Includes

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary
• 9 nights’ accommodations in Superior First Class and First Class hotels
• 22 meals: 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 5 dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours)

Dates and Prices

2009 Tour Dates & Prices

	Mar 9 Mar 23 Nov 30 Dec 7	Apr 27 Jul 13 Aug 24 Sep 28 Oct 5 Oct 12 Oct 19
Miami	$2,995	$3,095
Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa	$3,295	$3,395
Baltimore, Charlotte, Hous, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Wash, DC	$3,395	$3,495
Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Ang, San Fran	$3,495	$3,595
Phoenix, Port (OR), Seattle	$3,595	$3,695

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Single travelers please add $995. Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. All 2009 prices above are guaranteed.

Business Class upgrade on round-trip international flight: $2,695 per person from Miami. Airline taxes and departure fees of $189 per person ($334 with Amazon extension) are subject to change and will be listed separately on your invoice.

Hotels

Hotels & Ratings

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart Miami for Lima 2 Lima Doubletree El Pardo Sup. First Class 3-4 Sacred Valley Sonesta Posada del Inca First Class 5 Machu Picchu Inkaterra Machu Picchu Sup. First Class 6-7 Cuzco Hotel Libertador Sup. First Class 8-9 Puno (Lake Titicaca) Hotel Libertador Puno First Class 10 Lima Doubletree El Pardo Sup. First Class 11 Depart Lima for U.S.

Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.