11 Days Lima, Nazca Lines, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Puno

Tour overview
The haunting world of the ancient Inca civilization comes alive as you explore both the remains of their empire and the new world that has evolved in Peru. With Machu Picchu as a stunning highlight, this adventure-packed journey puts you in touch with fascinating remains and modern, colorful local culture. Highlights include a cruise on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

Day 1 - Arrive Lima
Your journey begins as you board your overnight flight to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 – Lima: City Tour & Larco Herrera Museum
After a leisurely morning, embark on your tour of Lima. Start at the Plaza de Armas and visit the Cathedral, where the skeleton of Francisco Pizarro is sealed in a wooden coffin. Stroll to the venerable San Francisco
Monastery, with its splendid 17th-century cloister murals. Next, stop at Lima’s famous Herrera Museum. (B)

Day 3 - Lima / Ica – Nazca Lines
Enjoy a scenic drive south along the Pan American Highway to the town of Ica, the wine capital of Peru. Have your cameras handy this afternoon as you board your aircraft for a flight over the Nazca Plains—a series of drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the parched soil. Dinner this evening is at your hotel. (BD)

Day 4 - Ica / Ballestas Island Cruise / Lima
Head north to the Bay of Paracas. Cruise out to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds. Re-board your coach and arrive in Lima by late afternoon. Overnight at your hotel. (BD)

Day 5 - Lima / Cuzco - Pisac
Depart for Cuzco by flight this morning. Upon arrival, proceed to the fortress village of Pisac, an old mountain village. You will have free time in the town center to browse the many colorful stalls. Overnight in Sacred Valley. (BLD)

Day 6 - Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu
Board your train this morning for a short journey into the lush Urubamba Valley. Then transfer to a motor coach for the ascent to legendary Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas,” situated high above the steep valley overlaid with dense tropical jungle. Your local guide will bring you closer to the lives and mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures built by the pre-Columbian masters of this sacred land. (BL)

Day 7 - Machu Picchu / Cuzco
Enjoy the tranquility of the morning before you take some free time to wander the ruins at your own pace and inhale the magic that is Machu Picchu. After lunch, return to Cuzco in the late afternoon. (BL)

Day 8 - Cuzco City Tour
Today learn more about the Incas and their futile struggle with the invading Spaniards. Visit the imposing Cathedral, the Santo Domingo Monastery, the nearby Inca baths of Tambomachay and the semi-circular Kenko Amphitheater. See the ancient site of Puca Pucara before reaching the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, “House of the Sun,” perched on a hillside overlooking Cuzco. (BD)

Day 9 - Cuzco / Puno
Travel to Puno. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 10 - Puno / Lake Titicaca / Puno
Enjoy excursion by boat to Uros and Taquile Islands on Lake Titicaca. This full day excursion will take you to the highest navigable lake in the world to the floating islands of the Uros Indians. These are man-made islands by tying totora reeds. Continuing to Taquile where a native community of about 400 families still lives traditionally as the Incas lived centuries ago. Taquile is a very important site on Lake Titicaca for its archeological remains, the sacred and ceremonial sites, the festive activities and their rituals. (BL)

Day 11 - Puno / Lima
Today, drive to Julliaca airport to board your flight to Lima. Later in the day transfer to the airport for your flight to home. (B)