Mysteries of Peru and Machu Picchu

From the Sacred Valley of the Inca and the magical heights of Machu Picchu to the natural wonders of the Ballestas Islands, join us as we uncover this culturally rich region of the Peruvian Andes. Savor the vibrant flavors of Lima's celebrated cuisine, explore the ancient citadels of Cusco, and marvel at the enigmatic Nazca Lines etched into the desert over 2,000 years ago. Encounter centuries of tradition at every turn, from a Pachamama ceremony beneath Andean skies to a hands-on chocolate tasting rooted in Peru's rich cacao heritage. This extraordinary journey reveals Peru's enduring charm, centuries-old traditions and enigmatic mysteries.

Event Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Peru

• Arrive at Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport and transfer to the hotel
• Welcome dinner at an iconic restaurant housed within a 300-year-old colonial mansion

Day 2: Lima

• Sample organic Peruvian coffee and explore the colorful streets of the bohemian Barranco district, including the Bridge of Sighs
• Visit a traditional market to taste local fruits and learn about their influence on world cuisine
• Sip a pisco sour and enjoy a tasting of Peruvian dishes at a popular restaurant in San Isidro
• Explore the Larco Museum, set in an 18th-century viceroyalty mansion, with 30,000 artifacts spanning 5,000 years of Peruvian history

Day 3: Lima / Flight to Cusco / Sacred Valley

• Fly to Cusco, then coach through the Sacred Valley
• Guided visit to the Yucay Museum of Living Culture
• Evening at leisure

Day 4: Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu / Cusco

• Board the Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo through breathtaking Andean landscapes to Aguas Calientes
• Bus up the mountain to Machu Picchu for lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge
• Guided exploration of the citadel, including Intihuatana (the Sun Dial), the Sacred Plaza, and the Temple of the Sun
• Return to Cusco by Vistadome train in the afternoon

Day 5: Cusco

• City tour of the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuamán, an Inca megalithic complex, and Qorikancha
• Tour and tasting at a local artisan chocolate shop, exploring the cultural significance of Peruvian cocoa
• Lunch at Villa Tipón featuring a traditional Pachamama ceremony and live music

Day 6: Cusco / Flight to Lima / Paracas

• Fly back to Lima, then drive to the coastal town of Paracas
• Presentation on the Nazca Lines and pre-Incan history and cultures
• Evening at leisure

Day 7: Paracas

• Optional aerial tour over the Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (advance purchase required)
• Open-air dune buggy adventure through the sand dunes near Ica
• Visit to a local winery, followed by a sunset picnic dinner

Day 8: Paracas / Ballestas Islands

• Morning boat ride around the Ballestas Islands, a protected archipelago teeming with penguins, cormorants, boobies, and other seabirds
• View the Paracas Candelabra, a massive three-branched geoglyph etched into the peninsula's northern face
• Afternoon at leisure

Day 9: Paracas / Lima / Depart for U.S.

• After breakfast, drive to Lima for a group hospitality room at the hotel
• Transfer to the airport for evening flights home