Real Affordable Peru

DAY 1
Depart U.S. • Arrive Lima, Peru
Accommodations: José Antonio Lima Hotel
You depart from the U.S. and fly to Lima, Peru, arriving late in the evening or early morning. An O.A.T. representative will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.

DAY 2
Lima • Discover Miraflores district
Meals included: B L Accommodations: José Antonio Lima Hotel or similar

After breakfast, you'll get acquainted with our Trip Leader and fellow travelers—including those joining us from our optional pre-trip extensions to Ecuador: The Andes & the Devil's Nose Train or The Amazon Rain Forest of Peru.

After an included lunch, we take an orientation walk through the boulevards and plazas around our hotel—situated in the stylish Miraflores district, which is a cultural and artistic center full of small cafés, fine shops, and art galleries. After our walk, we'll return to the hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure, with dinner on your own this evening.

DAY 3
Explore Lima
Meals included: B D Accommodations: José Antonio Lima Hotel or similar

After breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a tour of Lima's colonial sites. Founded by the conquistadors in 1535, Lima became Spain’s largest and wealthiest city in the New World. The city has a proud history, including the founding of one of the first universities in South America, the Universidad de San Marcos, in the middle of the 16th century. Today, Lima’s historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We begin with a guided visit to Lima’s National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History at Bolivar Square, where we can view the eras of Peru’s history through art, from pre-Incan turquoise figurines to Incan textiles and Spanish paintings. The museum contains an impressive collection of ceramics, gold and silver items, and textiles from the ancient cultures of Chavin, Mochica, Chimu, Tiahuanaco, Pucara, Paracas, Nazca, and Inca. A local guide will then join us as we explore Lima’s colonial streets and architecture—evidence of the city’s Spanish heritage—concluding with a private tour of San Francisco Church, a distinctive yellow building constructed in the Baroque style, known for its beautiful painted ceilings and extensive catacombs.

We return to our hotel and lunch is on your own. You'll be free to make your own discoveries in Lima this afternoon. We gather for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

DAY 4
Fly to Cuzco • Explore Sacred Valley and Pisac
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: San Agustin Urubamba Hotel or similar

After breakfast this morning, we continue our travel in Peru with a flight to the mountain-ringed city of Cuzco. Situated at an elevation of 10,909 feet, this city was the capital of the Incan world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, we descend into the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River, the lower elevation of which eases our transition to high altitudes of the Andes before our visit to Machu Picchu and our return to Cuzco.

After a boxed lunch, we drive to the top of a switchback road leading to the ancient upper city of Pisac, the mythic ruins of which are situated in a spectacular location atop a buttress ridge, with agricultural terraces—constructed by the ancient Inca people—curling around the hill in graceful curves, and gorges on either side.

We take a short trek into the ancient city, where we explore its well-built stone dwellings and temples, and enjoy sweeping vistas both up- and downstream in the Urubamba Valley. Pisac's highly defensible site guarded both the Valley and a high jungle pass to the northeast.

From Pisac, we depart for our hotel in the Sacred Valley. We arrive there this evening, and enjoy dinner at our hotel tonight.

DAY 5
Raft the Urubamba River • Explore Ollantaytambo ruins • Home-Hosted Lunch
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: San Agustin Urubamba Hotel or similar

After breakfast, we head for the banks of the Urubamba River, where we embark on a float trip aboard inflatable rafts—an enjoyable way to experience the enchanting Andean landscape. It's little wonder that the Incas regarded the Urubamba Valley as sacred ground. Here their culture was born, and here they found a true life-source—the area's mild climate and fertile soil, which yielded an abundance of fruits and vegetables. As we float along the river, we'll observe the networks of terraces on either side, constructed entirely by hand, which transformed steep mountainsides into acres of arable land that helped feed a civilization, and which remain in use today, centuries after their construction.

Following our rafting excursion, we continue to the splendid Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. We'll walk amid the remains of this ancient fortress of gray and rose-colored granite, discover its ancient baths, and climb up the huge terraces guarding its hilltop temples. Then, we'll enjoy a chance to meet some of the local people who dwell in the traditional town nearby.

We depart from Ollantaytambo and then join a Peruvian family for a Home-Hosted Lunch. We'll try our hand at preparing a traditional appetizer and dine on Peruvian specialties—be sure to ask your hosts about cuy, a local delicacy! Later, we return to our hotel. Dinner tonight is at a local polleria restaurant, where we will have the opportunity to taste one of Peru's most popular dishes, pollo a la brasa (rotisserie-style chicken).

DAY 6
Train ride through the Sacred Valley • Discover Machu Picchu
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Santuario Hotel or similar

Today we wake up early for a train trip into the gorge of the Urubamba River and on to Machu Picchu, the legendary “Lost City of the Incas.” En route to the train station, we stop in Ollantaytambo for a short tour of the village and its charming central plaza. We'll enjoy lunch on board the train.

After a scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley, we arrive in the village of Aguas Calientes, where we’ll return after our exploration of Machu Picchu this afternoon. Most travelers visit Machu Picchu on a day trip, which makes for a hectic pace and only limited time at this unique archaeological wonder, while our overnight stay in Aguas Calientes allows us to explore at a more relaxed pace and return to continue our discoveries of this famous city the next morning.

We travel by bus to Machu Picchu, which—like Lima and the city of Cuzco—is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient city was a place little known not only to foreigners, but also to the Inca people—only a select few were ever allowed to visit this mysterious sanctuary. Even though it was “discovered” by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu remained inaccessible until the 1940s, when the Inca Trail was found by an archaeological expedition.

Ensuing explorations uncovered relics indicating that the "Lost City of the Incas" may have been the religious center of Inca life. The temples, astronomical observatory, and a remarkable solar clock named Intiwatana, or "hitching post to the sun" are all signs of the Incas' devotion to their sun god. (The fact that nearly all the unearthed human remains are female also points to Machu Picchu as a site of religious sacrifice.)

As for the fate of Machu Picchu's people, the theories are even more far-reaching (and theory is all we have, for the Incas left no written record). It is known that smallpox decimated the population in the early 16th century, but the remainder may have succumbed to drought or disease, been conquered by the Spanish, or simply abandoned the site.

We can consider this mystery as our own expedition alights on this mountaintop site this afternoon, as our expert Trip Leader and a local assistant give us a complete and compelling look at this fabled "Lost City," explaining the speculation surrounding Machu Picchu’s place in the Inca world. We’ll trek across its terraced landscape, stroll its ancient streets, and discover remnants of its Ritual Baths, Palace of the Princess, Main Fountain, and Sun and Condor temples. We'll have ample time to explore, reflect, and ponder the enigma of this man-made wonder, both with our Trip Leader and on our own.

Late this afternoon, we return to Aguas Calientes and check in to our hotel, then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 7
Explore Machu Picchu • Train ride to Sacred Valley • Cuzco
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: José Antonio Cuzco Hotel or similar

We rise early to drive back to Machu Picchu after breakfast, ascending toward the ruined city as the sun crests the peaks of the Andes. You can remain at the hotel if you wish, but most travelers appreciate this second chance to see the ruins in a different light, well before other visitors arrive on the train from Cuzco later this morning. Among the enigmatic remnants of this Incan sanctuary we find an observatory meant for solstice worship and a stone altar marking the holy center point between the nearby sacred peaks.

You can wander the sprawling ruins on your own, or, depending on which trails are open, choose between two hikes. One brings you to the Inca Bridge, where a trail built with impressive Inca engineering crosses a cliff face. In one spot, the Incas left a deep gap, which they bridged with logs that could be removed to render the trail impassable to enemies. The second option is an ambitious hike to the Sun Gate at the Machu Picchu end of the Inca Trail, which offers a fine view over the ruins.

We descend to the village below and have lunch at a local restaurant. Then we return by train to Ollantaytambo, a ride of about 1.5 hours through the spectacular Urubamba Gorge. We continue traveling by bus for about two hours to Cuzco. This evening, we enjoy dinner together at our hotel.

DAY 8
Explore Cuzco • At leisure
Meals included: B Accommodations: José Antonio Cuzco Hotel or similar

This morning, we explore Cuzco on a walking tour. Called "the navel of the world" by the Incas, Cuzco was laid out in the shape of a puma, a sacred beast in Inca lore. We'll visit the site of the Qoricancha Sun Temple, Cuzco's most important ceremonial structure during the Inca era. Historical records of the time note that its walls were once covered with 700 sheets of gold studded with emeralds and turquoise. When sunlight streamed through the windows, the reflection of light off the precious metals was blinding. Then we'll stroll through the heart of the city at the Plaza de Armas. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived here, they often built atop Inca structures, leaving behind a fascinating architectural blend. At the Plaza de Armas, you'll view the outside of the 17th-century cathedral that was built on the foundation of an Inca palace. This massive structure is one of the significant colonial buildings in the city. See whether you agree with many that it is also one of the most beautiful churches in Latin America.

Lunch and dinner are on your own today, and you have the afternoon at leisure to make your own discoveries. You could spend more time at the cathedral and go inside to view its many interior paintings and sculptures, as well as its collections of colonial art and religious relics. Head for the San Blas neighborhood to see more of Cuzco's historic architecture and the shops of artisans along picturesque hilly, narrow lanes. Or take in the city's Inca Museum (Museo Inka), which is housed in a colonial mansion and known for its collection of Inca mummies.

DAY 9
Discover Izcuchaca • A Day in the Life of Chinchero village FOUNDATION VISIT
Meals included: B L Accommodations: José Antonio Cuzco Hotel or similar

This morning, we begin a day filled with Peruvian cultural discoveries as we journey to Izcuchaca, a village in the Anta Province of Cuzco, where we'll visit a local market. Then, we travel to the mountain weaving village of Chinchero, which—at an elevation of 12,500 feet—is a literal high point of our exploration of the Sacred Valley, and provides excellent views of the surrounding mountains. Chinchero was also the site of a 16th-century Inca emperor's estate, as well as a resting place on the Inca Royal Road. While there, we'll enjoy A Day in the Life of the Chinchero community, beginning with a spirited encounter with some of the children at a local elementary school (when in session) that is supported in part by donations from Grand Circle Foundation. The children welcome us warmly with a presentation on Peru's culture—including traditional songs and dances—which is followed by a discussion with their teachers and families and some free time with the children one-on-one. Many travelers find this chance to meet the children of Peru to be the emotional high point of their adventure as well. Please note: Today's school visit may occur on an alternate day to accommodate weekends or holidays.

From the schoolhouse, we travel to the center of Chinchero, where we'll enjoy a walking tour of the community and visit a weaving cooperative. Here we see how Peruvian weavers create complex patterns in colorful cloth as their ancestors have for centuries. We have lunch with the community in Chinchero—our Trip Leader will help us converse with the local people, providing another excellent opportunity to learn about daily life in Peru—before we return to Cuzco. Dinner is on your own this evening.

DAY 10
Discover Oropesa, Tipon, Sacsayhuaman & Kenko
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: José Antonio Cuzco Hotel or similar

After breakfast, we explore the valley south of Cuzco, beginning in Oropesa. This small town is known for special bread called pan chuta, made in loaves as big as a wheel and traditionally offered as a gift to the host when visiting a home in the Cuzco area. After we visit a bakery and enjoy samples, we continue on to Tipon, the site of ancient Inca waterworks. The maze of irrigation channels and ritual baths here is a marvel of ancient engineering—water continues to flow in them, 500 years after their construction.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we drive into the hills surrounding Cuzco to visit two important Inca sites. First we'll explore the massive Sacsayhuaman archaeological site on a hilltop overlooking the city, which the Incas built from huge stones, some weighing nearly 300 tons. Then we visit the Incan ceremonial center of Kenko, an ancient worship site that also displays impressive stonework. We are in for a special treat later this afternoon when we get an up-close glimpse of a curandero ceremony, a healing ritual with Inca roots—performed by a mestizo medicine man—that draws on an assortment of ancient and modern substances and symbols, combined with coca leaves and the energy of the sacred mountains and Mother Earth. Afterwards, we return to our hotel. This evening, gather with your traveling companions to enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 11
Fly to Lima • Return to U.S.
Meals included: B L Accommodations: José Antonio Cuzco Hotel

Enjoy a last morning to explore Cuzco at your own pace, with your hotel room remaining available until mid-afternoon. Perhaps you’ll discover the cultural treasures of the Inka Museum or visit the Artisan’s Market for a memento of your stay. Your Trip Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. After lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll check out of the Cuzco hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima, where you’ll connect to your overnight flight back to the U.S. Please note: You have a day room available until we leave Cuzco, but there is no overnight hotel stay tonight.

If you are taking the Peru: Lake Titicaca's Sacred Landscape post-trip extension, you will travel overland to Puno, Peru, after an early breakfast today.