Peru: Kingdom of the Sun

Day 1 – USA – Lima, Peru

Arrive in Lima, founded in 1535 by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizzaro. Encounter colonial richness and the vibrating vitality of a modern city. Upon arrival, your private motorcoach will transfer you to the hotel.

Day 2 – Lima

In the morning, visit with a local chef who will explain about local fruits and vegetables. After that, the chef will demonstrate how to prepare the famous “ceviche” and “lomo saltado” and then serve them for lunch. A guided city tour takes your through the colonial and modern districts of Lima and a visit at the San Francisco Monastery.

Day 3 – Lima – Cusco

Flight to Cusco, the “Navel of the Earth“. A private motorcoach transfers you to the city for a walking city tour includes a visit of the impressive ruins of Sacsayhuaman. A shaman will welcome the guests with a ceremony called “pago a la tierra” (payment to the earth). Check-in to your hotel.

Day 4 – Cusco – Sacred Valley – Amaru

Visit the popular market of Pisac. With some money and a list of the most important vocabulary, bargain with local vendors to get the best price for some food. Your group will donate your purchases to a local family. Transfer to the Andean community of Amaru. Various families will offer a bed in their houses and invite guests to enjoy a local dinner with them.

Day 5 – Amaru – Yucay

After breakfast, learn the ancient technique of flat weaving, shearing the wool, natural dyes and the spinning. For lunch: The local dish “La Merienda”, made with guinea pig, dried meat, corn tortilla, quinoa, cheese or other fresh ingredients. Transfer to the hotel in Yucay.

Day 6 – Yucay

Visit the typical and rural village of Maras. A group of villagers will introduce the guests in several workshops to their culture, customs and traditions. Each group is assigned one Spanish-speaking “teacher”, a guide will assist and translate. After a local lunch visit the salt mines of Maras.

Day 7 – Yucay – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Transfer by to the famous ruins site of Machu Picchu for a guided tour. In the afternoon return to Cusco.

Day 8 – Cusco

Visit the chocolate museum. In a chocolate workshop put together your very own chocolate bar with the ingredients of your choice: Almonds, nuts, coffee beans. While the chocolate sets, taste some chocolate tea brewed from the husks as well as some fresh hot chocolate. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 9 – Cusco – Puno

Transfer to Puno. En-route visit the Racchi ruins, the best and only surviving ruins that have adobe walls still sitting on a base of Inca rock walls. Spend time with some of the local community members who will share a home-cooked lunch and insight in the local traditions and customs.

Day 10 – Puno – Amantani

Boat excursion to the floating Islands of Uros and the Island of Amantani. Lunch, dinner and overnight in the Amantani community.

Day 11 – Amantani – Puno

Visit of the Taquile Island, which was part of the Incan Empire and has a number of Inca ruins. Lunch included. The Taquile people have maintained their traditions and culture and many locals wear traditional clothes. After lunch return to Puno.

Day 12 – Puno – Lima

On the way to the airport, visit the house of a local farmer and his family to learn about their everyday life like tilling the small fields or cooking in an outside oven. Fly to Lima. In the evening, drive to a local restaurant to celebrate the night with a nice farewell dinner.

Day 13 – Lima – USA

Transfer to the airport for your flight back home with lots of memories from Peru!