Magical Peru

Welcome to Lima! Just outside customs, a member of our team will meet you and escort you over to our hotel. For convenience, tonight we’ll stay at the only hotel inside the airport Costa del Sol Wyndham so that you don’t have to deal with Lima traffic. Get a good night’s rest.  We’ll be back to assist you in the morning to assure a seamless transition for your flight to Cusco.

Well rested, and after breakfast at the hotel, we’ll help check you in for the flight to Cusco. Enjoy the view from far above the Andes. Exiting the aircraft in Cusco, we’ll walk slowly and continue to move slowly as we adjust to the altitude. We’ll be met by your personal team, and we’ll introduce you to some Coca Tea* in the van as we begin the picturesque journey towards the Sacred Valley.

*The consumption of Coca tea, as well as chewing the leaves, increases the absorption of oxygen in the blood, which helps combat altitude sickness. If have concern about the altitude, please consult your doctor at home and ask for a prescription for Diamox. It helps enormously.

We’ve not structured too many activities today, and depending on how everyone feels, we can decide in real time to add or subtract. Today is your day to take it easy and get acclimated to the high altitude. Your guide is skilled at knowing how to notice any signs of attitude stress and will work closely with you to decide levels of activity.

We should be able to stop at the picturesque village of Pisaq to view the spectacular ruins as well as the now famous Pisaq market.

From there, a specially prepared light, but delicious welcome lunch awaits you at the home of our dear friend in the Sacred Valley – wonderful home cooking along with Peruvian style hospitality and seasonal ingredients from her own organic garden. This home is not open to the public, so you’ll enjoy the authenticity as well as the warmth and openness of your hostess. You’ll also be able to enjoy her lovely gardens.

After lunch, we’ll check in to our fabulous hotel Sol y Luna and relax. We’ll meet for dinner at the hotel’s restaurant which features traditional Andean food.

Today, we have a full day at the spectacular working ranch of some close friends and partners. Here, you can enjoy a hike, horseback trek, foot hike, or simply a drive to the amazing Incan salt ponds, Maras Village, and the crop circles of Moray.

A gourmet farm-to-table lunch back at the ranch (or boxed lunch depending on the activity chosen) will be followed by your choice of chocolate and/or coffee making.

Spending the day here is a true highlight of your time in the heavenly Sacred Valley. This is an exclusive private property that only privileged guests have access to. (Other hikes and activities are available as well but may have an additional extra cost). You’ll leave our Ranch with a strong feeling that you want to return soon.

In the evening, we’ll be delighted by a delicious dinner at “Tawa”, a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley.

This morning, we plan to stop at a stunning glacier-fed lake for kayaking or a stand-up paddling. Immerse yourself in another cultural and gastronomic marvel as you participate in a “Pachamanca” * for lunch. After lunch, we’ll visit an authentic village whose inhabitants still practice a traditional lifestyle. This is not a usual tourist stop but something we offer special visitors as in this village we’re dedicated to sustainability and the education of the children. Note: To learn more – check out the documentary film made about the village.

Our “Moms” welcome you for a demonstration of their ancient weaving tradition and you can participate if the spirit moves you. In the evening, we’ll meet in the hotel lobby to go out for dinner at “Tres Keros”.

*Pachamanca has been part of the Peruvian culture dating back to pre-Hispanic times. The name comes from the ancient language – Quechua. “PACHA” means EARTH and “MANCA” means cooking port, which could be translated as “Earth Oven”. Widely used in during Inca times, the Pachamanca is considered part of a ritual. More than just a method of cooking, it is a celebration of fertility and life. Pachamanca is buried under the ground and cooked over hot stones for several hours. Cooking Pachamanca is a way of rendering homage to Pachamama (Mother Earth). Products return to the earth to be cooked and participants will receive it from the earth and feast from it. It’s both a way of worshiping nature combined with social events and deeply rooted in Andean culture even today.

This morning we drive through the scenic Sacred Valley ending in the Incan village of Ollantaytambo. This is where the Spaniards lost a battle during the conquest and could be the reason why they never found Machu Picchu!

After visiting the site, we’ll board the Vistadome Train for the panoramic journey to Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes). Upon arrival, your guide will escort you on the bus up the famous zigzag road to Machu Picchu – the Lost City of the Incas! After a stop for lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge located just outside the main entrance to Machu Picchu, it is time to enter and begin to be enthralled as your guide helps you better understand this highly advanced culture. Experience Machu Picchu intimately and revel in the changing lights and shadows as the sun begins to set over the Andes. After returning to your hotel Machu Picchu Pueblo Inkaterra, a delicious dinner and a good night’s rest now await you in this magical place.

After breakfast, your guide will meet you to start further explorations inside the Lost City. If you prefer, you can stay back at the hotel and enjoy the beautiful grounds and practice your bird spotting. Hopefully you’ll see at least one “Cock of the Rock” the Peruvian National Bird. In the late morning, we’ll board the bus to get back down to Machu Picchu town where we’ll have lunch and then board the train to return to the Valley.

Back in the Sacred Valley, our now familiar driver will be waiting to drive us to our hotel, Sol y Luna, stopping at “Casa Colonial” restaurant for dinner. It’s time to relax and reminisce about the wonders we’ve experienced.

Another amazing day is waiting for you. A fabulously special Andean fusion cooking demonstration will be held with a well-known chef at his unique and inviting restaurant in the Sacred Valley. This is an interactive activity followed by enjoying the fruits of your labors for lunch.

Now that you are Peruvian Chefs as well as full and happy, it’s time to say goodbye to the Sacred Valley and continue on to Cusco.

After checking in to your hotel Antigua Casona Cusco and freshening up, another delicious dinner awaits at “Cicciolina” restaurant.

This afternoon and evening In Cusco, feel free to wander out and enjoy the city on your own. Cusco is wonderful at night.

The Incas considered Cusco to be the “Naval” or center of the world, and on this tour, you’ll learn why. Cusco is famed for its blend of Spanish and Inca cultures and has long been the inspiration for many an artist and chef. Once the principal city of the Inca empire, it’s now the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas.

Today we can visit the Koricancha Temple, a classic example of the fusion of Inca and Western cultures. We can also tour Sacsayhuaman, as well as several other iconic archeological sites depending on timing.

Lunch awaits at the “Inka Grill”, a restaurant where we can enjoy our meal and the views of the main Cusco’s Plaza.

Tonight, is free allowing you to have dinner on your own or with your Peruvian tour mates.

Today, we’re off to the historic Mercado San Pedro. This authentic open market is the place of choice for local “Cusqueño” people to do their grocery shopping. Get ready for a cacophony of sounds, vibrant colors, and pungent aromas. We’ll explore the market, learning about Peru’s diverse cuisine and native ingredients while getting a real dose of Peruvian culture. Our guides will introduce us to some of their favorite local suppliers.

Are you ready to taste some fantastic new flavors? After lunch, we step into the ancient world for a sacred ceremony with our Andean High Priest (shaman) called a “Pacco” in Quechua (the ancient language). At the end of this magical experience, we’ll return to our hotel to refresh and prepare for a lovely farewell dinner at “Limo” – Peruvian Nikkei and fall in love with Peru’s version of this newly popular fusion cooking.

This morning we say goodbye to the Andes and return to Cusco airport to fly into Lima. Here, we’ll meet our Lima team and begin our tour of the City of Kings, including a visit to Larco Herrera Museum, where we’ll have lunch. We’ll get to see Huaca Pucllana, a most amazing discovery of an ancient site right in the middle of the City.

As it’s a long day, we’ve arranged for hotel rooms at Villa Barranco where we can freshen up and have a base camp or stay the night if your flight home leaves the next day. It’s in a wonderful part of the city – Barranco. This area is Lima’s most romantic and bohemian – home and working place of many of Peru’s leading artists, musicians, designers, and photographers. At the appropriate time, we’ll meet you at the hotel to drive you back to the Lima Airport in time for your evening flight.

It will be sad to say goodbye to new friends, but we’ll savor our memories for a lifetime.