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1. Day 1 Welcome to Lima, Peru!

   Meet your Andean Discovery guide and transfer to your hotel, located just steps away from the airport.

   Meals: On your own

   Lodging: Wyndham Lima Airport

   Options & Add-ons: Add an extra day in Lima to explore this vibrant city, boasting some of the best restaurants in all of Latin America

2. Day 2 Journey to Paracas and Flyover Nazca Lines

   Get a bird’s eye view of the Nazca Lines, animal and geometric shape formations, etched into the earth thousands of years ago.

   After an early breakfast, travel 4 hours by private vehicle to the Nazca Lines. Originally thought to be the remains of irrigation lines beyond the verdant Nazca Valley, it wasn’t until they were seen from the air that the lines were recognizable as giant animals and geometric figures. The lines are thought to have been etched by three different groups from 900 BC to AD 630. Take to the sky to see for yourself during a short, comfortable flight. Please note that, due to weather conditions, a short wait should be expected before boarding your flight. Lunch and dinner are on your own.

   Meals: B

   Standard Lodging: San Agustin Paracas

   Superior Upgrade: Hotel Paracas Luxury Collection

3. Day 3 Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve

   Observe sea birds, penguins, sea lions and fur seals on a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, explore the landscapes of Paracas.

   This morning transfer 45 minutes to the pier in Paracas for a group boat trip to the Ballestas Islands. This extraordinary archipelago is teeming with wildlife including thousands of resident and migratory sea birds— pelicans, boobies, cormorants, terns, and penguins among them—along with sea lions and fur seals. The famous candlestick design, a Nazca civilization figure etched on the desert face, can also be seen during the boat ride. After returning to the mainland, explore Paracas National Reserve with your guide. A UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site, the reserve is home to 216 bird species. As you explore, learn about pre-Inca cultures who thrived in this rugged landscape over 1000 years ago. Transfer to Lima in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner today on your own.

   Meals: B, L

   Standard Lodging: Antigua Miraflores

   Superior Upgrade: JW Marriott Lima

4. Day 4 Fly to Cusco / Explore the Sacred Valley

   Meet friendly llamas and alpacas and enjoy lunch at a private Andean estate.

   Wake up knowing the capital of the ancient Incan Empire awaits! An Andean Discovery staff member will ensure your journey to Cusco goes smoothly by assisting the check-in for your one-hour flight. After a spectacular trip over the Andes Mountains, your Andean Discovery guide and driver will greet you and you’ll begin your descent into the Sacred Valley. This area extends from Cusco, the Imperial City, to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. In this area, ancient civilization and modern life collide with an intriguing mix of archeological sites and vibrant small towns. Meet fluffy llamas and alpacas and learn about the important role of weaving in Peruvian culture, and visit an artisan textile market. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a private estate and peruse its fine collection of Inca and colonial artifacts. Later this afternoon, you’ll check into your room at an Andean paradise with fragrant gardens and mountain views.

   Meals: B, L, D

   Standard Lodging: Tierra Viva Sacred Valley

   Superior Lodging: Hacienda Urubamba. Enjoy stargazing, panoramic views, and more with this upgrade

   Options & Add-ons: Visit a crafts market in Pisac and walk a trail up to ancient temples

5. Day 5 Inca ruins / Train to Aguas Calientes

   Visit the fortress at Ollantaytambo and embark on the famous train ride through the cloud forest toward Machu Picchu.

   This morning continue down the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, home to the royal estate of the ninth Inca, Pachacuti, one of the most important Inca rulers because of his role in expanding the empire throughout South America. Today, Ollantaytambo is thought to be the only remaining example of pre- Colombian urban planning. It still retains the original street plan and foundations designed by the Incas. Later this morning, experience one of the world’s great train rides as you embark on the journey to Machu Picchu. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the views as the mighty Urubamba River carves its way through the Andean peaks outside your window. Descend into the cloud forest and arrive in Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. If you opt for the upgraded lodging, our staff will assist you to your boutique eco-lodge, Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, situated in 13 acres of cloud forest garden along the Urubamba River. This afternoon is free to spend as you desire, with opportunities to visit thermal hot springs, a natural sweat lodge sauna, and a serene orchid pavilion.

   Meals: B, L, D

   Standard Lodging: Casa Andina MP

   Superior Lodging: MP Pueblo Hotel. Enjoy hot springs, nature trails, and other activities in the cloud forest with this upgrade

   Options & Add-ons: Extra visit to Machu Picchu – Short Inca Trail trek to MP

6. Day 6 Privately guided tour of Machu Picchu / Cusco

   Travel back in time as you explore Machu Picchu with your guide and enjoy a hike up nearby Wayna Picchu.

   Take a short bus ride through tropical mountain forests to reach Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Flanked by steep Andean peaks on all sides and the mighty Urubamba River gorge below, it’s no wonder the Spanish were never able to find this secret Incan hideaway. Journey back in time with a walking tour through the complex and learn about the mysterious origins of this other- worldly citadel, which once served as a private retreat for Inca royals and their families. Marvel at the intricate and sophisticated stonework of its dwellings, sculptures, terraces and waterways, all of which make Machu Picchu one of the greatest architectural achievements of all time. Visit the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Plaza, and the famous Intihuatana stone, a sacred stone carved by the Inca to mark the solstice and determine the beginning and end of each agricultural year. After exploring Machu Picchu, relax and watch the clouds of mist roll in over the mountains or opt for an exhilarating hike up to the summit of Wayna Picchu for an unparalleled aerial view of the ruins. Return to Cusco this evening. Dinner on your own.

   Meals: B, L

   Standard Lodging: Casa Andina Cusco

   Superior Lodging: Palacio del Inka

   Options & Add-ons: Hike to the summit of Wayna Picchu for a birds- eye view of Machu Picchu

7. Day 7 Explore the city of Cusco / Fly to Lima / Depart

   Visit the Coricancha sun temple, Sacsayhuaman, and a local food market, then fly to Lima and depart.

   This morning you will explore Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire and known as the ”Navel of the World” in the Quechua language. Quechua- speaking descendants of the Incas fill the streets, proof that this ancient culture is still vibrant today. Meet your guide and wander down cobbled walkways admiring the architecture, a unique blend of Inca and Spanish influences. The first stop is a local, open-air market where Cusquen?os buy their produce, meats, and cheeses. Discover exotic fruits, and several varieties of Quinoa, the Andean superfood, as well as unusual items like guinea pig and live frogs. Sample local delicacies, such as Chuta bread, which is cooked in traditional wood-burning ovens. Later this morning, visit the Coricancha, a temple dedicated to the sun that was once covered in sheets of gold and filled with golden figures and statues. This afternoon enjoy some free time to explore Cusco on your own. Explore the colorful artisan shops of the San Blas neighborhood and search for the famed twelve sided stone. Later this afternoon you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, check in for your international flight. Dinner not included.

   Meals: B, L

   Lodging: Overnight flight

   Options & Add-ons: Peruvian cooking class and food market tour with a local Chef

8. Day 8 Arrive Home