Written by: TravelingProfessor
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 

Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Peru from departure city. Transfers to the hotel in the desirable Milaflores district are provided. Take the guided tour of the historic center of Lima including the Presidential Palace, Monastery and Museum San Francisco, and the breathtaking Lima Cathedral. That evening, enjoy fine Peruvian cuisine with traveling companions.

Day 2: After breakfast, transfer to the Lima airport for the flight to Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage City and ancient empire city of the Incas. While acclimating to the 11,200 foot altitude, enjoy an English speaking VIP tour of the Cusco area. See the Main Square, Cathedral, and Qoricancha (Sun Temple). The tour travels to the outskirts of the city up to famous fortress of Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and the Tambomachay ruins. Admission to all sites is provided.

Day 3: The train ride through the Sacred Valley, along the twisting Urumbaba River is one of the great travel experiences in the world. The 3 ½ hour rail journey into the cloud forest of Peru to the outpost town of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu, is nothing short of spectacular. That afternoon, take a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the mystical Incan citadel of indescribable beauty. Hikers may wish to accompany The Professor on an easy hike to the dramatic Incan Bridge.

Day 4: At the traveler’s option, early risers can accompany The Professor on the climb up Huaynu Picchu, the 1,000 foot sugarloaf mountain overlooking the citadel for what may be one of the most scenic vistas in the world - sunrise upon Machu Picchu. Others can continue touring the fascinating ancient city of the Incas. In the afternoon, join The Professor on the moderate hour-long hike along the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate for more scenic views of Machu Picchu. Along the way we may encounter llamas and other local wildlife.

Day 5: Before departing for the train ride back to Cusco, The Professor will lead a 75-minute easy hike into the jungle to the beautiful gardens and cascading waterfalls at Mandor in the shadow of Machu Picchu. No other tour offers this unique and memorable travel experience.

Day 6: The luxury bus tour to Puno departs early in the morning. There are 6 scheduled stops along the way:

• Church of San Pedro of Andahuaylillas: also referred to as the “Sistine Chapel” of South America
• Raqchi Inca Complex: a crossroad of the Inca Trail and site of fascinating Inca ruins
• Sicuani: a large highland town in the Andes. Enjoy an authentic Peruvian buffet lunch
• La Raya Pass: at 14,172 ft above sea level, it is a picturesque spot to breathe the air and take photographs of grazing llamas and alpacas
• Pukara Complex: a national monument since 1983. The site of the first civilized Andean culture, from over 3,000 years ago, pre-dating the Incas.
• Puno: Sitting aside Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake at 12,400 feet, this city is the home of some of the most important cultures of the Andes.

Day 7: Boat tour on Lake Titicaca. Visit the fascinating floating islands of Uros where people have been living for thousands of years on islands made of reeds. Visit the scenic island of Taquile, recently featured in National Geographic Magazine. It is one of the few remaining places to experience the food, fine crafts, and culture of a civilization virtually untouched by the outside world. Lunch is included.

Day 8: Transfer from Puno to Juliaca for the flight home. On the way we will stop at Sillustani and see the fascinating ancient Chullpas (funerary towers) reaching up to six meters in height.

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