WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER 8

OTTAWA TO LIMA

Depart from Canada.

You will arrive in Lima in the late evening and transfer directly to the hotel which is conveniently located at the airport.

Overnight at the Costa del Sol Hotel.

Note: Often, some of our guests arrive a day or two earlier in Lima.
If you would like to do this, please let us know.

THURSDAY

SEPTEMBER 9

LIMA TO CUZCO (B,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

We have a morning flight to Cuzco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire at 10,857 feet above sea level.  We will arrive in time to rest and adjust to the altitude before enjoying a walking tour of the city in the afternoon including Qorikancha and the Plaza de Armas.

The hotel will have coca tea available at all times during our stay to help with the altitude adjustment.

This evening dinner will be at our hotel.

Overnight at the Pico Aga Hotel.

FRIDAY

SEPTEMBER 10

CUZCO (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning we'll tour the historic Inca shrines in the hills above the city including Tambo Machay, Kenko and Sacsayhuaman.

The afternoon is free to explore more of the city on your own including perhaps the artisans’ district of San Blas.

For dinner you will be free to try one of the many restaurants around the Plaza de Armas.

Overnight at the Pico Aga Hotel.

SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER 11

CUZCO TO OLLANTAYTAMBO (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we will visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The first stop will be in the village of Chinchero where we'll have a chance to view one of the weaving demonstrations by the local women’s co-operative.

We'll also have a chance to explore the village and its church before having a typical Peruvian lunch in a local home.

Afterwards we carry on to the scenic town of Ollantaytambo where we check in for the night and also visit the local Inca ruins.

Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Pakaritampu.

SUNDAY

SEPTEMBER 12

OLLANTAYTAMBO TO MACHU PICCHU (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning we catch the Vistadome train through the mountain valley and arrive in the busy tourist town of Machu Picchu (formerly Aguas Calientes) in mid-morning.  Here we proceed directly to the buses for the final 30-minute ride to the ridge high above the Vilcanota River and our first view of the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu.

Following our tour of this magnificent site we'll enjoy a buffet lunch in the Sanctuary Lodge.

There will be time to further explore the site on your own or simply to return to our hotel and relax. 

Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Sumac Hotel.

MONDAY

SEPTEMBER 13

MACHU PICCHU (B,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today will be free to explore the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. There are many optional activities in the area such as nature walks to discover the famous wild orchids and the exceptional variety of birds. Alternatively, you may wish to return to the Machu Picchu site to explore some of the paths leading to the Inca bridge, to climb Huayna Picchu, to walk along the Inca trail to the Gate of the Sun or just to find a quiet spot to sit and contemplate the beauty of the site.

Tonight we'll have dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Sumac Hotel.

TUESDAY

SEPTEMBER 14

MACHU PICCHU TO CUZCO (B,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we catch the morning train back to Ollantaytambo. We will be met by our bus and will return to Cuzco via Pisaq, where we visit the local market. Free for lunch.

Tonight's dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the Picoaga Hotel.

WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER 15

CUZCO TO AREQUIPA (B,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Your morning will be free for a final look around Cuzco.

In the afternoon we fly to Arequipa and transfer to our hotel.

Arequipa is high in the Andes with the snow-capped volcano El Misti overlooking the city.  The historic centre of the city was named a UNESCO world heritage site in recognition of its architecture and historic integrity.

Dinner and overnight Casa Andina Private Collection.

THURSDAY

SEPTEMBER 16

AREQUIPA (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning we'll set out on a tour of this UNESCO world heritage city with its magnificent Santa Catalina Monastery including the famous Convent, a small walled city with narrow streets, passages, staircases and small squares. We'll also visit the Jesuit Cathedral known as the Sistine Chapel of Arequipa, with its colourful wall paintings.

This afternoon will be free for you to explore more of the city.

Dinner will be on your own at one of the many restaurants in the city.

Overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection.

FRIDAY

SEPTEMBER 17

AREQUIPA TO CHIVAY (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we'll begin our beautiful drive high over the Andes, passing through a reserve where the rare wild vicunas live and over a pass at about 5,000 meters.  On the way we'll stop at Sumbay to see the paleolithic petroglyphs. We'll have a packed lunch along the way.

Afterwards we continue on to our hotel in Chivay.

Either this evening or tomorrow, you will have a chance to visit the famous local thermal springs.

Dinner and overnight at Pozo del Cielo.

SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER 18

COLCA CANYON (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning we will leave early to go to the Cruz del Condor.  Recent studies have established the claim that the Colca Canyon is the world's deepest, at nearly twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. 

As the day warms up, hundreds of condors, who spend the night on the cliffs of the canyon will catch the thermal uplifts and soar overhead.  On both sides of the valley you can see pre-Inca terracing. 

We will return to Chivay along the North side of the canyon, stopping along the way for lunch.

Dinner tonight will be on your own in town or at the hotel.

Overnight at Pozo del Cielo.

SUNDAY

SEPTEMBER 19

CHIVAY TO LIMA (B)

This morning we will leave Chivay and drive to Arequipa. From here we catch a flight to Lima and transfer to our hotel, located in the trendy Miraflores district.

Overnight at the Boulevard Hotel.

MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 20

LIMA TOUR AND DEPART FOR HOME (B,D)

Today we will spend time exploring the sites and sounds of the coastal city of Lima.

Evening farewell happy hour and dinner together.

Later in the evening we will depart for the airport and check in for our flight home.