First Class / Deluxe Tours : Ancient Civilizations

You are invited to discover the most evocative of all South American countries: Peru. With well-preserved ruins and stone terraces, the Urubamba Valley brings back to life the ancient civilizations that once flourished there. The architectural wonder of Machu Picchu will amaze you. Visit Lima, the "City of Kings," and Cuzco, the oldest inhabited city in the Southern Hemisphere.

Inclusions

Deluxe accommodation with private facilities

A la carte dining including room service (breakfast & dinner), with dine-out plan (select your own menu at the restaurant of your choice and receive reimbursement from the tour manager)

Domestic bottled water with every meal

Arrival & departure transfers

All sightseeing as per the itinerary

Local English-speaking guides for sightseeing

Entrance fee to monuments and cultural events

Services of a professional SITA tour manager

Baggage handling

All gratuities (except the tour manager)

Sunset visit to the Taj Mahal

Elephant ride up to Amber Fort

Astrologer in Varanasi

Boat ride on the Ganges River in Varanasi

Train fare

Game viewing

Call (800) 533-5343 for more information or to book today! Mention code 5655104

Tour Operator

SITA World Tours

Duration

8 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Depart North America	Mon: Depart North America / Arrive Lima : Depart North America today and arrive in Lima, Peru. You are welcomed and transferred to the hotel.
Day 2	Lima	Tue: Lima - City Tour & Larco Herrera Museum : After a leisurely morning, embark on your tour of Lima. Your local expert focuses on the city's colonial heritage during a walking tour. Start at the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace and visit the Cathedral, where the skeleton of Francisco Pizarro is sealed in a wooden coffin. From there, stroll to the venerable San Francisco Monastery, with its splendid 17th-century cloister murals. Next, stop at Lima's famous Herrera Museum. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a La Rosa Nautica Restaurant. (BD)
Day 3	Sacsayhuaman	Wed: Lima / Cuzco / Sacsayhuaman : Fly to the oldest inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere: Cuzco. Today, visit several ruins, including Kenko and Tambomachay. Journey to the "Valley of the Incas" to the Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Later, see the hillside fort and Puca Pucara, which most likely served as a lookout post and stopping point between Cuzco and the Sacred Valley. (BL)
Day 4	Machu Picchu	Thu: Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu : Travel aboard the Vistadome train from Cuzco to the archeological wonder of Machu Picchu, built in the late 14th century. Machu Picchu was obviously a well-planned and carefully built city, made up of two clearly different sectors, one agricultural and the other urban. With mountains to one side and a river roaring far below, this solemn fortress is a fascinating remnant of a once-bustling city that was mysteriously abandoned after the middle of the 16th century. Secreted amidst dense jungle vegetation and steep hills, Machu Picchu remained undiscovered by the modern world until 1911. Learn about the many legends and strange truths of these ancient ruins from your local guide. (BLD)
Day 5	Cuzco	Fri: Machu Picchu / Cuzco : As the sun rises over the mountains, watch the morning mist disappear once again to reveal the awe-inspiring city of Machu Picchu, probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire. Return to Cuzco aboard the "Inca Train." Sip a cup of tea and enjoy panoramic views as the beautiful greenery of the Urubamba Valley rolls by. (BL)
Day 6	Cuzco	Sat: Cuzco - Pisac : Travel to Pisac to see the ruins of an ancient citadel that once controlled a route that connected the Inca Empire with the Paucartambo River. The panoramas from Pisac are magnificent, offering views of the impressive patchwork effect in the countryside below, which was accomplished by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing cut out of solid rock. In the upper section lies the main Sun Temple and above the temple are still more unexcavated ruins and hidden burial sites. Later, visit the market for a taste of colorful local life before you return to Cuzco. (BL)
Day 7	Lima	Sun: Cuzco / Lima : Fly back to Lima this morning. You have free time before driving to an excellent restaurant for a farewell lunch. The remainder of your afternoon and evening is free before you pack for your late-night departure. (BL)
Day 8	Arrive North America	Mon: Arrive North America : Return home today, eager to share your experiences of the Ancient Civilizations of South America with family and friends.

Dates/Pricing

Disclaimer

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE<>Excellent international airfares are available upon request at the time of booking. The land price does not include any airfare, unless specified.

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