Peru: Art & Archaeology

Depart the US for Lima. Transfer to hotel in the Miraflores area of Lima. (3 Nights)

Tour Lima’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site is known as the “City of Kings.” Private lunch is at the Casa Aliaga, a historic treasure that has been home to the Aliaga family since the time of the conquistadors. In the afternoon, visit the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI). Continue to the Museo Larco, which boasts an unrivaled collection of ceramic artworks from the pre-Inca Moche culture of Perú’s north coast. Dinner at Astrid y Gastón ranked among the best restaurants in the world.

Visit bohemian Barranco. Stops include the Museo Pedro de Osma, known for its colonial collections, and Dédalo Arte y Artesanía, a shop offering Andean handicrafts and art. Tour the Museo MATE, which focuses on the Peruvian fashion photographer Mario Testino. Also, visit the workshop of a recognized Peruvian contemporary artist. Then on to the Museo Amano, a jewel-like private collection of ancient Peruvian textiles.

In the morning, fly to Cusco. After landing, drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the village of Pisac to see its colorful Indian market. Lunch at the historic Hacienda Huayoccari, a private estate with gardens and a collection of ancient and colonial art. Afterward, tour Ollantaytambo, a major Inca site built atop enormous terraces overlooking a town occupied by local families. Continue to your lovely country inn for the night. (1 Night)

After driving through beautiful mountain scenery, visit the village of Chinchero, including the main plaza, nearby Inca ruins, and the local market. At the Chinchero Weaving Cooperative, native Quechua weavers will demonstrate weaving and dyeing techniques using authentic implements and materials. Then visit the Salinas de Maras, picturesque salt pans in use from Incan times continue to the Ollantaytambo train station for an afternoon departure to Machu Picchu. (1 Night)

Visit Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Guided tour of the archaeological site. Option to either climb Huayna Picchu, the peak that rises dramatically above the ancient ruins, or to walk to the so-called Inti Punku (Gateway of the Sun). In the late afternoon, board the deluxe Belmond Hiram Bingham train to the Poroy train station; cocktails, and a gourmet dinner on board. From the Poroy station, transfer by bus to your hotel in Cusco. (3 Nights)

Spend the morning visiting other Inca sites near Cusco including Tambo Machay, centered on a spectacular and Sacsayhuamán, the renowned religious complex. In the afternoon, visit San Blas, the bohemian quarter, with its attractive narrow streets, the main square, and handicraft ateliers and shops. Tour the colonial- period Convento Santo Domingo and the Koricancha, the great sun temple of Inca imperial religion. Here massive stone blocks were fitted together so tightly, without mortar, that a knife blade cannot be inserted between them. Farewell dinner.

A quick morning visit to the popular San Pedro market, the city’s major supplier of fresh local fruits, vegetables, meats, and many other products. Then travel to Tipón, fifteen miles south of Cusco, to see the extraordinary hydraulic systems built by the Incas in a spectacular setting. Continue to Andahuaylillas to visit the town’s main church, whose exquisite baroque murals have caused it to be called the “Sistine Chapel of the Andes.” In the afternoon, visit the Cathedral of Cusco. In the evening, enjoy the handsome galleries of the Museo de Arte Precolombino before adjourning to the museum’s restaurant for a farewell dinner in an old Inca courtyard lined with classic stonework.

Morning at leisure in Cusco. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight to Lima. Connect to overnight flights to the U.S. Alternatively, spend the night in Lima and fly to the U.S. the following day.

Explore the treasures of the Moche culture on an extension to the north visiting Trujillo, Chiclayo, the Imperial City of “Chan Chan.” See the amazing treasures of the Moche culture including treasures from the tomb of the Lord of Sipán. (3 Nights)