Peru: Incan Adventure

Experience the vibrant culture and breathtaking architecture of this capital city overlooking the Pacific Ocean. See the vast neo-colonial Governmental Palace, the towering Cathedral of Lima with its 14 side doors and main “door of forgiveness”, go past the upscale San Isidro district and visit the San Francisco Convent.

Get a thorough grounding in Peru's history and culture in this fascinating museum. Exhibits trace the country from prehistoric times through the present with collections of weapons, carvings, textiles, Inca jewelry, and ancient mummies and funeral objects. Check out the interactive model of Macchu Picchu, which explains the various sectors of the mysterious city.

Colorful Cuzco was an important Inca center, and sites surrounding the town testify to the power of the empire. Begin your tour at Tambo Machay, the ritual baths probably used by nobility. Underground water bubbles up over the intricately carved stone platforms, creating a shower as it tumbles over the edge. The impressive stone at Qenko had a slightly less cleansing purpose -- each year, priests would pour llama blood over the top and watch its progress through the complicated zigzag pattern to determine the luck for the coming planting season. Puca Pucara was likely a hunting lodge or vacation home for the emperor; from its high position, you can gaze out at the glaciers in the south.

Built to resemble an ear of maize, Ollantaytambo is one of the few remaining examples of Inca urban grid architecture. Get an overhead view from the fortress, still impressive all these centuries later. Continue on through the lush Urubamba Valley before reaching Pisac, which hosts a renowned crafts market three days a week.

Travel to this old town surrounded by the stunning snowcapped Andes Mountains to see the best surviving example of Incan town planning. The fortress itself is encased in impressive terrace walls that served the Incas well against the Spanish Conquistadors.

Get the best view of the most impressive site in South America as you arrive at Intipunko, or the "Sun Gate," overlooking Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is a stunning complex of buildings clinging to the surrounding mountains and above the Urubamba River. Much of the extensive city is still intact, showcasing the agility and skill of Inca stone work. (Legend claims that the Inca knew of leaves that would dissolve rock, allowing them to meld stones together when building; birds in the surrounding jungle have been known to melt nesting holes in the mountains themselves, supporting the theory, but the leaves have not been identified.) Archaeologists disagree about the purpose of Machu Picchu -- many believe it was a country retreat, others think it may have been a university.

Climb the steep stairs up to Intipunku, or “The Gate of the Sun”, for a gorgeous aerial view of Machu Picchu below.

While the exterior of this church is unassuming, the interior is an explosion of breathtaking Baroque artwork and gold-leafed carvings. Murals depicting various religious scenes line the walls and ceiling, making Andahauayillas Chapel a truly amazing sight and lending it the name the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”.

Imagine living on a floating island made entirely of matted-down reeds, now imagine making it yourself! Well, if you’re an Uros Indian that’s exactly what you do. Found on Lake Titicaca, this indigenous group creates their island homes by matting down the Totora reeds that naturally grow in the lake. These incredible islands float on the surface of the water and last about 30 years before rotting away completely. Taquile Island is a natural island also on Lake Titicaca and is home to Taquileños, who are known for their intricate weaving which is considered among the highest-quality crafts from Peru.

Your flight home is overnight. You will return home on Day 10.