Full Intinerary
Day 1: Lima
Day 2: fly to Chiclayo
Day 3: Lord of Sipan
Day 4: Chiclayo – Chachapoyas
Day 5: Karajia – Choctamal
Day 6: Kuelap
Day 7: Chachapoyas – Lima
Day 8: Lima – Cusco
Day 9: Cusco – Sacred Valley
Day 10: Machu Picchu
Day 11: Lima - Home

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Lima
Arrive in Lima and transfer to hotel.

Day 2: Lima-Chiclayo
Free morning to explore the museums, restaurants and sites of Lima. In the afternoon, a private transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to Chiclayo. Transfer to our hotel. (B)

Day 3: Tucume and the Lord of Sipan
This morning you will travel toward Lambayeque to visit the Tucume Pyramids. Tucume is believed to be an important regional center for the Sican in 1000-1350 AD, followed by the Chimu, and finally the Inca in 1450-1532 AD. An impressive site, Tucume is made up of over 540 acres and has 26 major pyramids and platforms. You will then visit the world famous Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum. An actual Moche pyramid at Huaca Rajada inspired the design of the museum. The museum displays all the archaeological material found in Sipan, including one of the most important finds in pre-Inca history; the Lord of Sipan tomb. There are impressive collections of gold, masks, jewelry, scepters and hundreds of ceramic pieces. The tomb, discovered in 1987, was the richest ever found in the western hemisphere. Its importance is commonly compared with Egypt's Tomb of Tutankamo. (B, L)

Day 4: Chiclayo-Chachapoya
We begin our ten-hour drive northward from Chiclayo across Peru’s coastal plains, following the Pan-American Highway, ascending gently through regions of dry forest interspersed with irrigated farmland. We head towards the lowest pass of the Peruvian Andes, at 2,135m/7,000 ft, where we cross the continental divide and enter the Upper Amazon basin. We stay the night in beautiful Colonial Mansion, 3 star hostel. (B, L)

Day 5: Karajia–Choctamal
We will go to the sarcophagus of Karajia perched on a cliff. From there we will see more sarcophagus higher on a sheer cliff than any building you have ever seen. We stay overnight above the clouds in our village co-op Choctamal Marvelous Spatuletail Lodge where you can observe hummingbirds. The lodge is located in the road to Kuelap at only 35 minutes from the fortress, with excellent panoramic views of Kuelap and the Abra Yumal Pass. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Choctamal - Kuelap - Chachapoyas
We will spend the day at Fortress Kuelap known as "the Machu Picchu of the North". Kuelap has over 400 buildings inside 3 levels of walls, and is the largest stone structure in all South America. Orchids and bromeliads cover the walls and trees inside this fortress. On the way to Chachapoyas we will observe the platforms of Macro located on a cliff overlooking the Utcubamba River. Stay overnight in beautiful Colonial Mansion, 3 star hostel. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Chachapoyas – Chiclayo – Lima
Early departure to Chiclayo and transfer to airport for your evening flight to Lima. (B, L)

Day 8: Lima – Cusco
Arrive in Cusco, transfer to hotel, half day city tour. (B)

Day 9: Cusco – Sacred Valley
Drive into the beautiful Sacred Valley and settle into your hotel, set on the grounds of a Spanish colonial monastery. Tour to Moray: Explore these ancient Incan agricultural terraces; The Salt Pools of Maras: Learn about centuries-old salt extraction as you hike along the salt pools; Agricultural Terraces of the Incas: A walking tour through ancient Incan agricultural terraces. (B, L)

Day 10: Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu
1.5 hr train ride from Ollatatambo to Aguas Calientes and ascending to Machu Picchu by bus. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, is one of the wonders of the world. The stunning ruins of the ancient citadel, perched on a mountain peak high in the Andes, are perhaps the greatest surviving testament to Inca civilization. Enjoy a private tour of this superb archaeological site, overlooking the meandering Urubamba River and surrounded by rugged, green Andean hillsides. Machu Picchu stands as more than just the jewel of Inca architecture. It represents the perfect union of human engineering and the natural environment, a city in harmony with its surroundings. Never reached by the Spanish, this magical place was brought to the world’s attention in 1911 by the Yale historian, Hiram Bingham. Our explorations of The Lost City of the Incas include all of the various sectors of the ruins; the industrial area, the Temple of the Sun and the Royal Tomb, the ceremonial water fountains and baths, and the Sacred Plazas. Afternoon train to Cusco. (B, L)

Day 11: Cusco - Lima - Home
Fly to Lima. We will have a day room at the hotel. Enjoy a 2-hour tour of the city and have time for shopping. Transfer to the airport for the flight home. (B)

Price Per Person: $2187
Single Supplement: $450
Trip Duration: 11 days
Best time to travel: April-November
Departure: 2011: Apr-8, May-20, Jun-17, Jul-15, Aug-19, Sep-16, Oct-14, Nov-25

Included:
All hotel and lodge accommodations as in itinerary
Transfers to and from the airport, Vistadome train to and from Machu Picchu, bus to and
from Machu Picchu
Entrance fees to all sites
All guided tours as in itinerary
Guides
Travel insurance
Meal as in Itinerary: 10 - Breakfasts, 7 - Lunches, 2 - Dinners

Not Included:
International airfare
Domestic airfare in Peru
International and domestic airport departure taxes or visa fees
Drinks of any kind
Gratuities