Unravel the mysteries of the ancient Inca Empire on this fascinating nine-day Regional Discovery to Peru. Arrive in Lima and sightseeing and visits to the cathedral, the San Francisco Monastery and the Gold Museum, a wildlife cruise to the Ballestas Islands and mysterious Nazca Lines. Fly to Cusco and visit the imposing cathedral, the Santo Domingo Monastery, and the nearby Inca baths of Tambomachay, the ancient site of Puca Pucara and the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Visit Ollantaytambo, the Inca fortress, and the legendary Machu Picchu.

Day 1- Lima: Board your flight to Lima, Peru. On Arrival at Lima airport, you will be welcomed by an English speaking guide and transferred to your five star Orient Express Miraflores Park Hotel located in Miraflores, a residential area with incredible ocean views; enjoy welcome drinks upon arrival. You will then be escorted to a magnificent ocean view executive suite, for a two-night stay.

Day 2- Lima: In the morning, guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". The tour includes Lima's Historical Centre, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall. We will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, the greatest monumental complex of Colonial Art in America and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tour includes a visit to the Basilica of 21 altars, Convent of Cloisters, Capitulary and Clementine Rooms, Chorus and Library of the monks, a Museum showing 11 paintings of the Rubens School, the Sacristy with paintings of Surbaran and Ribera, its great patio decorated with Seville tiles of the XVIth Century, Moorish arches and underground Catacombs and the Gold Museums. In the evening delight your tastebuds with an extravagant a la carte dinner at Poissonnerie, the Miraflores Park Hotel signature restaurant, where you will be able to taste the innovative fusion of Peruvian and European flavors that our menu has to offer. Breakfast- Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3- Paracas: Today you will be transferred by private transportation to Paracas and to Paracas Libertador Hotel. Later you will go to the Paracas National Reserve. Here you will visit several museums showing the natural history of Paracas and also the ancient Paracas culture in addition to the beautiful "cathedral", a natural rock formation. Return to the hotel in Paracas. Breakfast and Lunch and Dinner

Day 4- Ballestas Island: After breakfast, transfer to the port for the boat to the Ballestas islands. These spectacular islands, eroded into many caves and arches, provide shelter for thousands of seabirds and hundreds of sea-lions. Although the islands fall just outside the Paracas National Reserve they are protected by separate legislation. The islands are home to over 150 species of marine bird including the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, boobies and pelicans. Even condors have been known to visit. On the shores can be seen large numbers of sea-lions and in the sea it is possible to encounter dolphins and even whales. In the afternoon private transportation to Nazca (about 3 hours) Arrival and transfer to the Nazca Lines Hotel. Breakfast – Lunch - Dinner

Day 5: Nazca: The Nazca lines are geoglyphs and geometric line clearings in the Peruvian desert. They were made by the Nazca people, who flourished between 200 BCE and 600 CE along rivers and streams that flow from the Andes. The desert itself runs for over 1,400 miles along the Pacific Ocean. The area of the Nazca art is called the Pampa Colorada (Red Plain). It is 15 miles wide and runs some 37 miles parallel to the Andes and the sea. Dark red surface stones and soil have been cleared away, exposing the lighter-colored subsoil, creating the "lines". There is no sand in this desert. From the air, the "lines" include not only lines and geometric shapes, but also depictions of animals and plants in stylized forms. Some of the forms, including images of humans, grace the steep hillsides at the edge of the desert. Transfer to the private car back to Lima and to Miraflores Park Hotel. Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner

Day 6- Cusco: In the morning our staff will transfer you to the airport where you will take Lan Peru’s 320 Airbus on your one-hour flight to the Capital of the Incas. Upon your Arrival in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, we greet you at the airport and transfer you to the Luxury 5* Monasterio Hotel, the hallowed colonial San Antonio Abad seminary, built more than 300 years ago. You will be welcomed with a comforting cup of hot coca tea and escorted to your deluxe room. Overnight in a deluxe room with oxygen enrichment system to help you acclimatize to the high altitude in Cusco (11,000 feet - 3,352.80 meters). A la carte lunch will be served at the main courtyard. In the afternoon a private City tour of Cusco, this tour include: The Cathedral, Qoricancha, temple of the Sun, the most important of Inca ceremonial sites. Later you will continue to the most important site of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Qenqo and Puca Pucara. We return to the hotel. Breakfast- Lunch.

Day 7- Sacred Valley: After breakfast we travel by privated vehicle through the Sacred Valley of the Inca. where life has remained almost unchanged for 500 years. Upon decent into the Sacred Valley we will know that we ’ve arrived in the area the Inca revered for its lush fertile soils. Later on, We will have the opportunity of visiting the lively local Ancient Pisac market where many of the local Indians sell their hand made textiles. It is here that many fine Andean garments are for sale and you can test your haggling powers as you bargain for trinkets and souvenirs. For lunch we will have the chance to eat a buffet lunch at the local hacienda restaurant with traditional Andean foods and music. We continue to Ollantaytambo the major Inca fortress. Probably built by the great Inca ruler, Pachacuti in the 1460s, it was the site of Hernando Pizzaro’s defeat by Manco Inca in 1536. Constructed of finely cut polygonal stones and rhyolite blocks, the fortress and nearby town represent the best of Inca architecture and construction. Large worked blocks, some weighting as much as 100 tons were quarried from a site more than a thousand vertical feet above the valley floor using a technique of pecking with hammer stones, then skidded down and across the Urubamba river several kilometers to the temple site. Inclined ramps were built to raise the blocks several hundred feet up hill to the construction area. Return to the hotel, on the way we stop at the small Quechua village Chincheros and to the Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 8- Machu Picchu: After Breakfast transfer to Poroy, a short distance from Cusco for the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes. Train journey passes through picturesque Andean scenery, passing traditional villages, Inca ruins and rushing rivers. We'll descend 1300 meters through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and follow the Urubamba river until the final stop at Aguas Calientes. Afterward we'll take the 20 minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu, perched 600 meters above the river. Upon arrival check-in for a one-night stay at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge located in a privileged area right at the entrance to this magnificent site. After a private guided tour, our guide will explain you the history and the myths that surround this archeological wonder MACHU PICCHU! The famous lost city of the Inca is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Stand 2,430m above sea-level in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. In an extraordinarily beautiful setting, it was probably most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, its giant walls, terraces and ramps seen as, if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced by the powerful equatorial Sun. Upon returning to the hotel enjoy an exquisite afternoon "English style tea" with an assortment of fresh and hot drinks, petits fours and mini snacks. Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner and accommodation at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.

Day 9: Cusco: Early in the morning opportunity to enjoy a wonderful sunrise over Machu Picchu again, when no one's around Lunch at the Sanctuary lodge. In the evening aboard the luxury Hiram Bingham train to return to Cusco. Dinner aboard the train, reception and transfer to Monasterio Hotel

Day 10- Lima: After breakfast transfer to the airport where you will take Lan Peru’s 320 Airbus on your one-hour flight back to Lima. Reception and transfer to Miraflores Park Hotel. Lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner.

Day 11- Lima: Leisurely day with plenty of opportunity for some shopping before your transfer to the airport for your departure flight out.

IMPORTANT NOTE: ESCORTED GUIDE AVAILABLE, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS US$6170 per person in double Occupancy. This includes all meals from Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, accommodations as stated in the itinerary, domestic airfare, Luxury Hiram Bingham Train, ground transportation during the tour, airport taxes and guide services provided by our guide. It does not include airfare from your home to Lima and return, alcoholic beverages, special gratuities, phone calls, laundry, or items of a personal nature. The single supplement for this tour is $350. You will be charged a single supplement if you desire single accommodations.

TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the Tour registration form and return it with a deposit of 50% per person. If registering by phone, the deposit must be received within 10 days or the space will be released. Full payment of the tour fee is due 60 days prior to the tour departure date.

AIR INFORMATION: Sun God Expeditions Tours E.I.R.L is a full-service travel agency and we will be happy to make any domestic or international air travel arrangements from your home and return. Please feel free to contact us to confirm your air arrangements.

CURRENCY: Nuevo Sol; as of February, 2006, $1 USD = 3.42 Nuevo Sol. Local currency and USD are available from ATM’s at Lima airport and major cities

DOCUMENTS: For U.S. citizens, a passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure is required. Non-United States citizens should check with their local Peruvian consulate or embassy. A visa is not required; a tourist card will be issued by the airline

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

• Departure tax: Lima/USA $28.25. This may be paid in Peruvian Soles or U.S. dollars.
• Electric Current: 220 Volts (flat pin plug).
• Time: Eastern Standard Time

Before booking, it is important to have read and understood the Terms and Conditions.