For those with a specific archaeological interest, this tour visits the complex cultures of the northern deserts and the enigmatic giant patterns of the Nazca Lines before arriving at the lost Inca cities of the Andes. It is a full exploration of the country's fascinating history.

Day 1: Lima
Arrival and transfer to the hotel in the exclusive zone of Lima.

Day 2: Lima City Tour
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. We visit, the Larco Herrera Museum, founded in 1926, showcases remarkable chronological galleries providing an excellent overview of 3,000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. Located in a unique vice-royal mansion of the 18th century built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid, the museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The museum features the finest gold and silver collection from Ancient Peru. It also houses the famous erotic archaeological collection, one of the most visited Peruvian tourist attractions. For an unforgettable experience, Larco is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can also choose to enter the storage area with its 45,000 classified archaeological objects. Its masterpieces are considered worldwide icons of pre-Columbian art, after being exhibited in the world's leading museums. Return to the hotel.(B/L)

Day 3: Lima / Chiclayo
Transfer to the airport and flight to Chiclayo, "The Capital of the Friendship" arrival and transfer to the hotel. Then we'll visit Sipan, where the tomb of the Lord of Sipan was discovered. The Lord ruled around 200 AD over the Moche culture, and his gold-laden tomb is considered to be the richest in the Americas. We will travel to the town of Lambayeque to visit the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum where many of these riches are displayed. After lunch, we'll visit the 26 pre-Columbian pyramids of Tucume. These pyramids were excavated by Thor Heyerdahl (of Kon-tiki fame), who discovered burial sites, textiles, Incan figurines and depictions of reed boats. We return to the Hotel. (B / L)

Day 4: Chiclayo / Trujillo
In the morning after your breakfast we will visit the Tumbas Reales Museum and Bruning Museum. In the afternoon we'll travel by private car to Trujillo, on the way we will visit the Temples of theSun and Moon, built by the Moche Culture in around 500 AD. These 130-foot-tall pyramids are thought to be the largest adobe structures in the Americas. We spend night at Libertador Hotel located in the Main plaza.(B/L/D)

Day 5: Trujillo / Lima
In the morning after breakfast we will visit the largest adobe Archaeological Complex of pre-Hispanic America, Chan Chan, ancient Capital of the Chimu Empire (13th Century), visiting the Templo del Arco Iris (Rainbow), the Site Museum and the Tshudi Palace. We will proceed to Huanchaco Beach, well frequented by beach-goers and surfers, where you will have the opportunity to appreciate the local fishermen surfing the waves in their traditional "Caballitos de Totora", Totora reed boats used for fishing since pre Inca times by Northern Peruvians. Return to the Hotel transfer to the airport for a late afternoon flight to Lima. Arrival into Lima and transfer to the Hotel. (B/L)

Day 6: Lima / Nazca
Travel south to Ica; visit the Archaeological museum and the Huacachina Lagoon. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Nazca Lines / Lima
Flight tour over the enigmatic Nazca Lines; 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; afternoon return to Lima. (B/L)

Day 8: Lima / Cusco
After breakfast our staff will transfer you to the airport for your departing flight to the Capital of the Inca. Upon your Arrival in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, we greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel following brief orientation and a cup of traditional coca tea to assist in the acclimation to the 11300 ft. in the Inca Capital of Cusco. In the afternoon City tour of Cusco, including 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 (B)

Day 9- Sacred Valley
After breakfast we travel by bus through the Sacred Valley of the Inca. where life has remained almost unchanged for 500 years. Upon decent into the Sacred Valley you will know that you've arrived in the area the Inca revered for its lush fertile soils. The scenery is unsurpassable, close and distant snow peaks glistening in the Sun. Later on, you 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 you 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. 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 (B/L)

Day 10: Trek Briefing
Prior to departing for the trek, we meet for an orientation briefing by our guide. (B)

Day 11: Commence Trek / Wayllabamba
Early in the morning our guide picks you up at your hotel in Cusco for the 2 hour ride by bus to the small Andean town of Chilca and on to the trailhead at Piscacucho at km 82. Here you will meet the team that will join you during the trek, such as the porters, camp assistants and cooks. You will begin the walk, the first day is quite easy and during the first kilometers, you will have a beautiful view of the snow peaked Veronica Mountain, walking alongside the Vilcanota River until you arrive at the Archaeological Complex of Patallacta, where you will have lunch and gain energy to reach Wayllabamba, the name in Quechua means 'grassy plain. Most tour groups spend the first night here although there are prettier campsites a little further on. (B/L/D)

Day 12: Pacaymayu
Today we climb up from Wayllabamba for about 3 hours through steepening woods and increasingly spectacular terrain brings you to the treeline and a meadow known as Llulluchapampa (3,680m). It is another 1? hours climb to the first and highest pass of the trail (Abra de Huarmihuanusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,200m. During this part of the trail hikers are exposed to the Andean elements: first scorching sun and then, closer to the pass, freezing winds. Once at the top hikers can celebrate having completed the most difficult section of the trail. The decent from the pass is steep although not difficult, following the trail on the left side of the valley to the valley floor and to the 2nd night's campsite at Pacaymayu (3,600m). There are toilet facilities here. (B/L/D)

Day 13: Wiñayhuayna
Today you will continue to climbing a series of Inca steps, it takes about an hour to climb up to the ruins of Runkuracay (12,172ft). These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the Pacamayo valley below. Another 45 minute hike will bring you to the top of the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m). At last you'll feel that you are walking along the trail of the Incas with paving, for the most part, being original. The descent down the steps from the pass is steep so take care. After about 1 hour from the 2nd pass you'll arrive at Sayacmarca by way of a superbly designed stone staircase. The name Sayacmarca means 'Inaccessible Town' and describes the position of the ruins perfectly, protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. No one knows the exact purpose of these ruins. From then on the path descends into magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through an impressive Inca tunnel, carved into the rock, on the way. A few minutes after the pass is Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin so far. The name means 'Town in the Clouds'. Access to the ruins is down a steep flight of stairs passing six 'Inca Baths' probably used for the ritual worship of water. Be careful with your knees which will feel the strain by the end of the day. After about an hour of walking through cloud forest you may just be able to see the tin roof of the Trekkers Hostal at Winay Wayna, although it probably won't be for another 2 hours until you arrive. A short trail leaves from the southern end of the hostal to the ruins of Winay Wayna. The name in Quechua means 'forever young' and is named after a variety of pink orchid which grows here. The ruins comprise magnificent agricultural terraces set in an impressive location. There are also many buildings of good quality stonework and a sequence of 10 baths, suggesting that the site was probably a religious center associated with the worship of water. Ritual cleansing may have taken place here for pilgrims on the final leg of the trail to Machu Picchu. (B/L/D).

Day 14: Machu Picchu
After an early breakfast, in the anticipation of continuing on the trail your hearts may begin to pound from the excitement that awaits your every steps and breath as you approach the fabled citadel. The trail contours a mountainside and drops into cloud forest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun Gate). Our guide will explain the history and the myths that surround this archaeological wonder (7'800ft.) Afterward transfer by bus to return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and after that you will board the train for your returning to Cusco. After your arrival to the Cusco train station our staff will meet and transfer you to your hotel. (B/L)

Day 15: Free day at Cusco
Free day to enjoy the most importants sites of the City.(B/D)

Day 16: Cusco / Lima
Transfer from Cusco to Lima and back home.

Tour Leadership: We pride ourselves on the quality, experience, and wide-ranging skills of our guides. They are Peruvians, fluent in English, born and raised in the Cuzco highlands, who have combined their love of the mountains of their homeland with years of professional training. They bring to their groups a variety of personal interests ranging from birding to astronomy. Most of all, they are caring individuals. They make it their personal goal to see that you have the trip of a lifetime.