Peru — Cultural Odyssey

8 days / 7 nights — Price From: $3,499DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF

Day 1 – Arrive Lima – The Pearl of the Pacific

Upon arrival in Lima, the Pearl of the Pacific, you will be transferred via private chauffeur to the beautiful Casa Andina, a five star boutique hotel that will be your home for your two nights in Lima.

Day 2 – Lima – A Taste of History

After a morning of relaxation at the hotel, embark on a personally guided tour of Lima’s historical and cultural quarter – a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Today’s journey takes you behind the scenes to two magnificent cultural gems; the Larco Herrera Museum of pre-Colombian Peruvian History and the Barbosa Stern Private Collection of Fine Colonial Art. For this latter excursion you will be escorted by the youngest son of the famed Barbosa dynasty, Sr. Aldo Barbosa himself. Having satiated your cultural cravings, your evening will be free to enjoy at your leisure before you return back to Casa Andina.

Day 3 - Cuzco – In the Footsteps of Martin Chambi

Today takes you inland to the town of Cuzco. Upon arrival at the airport and private transfer to Hotel Monasterio, you can relax for a few hours and acclimatize to your new environs and the altitude. Lunch will be served at the home of internationally acclaimed Indigenist photographer Martin Chambi. Sr. Chambi was the first photographer to capture his people as seen through their own eyes. Enjoy lunch in the company of Martin´s grandson, who will regale you with stories of his grandfather, his seminal work and about Cuzco during the beginning of the 20th century. Teo Chambi will then guide our special travelers through the city of Cuzco and re-create for them the city as seen through his grandfather’s lens.

“I have read that it is thought that Indians have no culture, are uncivilized, and intellectually and artistically inferior when compared to whites. More eloquent than my opinion, however, are graphic testimonies. It is my hope that impartial and objective witnesses will examine this evidence. I feel that I am a representative of my race; my people speak through my photographs.” – Martín Chambi

Day 4 - Sacred Valley

After breakfast at the Hotel Monasterio, visit two awe-inspiring native Andean Communities. The first is a National Geographic Society-supported Andean Weaving Village where you will see firsthand how the weavers’ gregarious processes are fundamental to family and social bonds. Next onto the Potato Park Indigenous Bio-Cultural Heritage Area before enjoying a private gourmet picnic complete with “Tribute to the Earth” religious ritual and native weaving demonstrations.

Day 5 - Machu Picchu – Myth & Mystery

Board the Hiram Bingham Orient Express deluxe train to the legendary Machu Picchu. 2000 feet above the rumbling Urubamba River, discover the myth & mystery of the cloud-shrouded ruins. These structures, carved from the gray granite of the mountaintop are true wonders of both architectural and aesthetic genius.

Day 6 - Machu Picchu - Cuzco

Continue your Incan adventure with a visit to the Rocotal Observatory, where you will see sacred pre-Inca pictographs. Discover the fascinating yet fragile ecosystem of the Machu Picchu cloud forest and learn about its many endemic plants and animals. You may also choose to acquaint yourself with some of the 372 different orchids in bloom in the nearby gardens (including the largest orchid flower in the world – the lady slipper) or indulge in some cloud-forest bird watching. In the afternoon we are back aboard the Hiram Bingham Orient Express Deluxe train to return to Cuzco and the wonderful Hotel Monasterio.

Day 7 - Cuzco Art Safari

Today, embark on our Cuzco “Art Safari”. Wend your way, with a private guide, through the colonial cobblestone streets of Cuzco making many fascinating stops along the way; the Cathedral, which contains one of the city’s greatest examples of Mestizo paintings, the Inca Historical Museum, the Historical Regional Museum, and finally, be admitted to view the Archbishop’s stunning private art collection.

Day 7 - Lima

On your final day in Peru, you will journey back to the Pearl of the Pacific. However, before leaving us, we’d like to offer a parting gift. First spend an hour with one of our favorite local barman and learn how to make the perfect Pisco Sour. Once you have mastered that art, enjoy a master-class in Ceviche making with one of the top Ceviche chefs in Peru. Now you are all set to return home with wonderful memories of Peru and the perfect skills to share some Peruvian culinary delights with friends and family.

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