Day 1
Day 1-We arrived in Lima at midnight after a nonstop 8-hour flight from Los Angeles and were met and transferred directly to Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel -- a modern city center hotel providing all the comforts of home.
July 03, 2008
Day 2
Our tours included Pachacamac Pilgrimage Center -- ruins dating from 700 AD; Hacienda Mamacona -- a private horse ranch that raises Paso Peru horses San Francisco Monastery; and Casa Solar de Aliaga-a private colonial period home. That evening we enjoyed dinner at Casa Luna, a private home with a collection of 2,000 nativity scenes. Lima is a coastal city, home to 8 million and very clean.
Day 3
Day 3-We took a short 1-hour flight from Lima to Cuzco and immediately transferred to Pisac, an Andean village with excellent markets. Our 90-minute drive followed the raging Urubamba river through the Sacred Valley -- beautiful mountain scenery and small villages dot the countryside. After shopping and lunch we continued to Ollantaytambo-an Inca fortress and ruins
tucked away between the mountain peaks. Our hotel tonight is Hotel Sol y Luna, a collection of 25 unique bungalows each with fireplace, set within extensive gardens and walking paths.
Day 4
We awoke to light rain and clouds and were transferred 1 hour to Ollanta Train Station. This is the starting point for Machu Picchu tours, including the famous Inca Trail 4-day hike Peru Rail Vistadome takes 1.5 hours to Aguas Calientes, with a complimentary snack and beverage service provided. From the train station, we walked to the bus terminal, for transfer up to Machu Picchu. Finally we arrived at the amazing and magnificent ruins…the “Lost City of the Incas”.
Our guide provided wonderful commentary and history and still many questions remain unanswered. We walked, climbed, and strolled the ruins, looking for the best vantage point to fully appreciate the site. We returned to Sumaq Hotel in Aguas Calientes, overlooking the Urubamba river.
Day 5
Day 5-We returned to Machu Picchu for viewing as the sun rose…beyond words! That evening we traveled by Orient Express Hiram Bingham luxury train back to Cuzco. Enroute we enjoyed a 5-course gourmet dinner including wine. Live entertainment was provided in the lounge/bar car. We stayed at the Orient Express Monasterio Hotel, a former monastery from 1692 -- each room very unique and different
Day 6, 7, 8
Day 6- The day dawned a sunny 70 degrees – perfect for a morning of sightseeing that included Santo Domingo Church and Monastery (Photo 10), the Plaza de Armas, and the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
Day 7-We returned to Lima by air and transferred directly to Huaca Pucllana – pre-Inca ruins with lunch at the restaurant overlooking the site. We visited the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History and the Larco Herrera Museum -- housed in an 18th century mansion.
Day 8-After a day of shopping, we were treated to dinner at the private home of a prominent local family and businessman. Then it was back to the airport for our evening flight to Los Angeles…filled with many amazing memories.
