Group Size: 18 - 28 participants
Price: Starting from $12,990 per person, double occupancy
Co-sponsored with: Harvard Exclusive
Trip Overview
Travel through Peru’s dazzling natural beauty, rich cultural traditions, and intriguing pre-colonial empire. Begin in the capital city of Lima with some of the very best of Peru, including viewing the extensive pre-Columbian collections at the Larco Herrera Museum and lunch on the museum’s terrace. Savor Lima’s culinary and cultural renaissance at the city’s excellent restaurants and museums.
Delve into the art, textiles, and archaeology of the Sacred Valley of the Inca. Visit fascinating archaeological sites culminating with the 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, an enduring symbol of the pre-colonial empire. In the Andean highlands, learn about Andean weaving techniques from an expert weaver in the old Inca city of Chinchero, and explore ceramics at the studio of Pablo Seminario. Visit the Alqa Museum, an engaging space that highlights Andean artistry through an interactive, sensory experience.
Continue to Cuzco, the former Inca capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. The journey concludes with a luxurious three-night, four-day cruise on the Amazon River aboard the Aria Amazon, offering a unique perspective on the region’s biodiversity and culture. This itinerary provides a comprehensive immersion into Peru’s history, art, and natural wonders.
Schedule by Day
Pricing
Double Occupancy
- Aria Amazon Frist Deck Suite: $12,990 per person, double occupancy
- Aria Amazon Second Deck Suite: $13,690 per person, double occupancy
Single Occupancy
- Aria Amazon Frist Deck Suite Single: $14,990
- Aria Amazon Second Deck Suite Single: $16,690
On-Tour Flights Lima/Cuzco, Cuzco/Lima/Iquitos, Iquitos/Lima: approximately $770 per person
Accommodations
- Two nights at the The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center
- Two nights at the Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
- One night at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
- Two nights at the Monasterio, a Belmond Hotel
- Three nights aboard the Aria Amazon
What to Expect
To make the most of what each locale has to offer, this moderately strenuous program includes several rigorous travel days with activities scheduled throughout the day. Travel will be by modern air-conditioned motorcoach on roads ranging from modern highways to winding mountain roads, with drives generally lasting between one to two hours. In Cuzco, smaller vehicles will be used due to narrower roads. There will be four flights on commercial airlines within Peru (Lima to Cuzco on September 27, Cuzco to Iquitos with a connection in Lima on October 2, and Iquitos to Lima on October 5), ranging from approximately 75 minutes to two hours, along with two train rides lasting approximately 90 minutes, allowing us to travel more quickly and comfortably to our next destination. Busy times will be offset with time for independent exploration and opportunities to relax and enjoy the amenities at the hotels and on board the Aria Amazon.
Daily excursions involve one to two miles of walking, often in full sun, and walking tours can last as long as three hours, including periodic stops. Some walks take place in historic quarters, where streets are often cobblestoned and uneven, or on unpaved ground at the numerous archaeological sites and rainforest trails we will visit. Some buildings will not have elevators, and you will encounter steps without handrails, so participants should be able to comfortably climb stairs without assistance. Visiting Machu Picchu requires hiking on uneven cobbled paths and climbing many stairs. Note that there is no elevator on board the Aria Amazon.
Please be aware that a portion of the program takes place at high altitude, ranging from approximately 7,970 feet at Machu Picchu to 11,150 feet in Cuzco. The order of high-altitude visits was planned to foster gradual acclimatization. After landing in Cuzco, there is an immediate transfer to the Sacred Valley for several days at lower elevations before returning to Cuzco at the highest elevation. Many participants on this program will experience some symptoms of altitude sickness, including headache, fatigue, and insomnia; it is likely a few may experience more severe symptoms. All hotels in the highlands have oxygen available for travelers experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness. Please note that higher altitudes can exacerbate health issues you may already have.
Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment must be reported. All reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate special diets and treatment, but medical service and treatment is generally not at the level found in the U.S. This promises to be a memorable journey, but as with all travel, a flexible attitude, a spirit of adventure, and a willingness to explore new areas will enhance your enjoyment of this program. You do not have to participate in all of the scheduled activities, except when traveling to the next destination. We are sure you will be pleased with the exciting educational program provided, but we want you to be aware of the pace and activity level.
