Itinerary Details
Peru Escape With Nazca Lines
Day 1: ARRIVE IN LIMA PERU Welcome to Lima!
Meet your Globus representative at your hotel.
Please note: You will meet your Tour Director on day 3 in Lima.
Day 2: LIMA–PARACASLines in the Sand
Enjoy a scenic drive south along the Pan-American Highway to the town of Pisco, the wine capital of Peru. Have your camera handy today as you board your aircraft for flightseeing over the Nazca plains. Your pilot will point out the mysterious markings known as the Nazca Lines, a series of drawings of animals and geometric figures etched into the parched soil—some up to 1,000 feet long! (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Take a once-in-a-lifetime flight over the Nazca Lines which can only be appreciated by air. Dating back to 500 BC, these geoglyphs etched into the ground consist of over 10,000 lines depicting plants and animals. Theories vary, but the most accepted belongs to German mathematician Maria Reiche, who dubbed the land the “astronomical calendar” of the ancient Peruvians.
Day 3: PARACAS–BALLESTAS ISLANDS–LIMAWild Island Honeys
Embark on a cruise out to the Ballestas Islands, which are inhabited by a wide variety of sea mammals and exotic birds, including boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. The huge Candelabro, a candelabra-shaped etching on the Paracas cliffside, can also be seen as you cruise back to shore. Continue back to Lima this afternoon to meet your Tour Director. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Nicknamed “The Peruvian Galápagos,” the protected area of the Ballestas Islands is a must-see for wildlife lovers. Search for sea mammals, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and Humboldt penguins commonly found in these waters.
Day 4: LIMA–CUSCO–SACRED VALLEYEmpire of the Andes
Fly to Cusco, the impressive Andean city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Head into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit the old mountain village of Pisaq. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue into the Sacred Valley for an overnight stay. (B,L)
ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
TRADITIONS & TREASURES Enjoy free time to browse Pisaq’s famous market to find handmade textiles and wares of the Sacred Valley. Here, vendors offer unique local products such as alpaca sweaters and blankets, jewelry, and hand-painted ornamental dishes and vases.
Day 5: SACRED VALLEY–MACHU PICCHU–CUSCOMystery on the Mountain
Board a scenic train that travels through scenic Urubamba Valley. Upon arrival, ascend to legendary Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas,” high above the steep valley overlaid with dense tropical jungle. Your Local Guide will bring you closer to the lives and mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures built by the Pre-Columbian masters of this sacred land. Later this afternoon, return to Cusco via train for an evening at leisure. (B)
NOTE:
7-8 hours will be spent in Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes region.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Machu Picchu – Found between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon basin, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most impressive Incan site from the Incan Empire. Discover this city that was abandoned in the 16th Century when the Spanish conquered the Incas, only to be rediscovered in 1911.
Day 6: CUSCOMonumental Stories
This morning, learn more about the Incas, their traditions, and their struggle against invading Spaniards. Learn about the importance of camelids (llama, vicuña, alpaca, and guanaco) for Inca cultures. See them up close and learn how their coats are transformed into precious fibers for ancient weaving techniques still in use today. Later, visit the Temple of Sacsayhuaman high on the hillside overlooking Cusco. Some of the best examples of Inca masonry can be found at this fortress, where stones weighing up to 350 tons are pieced together to form a complex that could house up to 10,000 men. Learn about the ceremonies and battles that took place here on your tour. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION In Cusco, meet with the locals who preserve the ancient technique of Pre-Columbian weaving using South American camelid fleece. This is your chance to get up close to the various camelids, including alpaca, llama, guanaco, and vicuña, indigenous to the region.
Day 7: CUSCOSun Worship & Spanish Rule
Enjoy a free day before a farewell dinner this evening. (B,D)
ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Cusco with an optional walking tour that includes visits to the imposing Cathedral and the Inca Temple of the Sun, Koricancha, which became the Spaniards’ Santo Domingo Monastery. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus.
Day 8: CUSCO–LIMAFrom Plaza to Palace
Fly to Lima today and begin your guided sightseeing. Start at the Plaza de Armas to see the Government Palace and the cathedral. From here, stroll to the venerable San Francisco Monastery. Free afternoon and evening. (B)
ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE in Lima with a visit to Larco Herrera Museum, which houses the largest private collection of Pre-Columbian Peruvian art in the world, followed by dinner at the museum’s restaurant. This and more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus.
Day 9: LIMAHasta Luego, Lima
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
