Begin your journey in Lima, Peru's coastal capital city founded by the Spaniard Pizarro in 1535. Lima, with its historic buildings and museums, offers visitors an introduction to the colonial history of Peru. Airport greeting and transfer to Miraflores (suburb of Lima) to your selected hotel in the Miraflores neighborhood.

(Accommodations, Lima)

After breakfast, you will be picked up for a city tour of Lima. The three-hour sightseeing tour offers the best of modern and colonial Lima. It includes visits to the Government Palace, The Plaza Mayor, City Hall, and the 17th-century San Francisco Monastery, followed by a drive through the modern neighborhood of San Isidro, with a stop at the pre-Inca pyramid of Huaca Huallamarca. Afternoon at leisure to explore, or arrange an optional tour.

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Lima)

Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to the ancient imperial capital of Cuzco. Situated at an altitude of 11,200 ft., Cuzco reflects both the Inca and Spanish cultures. Airport greeting and transfer by minivan to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Experience an unforgettable view as you cross over the mountain from Cuzco and drop down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The road follows the meandering Urubamba River and passes through rich agricultural lands and picturesque villages. En route you will have a private excursion to Pisac Market and the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo, including lunch.

(Breakfast, Lima; Lunch, Ollantaytambo; Accommodations, Sacred Valley)

After breakfast, transfer to the Ollantaytambo Train Station and board the train to the village of Aguas Calientes (approximately 90 minutes), in the valley below Machu Picchu. Your larger luggage will stay at your hotel in the Sacred Valley, as only overnight bags or back packs are allowed on the train. You'll meet back up with your luggage after your return from Machu Picchu. Once your train arrives in Aguas Calientes you'll meet your guide board a bus that will take you up the switchback road to the legendary "Lost City of the Incas" (approximately 20 minutes). Enjoy a guided tour of the Ruins, followed by lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge (adjacent to the site). The rest of afternoon can be spent at leisure to explore the ruins, before returning by bus to Aguas Calientes.

(Breakfast, Sacred Valley; Accommodations, Aguas Calientes)

Morning at leisure to return to Machu Picchu for a second visit, on your own. The bus departs from Puente Ruinas station every 10 minutes, beginning at 5:30 am. Mid-afternoon (3:30 - 5:00 pm depending upon your train confirmation time) return to Ollantaytambo Train Station. Transfer to Cuzco, stopping by your original Sacred Valley hotel to collect your luggage. Arrive Cuzco in the early evening and transfer to your selected hotel.

(Breakfast, Aguas Calientes; Accommodations, Cuzco)

Morning at leisure. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco includes a visit to the Koricancha Temple and the Cathedral, followed by a visit to the nearby fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and the Tambomachay ruins. After the tour, explore the city on your own. Cuzco is a city of plazas and colonial buildings with red tile roofs. Walk the city's ancient cobblestone streets, lined with the massive stone walls that are an Inca legacy. Return to your hotel. Overnight.

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Cuzco)

Travel from Cuzco to Puno by train, motorcoach or airplane. Transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight.

By air: After a morning of leisure in Cuzco, board a LAN Peru flight at 3:05 pm (subject to change) for a 50-minute flight to Juliaca, the closest airport to Puno.

By motorcoach: Depart Cuzco at 8:00 am on an Inka Express motor coach. The scenic journey across the altiplano takes about 9 hours, with stops at Pukara, Raqchi, and Andahuaylilias, as well as a lunch stop at Las Tunas restaurant. Arrival into Puno is at approximately 5:00 pm.

(Breakfast, Cuzco; Accommodations, Puno)

After breakfast, depart for full day excursion to the floating reed islands, home of the Uros Indians, and a visit to the peaceful Quechuan community on Taquile Island. After lunch on Taquile, there is time to explore the island before boarding the boat to return to Puno. Transfer to your selected hotel.

(Lunch, Taquile; Breakfast, Accommodations, Puno)

Depart from Puno to return home or continue on to another Avanti destination.

(Breakfast, Puno)