Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca boat crossing to La Paz
11 days / 10 nights
From $2,823 per person, double occupancy for 2010

Day 1: Lima
Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight accommodations at the Hotel Costa del Sol Ramada Lima, with daily buffet breakfast included. Located adjacent to the airport terminal, this four star hotel features 130 rooms, restaurant, bar, business center, wireless internet, spa, and beauty salon

Day 2: Lima - Cuzco
Fly to Cuzco this morning (10,750'), the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America and capital of the Inca Empire. Much of colonial Cuzco was built on Inca foundations, and your guide will point out Inca stonework along the many streets. Overnight accommodations at the centrally located Posada del Inca Hotel. After settling in set off on a tour of Cuzco and the nearby Inca ruins. Cuzco, the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent, was the capital of the Inca Empire and is considered by many Quechua peoples to be the spiritual center of the world. Much of colonial Cuzco was built on Inca foundations, and your guide will point out Inca stonework along the many streets. Visit the main square, the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church, as well as a first introduction to Inca stonework at the ruins of Puka-Pukara, Qenqo, Tambo Machay, and the renowned fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco and the surrounding valley. (B)

Day 3: Pisac & Ollantaytambo
This morning, depart with your guide for a full-day excursion to the village and ruins of Pisac located 20 miles from Cuzco. After exploring the ruins you will visit a colorful Indian market where you'll be able to trade with locals for a variety of handicrafts. Lunch will be served in Urubamba, followed by a tour of the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. (B,L)

Day 4: Cuzco - Machu Picchu
Set off on a scenic 3-hour trip through the Urubamba Valley, followed by a 30-minute bus ride up to the breathtaking "Lost City of the Incas"--Machu Picchu. Set in the saddle of a mountain 1,000 feet above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu escaped ransacking by the Spaniards. Explore the walls, stairways, temples and terraces with your guide. For the more energetic, a moderate 2-mile hike up to the Sun Gate offers fabulous views overlooking this ancient wonder. Overnight at Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, or for an additional charge, upgrade to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, located adjacent to the ruins. (B,L

Day 5: Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Enjoy a full morning visit to the citadel. In the afternoon, return to Cuzco by train, where you'll be met and transferred back to the Posada del Inca Hotel. (B)

Day 6: Cuzco - Puno
Hotel pickup and transfer to the Cuzco bus station. Depart by motorcoach for your 8-hour journey to Puno. Along the way, you will visit Piquillacta, Andahuayillas, the Marangani alpaca weaving factory and Raqchi, with its temple to the God Viracocha. You will be met at the Puno bus station and transferred to the Posada del Inca Puno. (B,L)

Day 7: Taquile Island excursion
This morning depart on a full-day excursion to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. You will visit Taquile Island. The island, inhabited by 1,500 Quechua-speaking Indians, is world famous for its hand weavings and an ancient communal way of life. You’ll spend the rest of the day exploring the island before returning to Puno in the late afternoon. (B,L)

Day 8: Puno - Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun)
Departure this morning in a private bus to Copacabana. After a visit to the National Shrine of Bolivia, board a cruiser ship to Huatajata. In the afternoon, stop at the Island of the Sun where you'll witness the unique lifestyle of the Aymara who live here. The rest of the day will be spent exploring the island on your own or with your guide. Overnight accommodations are in a simple guesthouse located on the island. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Isla del Sol - La Paz
After a free morning to explore, the boat continues through the Tiquina Strait to Huatajata (total sailing time up to 6 hours). From here a two-hour bus trip brings you La Paz, highest capital city in the world. Overnight at the Hotel Plaza. (B,L)

Day 10: Tiahuanaco
You’ll be picked up from your hotel for an excursion to Tiahuanaco, the former capital of a civilization that flourished around 700 AD. On the way to the ruins, you’ll pass through the town of Laja, where La Paz was founded in 548 AD. (B)

Day 11: Int'l departure
Hotel pickup and transfer to La Paz airport. Check in for your departing flight. (B)