Wonders of Peru

Tour the Larco Museum, which chronicles the development of pre-Columbian societies, and walk through the pottery storeroom where 30,000 exquisite artifacts are displayed. In the UNESCO World Heritage historic center, delight in Plaza Mayor lined with majestic colonial-era buildings. Visit the stately Cathedral, the Monastery of Santo Domingo and Casa Aliaga, an elegant home built in 1535. Tonight, gather at Casa Garcia Alvarado, a historic house, for a Welcome Reception and Dinner. After a tour, savor a home-cooked meal with one of the owners.

Fly to Iquitos, a lively town filled with colorful tuk-tuks and 19th-century mansions, and then travel to Nauta. At a private port on the Marañon River, embark the Delfin III. Savor fantastic views from the deck while your naturalist guide provides an overview of your cruise schedule and activities. As you sail by the confluence of three rivers known as Union de los Rios, delight in the vividly colorful evening sky in the Amazon rain forest.

Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, where the ship cruises, is Peru’s largest wildlife preserve with more than 5 million acres of astounding biodiversity. Today, set out aboard skiff boats to explore creeks and lagoons where blue and yellow macaws, toucans, umbrella birds and capybaras hide in the deep rain forest. Lucky travelers may glimpse the endangered charapa turtle, spider monkey or red macaw. Marvel at the pink dolphins, or boto, known for their intelligence and agility.

Hike into the rain forest to explore the bountiful flora and fauna with your naturalist guide. Spot squirrel and red howler monkeys, iguanas lazing in the sun and sloths hanging in the upper canopy. You’ll also likely see brilliant parrots, hawks, hummingbirds and “laughing” falcons. In fact, over 1,300 species of birds are found in the Amazon! Later, back on the ship, a local expert explains how modern Peru has been shaped by its past.

Disembark the ship in Nauta this morning. On your way to the Iquitos airport, visit the Manatee Rescue Center to meet these gentle creatures up close. Fly to Lima and then on to Cusco. Once you arrive, take a panoramic drive to the breathtaking Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where farm fields and traditional Andean villages are tucked amid towering mountain slopes. Check in to the Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado.

Today, take in the impressive Ollantaytambo ruins, featuring huge terraces that hug the hillside. Originally a religious complex, Ollantaytambo was employed as a fortress in the 16th century when Inca emperor Manco Inca successfully fought off Spanish conquistadors. Later, visit with the residents of a nearby village and learn about daily life in this challenging mountain environment and their centuries-old weaving methods. Enjoy a wonderful lunch afterward at a family estate that boasts stunning grounds, scenic views and fine art.

Journey by train through the scenic Sacred Valley to the town of Aguas Calientes and the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel at the foot of Machu Picchu. Archaeologists believe that this lofty, masterfully planned site surrounded by steep agricultural terraces served as a center of worship or a royal estate for Inca emperors. Explore Machu Picchu’s plazas and buildings, including the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacristy and the Temple of the Sun.

During free time this morning, pursue your own interests or take advantage of the hotel’s amenities. Then travel by train through the beautiful mountain scenery and by motor coach to Cusco. After checking in to the Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel, enjoy the evening at leisure. Peru’s cuisine offers a tantalizing blend of eclectic styles and flavors. Your Travel Director can offer suggestions on where to try authentic dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado, a beef stir-fry.

Perched 11,152 feet above sea level, Cusco was the most sacred Inca city. Learn about the Incas’ religious beliefs during visits to the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Church, built on the foundations of Koricancha Temple. Next, visit the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, constructed with massive stones precisely fitted together without any mortar. This ancient fortress overlooks the red-tiled roofs of Cusco and the spectacular, lush countryside. Celebrate your remarkable Peruvian adventure at tonight’s Farewell Reception.

Enjoy your morning at leisure in Cusco, followed by a final lunch in town with your fellow travelers. Afterward, depart for Cusco’s airport and fly to Lima. Connect in Lima to your international flight to Miami, Florida. Depart for your home city.