Day 1 — Depart the U.S. for Lima, Peru

Depart the U.S. for Lima on individual flights. Upon arrival tonight transfer directly to your hotel.

Day 2 — Lima

Meet your fellow travelers and Smithsonian Journeys Expert today for a briefing, then embark on a tour of colonial Lima. A highlight is a visit to the Museo Larco, whose world-class collection of pre-Columbian art features Moche pottery from the north coast of Peru dating to the first millennium A.D. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the museum tonight. (B,D)

Day 3 — Cusco and the Sacred Valley

Early this morning, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Cusco, once the capital of the Inca empire and still the gateway to Peru’s most important Inca sites. Pay a visit to the Inca sun temple of Koricancha and the adjacent colonial church of Santo Domingo. Then descend into the beautiful Sacred Valley, where traditional Andean villages and Inca ruins lie tucked into the folds of the majestic Andes. Get immersed in Andean culture at the colorful open-air market at Pisac, a maze of bright, woven textiles and local produce. Arrive at your hotel in the mid-afternoon and begin to acclimate to the elevation. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.  (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Sacred Valley

Attend a traditional Andean ceremony this morning, then visit Ollantaytambo, where remarkable Inca fortifications guard a charming town built atop the remnants of an ancient Inca settlement. Ascend to the village of Chinchero, set high amid the snowcapped peaks. Here, residents live much as their ancestors did, wearing traditional clothing and conducting business and government affairs by time-honored means. At the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco, watch a weaving demonstration and learn about the natural dyes and techniques used in this traditional Andean craft. Return to your hotel late this afternoon and dine there tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes

Early this morning, board a train for a short but spectacular journey that follows the Urubamba River deep into the mountains. Your destination is a sustainable lodge nestled in the cloud forests of Aguas Calientes, just below the World Heritage site of Machu Picchu. Get settled in your casita, and head out this afternoon on your first guided visit to the legendary Inca citadel. With your small, nimble group, navigate the site with ease, taking time to absorb the splendor of your surroundings. Your guide will illuminate the incredible engineering and innovations of the Inca—and the mysteries that still surround the “Lost City of the Inca.” (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Machu Picchu and Cusco

Rise early to experience Machu Picchu again, before the crowds arrive, when the temples and dwellings are bathed in evocative morning light. Then descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch, and return by train to Cusco, arriving in the early evening. Dinner is on your own tonight. (B,L)

Day 7 — Cusco

Considered the “navel of the world” by the Inca, the World Heritage site of Cusco is South America’s oldest continuously inhabited city. You’ll have time to get acquainted with Cusco’s beautiful streets and squares during a free morning. Later, delve further into the history of this dynamic city on a guided tour. Trace the legacy of the Inca and the Spanish, interwoven throughout Cusco’s architecture and urban planning. Visit the Pre-Columbian Art Museum and meander through the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a masterpiece of Inca stone masonry. The afternoon is at leisure. (B,L)

Day 8 — Puno

Relax and take in the views during a day-long journey by coach to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Travel through the rugged altiplano edged by Andean peaks and dotted with small villages and herds of llama and alpaca. Along the way, stop in the village of Andahuaylillas, known for its lovely 17th-century church; see the ruins at Raqchi, once the holiest site in the Inca empire; visit the Llama and Alpaca Research Center in La Raya; and admire local craftsmanship at the ceramics center of Pucara. In the late afternoon, arrive at your hotel on Esteves Island in Lake Titicaca. (B,L)

Day 9 — Puno and Lake Titicaca

At 12,500 feet above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. The lake straddles Peru’s border with Bolivia, and the lofty Cordillera range creates a striking backdrop for the deep blue water. Board a boat to visit the floating islands of Los Uros, where the bowler-hatted Uros people live on islands they have thatched from reeds that grow in the lake’s shallows. On Taquile Island, learn about the rich cultural significance heritage of local textile traditions. Tonight, celebrate your Peruvian adventure at a farewell dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Days 10 and 11 — Puno, Lima, Depart for U.S.

Head to nearby Lake Umayo for a visit to the Sillustani chullpas, mysterious pre-Inca burial towers set on the lake’s shores. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima, where you’ll check in to your day room at the airport hotel. Late this evening, depart on your overnight flight to the U.S. (B,L)