The Capital of the New World extends a warm welcome. Meet your local host on arrival and transfer to your hotel in Miraflores, where you'll join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception at 6 p.m. this evening.

Ease into Lima life with a leisurely morning to enjoy the city. Next, you'll connect with the colonial heritage of Francisco Pizzaro's “City of Kings,” joining your Local Specialist for a city tour that reveals Lima's colonial splendor. Admire the UNESCO-listed Historic Center and see the Church of San Francisco, delving into its hidden catacombs, religious art museum and extensive library. Later, you'll embark on a scenic walk through Miraflores and soak up the local sights and sounds.

We'll fly to Cusco this morning, the gateway to Peru's treasured Sacred Valley, where we'll dive into culture, meeting a Shaman who will perform a special ceremony to welcome us to Peru. We connect with locals next over a Be My Guest lunch, learning about the culture surrounding the production of Giant White Corn. Our hosts will demonstrate the differences between traditional farming techniques and the newer technologies used today. Later, we'll revel in the romance of the local Marinera dance and admire the showmanship of the Peruvian Paso horses before a visit to the Pisac handicraft market. The sweet flavors of chica are ours to enjoy next, as we dive into culture yet again, savoring the favorite drink of the Andes.

Visit the mystical Inca stronghold of Ollantaytambo en route to Machu Picchu, ascending to the Lost City in the Clouds aboard the Vistadome train (light snack included). Here you will delve into the mysteries of this once-great civilization, joining your Local Specialist for an exploration of the temples, palaces and terraces whose construction defy imagination. Visit the iconic great Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved Intihuatana, most likely used as a sundial centuries ago. We return to our hotel where we'll dine tonight.

The ruins of Machu Picchu beckon yet again and we enjoy one final opportunity to reconnect with its story, spending some time on our own to explore the hill-top fortress. Next, we'll journey back to the Sacred Valley by train, stopping en route to Cusco to dive into culture and learn about the natural dyeing techniques used by native weavers. Our hotel tonight is a centuries-old mansion located in the historic center of Cusco.

Begin your day at the ruins of the UNESCO-listed Sacsayhuaman fortress overlooking Cusco. Your Local Specialist will guide you through Cusco's colonial center, built on the foundations of former Inca temples and palaces. Visit the baroque Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and the bohemian barrio of San Blas. Later, you'll join another Local Specialist who will reveal insights into the nearby 13th-century Incan settlement of Qoriwayrachina. The afternoon is free before a 'your choice dining' experience, giving you the choice of several local restaurants at which to dine.

Fly to Juliaca where you will meet a Local Specialist to learn about daily life on the Peruvian altiplano. Visit Sillustani, a pre-Incan burial ground and explore its towering chullpas (above ground tombs) before traveling to Lake Titicaca, the birthplace of the sun.

Cruise the deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca with a Local Specialist, passing floating islands constructed from reeds by the Uros Indians. In the midst of South America's largest lake lies Taquile Island, where we'll embark on a private tour to gain insights into the tradition of weaving and knitting for which the local villagers—men and women—are renowned. Learn more about the islanders' unique way of life and enjoy a Regional Meal lunch. Tonight, we indulge in a special highlight—dinner at our favorite local restaurant in Puno.

Return to Lima this morning, then continue your journey to the coastal playground of Paracas. Discover what life is like in Peru's rural countryside before arriving in Paracas for dinner at your seaside hotel and an evening at leisure. Perhaps there's even time for a stroll along the Malecon.

Take to the skies, soaring above the coastal desert to see the enigmatic Nazca Lines, gigantic geometric designs viewable only from the air. Next, stop this morning at the Regional Museum of Ica where we'll explore the centuries-old cultures of the Paracas and Nazca. Dive into culture during a visit to Bodega El Catador to learn about and taste the finest pisco in the country. The rest of the day is free.

This morning, connect with nature, cruising around the uninhabited Ballestas Islands, a "mini-Galapagos" teeming with wildlife. See the mysterious Candelabra in Pisco Bay, then return to Lima for an evening visit to the Larco Museum with a Local Specialist. Enjoy a festive Farewell Dinner in the museum's garden restaurant.

Say hasta luego to Peru and its ancient treasures, and take a transfer to the airport for your flight home or consider extending your vacation in Lima at the Hilton Miraflores.