Peru: Machu Picchu and the Last Incan BridgesPeru: Machu Picchu and the Last Incan Bridges

Venture out by boat to the Islas de Ballestas, a biodiverse set of islands known as the Peruvian Galapagos. You’ll examine the Paracas Candelabra, a mysterious prehistoric geoglyph etched into petrified sand, then take off over the Nazca Lines to view these vast, mysterious, ancient works of land art. No one knows where these sprawling glyphs came from or how on earth people were able to design them millennia before air travel existed!

The rolling sand dunes around the Huacachina Oasis inspire mirages, but the lake at the center — one of the few true oases in the Americas — is real. Rip across the desert in a dune buggy before refreshing with local wine at one of South America’s oldest wineries.

After a quick flight from Lima to Cusco, journey into the Sacred Valley, a verdant region rich with archeological sites and Incan village markets. Get an insider’s perspective on a town known for its fabric dyeing and textile weaving; a private weaving workshop will reveal techniques rarely seen outside the Valley. After a magical morning, you’ll head straight for El Mirador, a stunning vantage point for high-altitude views of the dramatic landscapes below

Start the morning by learning firsthand about some of the greatest discoveries of the ancient Incas. You’ll marvel at the rosy earth tones of the Salt Pans of Maras, colorful, open salt mines that have been in use since the Incan Empire. You’ll explore the ruins of Ollantaytambo and  visit the ancient, experimental, terraced farm of Moray. Then, find out where the Sacred Valley gets its name when you join local shamans for a spiritual ceremony to make an offering to Pachamama, Mother Earth.

As dawn rises over the Andes, take a panoramic train ride to one of the world’s most incredible hikes: the famed Inca Trail. Along the path, you pass various archeological wonders and breathtaking views. The highlight is Winay Wayna, a set of stunning 15th-century ruins named for the orchids that dot the landscape. Stopping for lunch and a hands-on cooking class, learn how to make Peru’s most famous delicacies. Continuing on, stand in awe at your first glimpses of Machu Picchu as you descend, arriving at the “old mountain” just before sunset after most visitors have already departed. Take your time enjoying the complex in peace and quiet. 

Today you fully explore a true wonder of the world with a knowledgeable host who unlocks the secrets of this archeological paradise. Machu Picchu seems impossible. How was it built in 15th-century Peru, especially at a staggering 7,000 feet of elevation? With more than 150 buildings ranging from temples to bathhouses and sanctuaries, and over 100 hand-crafted staircases, it truly has to be seen to be believed. After hours of exploration, you’ll glide back to Cusco aboard the Vistadome train, taking in panoramic views of the Andes. Reflect on the incredible day you’ve just had with your co-travelers over dinner at your hotel.

Not all Incan legacies endure as easily as Machu Picchu’s stone ruins. Handmade rope bridges suspend across rivers and chasms were once a vital part of a vast network of pathways, the Incan superhighway Qhapaq Nan. The village of Q’eswachaka keeps this tradition alive. During your visit, admire the surprising strength of one of the last Incan rope bridges. Forged from grass and straw, the community here crafts the entire bridge by hand. During an annual bridge-building festival, the bridge keepers use ancestral techniques for preserving this endangered feat of engineering. Later, the evening is yours to explore Cusco, the cultural heart of Peru. 

Spend the day enjoying Cusco’s vibrant culture. Stops at the Museo de la Coca and the Cusco Cathedral’s dazzling golden altar present two different sides of this historic city. Just outside of town are a few of the last sites you can’t leave Peru without seeing: the humbling 200-ton monoliths of Sacsayhuaman, the geometrical genius The Twelve-Angled Stone, and the bathhouse ruins of Tambomachay. End the day with a delicious farewell dinner.

Today we say goodbye. You’ll be guided to the airport, or set off to further explore more of Peru on your own.