Machu Picchu & Wonders of South America Cruise

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Fly from London, UK to Lima, Peru
  Fly from London to Lima overnight.
• Day 2 - Lima, Peru
  Arrive into Lima. Overnight airport hotel stay.
• Day 3 - Cusco, Peru
  Fly from Lima to Cucso, the ancient Incan capital. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel to have a welcome coca tea. The rest of the morning is free to relax, and acclimatize. You afternoon tour begins with a visit to the famous cathedral, with its magnificently carved woodwork, ornate altar and many hundreds of canvases from the 17th-century 'Cusco Painting School'. You will then explore the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, a splendid example of the fusion of Inca and colonial architecture, before heading to the San Pedro local market. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about the diversity of Peruvian products. Overnight stay in Cusco.
• Day 4 - Sacred Valley, Peru
  This morning you will be driven to the charming community of Chinchero. You will join a local weaving family in their courtyard for an overview of the Andean weaving process. Chinchero is renowned for the production of textiles done on back strap looms. You watch as wool is carded, spun, and dyed and learn about the different techniques used to create belts, ponchos and shawls. After lunch, you will depart on a panoramic tour to the fortress of Ollantaytambo; where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out. Overnight stay in Sacred Valley.
• Day 5 - Machu Picchu, Peru & Cusco, Peru
  In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Ollantaytambo train station. The train ride takes you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival a small coach takes you up the steep roads to the entrance of the citadel. For centuries Machu Picchu remained undiscovered by the Spaniards and was discovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. During a guided tour you will experience this incredible location and the genius that went into its construction, making this Inca site one of the seven new wonders of the world. Enjoy a 3 course meal at Café Inkaterra in Aguas Calientes town. In the afternoon, you return by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo train station. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight stay in Cusco.
• Day 6 - Santiago, Chile
  Transfer to airport and fly to Santiago. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay in Santiago
• Day 7 - San Antonio (Santiago), Chile
  Transfer to port & embark ship.
• Day 8 - Coquimbo (La Serena), Chile
  La Serena is the capital of the Coquimbo region on Chile's coast. The city is known for its long beaches, like El Faro with its landmark Faro Monumental lighthouse, and its colonial and neo-colonial architecture. The late-Renaissance Iglesia de San Francisco is one of many churches dominating the skyline. The Archaeological Museum displays pre-Hispanic pottery and a giant stone head (moai) from Easter Island.
• Day 9-10 - At Sea
  Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.
• Day 11 - General San Martin (Pisco), Peru
  Pisco dates from 1640, and its Plaza de Armas is a Spanish colonial treasure. Another treasure is the Ballestas Islands, an offshore cluster of rocky outcroppings teeming with seabirds, penguins, sea lions, dolphins and other wildlife. Many visitors take the opportunity to take a scenic flight over the huge, mysterious Nazca Lines pictographs etched into the nearby desert surface 2,000 years ago. And still more belly up to a bar to sample a Pisco Sour cocktail made with the Pisco brandy distilled from locally grown grapes.