Program Highlights: Pachacamac • Peruvian Paso Horse Show • Awana Kancha • Pablo Seminario Ceramic Studio • Pisac • Ollantaytambo • Machu Picchu • Inca Pisac • Maras salt pools • Korikancha • Sacsayhuamán Fortress • Pre-Columbian Art Museum • Lima City Sightseeing

Program Cost: $3,411

Students will explore the remains of the ancient Incan civilization at Machu Picchu and learn the different theories of its abandonment. They will visit the agricultural terraces built into the hillside of Pisac and try their hand at traditional Peruvian pottery when they engage in a workshop in the Pablo Seminario Ceramic Studio. From Lima to Cuzco, students will be immersed in Peruvian culture — past and present and gain new insights into this complex world.

Itinerary

June 13, 2010: Depart from the USA and arrive in Lima, Peru’s capital city.
June 14, 2010: Lima Drive along the Pan-American highway to the pre-Incan Ruins of Pachacamac, an important local archaeological site. The ruins include a number of impressive pyramids, temples, and ancient Ishmay abodes. Then attend a traditional Peruvian Paso Horse Show, before returning to Lima for a Peruvian dinner and folklore show featuring music and dances from different regions of the country.
June 15, 2010: Sacred Valley Depart for an early morning flight over the snowcapped Andes to Cuzco. Journey to the Sacred Valley, stopping at the "Living Museum of the Andes," Awana Kancha. Observe animals such as alpacas in their native environment and learn about local craft techniques during spinning and weaving demonstrations. Continue to the Pablo Seminario Ceramic Studio for a workshop on traditional Peruvian pottery. Arrive in the Sacred Valley for dinner.
June 16, 2010: Sacred Valley A full-day excursion through the Urubamba Valley to Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Bargain for colorful Peruvian handicrafts and jewelry at the Indian Market in the colonial village of Pisac before continuing to the small town of Ollantaytambo to see the archaeological complex and visit its majestic Ollantay Fortress.
June 17, 2010: Sacred Valley Journey through picturesque Andean communities to the Incan agricultural experimental center of Moray, famous for its sunken, terraced amphitheater. Learn about the ancestral practices for salt recollection, irrigation, and agriculture at the Maras salt pools. In the afternoon visit the archaeological remnants of Inca Pisac including an irrigation system, an astronomical observatory, and a solar clock and calendar.
June 18, 2010: Cuzco A morning train ride through the sacred valley of Urubamba to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Perched 8,200 feet above the valley, it was hidden by mountains and semi-tropical jungles for 400 years until discovered in 1911. Explore the mystery and legend of the ruins with a guided tour and have lunch at the Orient Express' Sanctuary Lodge located just a few steps from the Inca citadel. Return by train to Cuzco for the evening.
June 19, 2010: Cuzco Visit important landmarks such as the city's Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church, Plaza de Armas and Koricancha, and the Temple of the Sun. See the ruins of Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambo Machay and the Sacsayhuamán fortress. Housed in the former mansion of the conqueror Alonso Díaz, we will also visit the Pre-Columbian Art Museum. We’ll enjoy a special dinner and folklore show that focuses on local Andean cuisine and regional dances.
June 20, 2010: Lima and overnight flight Tour both the modern and colonial sides of Lima including the world famous Larco Museum, the Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, San Francisco Church and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace After dinner, depart for the USA.
June 21, 2010: Arrive in the USA