Miraval Journeys

Day 1 - October 4, 2013

En Route to Lima

On arrival at Lima International Airport, you will be met, provided with luggage assistance, and transferred to your hotel.

Note: Group members will be provided with individual airport to hotel transfers as different flights arrive from various USA destinations. Those arriving or departing on the same flights will be transferred to the hotel together.

Overnight Accommodations: JW Marriott Lima Hotel - Deluxe Ocean View Rooms
Included Meals: None

Day 2 - October 5, 2013

Lima

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and taken to visit Lima's principal attractions. Lima, recently named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, was founded in 1535 as Spain's South American capital. Its decaying colonial splendor teems with vitality amongst impoverished urban sprawl, quiet elegant corners, and ancient buildings. Highlights of your private city tour will include the Plaza de Armas, Government Palace, the Cathedral, and the famed Larco Herrera Museum, where you will have the chance to admire an extensive private collection of pre-Inca ceramics.

Spend the evening at Casa Luna for a very special welcome dinner where you will dine amidst a stunning collection of Peruvian artwork.

Overnight Accommodations: JW Marriott Lima Hotel - Deluxe Ocean View Rooms
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3 - October 6, 2013

Lima, Pisac Market, & Sacred Valley

After breakfast at your hotel, you will take a short flight to Cuzco, an Andean community and former anciet capital of the Inca Empire.

Upon arrival in Cuzco, you will experience the Urubamba Valley. Along the way, visit Awanacancha, a center where Aouth American Cameloids (members of the camel family) are bred to learn about the ancient weaving techniques that are still used today. You will visit the local village of Pisac, famous for its bustling, colorful market where you will have plenty of time to barter for local sweaters, ponchos, wall hangings, jewelry and other handmade goods.

Enjoy lunch in an elegant farmhouse high in the hills above the Sacred Valley with large picture windows framing stunning views of the Andes. After lunch, you will arrive at the hotel where you can relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight Accommodations: Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa - Superior Rooms
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - October 7, 2013

Ollantaytambo and Soft Adventure or Cultural Tour

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, begin you day on a private tour to visit the massive fortress of Ollantaytambo. Constructed of rose-colored granite, this huge installation was once a thriving complex of baths, temples, and military barracks. Below the fortress, a complete Incan town also called Ollantaytambo is still inhabited and its original architecture and layout is preserved.

Enjoy lunch at La Wayra Ranch while watching a Peruvian Paso Horse Show.

After your visit to Ollantaytambo, you will have the choice of one of the following three options (included):

Option #1: Horseback Riding

Set out to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Sacred Valley on typical Peruvian Paso Fino horses. As you travel, witness the rural lifestyle, meet and greet villagers in their everyday wear as they cook, herd cattle, and till their fields.

Option #$2: Maras & Moray - Cultural Tour

Take a driving tour to Moray, a fascinating archeological site comprised of concentric agricultural terraces. You will then be taken to the picturesque town of Maras where you will visit with locals to watch or interact with them in their workshops to get a better understanding of their daily lives.

Option #3: Rafting

Embark on an exciting, scenic, and low-intensity whitewater rafting trip down the Urubamba River (class 2-3 rapids). You will pass by picturesque Andean villages and Inca ruins, enjoying the backdrop of the snow-capped Andes.

Once you return from your selected adventure, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Overnight Accommodations: Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa - Superior Rooms
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 5 - October 8, 2013

Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

After breakfast at your hotel, you will take the Vistadome train (approximately 90 minutes) to Machu Picchu, traveling along the Sacred Valley to arrive at the famous Inca site. Accompanied by your private guide, explore the city's ruins and feel its pulse as you visualize the lives of the priests, craftsmen, and servants who inhabited this seemingly uninabitable citadel.

Overnight Accommodations: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo - Superior Rooms
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6 - October 9, 2013

Machu Picchu

It is said that Machu Picchu is a place of great spirituality, and the ultimate spiritual moment of the day happens at sunrise. This morning, you will have the option to rise early to enjoy one of two hikes.

Option #1: This hike will take you to the SUn Gate - the entry point to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail (Approximately 2 hours).

Option #2: This hike will take you up Huayna Picchu - the highest mountain within the ruins where you are afforded excellent views of the surrounding area (Approximately 2.5 hours).

If you prefer, you can just relax and continue exploring this magnificent citadel at your leisure.

Overnight Accommodations: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo - Superior Rooms
Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7 - October 10, 2013

Machu Picchu & Cuzco

Morning at leisure to visit the local hot springs adjacent to your hotel, explore the small town of Aguas Calientes, or enjoy a guided nature walk on the hotel's grounds. Yo will then take the Vista train back to Ollantaytambo where you will be met and privately transferred back to Cuzco.

For the next two nights, you will be staying in the newly opened 5-star JW Marriott Cuzco in the Hisotric City Center. This hotel is uniquely designed around a colonial convent. Enjoy the evening at leisure to explore on your own and enjoy the hotel's resort-like amenities such as their full-service spa offering a relaxation pool, sauna, and steam room. Restaurant recommendations will be provided based on your preference so you can enjoy local cuisine.

Overnight Accommodations: JW Marrott Cuzco Hotel - Deluxe Rooms
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - October 11, 2013

Cuzco

This morning, enjoy a city tour of Cuzco including the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and Santo Domingo, a Dominican church and convent built upon the foundations of the Koricancha, or the "place of gold," the Incas' prinicpal religious building dedicated to the worship of the sun. After seeing the sights of the ancient city, visit the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a true testimonial to Incan architectural skills. This afternoon you are free to visit the amazing Pre-Colombian Art Museum or nearby art district of San Blas on your own.

Overnight Accommodations: JW Marriott Cuzco Hotel - Deluxe Rooms
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - October 12, 2013

Cuzco & Lima

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for you short flight back to Lima, where you will be met and taken to one final farewell lunch of exquisite contemporary Peruvian cuisine. After lunch, arrive at your hotel in the well-located Miraflores District. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the plethora of nearby shops and restaurants on your own.

Note: For those that will be departing on late evening flights, you will have use of your room until you are ready for your private transfer to the airport this evening.

Overnight Accommodations: JW Marriott Lima Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - October 13, 2013

Departure from Lima

At the proper time, you will be transferred to the airport to board your international flights home.

Note: Standard checkout time will apply. Guaranteed late checkout is available at a surcharge.

Included Meals: Breakfast