zOrient-Express Experience in Peru

Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and escorted by private car to the luxurious Miraflores Park Hotel. Settle in to your Oceanview Suite at this exceptional Orient-Express Hotel and enjoy the balance of this day at leisure.

After breakfast, your private car, driver and guide will be waiting to show you the city they love and know so well. Discover the handsome Colonial-era landmarks of Lima’s historic city center including the17th-century San Francisco Church and Casa Aliaga, a landmark residence which stands on property given to one of Pizarro’s followers in 1535 and has now been occupied by 16 generations of his descendents! Then tour Huaca Pucllana, a recently-excavated sacred pyramid of the 4th century and sit down to an unforgettable luncheon overlooking this ancient monument. In the afternoon, you'll enjoy a private tour through the renowned collection of Pre-Columbian artifacts at the Larco Herrera Museum. End your day with a guided stroll in the lively district of Barranco where historic buildings have been splendidly renovated and now house some of the city’s most popular dining and entertainment venues.  Meals B,L

Early this morning, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your included flight to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the once-mighty Inca Empire. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue with your private car, driver and guide into the picturesque Sacred Valley to visit the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary, highly regarded for their pioneering efforts to rescue and protect endangered Andean animals. At Awanacancha, see llamas and alpacas in their natural habitat and learn about ancient weaving techniques which are still used today in the timeless villages of the Andes. Then visit the colorful market town of Pisac before checking in to your Deluxe Room at the enchanting Hotel Rio Sagrado, a luxurious Orient-Express Hotel in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Meals B,L,D

Your exploration of the Sacred Valley continues today at the massive stone fortress of Ollantaytambo, so well built and strategically positioned that the Incas were able to successfully defend this site against the Spanish in 1537. At Maras, you will marvel at a sprawling complex of terraced salt mines which have been worked for generations by the same families. Then marvel at the ancient agricultural terraces of Moray, one of Peru’s most intriguing and enigmatic Inca sites. For lunch, we’ve arranged for you to experience an authentic Colonial-era hacienda: Explore the antique-filled main house of Huayoccari and stroll through its lovely gardens and orchards before sitting down to a memorable luncheon here on the Hacienda’s landscaped grounds overlooking the Sacred Valley. Spend another night at the luxurious Hotel Rio Sagrado. Meals B,L

Step aboard the elegant Hiram Bingham Train this morning for a delightful rail journey through the picturesque Urubamba River Valley, a timeless landscape of snowcapped Andean peaks, quiet villages and carefully tended fields. Your trip aboard this luxury Orient-Express Train includes a welcome aperitif, an excellent brunch accompanied by the finest South American wines and onboard entertainment. Arrive in the charming town of Aguas Calientes and ascend by motorcoach to Machu Picchu for an extensive tour of this ancient citadel as your private guide illuminates the extraordinary achievements and fascinating history of the Inca. Enjoy Afternoon Tea and an unforgettable overnight at the legendary Sanctuary Lodge. This Orient-Express Luxury Hotel is the only property set on the mountaintop adjacent to Machu Picchu.  Meals B,L,D [Note: The Hiram Bingham Train does not operate on Sundays.]

We’ve included a second entry ticket to Machu Picchu so you can explore the site at your own pace as the sun casts its first golden rays across the fabled Lost City of the Inca. Your early morning access to the site and the opportunity to behold the grandeur and mystery of Machu Picchu before the crowd of day-visitors arrives from Cuzco promises a truly unforgettable experience. Your return journey aboard the luxurious Hiram Bingham Train includes an elegant gourmet dinner. Upon arrival back in Cuzco, you’ll be met and escorted to the luxurious Palacio Nazarenas, an outstanding Orient-Express Hotel in the historic heart of town. Meals B,D [Note: With morning dew, paths and stones can be slippery, requiring caution.]

This morning’s private sightseeing tour showcases Cuzco’s most significant Inca and Colonial-era monuments including the handsome Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun. You’ll also ascend into the hills outside of town to visit Sacsayhuaman. Marvel at the extraordinary masonry work of this ancient Inca site and take in spectacular views over Cuzco’s red-tile rooftops and the surrounding Andes Mountains. Back in the city at the Almudena Cemetery and bustling San Pedro Market, your guide will offer enriching insight into how ancient traditions – many dating back to Inca times – still endure in the daily lives of Cuzco’s residents. Enjoy free time this afternoon to relax, shop or explore at your own pace. This evening, we’ve arranged for you to dine at MAP Cafe, one of the city’s most elegant and stylish restaurants.  Meals B,D

After breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your included flight back to Lima. Our tour services end here at the airport for your onward journey. Or you can extend your travels and see more of Peru with any of our other FreeStyle Travel packages. Meals B