Student Fees International flights arrive in the evening. Greeting by Interact’s Foreign Representative in the airport lobby. Transfer to your Lima hotel. DAY TWO - Lima/Pachacamac Lima, City of Kings, was the center of Spanish power for three centuries following Pizarro's conquest. Visit the 17th century crypts of the San Francisco Monastery. Then, on the brighter side, gaze in wonder at all the golden objects and jewelry from ancient Andean cultures in the dazzling Gold Museum. Later, drive to Pachacamac. In Quechua, "Pacha" means world, and "camac" to animate -- "The One who Animates the World." Built centuries before the time of the Incas, Pachacamac is noted for its great pyramidal temples, and for the remains of frescoes adorning its adobe walls. DAY THREE - Cusco  /Hotel or Homestay
Morning flight to Cusco, the archaeological capital of South America. The Incas called this place "the Navel of the World." It's a picturesque location with all homes bearing red-tiled roofs by law. UNESCO has declared Cusco as a living monument to humanity. Later, explore the vibrant Plaza de Armas surrounded by historical landmarks, shops, boutiques, and restaurants. CUSCO HOMESTAY GROUPS stay with host families who live in middle class residential neighborhoods. Homes are American-style and are more comfortable than most can imagine. Host families are interviewed, carefully selected and monitored by our resident director. Everyone speaks Spanish in the homes. Students normally share with one other group member of the same general language ability. |
DAY FOUR - Sacred Valley Vilcamayo to the Incas, the Sacred Valley traces its winding, astonishingly beautiful course to the northwest of Cusco. It's easy to see why the Incas considered the valley as a special place. In the upper sector, the stupendous ruins of Pisac dominate the broad alluvial valley floor. Stroll through its famous native market before continuing to Ollantaytambo, a magnificent little town overwhelmed by a great temple-fortress that clings to the sheer cliffs across the river valley. DAY FIVE - MachuPicchu A fascinating early morning rail trip and a bus ride up the mountain brings you to the wondrous outpost of MachuPicchu, a remote fortress city abandoned by the Inca, reclaimed by the jungle, and hidden from view until it was rediscovered in 1911. With altars, temples, staircases, and terraces, this is one of the world's most extraordinary sites. DAY SIX - Puerto Maldonado /AmazonFly to Puerto Maldonado. Discover the unique town of Puerto Maldonada in the Amazon basin, the biodiversity capital of the world. Travel by motorized canoe into the jungle as you search for local wildlife. After lunch, explore the entire western end of the lake by boat or catamaran. On clear nights, board a boat further out into the lake to get an unimpeded view of the vast southern sky, with its unfamiliar constellations and superb vistas of the Milky Way. DAY SEVEN - Amazon A pre-dawn wake-up call will allow you to be on the lake for what is often a spectacular sunrise, and hopefully an encounter with the Giant Otters. After returning for a late breakfast, hike through the cool understory of the mighty primary rainforest that surrounds the lake. After dinner, you’ll have another opportunity to spot caiman on the lake, or perhaps take a night trail walk in search of the numerous creatures, including frogs, toads, owls, nighthawks, spiders and night monkeys. DAY EIGHT/NINE - Return home to the USA Journey out of the jungle and fly to Lima. Visit the upscale Miraflores Larco Mar mall. Return to the airport and depart on your overnight flight to the USA, arriving on day nine.
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