Itinerary specially prepared by Aracari to celebrate the centenary of Hiram Binghamrevealing Machu Picchu to the world

Accompanied by Dr. John Hemming and Aracari founder Marisol Mosquera.

12th April 2011 �– 19th April 2011

One can picture it; hacking through the final tracts of undergrowth tostumble upon one of the most remarkable and mysteriousachievements of mankind. There is no doubt that the Yale ScholarHiram Bingham�’s revelation of Machu Picchu in 1911 marked one of themost inspiring moments of 20th century archaeology and exploration.

And as well it might; perhaps the world�’s most remarkablearchaeological site, Machu Picchu rarely fails to astound its visitors.Often cited as the highlight of a trip to Peru, what is now widely thoughtto have been a royal Inca estate stands resplendent in its surroundings,intertwining nature with the exquisite stone masonry of the Incas.

Although travelling to the breathtaking Inca ruin a century later may notinstil the same feeling of walking paths seldom trodden, this does notmean that there isn�’t still a sense of adventure, mystery and intrigue tobe invoked by visiting Machu Picchu.

Bearing this in mind, and in order that you can enjoy this centenary tothe highest possible degree, the following itinerary features three guestlectures from the renowned Inca historian John Hemming. As well asbeing a great privilege to be involved with the distinguished scholar, weare thrilled to be able to give you the opportunity to gain from hisexperience and insight into the Inca Empire, and are delighted that hewill be able to personally guide you around the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Not only this, your exclusive journey through Peru will give you a chanceto discover what the future holds for a destination rich in culture,history and diversity. Aracari founder and director Marisol Mosquerawill personally accompany this group, which will travel at a leisurelypace, staying at boutique and luxury accommodation picked by her ownhand and eating very well at her selection of exquisite dining venues.

Moreover, you will be given insider access to private art collections,cultural expositions and the unrivalled opportunity to experience someof the very latest of Aracari�’s �“musts�”. To top it all off, you will view oneof the most important of processions in Cusco "El Señor de losTemblores" from a Private Balcony on the main square.

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Day by Day at a Glance Centenary Group with Dr. Hemming

April 12th After arrival in Lima, our guests will have a welcoming meeting at the Country Club Hotel in Lima, before heading to a city tour with an erudite guide. John Hemming will give his first lecture at Casa de Aliaga where our group will enjoy dinner. Overnight at Country Club. April 13th Today, a visit to the Museo Larco with an erudite guide followed by a lunch at Hacienda Santa Rosa with a Marinera dance display and a Paso Horse Show. Return to hotel. April 14th In the morning we will fly off to Cusco and make the journey to the stunning Urubamba Valley. On your way to the hotel, a visit will be made to the ruins at Pisac before a lunch at Hacienda Huayo Ccari with a textile demonstration by the weavers from the Center for Traditional Textiles in Cusco. After a VIP welcome at the beautiful Hotel Sol y Luna, a traditional Pachamanca demonstration will precede dinner. Overnight at Sol y Luna. April 15th After an early start, the impressive ruins at Ollantaytambo are best seen in the morning light. Lunch is at the gorgeous Ticllabamba, our favourite accommodation in the valley built atop Inca terracing: a brilliant location for John Hemming’s second lecture.

April 16th Only the Hiram Bingham Train to Machu Picchu is fitting enough a service for our guests to reach the outstanding Inca ruin, the very same that Hiram Bingham came across in 1911. Tour of the ruins, overnight at the famous Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, which is adjacent to the ruins themselves and one of the most sought after accommodations in the world: just right for this tour. Apart from anything else, this location gives privileged access to Machu Picchu in the mornings and evenings: our

group can get ahead of the queues and be the first to enter when the gates open for sunrise at 6am and can enjoy the quieter hours in the evening after the bulk of visitors have left. April 17th Another day exploring the ruins will be followed by return to Cusco. April 18th A morning at the temple-fortress of Sacsayhuaman precedes an al fresco picnic and an informal talk from Dr. Hemming. To round off the tour, our guests can watch the Señor de los temblores procession from a balcony in the main square and a visit to the museum of pre-Columbian Art. This will include a farewell dinner at the museum’s adjoining restaurant, one of the finest in Cusco. April 19th A walking tour of Cusco is followed by the return to Lima, from where guests can opt into visiting other parts of the country.

ARACARI TRAVEL CONSULTING Tel: +51 (0) 1 651 2424 ; Fax +51 (0) 1 651 2426 Email: info@aracari.com

Lima - Cusco - Urubamba Valley - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Lima

12 April 2011 – 19 April 2011 (8 days)

Day 1 Tuesday 12 April 2011 Arrival in Lima.

THE CITY OF LIMA

The Capital of Peru, Lima lies on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. It is a city with a great cultural and ethnic diversity with over 7,000,000 inhabitants. It is a city of great natural contrasts, on the one hand Lima and the coast of Peru is surrounded by desert, on the other the cold Humboldt current gives the ocean an incredible richness of life and goes some way to explaining the weird weather – it never rains in Lima.

Founded by Spanish Conquisitador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima was founded on the day of the Epiphany, hence its name the ‘City of the Kings’. It was the prized and sumptuous capital of the sprawling Spanish colonial empire in South America from the 16th to 19th centuries, the administrative centre for vast swathes of land across several modern-day South American countries. As the capital of the Viceroyalty in Peru, its influence extended from the Caribbean to La Plata (Argentina). During this period the Viceroyalty was the second most important producer of silver in the world, which brought vast riches for Spain, but barbaric, forced labour for countless Indians and execution for those who dared to rebel.

Although Independence was declared in 1821, there was still years of fighting to capture this capital of Spain's colonial empire in South America, with the Liberators San Martin, Simon Bolivar, Sucre and Lord Cochrane commanding the fleet.

The city's past supremacy is revealed in its civil and religious buildings which still stand and are well-preserved, such as the Monastery of San Francisco, the Palace of Torre Tagle and the Plaza de Acho, the bull ring as well as many important churches. During this period of splendour, local inhabitants developed an unique character for the city, manifested in its mestizo baroque buildings and works of art, and the traditional festivities and celebrations still enjoyed today.

One of the fascinations of Lima and Peru in general, is the concentration of ancient history in this area of South America. The origins of Lima pre-date the Spanish foundation of the city by several millennia, and the city is rediscovering its native roots. Its museums are full of the artistic treasures of magnificent pre-Columbian civilizations that flourished throughout the coastal deserts of Peru.

Lima is a city transformed in the 20th century by the massive immigration particularly from the high Andes. As a result of this, it has adopted a new diverse and multicultural identity in permanent evolution. This is an exciting time to visit Lima.

Insider’s Visit of Colonial Lima with Specialist Guide Spend this afternoon with one of our specialist guides in the area of Lima that best demonstrates its Spanish colonial roots. Please note that our specialist guides are erudite in their area of expertise and many other aspects of art and culture and hail from many different academic fields. For them, guiding is not their primary professional activity. They may be engaged in teaching, lecturing, in the process of writing their theses, or may be involved in specific freelance cultural projects. They guide because they like to share their knowledge with educated foreign visitors, and their knowledge and enthusiasm for their subject takes our clients underneath the skin of the buildings themselves in a way that the professional tour guide never seems able to. The beauty of these visits is that they offer the flexibility that is required by our group. Visit to the Colonial area of Lima. Amongst the main sights are The Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs, Torre Tagle, the Inquisition rooms, the Cathedral, and the Main Square with its beautiful baroque style buildings. There are also many buildings in the area that have recently been restored. If time permits, our group will also have a chance to visit the Casona de San Marcos: the seat of the Universidad de San Marcos, the oldest University in the Americas (founded in 1558) and one of the oldest in the world.

Dinner at Casa Aliaga Afterwards, our group will step back in time with a private three-course dinner at Casa Aliaga, reportedly the oldest colonial home on the Continent and still family-owned after 17 generations. It was first deeded to Jerónimo de Aliaga after he became one of the 13 men who stayed with Francisco Pizarro during his gruelling exploration of Peru’s coast in 1527. Today, the house is in superb condition, exemplifying life in the Viceregal period. Marvel at the series of salons representing décor during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Explore the courtyard and chapel where the walls used to be covered in silver sheets prior to the ‘sacking’ of 1826. John Hemming’s first lecture will take place in this beautiful house, a captivating environment to start his series of lectures.

Day 2 Wednesday 13 April 2011 Larco Herrera Museum Visit with Specialist Guide Today our group will visit the Larco Herrera Museum with one of our specialist guides. Housed in an elegant, whitewashed mansion with a lovely garden, this museum contains the largest private collection of pre-Columbian pottery in Peru. There are tens of thousands of the finest ceramics from diverse pre-Hispanic cultures - particularly Mochicha – and the bulk of these can be seen in the museums viewable store room, though the most stunning of these artistic masterpieces are beautifully displayed in the Museum’s permanent exhibition. Additionally, there are a couple of rooms showing an important collection of textiles, gold and silver objects. In a separate room visitors can find the famous erotic pottery from the Moche culture (500 AD). There is a good gift shop with an array of souvenir replicas and jewellery. The Museum also has a wonderful restaurant called Museo Larco Café/Restaurant, where we will be able to relax and enjoy a drink or a snack should it be so desired.

If time permits, we will also be able to visit the nearby National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History which also has a very good collection of pre-Hispanic artefacts, particularly of the Chavin culture.

Lunch at Hacienda Santa Rosa We will enjoy a highly recommended lunch with a difference at Hacienda Santa Rosa, where the Navarro Reategui family have engaged in the breeding and dressage of Paso Fino horses for many years. Close to the Pacific Ocean, some 20 minutes South of Lima, the Hacienda is a wonderful, tastefully decorated mansion built in a Republican style. The extensive grounds contain a ranch where the special horses are bred. Renowned for giving the ‘rolls royce’ of rides, this elegant breed is descended from the horses that accompanied the Spanish Conquisitadors some 400 years ago. The key to its success is its naturally lateral gait or ‘paso’, which creates a smoother ride than the common diagonal gait of trotting horses. Add to that an inherently even temperament and a co-operative nature, and you have the perfect saddle riding horse. Today our group will enjoy a sumptuous three-course lunch with hors d’oeuvres and drinks, followed by folkloric dancing and a superbly orchestrated demonstration by these beautiful horses.

Overnight at Country Club Lima Hotel***** This 76 room hotel is located in the residential and commercial district of San Isidro, right in front of the Lima Golf Club – guests can play at the Golf Club for a modest green fee. Please request to play in advance. The hotel is housed in an elegant old mansion that was the most exclusive club and hotel of the Lima elite in the 30´s. It has a pool, spa, beauty parlour, two bars and a restaurant. Check In time: 15:00 hrs. / Check Out time: 12:00 hrs. http://www.aracari.com/hotels/country-club-lima-hotel-lima-lima-area.html Gran Class for 2 nights Buffet Breakfast Day 3 Thursday 14 April 2011 Departure Transfer An Aracari representative will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the airport for your domestic flight to Cusco. They will inform you of the necessary check-out and departure procedures, and accompany you until you are comfortable and ready for your flight. Lima – Cusco (3,400 m.) At Cusco airport we will be transferred to the Urubamba Valley where our hotel is located (1 ½ hours drive). It is best to go to the Valley before Cusco as it is located at lesser altitude (2900m, 9514ft) therefore making acclimatization easier. Along the way our guide will brief you on the activities we have planned, as well as other possibilities.

You will be given a multi-use entrance ticket known as 'BTC'. This includes access to multiple sites in Cusco and surrounding areas, including the ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, as well as other important sites in the area.

URUBAMBA VALLEY The Urubamba Valley, traditionally called the Yucay Valley and most recently the Sacred Valley (although, to add extra confusion, it is technically the Vilcanota-Urubamba valley given the change in the river’s name downstream from Ollantaytambo), owes its name to the beauty and fertility of its land. Since colonial times visitors have discovered this rich land dotted with picturesque Andean markets, impressive churches and remarkable Inca ruins. It stretches for approximately 180 kilometres/112 miles north of Cusco (toward Machu Picchu), and lies at an average of 2200metres/7,200ft, approximately 1000 metres/3,280ft lower than the Cusco. The climate is considerably milder here making it the chosen area by the Incas and later Spanish Conquistadors as a resting place where they established their estates and country homes. Today, the Urubamba Valley is not overlooked by tourism, and consequently some of the key highlights such as Pisac market and the Ollantaytambo ruins are somewhat overrun. During this special tour we shall visit some of these sites, but in a creative fashion in order to minimise the disruption to our experience.

Pisac Ruins en route

On our way from the airport to the hotel, after 40 minutes' drive, the group will visit Pisac, one of the most important Inca sites in the Urubamba valley. This will be our first look at Inca masonry of superlative quality; the site is located above the valley with stunning terracing following the contours of the hill. After the visit to the ruins you may want to take a look at the village and famous market, though we do feel this to be something of a ‘tourist trap’ and may not have time to do this during this trip. Do discuss options with our guide and with Marisol.

Lunch at Hacienda Huayo Ccari

Lunch has been organised at Hacienda Huayo Ccari, a lovely traditional hacienda owned and lived-in by one of the oldest land-owning families in Cusco. We will enjoy a delicious three-course meal in an elegant wood-panelled dining room with views of the valley below. We recommend that you spend some time looking at the superb pieces of the Hacienda’s folk art collection. Our guide or the owners will show you around. There is also a wonderful garden with stunning views.

Textile demonstration at Huayo Ccari

A local from Chinchero, Nilda Callanaupa, the most accomplished weaver in Cusco, will show us the best textiles in the region, and her team of weavers will give a demonstration in the garden. Nilda is head of the “Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco” an NGO devoted to fostering the preservation of indigenous weaving techniques, work for which she is renowned both within Peru and overseas. We are thrilled to be working with the genuine article, Nilda, on her quest to preserve these traditional techniques, and are delighted that her team’s exquisite work is available for purchase.

VIP Welcome at the Sol y Luna

The Sol y Luna will be welcoming us in the grandest of fashions. It is recommended that you have a little rest upon arrival to the hotel. Relax, lie down, drink plenty of liquid (not too much alcohol!) and allow your body to acclimatize to the high altitude.

Pachamanca at Sol y Luna Hotel Pachamanca has been eaten in the Andes since pre-Inca times, and you will learn how this is prepared with a terrific outdoor demonstration. This is a special meat and potato dish which is buried in the earth amidst red-hot stones and slowly roasted. Then, taste the delicious results in the Sol y Luna’s atmospheric ranch-style Wayra restaurant.

Gods of the Andes

Today we will witness a marvellous performance that blends theatre and dance, presented by a group of local artists. This 20-minute show energetically presents the legend of the Andean people and their deities; the Sun, mountains, pachamama, thunder, and lightning. This colourful and joyful spectacle deftly weaves together music, dance, fire dancing, and stilts!

Overnight at Sol y Luna Lodge****

We highly recommend this 28-room bungalow style hotel. It is charming and well decorated, located amidst beautiful gardens in the heart of the Urubamba Valley. The hotel is simply brimming with services and activities, including a Novo Andino restaurant, a lounge/bar area, horse ranch, spa, swimming pool, tennis court, and gift shop. This lodge is a great option for families. Check In time: 11:00 hrs. / Check Out time: 10:00 hrs. http://www.aracari.com/hotels/hotel-sol-y-luna-urubamba-valley-cuzco-area-2.html Standard Bungalow for 2 nights Buffet Breakfast Day 4 Friday 15 April 2011

Ollantaytambo Town and Ruins

This morning we will visit the fabulous ruins of Ollantaytambo, and its town. The latter is unique in that it still preserves its original Inca plan, with people and their guinea-pigs living in cancha enclosures once occupied by the Inca elite. We shall also check whether the Ethnographic Museum is open: its educational display of the history and customs of the Quechua people makes it well worth the visit should time permit.

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- Machu Picchu - “Crossing these terraces, I entered the untouched forest beyond, and suddenly found myself in a maze of beautiful granite houses! They were covered with trees and moss and the growth of centuries, but in the

dense shadow, hiding in bamboo thickets and tangled vines, could be seen, here and there, walls of white granite ashlars most carefully cut and exquisitely fitted together.”

Hiram Bingham, later reflecting on his first arrival at Machu Picchu on 24 July 1911

“The city that emerged was a place of magical beauty. It contains many buildings in the finest interlocking Inca masonry. But it is Machu Picchu’s remarkable unity and state of preservation that are so satisfying to a visitor. Here, standing intact to the roof line, are the houses, temples and buildings of a complete Inca city. The house groups are set amid banks of tidy agricultural terraces, and Machu Picchu is bound together by a web of paths and hundreds of stairways. Its location is fantastic, with the city clinging to the upper slope and crest of a narrow ridge. The sheer sugarloaf of Huayna Picchu rises like a rhinoceros horn at the end of the spur, and the Urubamba roars in a tight hairpin bend around the site, trapped in a green canyon hundreds of feet below. Steep forested hills rise all around Machu Picchu, and its mystery is heightened by great wisps of low cloud that cling to these humid mountains.”

Excerpt from John Hemming’s “The Conquest of the Incas”, first published in 1970.

Today, Machu Picchu is Peru's main tourist destination and it is magnificent - never a disappointment. It is definitely one of the world's great sights and will surely be the pinnacle of our tour. 70km/43 miles northwest of Cusco, Machu Picchu is often referred to as the ‘lost city of the Incas’. The outside world and even some Peruvians forgot about it for centuries, and it was brought to international prominence by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham along with the National Geographic Society of Washington DC a century ago. It was the latter who organised a subsequent two-year excavation and the beginning of restoration.

Its fascination is due in part to its position, high on a mountain ridge, 2,430m/7,972 ft above sea level. There is also the beauty of the ruins themselves. Some experts agree that the Sanctuary was a ‘llacta’, a settlement built to control the economies of the neighbouring regions and this was the most beautiful llacta built by the Incas. Most authorities agree that this was a royal estate of Pachacuti, the great Inca who started the expansion of the huge empire.

Overnight at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge*** A member of the Orient Express Hotel Group, this 30 room hotel occupies one of the most sought after locations in the world as the only property adjacent to the Machu Picchu site itself giving privileged access in the mornings and evenings when the bulk of visitors are not onsite. As you would expect, you will receive impeccable service and excellent food at this hotel. However, as no rooms have views of the ruins, we recommend the twin rooms with a garden view. We remind you that check out is at 11.00am. Classic Room or Mountain View Room or Garden and Terrace Room for 1 night. http://www.aracari.com/peruhotels/Machu_Picchu_Sanctuary_Lodge.php

Day 6 Sunday 17 April 2011 Since one day is simply not long enough at Machu Picchu, we are including a second day to be enjoyed with your guide.

We suggest an activity-filled day. There are several excursions depending on your fitness level and how long you want to be outside. The following are possible options we have selected (Dr. Hemming has personally expressed interest in visiting either The Temple of the Moon or Wiñay Wayna in this time):

Hike to Inti Punku or Sun Gate, the original Gateway into Machu Picchu when approaching the site along the Inca Trail. Inti Punku is the first point in the Inca Trail from where the ruins of Machu Picchu are visible. The views of the site and surrounding landscape are superb. Approximate total time for this excursion is 2 ½ hours: 1 hour there, and 45 minutes return. Rating: Moderate.

Hike to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. Walking further back along a fairly level stretch of the Inca Trail from Inti Punku and you will find the finest ruins on the entire trail. These consist of an arc of terraces following the contour of a hillside, and beyond is Peru's finest cascade of ritual baths, a temple to view snow-capped Mount Veronica, and a window that frames a holy waterfall. Approximate total time for this excursion is 3 hours from Inti Punku. Rating: Moderate.

Hike up to Huayna Picchu, the mountain behind Machu Picchu, where there are very fine ruins.

This hike is very strenuous and is only recommended for people who are not scared of heights and who have a good fitness level as a fair amount of climbing is required. You may want to extend your visit and go to the mysterious Temple of the Moon as well, which is far below Huayna Picchu and is an exquisite example of tight-fitting Inca masonry. This will add an extra hour total to this excursion. Approximate total time for this excursion 2½ hours, or 3½ hours including visiting the Moon Temple. Rating: Rigorous.

Hike to the Inca Bridge. This is a very nice 40 minute round trip walk, though there are some very narrow passes above steep drops and thus this is not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo. It starts from the site itself and takes you on a narrow Inca road amidst lush vegetation to an Inca drawbridge. Rating: Easy.

Today’s lunch will be at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. Later, we will take a minibus to the town of Aguas Calientes to catch the Vistadome train, back to Ollanta. On arrival in Ollanta train station, we will be driven by private vehicle to our hotel in Cusco.

Overnight at Monasterio del Cusco*****

The Monasterio is one of the most important Colonial buildings in Cusco, and many say the most beautiful hotel in Peru. Proclaimed a National Heritage Site in 1975, the hotel occupies the San Antonio Abad Monastery which was built during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Not only is the Monasterio beautiful, but the 126-room hotel is part of the Orient Express Group where impeccable service and excellent food are the standard. It has been named ‘Best Hotel in South America’ numerous times by the Conde Nast Traveler. The hotel is beautifully decorated with antiques and some of the finest colonial paintings in Cusco. Located in a quiet plaza just a few minutes’ walk from the Plaza de Armas, the hotel has all the amenities you would expect in a five star establishment, including two restaurants that offer gourmet dining and a lobby bar. One feature of the Monasterio del Cusco is that many of the rooms have an oxygen-enriching system to assist guests acclimatization to the altitude. Given that the hotel is a former Convent, all rooms vary in size, and specific rooms of the same standard cannot be guaranteed. Room types: 17 standard rooms, 91 deluxe rooms, 12 junior suites, 1 deluxe suite, 3 presidential suites and 2 royal suites. http://www.aracari.com//peruhotels/Monasterio_del_Cuzco.php Deluxe Room for 2 nights Buffet Breakfast Day 7 Monday 18 April 2011

This morning, we will visit the stupendous temple-fortress Sacsayhuaman that overlooks Cusco. Its towering zigzag terrace walls include many of the largest cut stones incorporated into any structure in the world.

‘Al fresco’ Gourmet Lunch at the Ruins of Sacsayhuaman

When the majority of other visitors leave, we stay on for a gourmet experience beside the famous ruin. We transport a chef from one of the best Peruvian restaurants to prepare a delicious three-course meal, served by our waiter at a table set with crisp linen, fine cutlery and tableware. Enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the spectacular panoramic views. To whet your appetite, starters include fresh flakey croissants filled with camembert and spicy salami or empanadas filled with ‘aji de gallina’ served with a yellow chilli chutney. The main course could be a homemade quiche with queso fresco and sweetcorn, leeks and marinated peppers or a mixed cold pasta salad with our homemade rustic pesto with basil and toasted pecans. To finish, how about Lucuma and Quillabamba chocolate mousse pies or apple and chocolate muffins. Beverages are included. Just sit back, take a sip of chilled white wine and let us do the rest. Señor de Los Temblores The procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes is as dramatic and spiritual as its name suggests. In a country with a depth and complexity of history as Peru, ancient and deep-rooted religious beliefs vie with the official national religion of Catholicism. Add to this the dramatic physical and political impacts of the great earthquake of 1650 and the invasion of the Spanish Conquistadors – and you have the makings of a fantastic spiritual outpouring in the guise of a procession. Taking place on the moveable feast of Easter Monday, the procession carries aloft a statue of Christ, the ‘Taytacha' which was (according to one of a number of legends) inspired by the statue at the cathedral in Burgos, and was a gift from Charles V to Cuzco, the most important city, the ‘seat of kings', in his new dominions in South America. Today blackened by the smoke of thousands of candles over the centuries, the statue is an impressive if somewhat eerie sight. In 1977, the restorer Pedro Querejazu discovered that it was made from wood and cloth stiffened with glue and covered in Llama skin. It has a head and beard of human hair and a crown of thorns in solid gold, fashioned in the mid-17th Century by locals in the Hispanic tradition.

On the day, the singing of two groups of Quechua singers known as chaynas or jilgueros heralds the preparation of the moving of the statue from the cathedral. Other senses are awakened with the rich colour of the crimson ñukchu flower which decorates the cross, symbolising the blood of Christ. Finally, flanked the singers and surrounded by crowds of people, the procession starts its winding journey through the streets of Cuzco to the Main Square, just as it did for the first time in the 17th century. Our group will have a most privileged view of the procession in the afternoon from a balcony in the main square. Farewell Dinner at the MAP Café One of our favourite restaurants in Cusco, the MAP Café is statement of elegant simplicity situated in a fantastic location. Set in an intriguing glass ‘box’ in the courtyard of the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, this restaurant offers the best in Andean Nouvelle cuisine. You will also have a chance to visit the museum’s wonderful collection, which displays pre-Columbian art as art as opposed to historical artefacts. We feel this is an excellent location to have our farewell dinner.

Day 8 Tuesday 19 April 2011

CUSCO Cusco is a magnificent town, one of the most beautiful in South America, boasting superb Spanish colonial architecture built on Inca foundations. Founded by the Incas in the 1200’s, it was at its climax as the capital of the Inca Empire when the Spaniards arrived in 1533, and they were stunned at the splendour of this City. They built over the Inca structures in what could be considered to be the finest Spanish baroque style that can be found in all of the Americas. Nevertheless, Inca masonry can still be seen along the narrow streets and plazas of this lovely town. There are many sights to see, which you may visit in your own time, such as museums, convents, art and crafts workshops and shops. It is a lively town with good restaurants, bars and cafes. Cusco is the perfect base to explore the surrounding landscapes, villages, markets and ruins if you decide to spend some time in the area after the trip. Cusco on Foot Spend the morning on a guided walking tour of Cusco. We will start our visit by positioning ourselves in the Main Square, observing the juxtaposition of Inca and Colonial architecture. We will walk through the City’s main streets with Inca stonework, and observe the finest of Spanish Colonial architecture. During our visit we have scheduled to visit the main sites of interest: the Cathedral and Koricancha, or Sun Temple. Bear in mind that for the rest of the time your guide will be delighted to tailor your visit to your specific tastes and requirements. Cusco abounds with artisan markets, lovely galleries, shops, lesser-known churches, and museums. Please feel free to discuss these options with our guide or Marisol. At the designated time, you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport, in order to catch your flight back to Lima. Cusco – Lima You will now have a perfect opportunity to explore more of Peru with Aracari. We recommend a few extra days in the Cusco region to savour some more Cusqueño baroque, along with making excursions to other archaeological sites such as Chinchero, Tambo Machay, Tipon, Raqchi and other places along the upper Vilcanota. John Hemming has agreed to remain in Cusco for a few more days to accompany these visits.

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