Day 1-
Saturday, August 7
Lima

Fly to Lima, Peru today. Arrive anytime and meet your fellow travelers at the hotel.

Day 2-
Sunday, August 8
Lima (B, D)

We get to know La Ciudad de los Reyes, or the City of Kings, on today’s tour. We’ll explore the historic district, noted for its 1,600 distinctive, colonial-era balconies. Our tour stops at Plaza Mayor, center of commerce and government, and Casa Aliaga, constructed in the year of Lima’s founding, 1535. We’ll also stroll the upscale Miraflores district. Get to know fellow travelers at tonight’s Hermes welcome dinner

Day 3 - 
Monday, August 9
Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley (B, L, D)

We rise early today as we have a full day and fly to Cusco and drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We visit Ollantaytambo, once a royal estate of an Incan emperor. After lunch, we stop at a local market in Pisac and try our hand at bargaining.

DAY 4 - 
Tuesday, August 10
Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
(B, L, D)

Journey by train to Machu Picchu and enjoy a guided tour of the Lost City.  Because we’re staying overnight near the base of the ruins, we can return in the morning before day-trippers arrive.

DAY 5 - 
Wednesday, August 11
Aguas Calientes – Cusco (B)

Rise early to admire the morning sun as it bathes the extraordinary ruins. Your guide will point out some hiking trails for you to explore. This afternoon we return to Cusco by train.

DAY 6 - 
Thursday, August 12
Cusco (B)

You may feel right at home in Cusco, since its official flag displays a rainbow. If you look closely you’ll see that some of its colonial buildings still have their original Inca foundations. We’ll venture outside the city to the ancient sites of Sacsayhuaman, said to resemble a Puma head; Tambomachay, a system of aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls; and Puca Pucara, with impressive views of the valley.

DAY 7 -
Friday, August 13
Cusco Free Day (B)

Join our optional visit to the Salt Mines, or explore on your own.

DAY 8 -
Saturday, August 14
Cusco – Lima (B, D)

We fly to Lima where we’ll discover the district of Monterrico & the Gold Museum.  Share stories of your Peruvian adventure at tonight’s Hermes farewell dinner.

A note about your return flight: Flights depart for the U.S. either very late this evening or very early tomorrow morning. For those with a morning departure, we’ve arranged an additional Lima overnight for you.

DAY 9 -
Sunday, August 15
Departure (B)