ITINERARY

DAY 1 THU  USA / LIMA (D-in-flight)

Enjoy complimentary cocktails, dinner, and movies during your overnight flight

DAY 2 FRI   LIMA (B-in-flight, L)

Welcome to Peru! After clearing customs and immigrations, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Your guide will assist you with check-in, give you a briefing on key points: tour schedule, changing money, etc.

Lima City tour

Evening free, as tomorrow is a very early wake up call!

DAY 3 SAT   LIMA / CUSCO / URUBAMBA  (B, L, D)

You will be transferred to the airport and checked in for you flight to Cusco. 

Welcome to Cusco! You will be met by your guide and transferred out to the Urubamba Valley, a ride of about 90 minutes.

Note: The main purpose of departing for the Urubamba Valley first (as opposed to staying in Cusco) is that the altitude in the valley (and Machu Picchu as well) is about 1,000 feet less than in Cusco; this allows for easier adaptation to the high Andean altitudes

Start the Day Tour of the Urubamba Valley with a visit the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero to admire its well preserved Inca-wall at the main square, where natives sell their goods offering a colorful sight. Visit the colonial church with interesting frescoes on the portico.

Lunch at the gracious Sol e Luna Restaurant

After lunch, continue on to Pisac. This picturesque town, with its blend of mestizo and colonial architecture, belongs to the province of Calca at the entrance to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.  Founded during the reign of Viceroy Francisco de Toledo, the town has both western and native features that make it an original and typical town of the region.

Check in to the hotel.

Enjoy a typical Peruvian dinner at the inn.

Free evening to enjoy a beautiful nights under the stars 

 
DAY 4 SUN   URUBAMBA  (B, L)

Today features a Full Day program devoted to a very special region of the Valley and its people and remarkable archeological heritage

We will start with an early morning tour of perhaps one of the most impressive “living archeological sites” in Peru – the fortress city of Ollantaytambo.

This archaeological complex was a gigantic agricultural, administrative, social, religious and military center in the era of the Tahuantinsuyo. The Spaniards called it the Fortress of Ollantaytambo

One can see the architectural style of its streets and squares are distinctly pre-Hispanic, with enormous polyhedrons forming the walls and trapezoidal doors of temples and palaces. The urban distribution was set along rectilinear and narrow streets that have been inhabited constantly by natives since the Incas' time.

In the upper and western part of the city rises a mountain that houses innumerable pre-Hispanic constructions such as magnificently crafted temples and terraces. A striking construction is the partially destroyed main temple, where one can see the front stone carving made up of six perfectly built red monoliths. It also has stepped molds, a characteristic made naturally. This had academics considering Ollantaytambo a living museum.

Commuinity Service
After a box lunch, the afternoon features the first Community Service  The afternoon would be spent at the neighboring village of Huilloc, 35 minutes from Ollantaytambo. It is an under-privileged village which has many specific needs, especially with the reconstruction and maintenance of its school and community center. Students will meet with the local people and spend the afternoon painting the school and helping with the refurbishment of the center.
 
Return to the hotel for an overnight and free evening.

DAY5 MON   SACRED VALLEY / MACHU PICCHU (B, L, D)

Today features a real highlight: The train trip to Aguas Calientes and the Full day Tour to the Citadel of Machu Picchu

At 10:30AM you will board the rail coach for one-and-a-half hour train ride to Aguas Calientes, followed by a 25 minute motor coach ascent to Machu Picchu "The Lost City of the Incas". The guided tour of the marvelous citadel is an awe-inspiring experience. Visit the main square, the royal quarters, the temple of the three windows, the circular towers and the sacred sun dial and burial grounds. Lunch at Hotel Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.

In the late afternoon, descend to the Aguas Calientes town and check in at Hotel for a one night stay.  Dinner is featured at the hotel. Spend the evening exploring this rugged mountain town.

DAY 6 TUE   MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO (B)

The balance of the morning is at leisure to relax or sightsee at the ruins on your own. You may choose to visit the Sun Gate, the Moon Temple or hike up the Huayna Picchu. Your guide will arrange when to meet for your transfer back to the city of Cusco.

Arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon where you will be met and transferred to
the Hotel Agusto for a two night stay.

The evening is free to further explore this exciting university town

DAY 7 WED   CUSCO (B, Reception)

This morning enjoy a Tour of Cusco and Surrounding Temples
Drive into the countryside outside Cusco to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area: the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, the Inca Baths of Tambomachay and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara.

The tour includes a visit Awanakancha, a centre where South American camels are bred. Learn about the renowned fiber of llamas alpacas and vicunas as well as the ancient weaving techniques which are still used.

Then proceed with a city tour including the Santo Domingo Convent  Monastery – the legendary  Koricancha  'Site  of  Gold', the most important  temple devoted to worship of the sun and whose  walls were plated with sheets of gold; finally, to the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral.

SACSAYHUAMAN FORTRESS       
This afternoon features the second Community Service Option: visiting one of Cusco’s main orphanages and spending time interacting and working with the children there. A service task of repairing and / or refurbishing the facility will also be arranged. (Note: prior to arrival, names of children at the orphanages will be provided to NYU Gallatin and students may, if they wish, be matched with a child who they can then correspond with before or after the trip)

This evening a Reception will be hosted by students from the University of Cusco. A lecture from a University Professor will also be included. The reception will include light snacks and beverages. This is an excellent opportunity to meet fellow students and discuss your experience in Peru so far. Make new friends and get tips on how to enjoy the evening in this university town!

DAY 8 THU   CUSCO / LIMA (B, D-in-flight)

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to USA.

Arrive in USA