Peru: Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley

The capital of Peru and a world-renowned culinary epicenter, Lima welcomes wayfarers with a delightful mix of indigenous and colonial history, natural beauty and a Pacific-Coast vibe that's laidback by day and electric by night.

Huaca Pucllana is an ancient clay and adobe pyramid sprawled in the midst of Lima's urban Miraflores District. Take in panoramic views of its ongoing excavation before joining a local chef on a visit to a popular food market. Stop for a coffee tasting before strolling the city's colorful Barranco, an artists' haven, and visit the Osma Museum. Your gastronomic journey resumes when you assist the chef in preparing local dishes you then have for dinner.

The former capital of the Inca empire, Cusco is often considered the most beautiful city in Peru. Inca temples, churches, museums and colonial palaces are made more picturesque by locals dressed in traditional clothing, creating postcard-worthy photo ops. Visit the beautiful Hacienda Sarapampa to savor lunch with the owner. At the Inkariy Museum, gain insights into the culture, religion and technology of the most important pre-Hispanic Peruvian cultures (including the Nazca and Inca) before making your way to your hotel.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas carves through the green peaks of the Peruvian Andes near Cusco, where snow-capped peaks make for a dramatic backdrop. Deemed a spiritual epicenter by the Inca people due its alignment with the solar system and its exceptionally fertile land, the valley shares a kinship with nearby Machu Picchu. Discover two projects supported by A&K Philanthropy: first visit a remote village where local residents provide a hands-on introduction to the customs and crafts that make up their way of life, before joining a local shaman in a traditional offering to Mother Earth (Pachamama), and then continue to Niños del Arco Iris (Children of the Rainbow).

Later, listen as a renowned scholar and expert on the Incas sets the stage for your Machu Picchu visit.

Explore Ollantaytambo, a fortress of massive stone terraces that hug the mountain slopes before boarding a train to Machu Picchu, the Incas' mighty mountain citadel. The journey can unfold as you prefer: By rail all the way, getting in your first visit to the ruins this afternoon or, alternatively, by disembarking en route at KM 104 to hike the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate overlooking the sprawling citadel later in the day.

Overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century at the height of the Inca Empire and remained unknown to the wider world until 1911. Devote this morning to a walk of Machu Picchu led by a local expert, absorbing the breathtaking immensity and wonder of the ruins.

Built in the shape of a puma by the Incas, Cusco stretches like a slumbering feline along the Huatanay valley. Far from sleepy, spirited cevicherias in San Blas add verve to the city's UNESCO-protected historical quarter.

From the heart of the city, where Spanish cathedrals anchor the Plaza de Armas, to the outskirts of the town where Sacsayhuamán — an Incan fortress built of colossal stones — still stands, diverse examples of centuries-old architecture abound. Visit an animal sanctuary to interact with the llamas and alpacas living there, and learn about the valuable fibers created from their coats. Listen to a private presentation of haunting Andean music by a regional expert.

A farewell dinner at an elegant Cusco restaurant features innovative recipes that honor Peru's culinary traditions.

This morning, experience one of these Design Your Day activities.

• Visit the San Blas Neighborhood, a unique, bohemian enclave where you find the workshops of artisans.
• Stroll San Pedro Market and visit the Inca Museum for a taste of local fruits and cheese, and a glimpse of daily life, followed by a look back into Peru's rich history.
• Explore with an Expert Photographer who helps you refine your skills and capture Cusco as a local sees it, including its narrow streets and beautiful houses.

Fly to Lima, where you later take a short walk to the airport to board your departing flight.