Peru Highlights With Arequipa & Colca Canyon

Abundance…yep, we all want it. While Monograms can’t help you win the lottery, we can help you find “the land of abundance,” which is how the Quechua Indians refer to Peru. And let’s be honest, when it comes to archaeological treasures, few places compare to Peru! So let Monograms make it easy for you to travel to Peru on this 12-day vacation. We’ve arranged hotel reservations for you, buffet breakfast daily plus a few other meals, sightseeing, and transportation between cities. Plus, to help you feel comfortable in this foreign land, you’ll have access to a Local Host® in each city, a “friend” who will answer your questions, offer suggestions, and help your vacation run smoothly.

On your first day in Lima, your first Local Host will meet you at your hotel and give you materials to familiarize you with the city. The next morning, after an included breakfast, your guided sightseeing with a local expert features the historic city center and Santo Domingo Convent with its relics-not to mention insider stories to make the experience really come alive. Then you’re off to Cusco, high in the Andes. In Cusco, among many sights, your included sightseeing tour features the Santo Domingo Monastery, an important temple devoted to the sun, and the Temple of Sacsayhuaman, built in the early 12th century with some stones weighing more than 350 tons-built without the use of modern technology and machinery! Cusco offers some fantastic gastronomic delights, so be sure to ask your Cusco Local Host for recommendations. In the Sacred Valley, visit the market town of Pisac, where you can find local wares at bargain prices, and Ollantaytambo, a great example of Inca town planning and with some of the finest examples of Inca masonry.

No trip to Peru is complete without a visit to Machu Picchu, built in 1450 at the height of the Inca Empire and without a doubt one of the most magnificent settings in South America. You’ll take a train to Machu Picchu, receive an included tour, and if you desire, you’ll have the opportunity to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu and hike to the Sun Gate, the ancient entrance used by the Incas, with your second included entrance to the ruins. Plus, you’ll have access to a Local Host in Machu Picchu-someone who can tell you the history and the culture like no one else.

Your odyssey continues to the incredible Colca Canyon. More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest in the world and is home to the amazing Andean Condor. You’ll complete your trip with a visit to Arequipa-rich in history and natural beauty from centuries of architecture and agriculture. An amazing ending to an extraordinary South America adventure!