Explore Machu Picchu and other spectacular Incan sites with knowledgeable and experienced
local guides. Converse with Quechua potato farmers, weavers, and community members
from villages high in the Andes. Learn about ancient and contemporary wisdom of Andean
peoples and how this way of understanding the world can help us all live better lives.
Enjoy delicious Peruvian cuisine in a variety of restaurants and get to know locals
and fellow travelers.
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Tour Leaders
Peggy Cain, Ph.D
Professor
Itinerary
Day 1: Saturday, Oct. 11
Arrive in Cusco, Peru where you’ll be greeted at the airport and transported to a
charming hotel in historic Cusco. During the day, you’ll have free time to rest and
begin to explore the historic neighborhood around the hotel before joining the group
for an optional dinner.
Meals: All meals on your own
Day 2: Sunday, Oct. 12
You’ll have a guided tour of 5 archeological sites in and near Cusco: Qoricancha,
Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay, as well as the Cusco Cathedral.
In the afternoon, you can rest or explore the historic city of Cusco. In the evening,
a welcome dinner will be provided and, after dark, you’ll learn about Incan astronomy,
weather prediction, and cosmovision at the Cusco Planetarium. Enjoy telescope viewing
of planets (weather permitting).
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch on your own, dinner provided
Day 3: Monday, Oct. 13
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you’ll pack your bags and set out for the Sacred
Valley. The first stop is Manos de la Comunidad, a B-corporation of weavers and artisans
just outside of Cusco. You’ll be able to feed llamas and alpacas, observe weavers,
learn about traditional dyes, and purchase items from the organization’s beautiful
store. You’ll then head over to Sacred Valley for a guided tour of the Pisac archeological
site and then go to a local community of Quechua farmers. You’ll have lunch with them
and learn about their potato farming and community organizations. After dinner on
your own, you’ll participate in a ceremony with a Quechua spiritual guide.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch provided, dinner on your own
Day 4: Tuesday, Oct. 14
You’ll visit 2 rural, indigenous communities that have chosen different paths. One
is the site of the new international airport where they have chosen to focus their
community on tourism. The other has chosen to maintain traditional, indigenous agricultural
practices and live according to their ancestral cosmovision. You’ll speak with members
of both communities and learn about their differing choices. You’ll have a guided
tour of the Moray archeological site, featuring huge circular terraces for agricultural
experimentation, and the salt pools at Maras where local people channel salt-heavy
spring water to harvest salt.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch provided, dinner on your own
Day 5: Wednesday, Oct. 15
You’ll take a guided tour of the Inkarri Museum, which tells the history of many pre-Incan
peoples. You’ll then visit the town of Ollantaytambo and take a guided tour of the
archeological site that was built up the side of the mountain there. In the afternoon,
you’ll ride the train to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. There will
be free time to explore the town after our arrival.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch provided, dinner on your own
Day 6: Thursday, Oct. 16
Thursday will be an early morning to head out for a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the
famous archeological site located high atop a mountain and unknown by westerners until
1911. The spectacular site is surrounded by mountain ranges with glaciers and features
incredible architecture and views. Following lunch and some time to walk around in
Aguas Calientes (get your passport stamped for Machu Picchu), you’ll return to Cusco
on the train, arriving in Cusco in the early evening. You’ll have time to explore
Cusco in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch provided, dinner on your own
Day 7: Friday, Oct. 17
You’ll have a guided tour of Casa Concha, a new museum which houses many artifacts
collected by the U.S. archeologist Hiram Bingham, who explored Machu Picchu. The items
have recently been returned to Peru from Yale University. You’ll have free time to
explore the city, to shop, or to tour other sites on your own before you enjoy a traditional
Peruvian show and farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch on your own, dinner provided
Day 8: Saturday, Oct. 18
The final day is free time for you to explore Cusco. Our local guides will suggest
activities for you such as the Bean to Bar chocolate workshop, a cooking class, or
a visit to the local San Pedro market for last-minute shopping. Alternatively, you
could enjoy another museum such as the Inka: PreColombino or the Popular or Contemporary
Art museums. Airport transportation will be provided from the hotel in the afternoon
to the Cusco airport for travel back to Lima and the U.S.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner on your own
*Itineraries are subject to change due to factors outside the control of Westminster
University. Equivalent opportunities will be provided as substitution in the event
of unforeseen circumstances.
Activity Level and Accessibility
Cusco, Peru is located in the Andes Mountains at an elevation of 11,152 above sea
level. Participants should be in good physical and cardiovascular health and not prone
to altitude sickness. The itinerary will include walking up to 5 miles per day, including
stairs, and prolonged periods of standing. All participants are responsible for transporting
and handling their own luggage. Due to different standards of accessibility outside
of the United States, most sites visited are not handicap accessible. Please reach
out to Westminster Alumni Relations with questions about fitness level expectations
or accessibility.
Costs and Deadlines
The 2025 Peru program is limited to 15 participants, so reserve your spot today. A
non-refundable $300 deposit is required by July 1, 2025 and will go toward the total
trip cost of $3,360 per person (double occupancy) or $3,640 (single occupancy). The
remainder of the balance is due by Sept. 1, 2025.
Included:
- Airport transfers to/from Cusco Airport (airport code CUZ) on Oct. 11 and Oct. 18
and all local transportation
- Single or double hotel lodging in Cusco (4 nights), Sacred Valley (2 nights), and
Aguas Calientes (1 night)
- Breakfast at the hotels, some lunches and dinners (see daily itinerary for meal information)
- Planned excursions include:
- Cusco city tour and visits to cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pupa Pucara,
and Tamomachay
- Cusco planetarium visit
- Ceremony with indigenous spiritual guide
- Manos de la Comunidad cooperative visit
- Visit to 2 different indigenous communities
- Visits to Morey Inca archeological site and Salineras de Maras
- Visit to Ollyantaytambo
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Casa Concha Museum visit
- Comprehensive medical and emergency evacuation insurance
- Curated reading list
- Online orientation session before travel
Not Included:
- Airfare to and from Cusco, Peru
- Meals that are not specifically noted in itinerary
- Trip cancellation, delay, interruption, and lost luggage insurance
- Personal spending