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April 2, 2008: Arrive Lima

April 3: Fly Piura in the morning. CO-OP Visit.

April 4: Free day in Piura.

April 5: Fly Cusco

April 6: Travel to Quillabamba (B,L,D)

Today we will take a beautiful drive (7-8 hours) crossing the Abra Pass with the opportunity for birdwatching and stopping in small Andean villages along the way. Tonight we will overnight in a simple hotel in the village of Quillabamba.

April 7: COCLA co-op visit (B,L,D)

We will do a full day of touring at the COCLA co-op, visiting the various crop sites and talking with the local people.

April 8: Transfer to Aguas Calientes (B,L)

We will leave Quillabamba, heading back to the towns of Santa Maria and Santa Teresa.  On the way, we can enjoy the scents of coffee and cacao growing in the terraced fields along the way and visit the area where the best coffee of the COCLA plantation is produced.  In the afternoon, we will catch the train to Aguas Calientes, where we can relax in the thermal waters.

April 9: Tour of Machu Picchu

Wake early to watch the sun rise over Machu Picchu. Today your guide will begin to unravel the mysteries of this sacred site as he explains the care that went into its construction.  Later you can climb the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu or take a walk through the lush cloudforest to the Temple of the Moon. In the late afternoon we travel to Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley by Train.

April 10: Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley is an area full of major Inca ruins and ancient villages. You'll wind your way past snow-capped mountains, Inca ruins and ancient villages. You'll test your bargaining skills with the locals while visiting one of the great textile markets in the area. You may hike to the inspiring ruins of Pisac or take a short walk through the countryside near the seldom-visited town of Moras and the pre-Columbian salt mines of Moray. Eventually, we will return to the city of Cusco.

April 11: Explore Cusco

Today is free to relax and explore with your guide or on your own. Travelers can go on a city tour of the churches and surrounding ruins, such as the enormous Sacsayhuamán ruins that overlook Cusco (these ruins showcase building blocks the size of SUVs). You can also wander through the bustling Plaza de Armas in the heart of Cusco, shop for love potions in the local markets, or people watch from the cafes and restaurants that line these lovely streets. For those bursting with energy, horseback riding, mountain biking, or even whitewater rafting (Class III-IV) can be arranged. The evening is yours to take in some of Cusco's varied and exciting nightlife.

April 12: Fly Lima and return home on a red-eye flight

11 days starting and ending in Lima, Peru

Accommodations: 10 nights comfortable hotels

Food Includes: All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); our hotels offer free continental breakfast.

Transportation: 3 local flights, buses, private van, and train

Group & Staff: Min 2, Max 12; Adventure Life Tour Leader/ Guide; porters for camping gear and packs.

Personal Budgeting: Allow US$160 for meals not included and drinks, US$28 international departure tax, US$10 local departure taxes, US$80 optional excursions. Return visit to Machu Picchu, including bus ride, is $55 US/185 soles