Study Abroad in Cusco: Cultural Travel

The Inca Art and Culture course includes a number of field trips to Inca sites outside Cusco, the main one being to the incomparable ruins of Machu Picchu, at the end of the famous Inca Trail. A stopover in Peru's capital city, Lima, is also included en route to Cusco.

3-day visit to Lima (Included in fee)

Monday, June 28 Morning arrival in Lima. Transfer to your centrally- located hotel.

Tuesday, June 29 Free time for sightseeing and overnight.

Wednesday, June 31 Morning sightseeing tour of Lima, including the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, the heart of the old town, the Palacio de Gobierno and the attractive church of San Francisco. Afternoon free for independent sightseeing.

Thursday, July 1 Morning flight from Lima to Cusco. Transfer to your accommodation.*

* On arrival in Cusco students should take the time to acclimatize to the altitude of more than 11,000 feet. Altitude sickness is a common problem for visitors and students should eat light meals and refrain from strenuous activity for the first few days.

3-day excursion to Machu Picchu (Included in fee)

Friday, July 16 Early morning departure from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. Visit to the ruins, town and craft fair. In the afternoon, departure from Ollantaytambo by train for three-hour journey down through the mountains to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), which is at the bottom of the Machu Picchu Mountain. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Saturday, July 17 Early morning transfer from Aguas Calientes
to Machu Picchu, which is at 2,492 meters and therefore considerably lower than Cusco at 3,326 meters. Students take a guided tour of the abandoned palaces, temples and terraces, with steep valleys below and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Free time for independent exploration of the ruins or a visit to the thermal baths at Aguas Calientes. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Sunday, July 18 Early evening departure for the return journey through the mountains to Cusco.

The two excursions include accommodations, transportation, entrance fees and breakfast. Lunch and dinner are not included. Dates and itinerary are tentative and subject to change.