The Incas . . . Sons of the Sun . . . mysterious builders of stone fortresses, mountaintop citadels and golden temples. According to legend, the first Inca rulers came forth from Lake Titicaca to unite warring tribes under a common language and a unified religion, creating one of the most fabulous of ancient empires, Tawantinsuyo, “the four quarters of the world.” At its apex in the late fifteenth century, this impressive kingdom spanned an area five times greater than the size of the state of California! The Incas governed this vast realm from their cultural and religious center in Cusco, where many stone monuments stand today in testament to the skill of their master masons & architects.

Designed for travelers who wish to deepen their appreciation of the Incas, this exciting cultural & archaeological adventure takes us into the very heart of Tawantinsuyo. We begin in the Sacred Urubamba River Valley surrounded by towering mountains. We join Quechua villagers at the traditional market in Pisac before surveying the ruins overlooking town. Next, we visit a family in Chinchero, enjoy a weaving demonstration by master craftswomen, and view the fortress at Ollantaytambo. The following morning we journey by train to Machu Picchu & spend two full days exploring this jewel of Inca architecture and the nearby village of Aguas Calientes. Returning to Cusco by train, we contemplate royal palaces and admire the precise stonework of the Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman and other pre-Columbian sites. Our adventure ends with a tour of Lima’s splendid Larco Herrera Museum.