itinerary

January 3: Depart Miami for Lima ; 2 nights at Hotel Maury (downtown Lima).
January 4: Walking tour of Lima's colonial center, including the changing of the guard at the Palacio
                   de Gobierno (the Presidential Palace), Lima Cathedral, San Francisco church and
                   catacombs. In the afternoon, Larco Herrera Museum (archaeology) and the Parque de la
                   Reserva with its "magic fountains."
January 5: Depart Lima southbound by bus to the Paracas peninsula; visit the Paracas National Reserve.
                    Overnight in Hotel Hacienda Bahia Paracas.
January 6: Boat excursion to the Ballestas Islands and their thousands of sea birds, sea lions and
                    penguins. Depart for Nasca, with a stop at the oasis of Huacachina to visit the dunes.
                    Continue to Nasca. Two nights at Hotel Majoro.
January 7: Fly over the Nasca lines. 1-hour Spanish class and 1-hour environmental studies class at hotel.
                    Afternoon: local touring, including the underground aqueducts built by the Nasca
                    civilization.
January 8: Early departure for Arequipa along Pan-American Highway with stopover in Puerto Inca.
                    Three nights in Arequipa at Hotel Maison d'Elise.
January 9: Morning: 2-hour Spanish class and 1-hour environmental studies class.
                    Afternoon: walking tour of colonial Arequipa, including the "Ice Princess" Museum
                    (la Momia Juanita).
January 10: Morning: 2-hour Spanish class and 1-hour environmental studies class. Afternoon:
                     group tour of Santa Catalina Convent.
January 11: Depart by bus for Chivay and Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons
                    (deeper than the Grand Canyon.) Overnight in Colca Lodge.
January 12: Morning: visit Cruz del Cóndor to view Andean condors in the wild (we hope!)
                     Afternoon: depart by bus for Puno and Lake Titicaca. Overnight at Hotel Casa Andina.
January 13: Go by boat on Lake Titicaca to Uros Islands (the "Floating Islands") and then on to
                     Amantaní Island for overnight stay in native home.
January 14: Morning open for exploring the Amantaní Island. Afternoon: return by boat to Puno.
                    Overnight at Hotel Casa Andina.
January 15: Depart by bus for Cusco, with stops at Raqchi and Andahuaylillas. Three nights in
                     Cusco at Hotel José Antonio.
January 16: Morning: 2-hour Spanish class at Máximo Nivel Language Academy and 1-hour
                     environmental studies class at hotel. Afternoon: walking tour of city center.
January 17: Morning: 2-hour Spanish class at Máximo Nivel and 1-hour environmental studies class
                     at hotel. Afternoon: bus tour to Inca ruins just outside the city (Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo
                     and Tambomachay).
January 18: Depart by bus for the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit Pisaq ruins, continue to
                     Urubamba for lunch and visit to ruins of Ollantaytambo. Three nights at Libertador Valle
                     Sagrado Lodge.
January 19: Go by bus up through Patakancha Valley to Patakancha village (elevation 13,000'+) to
                     see rural life as it was at the time of the Incas. Experience a traditional pachamanca
                     [lamb cooked underground over heated rocks; similar to a Hawaiian luau.]
January 20: Visit Chinchero weaving workshop, where weavers have resurrected the ancient
                     Inca and pre-Inca art of weaving; lunch with local family. Weather and time permitting,
                     we will visit the Inca ruins of Moray and the Salineras.
January 21: Board the train for Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu; afternoon guided tour of the
                     world-famous ruins. Two nights lodging at the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel.
January 22: Full day to explore Machu Picchu on your own.
January 23: Morning open for additional exploration of the ruins. Afternoon: board the train to
                     return to Ollantaytambo; return from there to Cusco by bus. Two nights in Hotel José
                     Antonio in Cusco.
January 24: Final exam day: Spanish exam at Máximo Nivel, followed by exam on culture,
                     environment and conversational Spanish at hotel.
January 25: Fly from Cusco to Lima. Afternoon free. Two nights at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in
                     Miraflores (one of Lima's seaside suburbs).
January 26: Full day on your own to explore Miraflores. Evening: formal farewell dinner at the
                     Rosa Náutica Restaurant.
January 27: Early-morning return to Miami.