Legendary Peru: Andean Culture and Inca Treasures

World of the Inca and Machu Picchu

11 days from $5,287

Includes airfare, taxes, & all fees

Sept. 20–30, Nov. 27–Dec. 7, 2023 & Mar. 4–14, May 13–23, Sept. 18–28, 2024

Amid the soaring flanks of the Peruvian Andes lie the treasures of a once-great empire and villages where age-old traditions endure. Explore the legacy of rich pre-Columbian cultures and the marvelous creations of the Inca as you travel from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, visiting artisans and ancient ruins. Then head higher into the Andes, getting acquainted with everyday life in the altiplano. Cap off your journey on the shores of Lake Titicaca, where contemporary communities live on islands woven from reeds.

Highlights Include

Lima: Begin your odyssey with a tour of colonial Lima that includes the wonderful Museo Larco, where a renowned collection of pre-Inca ceramics is housed in an 18th-century manor.

Sacred Valley: Soak up Andean culture during two nights in the majestic Sacred Valley. Browse the colorful wares of the market in Pisac and visit the awe-inspiring Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo. Witness an indigenous ceremony, and watch the ancient techniques of traditional Andean weavers in the farming village of Chinchero.

Machu Picchu: Experience the beauty and mystery of the “Lost City of the Inca” during two visits with an expert guide. Gain insight into the engineering and significance of the ruins on an afternoon visit. Stay in casitas nestled in the cloud forest below the site and return to visit the citadel again in the morning light— before the crowds arrive.

Cusco: Visit the excellent Pre-Columbian Art Museum and admire the incredible stone masonry of the Inca on visits to the evocative ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Korikancha. Enjoy a traditional meal in the home of a local family and take advantage of free time to explore on your own.

Lake Titicaca: Travel through the rugged altiplano, stopping to visit remote villages and the Llama and Alpaca Research Center. Stay in a stunning property on an island in Lake Titicaca and explore artisan villages and the reed islands of the Uros people by boat. On nearby Lake Umayo, examine the Sillustani chullpas, mysterious pre-Inca burial towers set on the lake’s shores. Limited to 24 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Bill Sapp (both Sept.) and Anita Cook (Mar.)–archaeologists with expertise in the Andes.

Machu Picchu and the Galápagos

16 days from $9,993

Includes airfare, taxes, & all fees

Sept. 23–Oct. 8, Oct. 21–Nov. 5, 2023 & Feb. 24–Mar. 10, Mar. 16–31, May 4–19, May 18–June 2, June 1–16, July 13–28, Aug. 24–Sept. 8, Sept. 21–Oct. 6, 2024

Experience two of South America’s most celebrated destinations on a journey that combines the Inca treasures of Peru with the natural wonders of the Galápagos. Venture into the realm of the Inca, exploring a string of World Heritage sites, including historic Cusco, the sites of the Sacred Valley, and the “lost city” of Machu Picchu. Then spend three magical days in the Galápagos, discovering the unique endemic wildlife that Darwin once studied. Encounter giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and much more on nature walks, yacht cruises, and snorkeling excursions. Along the way, stay in a stunning hotel adjacent to Machu Picchu’s ruins and plant native trees from your lodge in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.

Highlights Include

Cusco and the Sacred Valley: In the World Heritage site of Cusco, examine a fascinating collection of indigenous artifacts at the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, or MAP, housed in a historic mansion. Witness the cut-stone building style of the Inca on a visit the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Gain insights into Inca history and Andean culture during excursions to Pisac, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo.

Machu Picchu: Enjoy two guided visits to the “Lost City of the Inca,” exploring with a nimble small group; and stay overnight nearby to experience the spirit of Machu Picchu once the crowds are gone.

The Galápagos Islands: Stay in the lush highlands of Santa Cruz Island and immerse yourself in the incredible natural phenomena of the Galápagos. Explore lava tubes and local farms, plant endemic trees to help maintain the island’s natural balance, and set out by privately chartered yacht to explore neighboring islands, including North Seymour and Santa Fe.

Active Adventure: Experience the natural wonders of the Galápagos while swimming and snorkeling and during nature walks and yacht cruises.

Wildlife: Observe a wide range of endemic animals with naturalists, including giant Galápagos tortoises, sea lions, iguanas, colorful marine life, blue-footed and red-footed boobies, and frigate birds. Limited to 19 Smithsonian Journeys guests.

Smithsonian Journeys Experts

Wayne Ranney (Aug.)–geologist. Regina Harrison (Feb./July)–expert in the language and literature of South America. Katryn Wiese (June)–expert in geology and oceanography. Bill Sapp (May 4) and Anita Cook (Sept. 21)–archaeologists with expertise in the Andes.

Chile Earth and Sky

A Stargazing Journey from Santiago to the Atacama Desert

13 days from $9,990

Oct. 5–17, 2023 & Jan. 3–15, Mar. 1–13, Oct. 23–Nov. 4, 2024

Delve into the world of astronomy beneath the clear skies of northern Chile, enjoying exclusive access and behindthe-scenes tours of major observatories on a journey that balances culture, food and wine, and stargazing under the dark skies of the new moon—from Santiago to the luxurious Explora Lodge in the Atacama Desert.

Highlights Include

World-class Observatories: Visit three cuttingedge observatories and learn about the innovative optical instruments that promise to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Gaze through telescopes at El Pangue Observatory in Elqui Valley—the world’s first International Dark Skies Sanctuary. Then enjoy exclusive access to the Las Campanas Observatory and its five optical reflecting telescopes, and the Paranal Observatory—the largest optic-infrared observatory in the Southern Hemisphere.

Casablanca Valley and Santiago: Sample local wines during a premium tour and tasting at the Kingston Family Vineyard, known for producing award-winning red wines in a valley known for its whites. Enjoy the art museums, cafés, and restaurants of Santiago’s historic Lastarria neighborhood, and discover the city’s highlights such as the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, Parque Forestal, and the Plaza de Armas.

La Serena and Elqui Valley: Stay in the heart of La Serena, an appealing beach town that dates back to the 16th century. Venture into the picturesque Elqui Valley, visiting tiny villages tucked among vineyards and stopping at a distillery to taste Chilean pisco made from the valley’s grapes.

Atacama Desert: From your base at the beautiful Explora Lodge, spend two full days discovering the otherworldly wonders of the Atacama Desert. Witness the El Tatio geysers and fumaroles steam against a dramatic mountain landscape, observe flamingos on salt-encrusted lakes, visit sapphire lagoons set among simmering volcanoes, sip an unforgettable sundowner overlooking the Valle De Luna, and marvel at the celestial constellations under the new moon with the lodge’s private advanced optics telescope.

Limited to 24 Smi

Valparaiso

Santiago

Smithsonian Journeys Experts Richard Miller (Oct. 5) and Trae Winter (Mar.)–astrophysicists. Steven Williams (Jan.)–expert in solar system science.