Sep 3 2023 - Sep 11 2023

Starting from $7,149

Join Joanne Pillsbury, Met curator of ancient American art, for a special insider's journey in Peru. In the country's lush Sacred Valley, go behind the scenes of the Inca Empire's glorious royal estates, masterpieces of architecture and landscape design, including Machu Picchu, the Incas' UNESCO-listed, 15th-century winter palace. At Machu Picchu, a private guide will accompany you to uncover its secrets, including the meticulous engineering of its magnificent stonework, achieved without iron tools or mortar. Visit some of Joanne's favorite, less-explored Inca sites in the Sacred Valley, including Ollantaytambo, a spectacular fortress where the Incas had a rare victory over the Spanish. On an exploration of Lima, Peru's vibrant modern capital, a highlight will be excellent pre-Inca ceramics and goldwork at the Museo Larco, all housed in a mansion constructed on a seventh-century pyramid. In Cusco, the Incas' ancient capital, discover its Spanish colonial monastery built atop the ruins of the Incas' most lavish temple. Throughout the program, you will also meet several gifted artisans who are carrying the Incas' artistic legacy forward. The founder of the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco will privately lead us through her textile workshop and collection. Travel with alumni from Princeton University, a co-sponsor on this program.