Day 2: fly to the attractive colonial city of Arequipa (1 night). Admire views of the spectacular volcanoes that surround the city. An afternoon’s walking tour explores the charming Santa Catalina Monastery, and visits the “Ice Maiden” – Juanita.

Days 3-4: the Colca Canyon, hot springs, and the relaxing sanctuary of Colca Lodge (2 nights). Visit Cruz del Condor, where these majestic birds are seen swooping and diving on the thermals. Walks take us along the canyon rim, and to nearby ruins, passing through villages where we can watch local textile weaving.

Day 5: to Puno (2 nights) and the shores of Lake Titicaca. En route we enjoy a walk to the fascinating pre-Inca burial chambers at Silustani. Our drive takes us through the high Andes, passing stunning lakes, herds of the wild vicuña, accompanied by far-reaching vistas.

Day 6: a boat trip across Titicaca’s sapphire waters to the famous floating reed islands of Uros and Taquile, for a walk traversing the island.

Days 7-8: travel by the beautifully restored Orient Express train on a breathtaking journey across the altiplano to Cusco (2 nights). Easy strolls explore this fascinating city, with visits to numerous outlying forts and temples as well as the fabulous markets, churches and the ancient ruins of the city.

Days 9-10: into the Inca heartland of the Sacred Valley (2 nights), with an afternoon walk to Pisac ruins. We follow ancient Inca trails to the ruins of Maras and Moray, the spectacular fortress of Ollantaytambo and the colourful local craft markets.

Day 11: by train to Chachabamba to enjoy a “taste” of the Inca trail. Our route, the Royal Inca Trail, was the ceremonial path of the royal Incas en route to the sacred site of Machu Picchu. Pass picturesque ruins surrounded by wild orchids at Winay Wayna, and continue through cloud forest on a trail to the Sun Gate, for our first glimpse of the ancient city of Machu Picchu. We relax tonight in Machu Picchu Town (1 night).

Day 12: the Lost City of the Incas – Machu Picchu. An extensive tour of the ruins introduces us to its fascinating history. For those with extra energy, there’s the chance to climb Huayna Picchu for superb vistas, before returning to Cusco (1 night) for our final evening.

Day 13: some last minute shopping or sightseeing before flying to Lima and our flight home.

EXTENSION OPTIONS

Extend your stay in Peru. Spend 3 days/2 nights at our Jungle Lodge in the heart of Tambopata National Reserve.

The Tambopata National Reserve and the adjacent Bahuaje-Sonene National Park, are home to over 20,000 plant species, over 900 species of birds, 91 mammals, 1,230 butterflies, 127 amphibians and reptiles, and much more. A visit to our well-appointed jungle lodge is one of the best ways to see rainforest wildlife that is available in a short stay. Six species of monkeys live in the surrounding forest, a family of Giant Otters are regularly seen fishing in a nearby oxbow lake, a large flooded palm grove harbours hundreds of Red-Bellied Macaws, and at nightfall Black Caimans, the rarest of the crocodilians, head out into the lake to fish. 

Day 13: To the jungle lodge: Transfer to Cusco airport for a short but spectacular flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado deep in the Amazon rainforest, where you will be met by your expert resident guide and taken to the docks to board a motorised dugout canoe for the trip to your jungle lodge. You will be able to leave any excess luggage at their offices in Puerto Maldonado. On arrival at the lodge you can choose from a number of activities, from jungle hikes to canoe trips or simply take a siesta and enjoy the sounds of the jungle from your hammock. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.)

Day 14: There are a variety of options to choose from; the jungle is alive early in the morning so if you can get out pre-dawn and explore, it is your best chance to see wildlife. There is plenty of time to have a siesta to avoid the hottest part of the day, before a canoe trip on a lake, or explore more trails and catch a beautiful sunset over the Amazon basin. The evening can be free to relax or head out on foot in search of nocturnal mammals, or by canoe in the hope of glimpsing the rare black caimans that inhabit the nearby waterways. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.)

Day 15: Fly to Puerto Maldonado, then onward to Lima, then home: After a dawn breakfast we return to Puerto Maldonado to catch the flight to Lima and onto your International connection. (Breakfast included.)