Upon arrival in Lima, one of our representatives will pick you up in private transportation and take you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT IN LIMA

After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Lima’s main cultural attractions, including Huaca Pucllana and other colonial buildings such as the Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Cathedral and St Frances’ Convent.

OVERNIGHT IN LIMA

Following breakfast and a morning at leisure to enjoy Lima you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. On arrival transfer to your hotel, your guide will provide you with some information on the local area and activities in the town.

OVERNIGHT IN AREQUIPA

Choose to spend the day relaxing or book an optional city tour tour.

We start the tour with a transfer to the Carmen Alto viewpoint, from here you can enjoy panoramic views of Arequipa. We then visit Yanahuarato see the archaeological remains of the church. We then return to the city and visit the main square, considered to be one of the most beautiful in Peru, Compania de Jesus Church (1590), the Cathedral and the Santa Catalina Monastery (1579) £49.00pp (min 2)

OVERNIGHT IN AREQUIPA

You’ll be picked up at 8am for a bus journey of around 4 hours including stops and one-of-a-kind scenery. First stop Yura, characterised by it’s rugged scenery, hills and cliffs.   We then enter the Pampa Cañahuas Reserve, an extensive grass plain where vicuñas (an Andean camelid) can be spotted. 

Head along  Vizcachani and Pampas de Toccra up to the crater of the Chucura volcano. From there we continue on our last leg to the Mirador de los Andes at Patapampa, a stunning viewpoint 4,800 metres above sea level.

Arrive in Chivay, check into your hotel where you have the afternoon at leisure or opt to take a self-guided tour to the thermal baths, 3 km away, at a cost of 10 sols per person (approx. £2.50) payable locally.

OVERNIGHT IN COLCA

Enjoy an early breakfast at around 5.30 am and then head to Condors Cross, enjoy the majestic views of the Colca Valley (one of the world's deepest canyons) and hopefully see the large, majestic condor soaring over the valley. 

We will visit the towns of Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma and Yanque, and have time to capture the moment with photo stops at Antahuilque and Choquetico viewpoints. 

We then head Puno via Patahuasi. Along the way, observe the amazing stone forests and sky-blue lagoons populated by cranes that fill this area (4,000 metres above sea level). 

Arrive at Puno and check into your hotel for a well deserved rest.

OVERNIGHT IN PUNO

After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the port of Puno and board a motorboat which will take you to the Uros Islands, around 25 minutes from the port. The Uros are an ancestral society that populates a series of artificial islands built with totora plant, a type of reed which grows in the Titikaka lake.  Speak to the locals and visit their homes during this hour-long visit. 

Next, you’ll visit Taquile Island, a 2-hour journey away. The island houses a close-knit Quechua-speaking community, bursting with ancient agricultural terraces and ruins dating back to pre-Inca times. Enjoy a local lunch in Puno.

Later, you’ll have some free time to explore the island at your own pace before returning to Puno.

OVERNIGHT IN PUNO

Today you’ll be picked up at 7.00 and be transported to the bus station to catch the bus to Cusco, stopping off at interesting sites along the way. 

We first stop in the  town of Pucara and the Pucara Lithic Museum. This was the first urban settlement on Lake Titicaca, established between 100 and 300 A.D. After a brief stop at La Raya, the highest point of the trip between Puno and Cusco, at the dizzying altitude of 4,313 metres above sea level, the bus stops at Sicuani, where lunch is served. We then head on to Racchi, home to the Wiracocha Temple, an Inca site built in honour of a powerful Andean god. Later, visit Andahuaylillas, a town located around 40 kilometres away from Cusco. The main attraction here is the local Church, known as the "Sistine Chapel of America". We then continue to Cusco where a representative will be there to transfer you to your hotel.

You will arrive in Cusco at approximately 5pm, if you have the energy you could head out to enjoy an optional evening excursion (this can also be taken on day 8)

Optional Folklore show and dinner, a short walk from your hotel is the Tanupa restaurant, here you can enjoy a delicious buffet of traditional Peruvian dishes whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of Peruvian music and dance. £22 per person including return transfers or £15 per person without (min 2)

OVERNIGHT IN CUSCO

Enjoy breakfast before spending the day at leisure. The capital city of the Inca Empire is now the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas, as well as the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city.

Optional Cusco city tour 

You will start your tour with a visit to the Coricancha, also known as the "Temple of the Sun", the construction of which was ordered by Inca Pachacutec (1438-1471) and was used as base for the construction of the Santo Domingo Convent upon the arrival of the Spaniards. This is when the Sun (Inti, in Quechua) was worshipped during the Inca Empire and at the time of the Incas, its walls were fully covered with gold sheets and its courtyards were planted with golden corn and life-size llamas. You will then go to the Cathedral, the most important building on the Main Square and one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in America and houses about 400 colonial paintings from the Cusco art school, and impressive goldsmith, silversmith and precious stones works. Its construction lasted almost a century.  £45pp (min 2)

Coricancha is closed on Sundays and public holidays. BTC card is not required for this tour.

Optional classic cooking class (2-6 pm)

The culinary experience offers a truly participative, entertaining and personalised immersion in Peruvian cuisine in a professional environment designed exclusively for cooking classes. The afternoon starts with a tasting of different varieties of Pisco and continues with an introduction to the local culinary culture where the chef shares knowledge of history, biodiversity and geography. Continue with the participatory preparation of ´alpaca Lomo Saltado´ or ´Ceviche´. The chefs will also prepare Neo-Andean, Creole and contemporary dishes to taste during the afternoon. At the end of the class, each participant enjoys the delicious lunch prepared by themselves. All in all, a delightful culinary experience and an opportunity to learn more about Peru through gastronomy. £89 pp 

OVERNIGHT IN CUSCO

After breakfast we commence our sightseeing with a visit to the market in Pisac, here you will find dozens of stalls set up in the towns main square. Here you will find local handcrafted  products including  beautiful alpaca textiles, paintings, and replicas of ancient Inca pieces. 

Continue to the archaeological site of Pisac, which is the largest platform complex in the area and a masterpiece of agriculture of the inca empire. We then visit Inkariy museum, which presents a new vision of the pre-Hispanic cultures of ancient Peru through dioramas that recreate iconic scenes composed of hyper realistic characters.  There is time for a lunch stop (not included) before visiting Ollantaytambo Park, 

After your visit we will check into your hotel in Urubamba.

OVERNIGHT IN URUBAMBA

In the morning, we will begin our journey to Aguas Calientes (Hot Springs Town), located in the valley below Machu Picchu. The remains of the day can be spent exploring this charming small town at your own leisure. 

You may decide to relax with a hot bath in the natural springs (20 sols per person – approx. £5, payable locally at the site) or a trip to the Manuel Chavez Ballon museum and orchid exhibition, 9am to 16.30, around 30 minutes’ walk), these are suggested activities and are self-guided.

OVERNIGHT IN MACHU PICCHU

After an early breakfast, take the bus to the glorious Machu Picchu, a masterpiece of engineering and architecture that is believed to have served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacutec (1438 - 1572). Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain", is considered a World Heritage by UNESCO and one of the new seven wonders of the world.

You’ll embark on a walking tour (2 hours approx.) before exploring the mysterious city by yourself before returning to Aguas Calientes. Stop for lunch (not included) before taking the train to Ollantaytambo where a transfer will await you for your transfer back to the hotel in Cusco.

OVERNIGHT IN CUSCO

After breakfast, you can enjoy your last day at leisure before heading to the airport to catch your flight back home. 

Why not add some extra nights in Cusco and if you’re up for an adventure head to Vinicuna. Around 100 km southeast of Cusco, rests one of the most beautiful wonders of nature, the Rainbow Mountain.  At 5,200 metres above sea level, this is a hard trek and only recommended for experienced hikers. It will also require an extra night in Cusco. Please ask for more details.

Alternatively, you can extend your adventure by 2 nights, complete with tours and stays in Puerto Maldonado – a fascinating city nestled in the Amazon rainforest! We feature the Corto Maltes Lodge but we can also offer the Inkaterra Field Station, Hacienda Concepcion or Reserva Amazonica at a supplement (itineraries vary according the lodge).  

Day 13 For Amazon extension pax (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado We will travel on by boat along the Madre de Dios River. Arrive at Corto Maltes Lodge where you will be greeted with a refreshing fruit cocktail. Relax and enjoy lunch until it’s time for your first excursion. 

Trek to a Brazil nut harvesting camp, accompanied by your guide, learn about the tropical trees and medicinal plants.  Visit an active Brazil nut camp (or castaña, as it is known locally). This is one of the most important economic activities in the Madre de Dios region. (approx. 2 hours).

Return to the lodge, relax by the pool or in the hammocks or head to the riverside to view the breathtaking sunset. Around 7 pm we head out for a Caiman safari, to observe caimans and, with a bit of luck, other animals which populate the riverbank. Return to the hotel to enjoy dinner in the riverside dining room.

OVERNIGHT IN PUERTO MALDONADO

Today we take an early morning excursion to Lake Sandoval, we will travel by boat along the Madre de Dios followed by a short trek (approx. 3 km) through the wild vegetation of the Tambopata National Reserve, where you will have the chance to admire giant trees, different snakes, monkeys (Squirrel monkeys, Howler monkeys and Capuchin monkeys) and various birds.

Once at Lake Sandoval, we will embark in small rowboats in search of giant river otters and a good number of other reptiles, mammals and birds in their natural habitat. In the afternoon we visit to the lookout tower and Shiringuero Camp. The lookout towers with a height of 20 and 42 meters are designed for bird watching and other wildlife high up in the jungle canopy as well as a chance to view an incredible sunset Return to the lodge for some time to relax by the pool or get refreshed at the bar!

OVERNIGHT IN PUERTO MALDONADO

Transfer by boat and vehicle to Puerto Maldonado airport where you will board your flight home (via Lima).

END OF TOUR