Whether you’re walking high above the forest floor, surrounded by the exotic birds and marvellous creatures of the Amazon rainforest, or strolling around the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, you will be open-mouthed at the wonders of Peru.
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Board a day flight from the UK to Lima, the Peruvian capital.
Note: British Airways currently have a direct flight between London Gatwick and Lima on a Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, operating between April and October. There are also connecting flights with Iberia & LATAM via Madrid (which can also be overnight), KLM via Amsterdam and Air France via Paris.
Arrive into Lima, the City of Kings, in the early evening. You’ll be met and taken to your hotel, an original colonial-style building, at the heart of Lima’s most happening district – so you’ll be able to throw yourself into the city’s energetic nightlife as well as its cultural and artistic scene.
The following day you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the city’s bustling atmosphere and rich history on a private, half day tour. Founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1535, today Lima is a captivating mix of extraordinary Baroque churches, colonial squares and contemporary galleries. The tour will show you both the modern and colonial areas of Lima, with stops at the imposing cathedral, the Presidential Palace, Church of San Francisco and the San Isidro and Miraflores districts.
Stay: Two nights at Hotel B – bed & breakfast
From the treasures of Lima now come the riches of the rainforest. From Lima you fly to Puerto Maldonado where you’ll be met and taken by bus and boat to your eco-lodge on the banks of the Madre de Dios River.
Now your expedition into the Amazon Basin really begins, with river trips in authentic dugout canoes, guided walks into the rainforest and canopy walkways high above the forest floor to discover the birds and creatures that live amongst the treetops.
Stay: Three nights at Reserva Amazonica – full board (including activities in small groups)
On day six you will return to Puerto Maldonado airport and board a direct flight to Cusco. Here you will be met and driven into the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Note: Cusco is over 3,300m above sea-level, so rather than staying here on arrival, we suggest our clients stay and acclimatise in the Sacred Valley which is slightly lower at 2,800m.
The next morning you will further explore the Sacred Valley and really immerse yourself in the Inca civilisation. A full day tour will show you the ruined town of Pisac, famed for its artisan market, as well as Ollantaytambo – the longest continuously occupied village on the continent with roads, canals and a fortress that have barely changed since the Inca period. Not forgetting the charming Andean village of Chinchero with its well-preserved Inca wall; the salt production centre of Maras and the greenhouse terraces of Moray, which were used by the Incas to refine their farming techniques.
Stay: Three nights at Sol y Luna – bed & breakfast
On day nine you will board the train to reach what is one of the world’s most spectacular archaeological sites. The train weaves through a parade of changing landscapes, from lush fields and vibrant villages to epic mountains and the meandering Urubamba River.
After about two hours you’ll arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes, where you’ll be met and taken by bus to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the tiered terraces, temples, staircases, palaces and fountains of this ancient citadel.
Stay: One night at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel – half board
On day ten there is the option of returning to Machu Picchu in the morning (additional cost) before you take the afternoon train back to Cusco.
You will travel to Cusco to experience the life and heritage of this ancient city. You’ll be staying in a boutique hotel set in a 16th century mansion, the perfect base for guided tours of sites like the Colonial Santo Domingo Convent – built over the original Inca Koricancha Temple – as well as the Plaza de Armas and the monumental cathedral.
As well as relics left over from the Inca Empire, Cusco is rich in masterpieces of colonial architecture such as the Cathedral and Church of the Company of Christ. A tour will take you around the quaint cobbled streets and Baroque buildings, as well as beyond the city to visit the massive walls of the Sacsayhuaman Fortress. You’ll also take in the famous archaeological sites of Kenko and Tambomachay, both important religious centres for the Incas.
Stay: Two nights at the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas – bed & breakfast
On the morning of day twelve you will be transferred to the train station in Cusco for the long but scenic rail journey across the Altiplano to Lake Titicaca.
You will make your way out of the ancient Inca capital of Cusco and the sloping Andean planes, dotted with vicuna and alpaca, ascending to the high altitude and dramatic landscapes of the Altiplano. A delicious three course lunch is served on-board and local musicians playing gentle Andean music to accompany the journey.
Note: The Titicaca train between Cusco and Lake Titicaca takes around 10 hours and only operates on certain days of the week.
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, with stunning views and shores that are home to Aymara and Quechua Indians – people who pre-date the Incas by over 1,000 years. You’ll stay on a private peninsula and take birdwatching tours, try mountain biking and horse riding, go on trekking expeditions and visit the lake’s floating reed islands, villages, archaeological sites and colonial churches.
Stay: Three nights at Titilaka – full board (including activities in small groups)
You will leave the shores of Lake Titicaca on day fifteen and be driven into the vast and remote Colca Canyon, a journey of around six hours.
Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, the Colca Canyon is reputed to be the world’s deepest river gorge. It is certainly one of the most spectacular. Before you reach the Colca Canyon you will stop to see the fascinating rock formations at Callalli which are reminiscent of medieval castles.
Early on the second day you’ll set off to see condors soaring above the canyon at the Cruz del Condor lookout point, with a breathtaking backdrop of snow topped mountains. From your hotel you can also rent a bicycle, set off on canyon treks or go riding on Peruvian Paso
Stay: Two nights at the Colca Lodge – half-board
Your final stop is the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa. The four hour journey by road takes you through the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where you will have the chance to spot indigenous wildlife like alpacas and llamas.
Set in a stunning valley at the foot of the snow-capped El Misti Volcano, Arequipa is the perfect spot to end your time in Peru. Your hotel is set in a monastery dating back to 1583 and only has a handful of rooms and incredibly attentive service.
This Aymara Indian and Inca settlement became a colonial city in 1540, and your guided tour will reveal a wealth of fine Spanish buildings and Baroque churches including the Santa Catalina convent which was built in 1579. Keep your camera at the ready – there will be fantastic views of Mount Misti, Mount Chachani and Mount Picchu-Picchu to snap.
Stay: Two nights at Cirqa – half-board
After breakfast on day nineteen you will be driven to Arequipa airport for your flight to Lima, where you will connect onto your overnight international flight home.
