Peru

Typical of the hotels you will stay in are the Jose Antonio Lima Hotel in Lima, the Hotel Casa Andina in Chincha, the Hotel Casa Andina in Nazca, the Hotel Casa Andina in Arequipa, the Hotel Casa Andina in Chivay, the Eco Inn Hotel in Puno and the Jose Antonio in Cuzco. Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

All rooms have private facilities, TV and telephone. Breakfast is included each day and in the evenings you are free to dine in local restaurants.

Day 1: UK/Lima via Madrid or Amsterdam

Depart on your scheduled flight to Lima, the capital of Peru. (Passengers on regional flights will arrive late evening at the hotel for a two-night stay.)

Day 2: Lima

Morning arrival at your hotel for a one-night stay. Peru offers a wealth of landscapes, history and culture. The snow-capped peaks of the Andes, the architecture and culture of the Incas and the vivid colours of the native Indians ensure a memorable visit. This afternoon we include a tour of Lima. The City of Kings was founded in 1535 by the Spanish Conquistador, Francisco Pizarro, and eventually became the capital of the whole Spanish Colony. Much of the city‘s colonial influence can still be seen today. Beautiful squares, fine churches, palaces and mansions remain little changed from the 17th century. Visit the Plaza Major with its splendid arcades and see the Cathedral, Archbishop’s Palace and the Presidential Palace.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Paracas

Depart Lima for the drive along the Pan American Highway to Paracas. Travel through barren desert and fertile landscape to the ancient site of the Pachacamac Temple, set in the valley of Lurin and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The ruins date back to before the time of the Incas and consist of adobe walls and pyramids, and the remains of early frescoes. You will overnight at Chincha.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Nazca

Morning included tour by boat to the Ballestas Islands. This protected area provides shelter for a wealth of wildlife including Humboldt penguins, sea lions and cormorants. Dependant on the season you may even see dolphins and whales. Continue to Nazca for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Arequipa

Today you continue your journey along the coastline to Arequipa for a two-night stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Arequipa

Morning included tour of the ‘White City’ of Arequipa which lies in the shadows of icecapped volcanoes. Narrow cobbled streets, colonial architecture, and one of the most beautiful squares in Peru are all hallmarks of the city. Visit the Museum of Santuarios Andinos and the Santa Catalina Convent, a city within a city, and a peaceful retreat of red and blue walled streets bedecked with geraniums. This afternoon is at leisure to explore at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Chivay

Early morning departure for the drive to Colca Canyon. Travel through rugged volcanic landscape into lush countryside dotted with small villages where farming still takes place on the pre-Inca agricultural terraces of the Colca Valley. The steep green walls of the spectacular Colca Canyon are thought to be deeper than the Grand Canyon and this is also home to the famous bird of the Andes, the majestic condor. Lunch is included today. Overnight stay in Chivay.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 8: Puno

Depart Chivay this morning for the drive to Puno, set on the shores of Lake Titicaca, for a two-night stay. En route you will visit the remote burial site at Sillustani, the hilltop ruins are set on a peninsula above Lake Umayo. Here we learn about the religious rituals of the pre-Inca Colla people and see the well-preserved stone towers which were used as graves for the high-born.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 9: Puno

Lake Titicaca covers a huge area of 3,500 miles and lies at an altitude of 12,500ft in the mighty Andes. The lake was also the legendary birthplace of the Incas. As well as the highest,Titicaca must be one of the world’s most enchanting lakes. A type of reed called ‘totora’ sprouts up from the waters and greatly influences those who live here. The indigenous Uros Indians harvest the lake’s reeds to build their island homes, and to make countless other everyday items. Today we include a half-day tour to Lake Titicaca and the intriguing floating Islands. The afternoon is free for you to explore ancient Puno. Maybe shop for colourful Peruvian textiles and enjoy a spectacular sunset over the lake.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Cuzco

Transfer by road, across the Altiplano, to Cuzco for a four-night stay. The journey is a fascinating experience, giving a close-up view of rural life. You may spot alpaca and llama grazing on the highland pampas and condors soaring above the landscape. Lunch is included today.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 11: Cuzco

This morning join our included tour of Cuzco, the ‘Imperial City’, once capital of the Inca Empire and today a fascinating combination of ancient and Colonial architecture. See the elegant Plaza de Armas at the heart of the city, and the impressive cathedral. Visit the Temple of the Sun and Moon, the walls of which were once entirely covered with gold. Enjoy splendid views of the terracotta roofs and churches of Cuzco from the Sacsayhuaman Fortress and visit the Inca ruins of Tambomachay. Afternoon free to explore. Take the opportunity to shop for Andean handicrafts and silver jewellery at the boutiques and markets or visit the Inca Museum.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Cuzco/Machu Picchu

Today you will visit Machu Picchu, a highlight of any visit to Peru. The ruined city was discovered by an American, Hiram Bingham, in 1911. Perched inaccessibly above a steep valley swathed in jungle, Machu Picchu is often referred to as the ‘Lost City’. You will travel to Machu Picchu by narrow gauge railway and the last part of the journey will be by bus. Drive up to the mist-shrouded mountain tops where there will be an included guided walk with time to discover the fascinating citadel. Wander through the temples and terraces and enjoy spectacular views into the lush green Urubamba Valley thousands of feet below. Lunch is included today.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 13: Cuzco

Today you can join our optional full-day tour to the Sacred Valley. Experience all the colour and tradition of the vibrant Indian market at Pisac where you will have the opportunity to barter for rugs, alpaca sweaters and other native handicrafts. Lunch is included today (on excursion). This afternoon your optional tour continues to Ollantaytambo, originally a fortress settlement and one of the few places where the mighty Spanish were defeated by the Incas. The present town largely follows the original Inca plan and a number of Inca ruins remain.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Lima

Transfer to the airport for your connecting flight to Lima and on to the UK.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 15: UK

Arrive in the UK.