Classic Touring
Flight Choices
Max 35 Group Size
Scenic Train
Day 1 UK - Lima
Depart on your flights to Lima. If you're travelling from Heathrow you'll arrive on the morning of day 2, when we'll transfer you to your overnight hotel. If you are travelling from your local airport, you'll arrive late in the evening of day 1 and we'll transfer you to your hotel for a two-night stay.
Day 2 Lima
You'll get to see the highlights of Lima today on a tour of the city. While its colonial past is clearly evident in its beautiful squares, fine churches, palaces and mansions, you'll also see the architectural legacy of the Incans and Native Indians.
Meals included: BDay 3 Lima - Paracas
Start your day with a journey by road to Paracas along the Pan American Highway, which cuts through a barren desert landscape. We'll stop at the site of the ancient Pachacamac Temple where we'll be transported back to pre-Incan times as we explore. The ruins consist of adobe walls and pyramids and you'll also see the remains of early frescoes. Tonight we will stay in Paracas.
Meals included: BDay 4 Paracas - Nazca
We're taking to the water today for a fascinating cruise around the Ballestas Islands. This protected wildlife reserve provides shelter for many different species. On your cruise, keep a lookout for Humboldt penguins, sea lions and more. Later we'll travel to Nazca for an overnight stay.
Meals included: BDay 5 Nazca - Arequipa
Sit back, relax and take in lovely coastal views as you journey to Arequipa, our base for the next two nights.
Meals included: BDay 6 Arequipa
You'll understand why Arequipa is known as the 'White City' after today's tour. It is loomed over by ice-capped volcanoes and as you explore, you'll see many buildings made from white volcanic rock. We'll also head inside the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries to see archaeological finds from the Andes, and the Santa Catalina Convent, a masterpiece of colonial architecture. You can choose to spend the afternoon just as you wish.
Meals included: BDay 7 Arequipa - Colca
After setting off early this morning, a scenic drives takes us to the Colca Canyon, whose steep walls are deeper than the Grand Canyon. This is one of the best places in South America to spot the Andean condor, a magnificent bird of prey, so keep your eyes skyward. We'll stay in Colca overnight.
Meals included: B,L,DDay 8 Colca - Puno
Our next base is Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. We'll drive here today and on the way stop off at the remote burial site at Sillustani, where the religious rituals of the pre-Inca Colla people will be explained.
Meals included: B,LDay 9 Puno
You're going to enjoy superb close-up views of sacred Lake Titicaca and the Uros floating islands this morning. The lake sits 12,500ft up in the Andes and covers a huge area of 3,500 miles. Spend the afternoon in Puno exploring at your own pace.
Meals included: BDay 10 Puno - Cuzco
Four nights in Cuzco will give you plenty of time to explore. Your journey here is going to be a wonderful experience too, as you cross the high plateau of the Andes, taking in views of traditional rural life.
Meals included: B,LDay 11 Cuzco - at Leisure
Today is free for you to make your own discoveries in Cuzco. However, if you'd like to join an optional excursion, why not come with us to the Sacred Valley.
This day of exploration begins in Chinchero, a typical Andean village. The village is home to a beautiful adobe church built in the early 1600s by the Spanish, and Inca ruins dating back to the 15th century. Prior to lunch, we'll head to the Racchi viewpoint to take in amazing views over the Sacred Valley. In the afternoon we arrive in Ollantaytambo, an Incan military, religious and agricultural centre located at the top of a mountain. This fortress settlement is one of the few places where the Spanish colonists were defeated by the Incas. The present town, which we will explore, largely follows its original Inca plan, with stone-paved streets and a number of ruins remaining.
Day 12 Machu Picchu
You've seen many of Peru's incredible sights so far on your tour, but today offers something really special. You're going to get the chance to explore the ruined 'lost city' of Machu Picchu, perched high above a steep valley and swathed in jungle. Your journey here is by narrow gauge railway, with the last part by bus. A walk with a Local Guide on the mountain top and time to go your own way will help you to uncover its splendour. You'll be able to wander through the temples and terraces and enjoy spectacular views of the lush green Urubamba Valley thousands of feet below.
Meals included: B,LDay 13 Cuzco
There's plenty to see in Cuzco, so let's head off to explore. We're going to visit a community centre in Ccaccaccollo to learn how the weaving co-operative, supported by Travelsphere Cares, has impacted the village. Very few communities benefit from tourism and this centre helps maintain a traditional way of life, helping bring back weaving traditions whilst supporting small local communities. Today, more than 55 women are part of the association, constantly learning new methods, whilst also maintaining traditional ones. Women involved in the project report that all of their children are now able to study at university, and they are the first generation to be completely literate in Spanish. Learn all about weaving and dyeing techniques used to create traditional garments, and afterwards have the opportunity to purchase them.
Next, you will visit a local market where you will get a little taste of local life, before heading to a restaurant for a cookery class, sampling different Peruvian dishes for lunch.
We will then head to the Koricancha Temple. This ancient Inca palace was the centre of worship of the Sun God. In Cuzco's main square you'll step inside the cathedral, and your tour ends with a visit to the Sacsayhuamán fortress, an impressive example of Inca military architecture.
Day 14 Cuzco - UK
Today we'll transfer you to the airport for your flights to the UK.
Meals included: BAdditional Information
Please note: During this tour you will travel to altitudes of over 12,000ft where altitude sickness can occur. This should not be a problem, although everyone should take it easy at first. Our tour has been designed to allow a more gradual increase in altitude, giving you more time to adjust to the lower oxygen levels. Other simple measures, such as eating light meals and drinking lots of fluids can also help to alleviate the symptoms. If you suffer from heart or respiratory conditions, or have any other concerns, please consult your doctor.
Please note: The duration of this holiday in 2021 will be 1 day longer than showing currently in the latest brochure and on the website. This extra night will be a night in Lima at the end of the holiday.