Day 1 to 1 - Arrive Lima

The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre tour accommodation. On arrival please ask at the reception for information on when the pre departure meeting will be held.

Lima, Peru’s attractive capital, was founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, after he eradicated the Incas and made the city his capital. Lima has many fine colonial buildings and some of the best museums in South America including the Gold Museum, Museum of the Inquisition and the catacombs below the San Francisco Church. Many of the most popular sights, including the city’s two main squares the Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martin, are within easy walking distance of each other. The Plaza de Armas houses the cathedral, Municipal Palace and Presidential Palace where the changing of the guard can be seen every day at 12 noon.

Food lovers will be spoiled for choice with the range and quality of restaurants on offer in Lima, serving traditional dishes like cuy (guinea pig) to international fare including Asian, European and Latin American foods. Lima is particularly renowned for its neo-Andean cuisine, which is a blend of traditional styles with a modern, international twist.

There are some lovely shopping opportunities at the coastal suburb of Miraflores, where you can find up-market, designer goods and some good quality handicraft shops, as well as a myriad of bars and restaurants.

Day 2 to 7 - Cuzco – Inca Trail Trek (or free time) – Cuzco

Cuzco (also spelled Cusco) was the original capital of the Inca empire and in fact the city was so central to the Incas’ culture that they named their city ‘Navel of the Earth’. Cuzco has a mostly indigenous population of around 300,000 people and is well known for its well preserved Spanish colonial architecture as well as its outstanding Inca archaeological sites. City life is centred on the beautiful historical centre, the Plaza de Armas, which is dominated by the cathedral, as well as La Compañia de Jesus Church and its cloistered arcades which house many fine restaurants, bars and shops. There are plenty of museums to explore, the most famous being the Qoricancha (sometimes spelled Koricancha) which was the Inca’s sacred Temple of the Sun before the Spanish Conquistadors arrived, demolished it and built a Dominican monastery and the Church of Santa Domingo on the site. Many of Cuzco’s picturesque streets feature original Inca walls, arches and doorways in excellent condition.

The city is also surrounded by a number of Inca ruins which you can visit on optional excursions if time allows. The most impressive of all is the ruin of the ceremonial fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on a hill overlooking the city. The site is particularly notable for its immense terrace walls made of a variety of rounded stones, precisely fitted without mortar in interlocking shapes. Some of the stones are massive, with one weighing an estimated 130 ton. Following the siege of Cuzco, Sacsayhuaman was looted for building stones which were used to build new governmental and religious buildings in the city.

Cuzco is well stocked with good quality international restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a night out after a long day of sightseeing.

You will have a briefing the evening before about the schedule for this day and what you can expect for your trek, however we recommend that you read the brochure or the information our website for important booking regulations and prices. You may not be able to complete the trek if you do not read this information. For more details about the Inca Trail facilities, equipment and preparation, please ask your travel consultant for an Inca Trail Information Sheet. If you are trekking the alternative Lares Trek you should ask for a Lares Trek Information Sheet. Both documents are available to download from our website.

If you have chosen to hike the Inca Trail Trek you will cross spectacular passes and visit several Inca ruins en route to the famous ‘Lost City of the Incas’, Machu Picchu. A local guide will lead this expedition and there will be cooks and porters to carry the main equipment, leaving you with just a small daypack to carry. The trek begins after a short bus journey and the first day is a relatively easy 4½ hour 13 kilometre walk which will get you limbered up for the highest pass at Warmiwañusca or Dead Woman's Pass (4,200 metres) which you will reach before lunchtime on day two. During day two you will cover approximately 9 kilometres in about 5-7 hours and after the high pass it's all down hill as the trail winds its way along old Inca stairs to our campsite.

On day three we pass the ruins of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca, walking approximately 15 kilometres in 7 hours. The last morning, after an overnight stop at Wiñay-Wayna, you will rise early for the final walk to Machu Picchu and greet daybreak over the famous Inti Punku, or Sun Gate. There will then be time to explore on your own or simply take in the magnificence of the place after your guided tour.

The ‘Lost City’ of Machu Picchu was originally completely self–contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs. Located high above the fast flowing Urubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation that will simply take your breath away.

The ruins were only revealed the outside world in 1911, when American explorer Hiram Bingham found them while looking for another lost city called Vilcabamba. Due to their isolation many of the buildings at Machu Picchu are still quite intact and you can't help but admire Huayna Picchu or Young Mountain which towers above the ruins. It is a hard climb to the top of the mountain and takes about 50 minutes but if you have the energy to do this you will rewarded with spectacular views over the whole site of Machu Picchu.

After spending most of the day at Machu Picchu you have the chance to soak your tired muscles in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes or meander through the markets before returning to Cuzco by train.

Back in Cuzco you have more time to explore this interesting city. Alternatively you may choose to tour the fertile terraces, Inca ruins and picturesque villages of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, also known as the Urubamba Valley, located between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. There are many optional excursions and activities available in Cuzco such as white water rafting, horse riding, mountain biking, canoeing, jungle excursions, and shopping – make sure you bargain for the best price.

Day 8 to 10 - Amazon Jungle (or free time) – Cuzco

We fly to the jungle community of Puerto Maldonado, the starting point for our visit to the Amazon rainforest. Here you can pick up any last minute drinks or snacks in the busy markets and shops. The first leg of our journey is by bus followed by motorised canoe, a 30 kilometre journey along the river (approximately 3 hours in total). The canoes are very safe and lifejackets are supplied. Along the way you may see birds flying over the canopy and hear the hoot of monkeys in the trees.

Arriving at the Amazon lodge you will be allocated a bungalow. They are constructed from local timbers with thatched roofs in the traditional jungle style, with mosquito netting over the beds and basic private bathroom facilities. Due to the remote location of the lodge there is no hot water and bottled drinking water should be purchased. There is also no electricity so in the evening the lodge is lit by oil lamps and candles. Other facilities include a welcoming reception area with friendly staff, a dining room, bar facilities, a library/learning area and football field. All excursions are led by English speaking local guides who specialise in biology and ecology.

After settling in on the first day we will start to explore the rainforest. You will have plenty of time to enjoy marvellous landscapes and rich diversity of flora and fauna. It is possible to see a great variety of monkeys such as the maquisapa, black and white martins, leoncito de la selva (also known as little lions), frailes (friars), achuñis, ronsocos as well as an array of birdlife. In the evenings it is often possible to enjoy the wonderful sunset, one of the most impressive sights of the forest (weather permitting). This evening we take a canoe ride in search of caiman (alligators) and other nocturnal wildlife along the river’s edge. We then return to the lodge for dinner and maybe a relaxing drink.

After an early breakfast we will set off on a trek through the rainforest to Oxbow Lake. On the way our guide will stop to show you various species of birds and explain the medicinal plants and delicate ecological systems of the Amazon Jungle. Oxbow Lake has almost transparent waters surrounded by wide marshes and giant trees. We will take a short canoe ride observing caiman and the abundant bird life and if we’re very lucky we may also catch a glimpse of the rare giant otter. Afterwards we will enjoy the view of the lake from our viewing point, observing the parrots, guacamayos, toucans, camungos, shanshos, herons, turtles and caiman. Then we will return to the lodge for a well deserved lunch and a short siesta to pass the heat of the day. This evening our guide will take us on a short night walk to listen to the sounds and sights of the jungle in the twilight. Please note that all excursions are weather permitting and itineraries may be changed slightly due to local conditions.

On the final day we awake to the sounds of the jungle before departing this jungle haven and returning to Puerto Maldonado for our flight on to Cuzco, where you have the rest of the day free to explore this fascinating ancient capital.

If you choose not to visit the Amazon Jungle you will have free time in Cuzco and a portion of your tour cost will be deducted.

Day 11 to 13 - Colca Canyon – Arequipa

We depart the old Inca capital and head back up into the cooler, barren landscape. The scenery becomes more spectacular as we get higher into the Andes with Inca terracing and incredible views in every direction enroute to the Colca Canyon. Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, the Colca is the world’s deepest canyon. From the lookout point at Cruz del Condor you can view the river flowing 1200 metres below and condors soaring out of the canyon on the hot thermal currents. Our base for visiting this impressive scene is Chivay where we have ample time for an optional soak in the nearby thermal pools.

We continue our journey through the stark Andean landscape, visiting several ghost towns destroyed by earthquakes en route to picturesque Arequipa, which stands at 2,380 metres above sea level, at the edge of the arid deserts of Peru. This lovely city is at the foot of the conical El Misti Volcano and the Plaza de Armas is one of South America’s most attractive main squares with the large cathedral overlooked by El Misti. The plaza also has an abundance of restaurants for lunch or dinner. Arequipa’s other main attraction is the Santa Catalina Convent (optional), which is almost a city itself with its maze of cobbled streets, cloisters and decorative buildings. This mysterious establishment was only opened to the public in 1970 and has a fascinating history.

Day 14 to 17 - Puerto Inca – Nazca – Pisco – Lima

A drive out of the foothills of the Andes and further north along the coast takes us to Puerto Inca, the Inca people’s original port, which was only discovered in the 1950s. It was from here that a series of runners could take fresh fish to the Inca Emperor in Cuzco. We’ll stay in cabins right on the beach’s edge with the ancient ruins just a short walk along the cliffs.

As we drive further north we will head inland where we’ll have a chance to visit the extraordinary Chauchilla Cemetery where you can see the ancient mummies which still have skin and hair intact. We continue to Nazca, an oasis town famous for the strange parallel lines and geometrical figures etched into the desert floor. You can take a fascinating flight (optional) over these mysterious lines and shapes, which will give you the best view of the monkey, hummingbird, condor, spider and spaceman. There are many theories behind the origins and purpose of the lines – including astrological reasons, providing a landing strip for extraterrestrial visitors, and mapping the underground water supplies. You can also take optional tours to visit the underground aqueducts, gold mines and ceramic shops nearby.

Leaving the coast we head deep into the desert towards the Huacachina oasis where you have the chance to try your hand sand boarding down the enormous sand dunes, which is a lot of fun, but be careful, they are very steep! The brave can go for a dip in the murky lagoon (said to contain therapeutic properties). A short drive to the Pacific coast brings us to Pisco, from where the Peruvian national drink, the pisco sour gets its name. The following morning we move down the coast to neighbouring Paracas where we take a motorboat out to explore the Ballestas Islands. The islands are teeming with over 150 species of bird life (including penguins, cormorants, boobies and pelicans), are home to thousands of sea lions and boast some amazing rock formations. Although it is not possible to set foot on the islands, you will experience the magnificent sight and sounds of the thousands of sea lions and birds and maybe even spot seals and dolphins playing around the boat. Our boat trip also takes us past the mysterious “Candelabra” figure etched on the side of a mountain. Best viewed from the sea, many believe the Candelabra is linked to the Nazca Lines. The last leg of this journey takes us into Lima, Peru’s capital.

Day 18 to 18 - Depart Lima

Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today, please confirm with the reception the check out time. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.