Overview

Explore the best of Peru on this spectacular ten-day trip that combines nature, history and culture. Journey from Lima to Arequipa, a jewel of colonial architecture, and marvel at the flight of the condors in the Colca Valley. Learn about the most traditional villages in Lake Titicaca before arriving in Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. Your holiday ends on a high with a scenic rail journey through dramatic Andean landscapes to experience a magical day exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. 

This tour includes: return flights from the UK; 9 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast included; services of an English-speaking guide throughout; all transportation between destinations; and private airport transfers in Peru.

Sightseeing included: 
- Lima City Tour 
- Arequipa City Tour 
- Touring of the Colca Valley 
- Full-day boat tour on Lake Titicaca to the floating Uros Islands
- Cusco City Tour and Archaeological Sites 
- Full-day tour by scenic train to Machu Picchu

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Lima 
Upon arrival into Lima airport you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history; enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore. 

Day 2: Lima 
After breakfast, you’ll hit the streets of Lima’s Old Town; a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historical buildings. Visit the Larco Museum, housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion. The museum boasts the world’s most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver objects. Then, visit Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jeronimo de Aliaga, one of his captains. This is the only house from that time that to this day has always been owned by the same family. Continue to a scenic tour in the colonial downtown. Here you can appreciate the grand architecture of the Spanish Empire and be amazed by Lima´s Cathedral. After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel.

Day 3: Lima – Arequipa
This morning, you will take a private transfer to Lima airport for an early-morning flight to Arequipa. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel, then it’s time to get to know the city. Start your journey in the main square and admire its elegant neo-Renaissance basilica cathedral and the sensational Monastery of Santa Catalina, which for centuries was a 'forbidden city' in the heart of Arequipa. Continue until you reach the Church of the Company, perhaps the greatest masterpiece of Peruvian baroque. Finally, head to the neighbourhoods of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, where you can enjoy magnificent views of the Misti volcano, which rises above the city. Afterwards, you will be transferred back to the hotel.

Day 4: Arequipa – Colca
After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, it is time to say goodbye to Arequipa and head to the Colca Valley. Travel across the high plains of Viscachani and Toccra, and skirt the crater of the now-extinct Chucura Volcano to reach the Mirador de los Andes, 4,910 metres above sea level. This viewpoint offers impressive views of the numerous volcanoes surrounding Arequipa. Enjoy lunch in the picturesque town of Chivay before being transferred to your hotel in the Colca Valley for a free afternoon. 

Day 5: Colca – Puno via Condor Cross
Today, take a breathtaking trip to the Condor Cross lookout with panoramic views across the Colca Canyon. Take a deep breath and appreciate the sheer vastness of the Colca Valley, which is one of the world's deepest canyons with a maximum depth of more than 4,160 metres – twice that of the Grand Canyon. The thrill of the experience is enhanced by the chance to see huge condors flying over the canyon. Descend into the valley and travel through quaint local villages on the banks of the River Colca. Later, continue your journey to Puno and travel through Salinas and the Aguada Blanca National Reserve. The landscapes and scenery here are both dramatic and enchanting. You will pass high plains, volcanoes, unusual rock formations, and even lagoons, where you can spot cranes drying their wings above the water. On arrival in Puno, you will be transferred to your hotel

Day 6: Lake Titicaca & the Floating Uros Islands
After breakfast at the hotel, travel to the port of Puno. A boat will be waiting to take you to the beautiful Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca, where you will get to meet the local indigenous people that live on these floating man-made islands. Next, sail to Taquile, a small slice of heaven that once belonged to the Inca Empire. After a brief introduction, the local community will give you an insight into their customs and traditions with a cultural demonstration. You will enjoy lunch on the island before returning to Puno.

Day 7: Puno – Cusco 
Today, you will travel by bus to Cusco, with scenic stops along the way. Visit 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 break at La Raya, at the dizzying altitude of 4,313 metres above sea level, the bus stops at Sicuani for lunch. You then head on to Racchi, home to the Wiracocha Temple, an Inca site built in honour of a powerful Andean god. Later, visit Andahuaylillas, home to the 16th century ‘Sistine Chapel of America’. Afterwards, continue the journey to Cusco, today’s final destination.

Day 8: Cusco 
Enjoy a guided tour of the former capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to the Santo Domingo Convent from the Renaissance-Baroque period, before visiting the imposing Cusco Cathedral. Then head into the hills above Cusco to the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the amphitheatre of Qengo, where it is believed the Incas practised agricultural rituals. Finally, visit Puka Pukara (meaning “red fortress” in the Quechua dialect), an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Afterwards, return to your hotel.

Day 9: Machu Picchu
Rise early for your transfer to Ollantaytambo station and enjoy a scenic train journey through dramatic Andean landscapes to Aguas Calientes. Here you will board a coach for the 25-minute journey on to Machu Picchu, the most famous Incan ruins in all of Peru. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins, explaining the origins of the ‘Lost City of the Incas’ and its most prominent landmarks. Later, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before your train journey back to Cusco.

Day 10: Fly back to the UK
Your trip comes to an end today. After breakfast, a transfer will take you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Why not extend this itinerary with an optional three-day Amazon lodge stay?
There’s no need to fly home on day 10 when you can extend this itinerary to include a three-day stay in the Amazon Jungle from just an additional £610pp. This extension includes: two nights’ accommodation at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge; all transport to and from the lodge; all meals; and a choice of guided activities/excursions. Contact us for more information.