Condors, Andean Mountain Scenery, Lake Titicaca, Inca Heritage & Colonial History

Friday, 09 June 2023

Arrival in Lima

Direct flight to Lima on a Wednesday, arriving the same day in the evening, and staying for 2 nights.

Saturday, 10 June 2023

Tour of Lima

Afternoon tour of the city including the historic centre. Visit the Presidential Palace, Plaza San Martín and the Larco Herrera Museum, with a fabulous collection of ancient artefacts from all over Peru. 

Located in an 18th century vice-royal mansion, built on a pre-columbian pyramid of the 17th century, its new galleries display the best and most complete collection of gold and silver of Peru. This Museum showcases remarkable chronological galleries providing an excellent overview on 3000 years of development of Peruvian pre-columbian history. It features the finest gold and silver collection from ancient Peru and the famous erotic archaeological collection, one of the most visited Peruvian tourist attractions. Entrance to Larco Museum is included.

Sunday, 11 June 2023

City Tour & Santa Catalina Convent

Leaving in the morning, fly to Arequipa, Peru's second largest city, set in a rich green valley at the foot of the mighty El Misti Volcano. The buildings in the centre have been built almost exclusively of the volcanic material 'sillar', a white, porous rock, giving Arequipa its nickname of 'The White City'.

Your guide and transport will meet you at your hotel for a delightful city tour which visits the church of La Compania and other colonial buildings, including the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. The Santa Catalina Convent once held some two hundred nuns and is a maze of colourful alleyways and rooms, providing a fascinating insight into the way the nuns once lived. 

Monday, 12 June 2023

Colca Canyon

After breakfast, you set off to the spectacular Colca Valley through the foothills of Chachani Volcano and admire the Misti and Picchu Picchu Volcanoes.We then cross the vicuña reserve of Pampa Cañahuas, where you can see the smaller version of the llama roaming freely in the Andean highlands.

The next stop is at a restaurant called the Chinitos, located at an altitude of 4000 meters. Here, drink the traditional ‘Mate de Coca’, helping you to get used to the altitude. Continuing the trip, you make a stop at Toccra Pampa, where you can see llamas, alpacas, and different species of birds near the crater of the Chucura Volcano, to subsequently reach the scenic viewpoint Los Andes in Patapampa (4910 meters). From here, you have a breathtaking view of various volcanoes surrounding Arequipa.

You have lunch (not included) in the legendary town of Chivay, after which you check-in to your hotel.

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Drive to Puno, Lake Titicaca

Early in the morning, travel to the famous viewpoint Cruz del Condor. In the stunning landscape of the canyon, you have the opportunity to see condors, the impressive Andean birds that are on the brink of extinction and the symbol of the Andes. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see these majestic birds, with the Colca Canyon in the background. Before you return to Chivay, head to the small town of Yanque, to visit its well-kept colonial church. Once back in Chivay, visit Maca, Antahuilque, and Peña Blanca, to enjoy even more of this beautiful rural area.

After lunch (not included), travel to Puno located at the banks of Titicaca Lake. This is a four to five hour journey taking you through amazing landscapes. On arrival in Puno, check-in to your hotel for 2-night stay.

Wednesday, 14 June 2023

Visit Uros & Taquile Islands

A 35-minute boat trip from the port of Puno brings you to a group of very special islands. Here, the Uros people made not only there boats and houses out of totora, they also made their islands out of this strong type of reed! The Uros people do not only stand out because of their unique way of life, they are also a very hospitable people and are happy to share their beautiful culture with visitors.

After learning about the Uros’ traditions and daily life, you head to Taquile, a ‘real’ island and another highlight of Titicaca Lake. You walk uphill for about an hour until you reach the central square of the village, where you enjoy a local lunch (not included). Subsequently, you head further uphill climbing the 535 stone steps of Taquile. In the afternoon, you return to your hotel.

Thursday, 15 June 2023

Journey to Cusco

Today we travel by bus for approximately 10 hours visiting the most important attractions of the route “Ruta del Sol“. En route you will be inspired by the impressive Altiplano landscape, dry and barren scenery with wide views, lots of vicuñas and local communities.

Our first stop is the stepped pyramid elaborated by the villagers of Pukara, 106 kms to the north of Cusco, over 3,500 years old. It is impressive and enigmatic. We cross La Raya pass at an altitude of 4319 m. From here we descend through a marvellous valley cultivated with lots of crops such as corn and potatoes.

Before arriving to Cusco visit Andahuaylillas, whose famous colonial church is known as the “Sixtine Chapel of the Americas” because of its beautiful painted ceiling and other art treasures. We also visit Raqchi, a great temple complex and our first encounter with Inca Ruins. 

Inca walls, colourful costumes, churches built on top of palaces, citadels lost in the Andean heights, legendary roads, all the beauty of a glorious past that enfolds the visitor who arrives in Cusco, the sacred city of the Incas and archaeological capital of the Americas.

Friday, 16 June 2023

Guided tour of Cusco

Time to explore magical Cusco! This beautiful city has an interesting history, both from Inca and colonial times. You start this half-day tour at Cusco’s main square, which was called Huacaypata (Warriors Square) by the Incas.

While the guide tells you more about the history of this special place, you can admire the city’s cathedral  built between 1560 and 1664 with the red granite stones from the Inca Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The cathedral is without doubt one of the most impressive buildings in Cusco, and not only from the outside: the historical buildings host one of the most significant collections of gold and silver work of the colonial period.

Continue to Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo. The convent was built on top of the most important Inca temple dedicated to the worship of the sun, with walls covered with gold leaf. Wandering through the streets of what once was the capital of the Inca Empire, you feel like you are traveling through time.

After exploring Cusco, you head to the nearby ruins, such as the Sacsayhuaman Fortress with its immense temple walls made out of huge stones constructed in a zigzag pattern; the red fort Puca Pucara; the Qenko Amphitheatre, Tambomachay and the Inca baths. 

Saturday, 17 June 2023

Explore the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley, located between Cusco and Machu Picchu, was unquestionably an important area for the Incas. Its agreeable climate and fertile plains create the perfect conditions for growing crops. For the Incas, this region was also on the route to the jungle and had therefore a key role in trading fruits and plants of the tropical lowlands. Today, the Sacred Valley remains a lush agricultural region supplying the city of Cusco with many agricultural products. We spend the whole day with a private guide exploring the ancient ruins, local markets and stunning scenery of this incredibly beautiful region of Peru.

Sunday, 18 June 2023

Machu Picchu

Today we drive from Cusco city to Ollantaytambo Station with our guide, where we board the 360° Machu Picchu train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.

This experience is a unique way to travel to Machu Picchu, exploring the Andean landscape like never before with wider and taller panoramic windows and an observation outdoor carriage including a bar. Enjoy an appetising selection of cold and warm drinks, prepared using fruit juices and Andean herbs, and our delicious gourmet and organic delights made with products from the Sacred Valley.

On your arrival in Aguas Calientes, enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu, only re-discovered in 1911 by the explorer Hiram Bingham, this citadel is considered to be one of the most extraordinary examples of landscapes architecture in the world. Located in an enclave on the saddle of a mountain overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba River, in an area of lush tropical forest, it served as a place of worship, a site for star-gazing and a private hacienda of the family of the Inca Pachacutec. It consists of two main areas one agricultural, formed mainly by mountains and food stores, and the other urban, which is noted for its sacred zone with its temples, squares and royal tombs. The stairways and canals carved out of stone are recurrent throughout this remarkable archaeological site. Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, Machu Picchu was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

We then return to Cusco by train and bus - a day you will never forget.

Monday, 19 June 2023

At leisure in Cusco

Your last day to enjoy the wonderful ambiance in Cusco.

Tuesday, 20 June 2023

Departure

Fly to Lima, connecting with return overnight flight home in the early evening.

Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Arrive in UK

Arrive back in the UK in the morning.