This 23 day holiday combines the culture and nightlife of Lima; the wonderful mountain scenery, ancient ruins and traditions of Cusco; the natural wonders of the Amazon Rainforest; the beauty and purity of Lake Titicaca; the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa and the spectacular Colca Canyon, home to giant condors; and the sand dunes of the southern desert, from where you will fly over the amazing Nazca Lines and visit the wildlife sanctuary of the Ballestas Islands.
Itinerary in brief |
| Day 1: | Fly from UK to Lima (2 nights). |
| Day 2: | Optional Colonial Lima excursion. |
| Day 3: | Fly to the Jungle (3 nights). |
| Day 4: | Jungle excursions. |
| Day 5: | Jungle excursions. |
| Day 6: | Fly to Cusco (6 nights). |
| Day 7: | Optional Inca Cusco excursion. |
| Day 8: | Optional Sacred Valley excursion. |
| Day 9: | Optional Machu Picchu excursion or Short Inca Trail excursion. |
| Day 10: | Free day in Cusco or Machu Picchu. |
| Day 11: | Free day in Cusco. |
| Day 12: | Journey from Cusco to Lake Titicaca by coach or by the Andean Explorer Train (2 nights). |
| Day 13: | Full day excursion on Lake Titicaca visiting the Uros Islands and Taquile island. |
| Day 14: | Fly to Arequipa (1 night). |
| Day 15: | Travel across the altiplano to the Colca Canyon (1 night). |
| Day 16: | View the condors soaring in the canyon before returning to Arequipa (2 night). |
| Day 17: | Arequipa city tour. |
| Day 18: | Fly to Lima (1 night). |
| Day 19: | Journey to Ica and flight over the Nazca Lines (2 nights). |
| Day 20: | Free day in Ica. |
| Day 21: | Visit to the Ballestas Islands before returning to Lima (1 night). |
| Day 22: | Free day in Lima. Evening flight to the UK. |
| Day 23: | Evening arrival in the UK. |
Overview
Lima, on the Pacific coast, was the most important and magnificent city in South America for the Spanish. Visit the colonial district and some of the finest museums in the world, with amazing collections of pre-Hispanic treasures.
Cusco, majestic capital of the Inca Empire, is set in a valley 3,300m high in the Andes and has a unique charm and a relaxed atmosphere. Explore the city, a blend of Inca and Spanish styles, then salsa the night away. Visit the nearby Sacred Valley of the Incas. Take a breathtaking trip to Machu Picchu, lost city of the Incas, set in stunning mountain scenery or alternatively, walk the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Staying in Cusco, you can experience ancient cultures, wonderful scenery, lively festivals and colourful markets. There is also hiking, mountain biking, white water rafting, horse riding, paragliding and even hot air ballooning.
The Amazon Rainforest is the largest expanse of jungle in the world and almost 60 percent of Peru lies in the jungle. The area around Puerto Maldonado is the most biodiverse on the planet. Staying in a jungle lodge, you will explore the rainforest by foot on jungle trails, and by boat on the river and on ox-bow lakes, have an opportunity to see the wildlife as well as get an insight into the jungle way of life.
A lodge is an excellent way to see the jungle in relative comfort, staying in accommodation made from local materials. All meals in the jungle are included.
Lake Titicaca, at 3,820m above sea level, is the highest navigable lake in the world. At this altitude, the pure air creates wonderful light, and the views of the snow-capped Cordillera Real rising over the lake are superb. This immense body of water is home to the Uros people, who live on reed islands they have woven, and to the people of Taquile Island, who create some of the finest crafts in the Andes. A boat ride to these islands is an unforgettable experience. Lake Titicaca lies at the edge of the Peruvian altiplano. Crossing this expanse of high sierra gives you a fascinating view of the harsh environment, where many people still live by subsistence farming.
Arequipa, a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, has an impressive colonial centre largely built of white volcanic rock. A must is a visit to the vast Santa Catalina Convent, founded in 1579, but only opened to the public in 1970. Three immense volcanoes rise above the city, including the near-perfect cone of El Misti, at 5,825m.
The nearby Colca Canyon, deeper than the Grand Canyon, offers incredible views, as well as one of the best opportunities to see the world's largest flying birds in the wild. Giant condors rise up on the thermals, and, if you are lucky, glide past only metres away.
The The Nazca Lines are 2,000 year-old etchings in the face of the desert. Mystery surrounds these giant images of animals and birds, geometric shapes and straight lines up to 40 miles long. Wonder at the remarkable precision of their creation as you fly over the Lines. Ica is a desert town with a wonderful climate. Being on a river carrying the waters of the Andes through the desert to the Pacific, a stay in Ica means you can see both impressive sand dunes as well the main wine producing area in Peru. Visit the excellent regional museum, with 2,000 year-old textiles, deformed skulls and the finest pottery in Peru. Take a trip to a vineyard and try a delicious pisco sour. Or, being in the desert allows you to try sandboarding or sand buggying down the giant sand dunes. The Ballestas Islands are nearby, home to thousands of sea lions, penguins and sea birds. A boat ride around the islands offers an incredible opportunity to see these wonderful creatures up close, as the sea lions play around your boat.