Best of Peru

Arrive Lima

Arriving into Peru's bustling capital of Lima, the former home of the Spanish Inquisition during colonial times, you will be met and taken to your hotel, set in the most cosmopolitan district of Miraflores, which is a great place to settle into the city and enjoy your first evening soaking up the atmosphere, bars, restaurants and markets of the plaza or enjoy the spa of the hotel.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Collection, Lima

Lima

After waking on your first morning and enjoying breakfast in the historic city of Lima, you will start a guided city tour, taking in Lima’s colonial centre. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains some of the best kept colonial architecture in South America. After visiting the old centre, you'll be taken to the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing through the district of Pueblo Libre, as well as the picturesque El Olivar Park. Your tour ends with a visit to the Larco Herrera Museum, which houses one of the best collections of pre-Colombian remains anywhere in Latin America. Enjoy an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Collection, Lima (B)

Lima - Arequipa

This morning you will catch your onward flight to Arequipa, Peru’s second largest city. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your historic boutique hotel in the heart of this beautiful whitewashed city often referred to as the 'White City', where you will be staying. Your afternoon will start with a guided tour of beautiful Arequipa, exploring the green and fountain-filled Plaza de Armas, where the city’s cathedral can be found. We recommend visiting the outstanding Santa Catalina convent. Your evening can be spent navigating the city and sampling the fine Peruvian cuisine.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Collection, Arequipa (B)

Arequipa - Colca Canyon

You will have an early start to the day, as you set off on a 4 hour journey towards Colca Canyon. This is a spectacular journey through some breathtaking scenery, which involves some dramatic shifts in landscape, from brilliant white snow fields to arid cactus forests. You will also drive across Pampa Cañahuas, which is inhabited by herds of Alpacas and Vicuñas. Upon arrival in Colca, you will reach your excellently located lodge on the banks of the Colca River, set at 3,250 metres above sea level. Colca itself is a small but charming town ready for you to explore this evening.

Overnight: Colca Lodge (B)

Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon has a depth of 3,400 metres making it one of the deepest canyons in the world; its red-hued sides contrast with the surrounding snow-capped mountains. An early start will take you to Condor Cross, where you stand a good chance of seeing Andean condors circling above. This is also an ideal spot to marvel at the stunning surroundings. Returning back at your hotel, you will visit the small towns of Maca at the base of the Volcano Sabancaya followed by Yanque, most noted for its church with Baroque façade.

Overnight: Colca Lodge (B, L)

Colca - Puno

You'll enjoy breakfast before heading towards Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca - the highest navigable lake in the world. This 8 hour journey also passes through more stunning landscapes, with most of the road paved and in good condition. When you arrive in Puno, you will be taken to your hotel on the shores of the famous Titicaca, and your room overlooking the calm waters - the perfect spot to unwind.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Collection, Puno (B, L)

Puno

After breakfast, you will set off on an exciting day exploring the floating islands of Uros and Taquile. You will be taken by motorboat across Lake Titicaca, towards Uros, which is entirely constructed out of Tortura reeds and is built by its inhabitants, known as the 'Water Tribes'. After your visit to the Uros, you'll continue by boat to Taquile Island, where the local community has developed its own social systems, as well as traditional hand-weaving techniques. Here we'll enjoy a rewarding lunch before walking around the small island to see the contrasting scenery. Return to Puno where you can unwind for the evening.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Collection, Puno (B, L)

Puno - Cuzco

This morning you will leave Puno for the Andean highlands and one of the continent's great cities - Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital of Peru. You'll arrive by Andean Explorer train, one of the few great South American train journeys, with the Andes as a backdrop and a 3-course lunch served on board and afternoon coffee. Arriving into Cuzco, you will be met at the station and transferred to your charming hotel, close to the main square Plaza de Armas. This mesmeric city is filled with narrow and winding cobbled streets, where you can explore original Inca ruins and hispanic cathedrals.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Collection, Cusco (B, L)

Cuzco

Today you will be taken on a tour of Cuzco, as well as the nearby Inca ruins. The city is an intriguing mix of where the two cultures collide and is the ideal place to learn and understand Incan culture. The main sites on this tour include the Plaza de Armas including its main cathedral, and nearby Incan ruins of Korikancha Temple, Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and Sacsayhuaman. After your tour, return to your hotel where you have the rest of the day at leisure, exploring Cuzco's many dazzling sights, from llamas roaming around the sun-filled cobbled plazas to local markets.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Collection, Cusco (B)

Sacred Valley & Pisac

After breakfast you'll set off to explore the Sacred Valley and the first stop Awanacancha (an Andean textile centre), is located just outside of the town of Pisac. Your next stop will be the archaeological site of Pisac, which is formed from a number of Inca dwellings and ceremonial temples. You'll then explore the famous Pisac Market, be prepared to bargain hard! Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, after which you will continue to the far end of the Sacred Valley and the fortress of Ollantaytambo. You'll then return to Cuzco for another evening soaking up the atmosphere of the city.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Collection, Cusco (B, L)

Cuzco - Machu Picchu

Your day will start with a buzz, as you will be visiting Machu Picchu. Embarking on a scenic train journey starting in the luscious Andean highlands and descending through the Sacred Valley until you arrive at Aguas Calientes, your gateway to this magnificent ancient Incan city. Lost until its rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911, this is the most famous Inca site in South America. It appears to have been carved out of the granite from the mountain. During your tour you will learn about the historical context and mystery that shrouds the site. Enjoy a satisfying lunch at Sanctuary Lodge, before having the afternoon to spend at leisure.

Overnight: El Mapi Hotel (B, L)

Aguas Calientes - Cuzco

This morning is yours to spend at leisure. You may wish to do some souvenir shopping in Aguas Calientes, or if you did not visit the thermal springs, this would be another opportunity to do so. In the afternoon you will be taken to the train station and will embark on your return journey to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco you can get reacquainted with your hotel and spend some more time exploring this wonderful city.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Collection, Cusco (B)

Cuzco - Amazon

After breakfast, you'll begin the next stage of your exciting journey into Peru's Amazon by taking a short flight to Puerto Maldonado. Here you will be met by a representative and transferred to Butterfly House. Enjoy a refreshing drink and walk around the grounds which houses numerous colourful butterflies from the Amazonian region, as well as other species of local wildlife, including frogs and turtles. Once check-in has been completed, you will be driven across town to the port to join your motorised canoe transfer to the lodge. In the afternoon you will be given an introduction to the lodge and this evening you will be able to take a night hike with your expert naturalist or take a twilight river safari searching for nightjars, owls, capybaras and caimans.

Overnight: Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica (B, L, D)

Amazon

Spend the next two days exploring this incredible wildlife paradise. The range of exciting half-day excursions includes a nearby Oxbow lake or the reserve’s very own canopy walkway, where you can observe many species from a different perspective high up in the treetops - not possible from ground level. These excursions will give you a great understanding of the surrounding rainforest and of the endemic species of flora and fauna which live here. At the end of your exciting day exploring return to the jungle lodge to relax amidst the sounds of the rainforest.

Overnight: Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica (B, L, D)

Amazon - Lima

After breakfast you will arrive back at Puerto Maldonado by motorised canoe. The journey back will be noticeably quicker than the journey to the lodge, as you will be following the current of the River Madre de Dios. Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, you will be driven back to the Butterfly House, where you can reclaim your excess baggage. Then you'll catch your onward flight to Lima, where you can return to Miraflores and enjoy another evening in this pretty district of the capital.

Overnight: Casa Andina Premium Collection, Lima (B)

Depart Lima

After enjoying your final morning and breakfast in Peru, you will be taken to the airport for your onward flight.