Explore Peru in Comfort

Arrive in Lima where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Lima was one of the first cities established in South America by the conquistadors and holds many amazing colonial jewels to be discovered. Her history is fascinating. If time permits upon arrival we can arrange a half day sightseeing - or better yet add an extra day to relax, enjoy and sightsee.

This half-day tour visits both the colonial and modern sections of Lima. Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, San Francisco Church and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In modern Lima, drive along the exclusive residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro.

Lima - Arequipa

This morning you will head out to the airport to board an early morning spectacular flight along the Peruvian coast brings us to the "White City" of Arequipa, the ideal place to start acclimatizing to the rarefied air of the Andes and a beautiful city to explore.

Arequipa has one of the most magnificent marble Plaza de Armas, quaint old town streets, the picturesque Santa Catalina Monastery and Juanita the Ice maiden museum. Alpaca wool is Arequipa's finest export and there are plenty of opportunities for treating yourself to some stunning textiles here. Explore the old town for fabulous souvenirs. B

Arequipa to Colca Canyon
Driving out of Arequipa today you will enjoy spectacular views of the mountains surrounding the city before climbing high into the Andes and descending into the amazing Colca canyon. The Colca canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world and is home to magnificent Condors and a fascinating local culture, completely different from any other place you will visit on this trip to Peru. You will overnight in the charming Colca lodge. Relaxing in world class hot-springs is the prime activity here, closely followed by exploring the cuisine at the lodge's restaurant, enjoying a drink at the bar or playing a game in the games room. BLD

Cruz del Condor
A private guide and minibus are at your disposal for the day. An early morning drive to Cruz del Condor is recommended in search of one of the world's largest birds, the condor, who nests in the cliffs of one of the world's deepest canyons (approx. 3, 400 m deep). If you are feeling energetic you can hike to near-by ruins, or take a tour of the unique native culture and weavings in the area are also available activities. On return to the lodge plenty of time is left for just relaxing in the hot springs. BLD

Colca Canyon to Puno
A spectacular drive through the high Andes, passing beautiful lakes and huge vistas as we travel on a newly asphalted road to Juliaca and on to our destination of Puno.

En route we can take a visit to Silustani ruins, whose fascinating circular burial chambers pre-date the Incas. The amazing stone work of this early civilization was obviously a strong influence on the famous Inca stone masons. In Puno we check into our hotel and can explore this interesting town and barter for locally hand-knitted woolen goods. BL

Lake Titicaca
Photographer's will love Lake Titicaca with its clear sapphire water and the astounding blue skies. A full day's boat trip with your own private guide and boat ensure you see all the sights in safety and style. The famous floating reed islands of Uros and the ancient traditions and weavings of Taquile Island are explained and viewed at your leisure. BL

Puno to Cusco
Depending on the day of the week you are travelling you will either board the luxury all day train from Puno to Cusco* (Please note: the train only operates on certain days a week, there is a bus alternative on the other days - see below). This classic Orient Express train journey, recently voted "one of the top ten railway journeys of the world" cuts across the formidable Peruvian Altiplano, whose high plains are rich with llama herds, green Ibises and mountain villages where life is harsh but the resilient locals keep their communities with pride and good humour.

On arrival at Cusco train station we transfer to your hotel. This evening you can stretch your legs around the spectacular Plaza de Armas. BL

Cusco
A free day to explore Cusco. From the Plaza de Armas, we suggest a visit to the sun temple, Qoricancha, a walk up to the San Blas district and for the energetic a visit to Sacsayhuaman fort overlooking the city. For those looking to relax there are countless excellent bars and cafes overlooking the Plaza de Armas and plenty of bargain hunting to do in the artisan markets. We meet in the evening for a briefing on the Inca Trail. B

Cusco and the Sacred Valley
We pick you up early in the morning, driving out of Cusco, passing en route, the fascinating archaeological ruins of Sacsayhuaman where a decisive battle between Inca rebels and Spanish rebels was fought. A vital Inca road once snaked its way up the canyon that enters the Urubamba Valley at Pisac. The citadel, at the entrance to this gorge, now in ruins, controlled a route which connected the Inca Empire with Paucartambo, on the border of the eastern jungles.

Set high above a valley floor patchworked by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing, the stonework and panoramas at Pisac's Inca citadel are magnificent. Terraces, water ducts and steps have been cut out of solid rock, and in the upper sector of the ruins, the main Sun Temple is equal of anything at Machu Picchu. Above the temple lie still more ruins, mostly unexcavated, and among the higher crevices and rocky overhangs several ancient burial sites are hidden

Modern Pisac is a picturesque Andean Village, typical except for the huge, spreading pisonary tree that dominates the central square. The village is best known for its Sunday market, which draws hundreds of tourists each week.

In spite of its popularity the market retains much of its local charm, at least in the part where villagers from miles around gather to barter and sell their produce. In the tourist section of the market you can buy a wide variety of handicrafts - mostly the same things you see in Cusco.

Pisac is a good place to buy the local ceramics including a huge and varied collection of hand-painted multi-colored beads. There are smaller markets in Pisac on Tuesdays and Thursdays. B

Chincheros and Ollantaytambo
A full day excursion to Chincheros and the Ollantaytambo Fortress in the Heart of the Sacred Valley. With an early start we drive through the fertile countryside of the Urubamba Valley to the colonial village of Pisac where an Indian Market takes place Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

We then continue on down the valley to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex. Conjectures suggests the Incas built it as a fort that included a temple, agricultural terraces, and an urban area. There are two distinct sectors: The religious and worship zone, and the residential area.

Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center with probable military functions if one considers the walls and towers. There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a "Living Inca Town" since the inhabitants maintain ancient practices and customs with the town itself being a living museum of Inca construction, irrigation and housing.

Lunch is at a beautiful country estate on the shores of the Urubamba River. BL

Machu Picchu
We continue our journey down the Urubamba valley by early morning train to the fabled "Lost City of the Incas- Machu Picchu". A short bus ride takes you direct to the ruins. Once there your guide gives you an extensive walking tour of the ruin and explains the fascinating history of the Incas to you. If time permits you may wish to explore further to the Inca Bridge, walk back up the Inca Trail to the sun gate or try the strenuous climb to the top of Huayna Picchu for an awe-inspiring Condor's eye view of Machu Picchu. Some may prefer to just relax and take in the awesome location. B

More Machu Picchu and onwards to Cusco
First thing in the morning we return to Machu Picchu where we will meet up with those who chose to trek the Inca Trail and have the ruins virtually to ourselves for a full guided tour, with time afterwards to climb Huayna Picchu, walk out to the Inca Bridge or else just wander through the ruins soaking up the amazing atmosphere. We have a late lunch in Aguas Calientes before boarding the afternoon train back to Poroy. Here our waiting bus speeds us back to our Cusco Hotel. If you have the energy we can then explore Cusco's excellent nightlife. BL

Cusco to Lima - or add a rainforest lodge or Amazon Cruise
Today you have a free morning in Cusco before being transferred to Cusco airport for your return afternoon flight to Lima. There is an option for a evening Unique Dining Experience. If you choose this option on arrival into Lima your luggage is stored, before enjoying dinner at one of Limas most famous restaurants. After dinner you collect your luggage and are transferred to the airport to connect with your international flight. B