Adventure Holiday In Peru

Arrive Lima and check-in at hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Heading south on the Panamerican Highway we stop at Paracas National Park where we can observe some extraordinary lunar landscapes and have the chance to see varied birdlife. We then continue south through the magnificent sand dunes of Ica before driving on to Nazca, home of the mysterious Nazca Lines. Some specialists have speculated that the Nazca Lines represent the world’s largest astrological calendar. Huge birds, spiders, whales, other creatures and geometrical figures are represented in outline.  Here we'll climb a nearby viewing platform for views out over the lines etched into the desert.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

This morning there should be time for optional visit to the nearby Antonini Archaeological Museum, the Chauchilla pre-Inca cemetry or the Nazca aqueduct. Later on we follow the coastal route through the desert until we reach the tiny settlement of Puerto Inca. In Inca times relays of chasquis (runners) transported fresh fish 250kms to Cusco in the mountains in just one day! In the afternoon you can watch the wildlife in the quiet bay or explore the ruins including ancient llama corrals and grain stores.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Dinner

A full day’s drive takes us through strange desert scenery. As we leave the coastal plain behind, our road climbs steadily through the Andean mountains to reach the beautiful city of Arequipa.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we visit Santa Catalina Convent, a miniature walled town which once housed 450 nuns and serving ladies in total seclusion. The rest of the day is free to explore this beautiful city, situated at 2380m and surrounded by snow-capped mountains including the perfect conical peak of El Misti (5822m). Arequipa is famed for it’s colonial architecture and the arcaded city square, dominated on one side by the twin towered cathedral (1612), is among the finest to be found in South America.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

This morning we head north where we enter the world of the Altiplano. We pass behind the volcanoes that ring Arequipa and on to Chivay. Passing herds of Llama and Alpaca – if lucky we may spot the elusive Vicuña. Today we briefly reach the highest point of our trip at 4,910m where we stop for a photo before descending towards Colca Canyon.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

From Chivay we make an early start to the mirador Cruz del Condor in the hope of spotting the rare Andean Condor. Seeing these magnificent birds in flight is a highlight of any tour. We continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca: the highest navigable lake in the world at an elevation of 3,820m, and the legendary birthplace of the Inca civilisation. The local Aymara and Quechua–speaking Indian people have adapted over generations to life at altitude and have larger lungs, hearts and spleens, and blood that is particularly rich in red corpuscles.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

From Puno we take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to explore the floating reed islands, home to the Uros peoplewho live on the lake itself. Their islands are made from totura, a reed-like papyrus that grows in the shallows and is used in most aspects of their life, including the construction of their boats and homes. We then continue to the less visited island of Taquile which has preserved much of its Inca and pre-Inca heritage and the islanders still speak the language of the Inca – Runa Simi or Quechua. We take our time walking across the island and we will have the chance to buy locally produced embroidery – the men’s handiwork for once! After lunch we then descend the many steps to the jetty to board our boat back to Puno

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Today we follow the legendary route taken by the first Inca ruler – Manco Capac – on his way to find Cuzco. En route to Cusco we stop at the beautifully scenic site of Sillustani – a fitting home for the chullpas (funeral towers), which probably date from the 14th century. Driving up to the northern limit of the Altiplano we cross La Raya pass (4335m) and descend to Cuzco. Depending on time, those who wish may visit the colonial church at Andahuaylillas or the Inca temple ruins at Raqchi.(optional) The scenery is desolate but magnificent and we may spot flocks of llamas and alpacas grazing on the windswept pastures.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

The old capital of the Inca Empire survives only in its ruins, imbued with an atmosphere of mystery and grandeur. The Spanish colonial city, with its attractive pink tiled roofs, arcaded plazas and steep winding alleyways, stands upon tremendous Inca foundation stones. This morning we take a walking tour of this lovely city to see important Inca and Colonial monuments, such as Plaza de Armas, the Koricanha and the Inca wall of Hatunrumiyoc with its famous twelve-sided stone. The stone, measuring some 5 feet across, has the typical bevelled joints which create the patterns of light and shadow on Inca walls. We also visit one of the outlying Inca sites  - Cusco’s temple-citadel, Saqsaywaman which broods high above the town, its huge, zigzagging stone walls broken into 66 sharply projecting angles to catch attackers in a withering crossfire. 20,000 conscripted workers toiled for 90 years to finish it.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We take an early morning train along the side of the Rio Urubamba, flanked by high cliffs and peaks, then climb by bus to Machu Picchu – the famous ‘Lost City’ at 2,400m. The existence of this exquisite masterpiece of ancient civilisation remained unknown to the outside world until it was ‘discovered’ by an American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham in 1911. We explore this mountain-top stronghold – the most spectacular feat of engineering in ancient America. Returning to the valley floor, we stay in a simple hostal in Aguas Calientes, with the chance to soak in the nearby natural hot baths.

Included meals: Breakfast

We have another chance this morning to explore the site and if you want to have a very early start it may be possible to catch sunrise. You may also have time to climb the steep and difficult peak of Huayna Picchu to look down on the Temple of the Sun or it is possible to walk along part of the Inca Trail to the Gate of the Sun. Later we take the train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to our hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Today is a free day with a wide choice of things to do. For river-lovers there is a the opportunity of a raft-trip (optional) down the Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This is an exciting way to see the valley and no previous experience of rafting is necessary – full instruction and safety equipment are provided. There is also the opportunity to visit Misminay, home to many of the porters who work along the Inca Trail and within the valley itself. We can learn a little more about the lives of these descendants if the ancient Inca during our visit. Alternatively you could visit Maras and Moray where hot springs at the top of the valley have been diverted into terraced saltpans. Ollantaytambo itself is also worth spending time in; during the Inca Empire it was the royal state of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region and built the town as a ceremonial centre.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

A morning transfer back to Cusco for our flight back to Lima. Time allowing, you may choose to partake in an optional city tour or perhaps visit the Larco Herrera Museum.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast