Peru Adventure

Welcome to Peru! Located in western South America, this impressive country offers the complete mix of ancient sites and modern cities, colourful cultures, delectable cuisine and breathtaking landscapes.

This evening we arrive in Lima, the capital of Peru. The city was founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, and is now a mix of modern shopping malls, high rise buildings, large urban sprawl and beautiful colonial architecture. As Lima was the seat of Spanish rule for some 300 years, it offers wonderful churches, cloisters and monasteries. Meet your fellow travellers this evening over a welcome drink in the hotel.

We'll acquaint ourselves with Lima on a walking tour this morning. We will start by wandering through the gardens of Kennedy Park, then enjoy the stunning ocean views from Parque del Amor, also known as the Park of Love. Finally, we will conclude our tour by visiting the shopping complex, Larcomar.

After lunch, we will proceed to the Historic Centre of Lima to continue our city sightseeing. Our itinerary will include visiting the Cathedral, San Francisco Church, and the Larco Museum. At the museum, we will get insights into the pre-Columbian communities and explore an impressive exhibit of 30,000 ancient pottery artifacts that have been carefully catalogued. Tonight, we'll enjoy a group welcome dinner.

Witness the bright and beautiful street art on display throughout the charming bohemian district of Barranco, on a bicycle tour approximately 3 hours in duration.

Special Experience: Take part in a hands-on dining experience, learning the Peruvian techniques and delicious flavours unique to this region, before enjoying our creations for dinner.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Our destination today is the famed Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Urubamba Valley, as it is also known, encompasses the heartland of the Inca Empire. The valley was formed by the Urubamba River and contains numerous archaeological remains and villages. It was valued by the Incas due to its special geographical and climatic qualities and was one of the empire's main points for the extraction of natural wealth.

Our first stop is the village of Awanacancha, where we'll meet native weavers and see the South American camelid species – llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas. Well known for its handicrafts, the lively Pisac markets offer great insight into the indigenous Quechua communities and the perfect spot to pick up some local souvenirs. Following our visit to the markets, we'll make our way to the Yucay Museum, which features exhibits that highlight the pre-Hispanic Peruvian cultures.

Today begins with a visit to the village of Ollantaytambo, one of the best surviving examples of Inca city planning. We'll climb the steep stone staircase to enter the fascinating Incan ruins that form an impressive fortress. Enjoy an Andean brunch today at a local chicheria, with the option to try some traditional chicha and cuy, a regional delicacy of guinea pig.

Our next stop is the Seminario pottery workshop in Urubamba which contextualises styles and techniques used in Peru's ancient cultures. Our day concludes with an exploration of the unique salt ponds of Maras and special elliptical irrigation terraces of Moray, considered to be the agricultural experimental centre of the Incas.

Cycle the picturesque surrounds of the Sacred Valley, from Laguna Piuray to the local village of Umasbamba.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Experience the panoramic views of the lake and countryside during our cycling excursion, followed by a scenic ride to the small village of Umasbamba. Total cycling time will be approximately two hours. You'll be inspired by this truly traditional community, where the women weave amazing textiles, and the men spend the day farming the lands.

Enjoy a much earned rest this afternoon or venture out to discover more of the Sacred Valley.

It's time to lace up your hiking boots for a magical day ahead. Boarding the Vistadome train early this morning, we'll begin our one day trek through the Urubamba Valley to the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu!

Multi-Activity: Journey to breathtaking Machu Picchu, witnessing the remarkable sights of Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate, as we experience one day of trekking the Inca Trail.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

We'll disembark at the Km104 station, where we will first spend time visiting the nearby Chachabamba archaeological site, still only partially uncovered. From here the trail ascends for 8 kilometres. At approximately the 3 hour mark we arrive at the impressive ruins of Wiñay Wayna built into the steep countryside. As we continue, we'll enjoy magnificent views of the Urubamba River valley and the Choquesuysuy archaeological complex.

After a refreshing bite to eat, we'll continue along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle for another hour or so, until we arrive at the iconic Sun Gate of Inti Punku - a wonderful photo opportunity. The trek ends in the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu. Our guide will take us through this mind-blowing site, pointing out the most important parts of the ancient civilisation.

We'll take one last exploration of Machu Picchu this morning on our way to the station, boarding the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo. Once we arrive at our destination, we will be transferred to our hotel in Cusco, the Inca capital of ancient times. High up in the Andes Mountains, Cusco is also known as the gateway to both the Sacred Valley and the world-famous site of Machu Picchu. With its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture, Cusco is a city that captivates visitors and leaves a lasting impression.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

We will spend the morning exploring the captivating sights and sounds of Cusco, starting with a visit to the fascinating Tambomachay. This complex features a series of aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls that have been in use for centuries. Next, we will visit the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which is widely recognised as one of the most prominent Inca ruins in the Cusco region.

Enjoy the colour and activity of the San Pedro Market - a huge, open-air market with an eclectic variety of produce and interesting wares for sale. This is a great stop for freshly squeezed juices and beautiful pastries, or maybe you'd like to try the local delicacies of roasted guinea pig or soup with a jawbone garnish.

We'll then explore the religious complex of Qoricancha, which contains the Temple of the Sun. It served as the main astronomical observatory for the Incas and was considered home by 4,000 priests and their attendants. Later we tour the 17th century Cusco Cathedral – the façade of which is a fine example of colonial baroque architecture.

Trek to Palcoyo Pass to discover the striking landscape created by the three rainbow mountain peaks of Palcoyo.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Our early start this morning is well worth it, with an incredible day ahead. Driving through the beautiful South Valley we'll reach the trailhead at Palcoyo, and the start of our trek. Ascending the mountain for approximately 1 hour, we will come to Palcoyo Pass where the three incredible rainbow mountains come into view. These multi-tone peaks form part of a breathtaking panorama that includes Ausangate, the highest mountain in the Cusco region, the vibrant Red Valley, and maybe even a chance to spot a local herder tending to their alpacas. We will have ample time to capture some incredible photographs, grab a bite to eat, and simply relax while taking in the stunning views before we start our descent.

On our journey back to Cusco, we will stop at the local village of Checacupe. Here we will explore the ruins surrounding the Inca suspension bridge that, along with the Republican and Colonial bridges, depict a different era of Peruvian history. After enjoying some lunch in the nearby town of Cusipata, we'll make our way back to our hotel in Cusco.

Today, we will journey south to Paracas after a short flight from Cusco to Lima. Paracas, situated just a few hours away from Lima, is a picturesque beach town on the Peruvian coast. In addition to being a popular beach resort destination, Paracas is also home to a national reserve and a pre-Inca cultural site. It serves as the gateway to the Ballestas Islands and Nazca.

Fly in a light plane over the mysterious Nazca Lines in the middle of the Nazca Desert. We'll see ancient geoglyphs depicting hundreds of figures. These ancient drawings, which are believed to have been created more than 2,000 years ago by the Nazca culture, were etched into the sand and remained undiscovered until 1927. It was during an expedition organized by the National University of San Marcos that Peruvian archaeologist Toribio Mejia Xesspe stumbled upon these impressive artworks. The gigantic geometrical lines resemble a landing field and feature over 32 figures including a monkey, spider, condor and reptile. The view from the plane is simply breathtaking and a flight is the best way to appreciate this amazing site.

Next, we'll travel to the beautiful Paracas National Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most biologically productive marine areas in the world.

Enjoy some time to relax and admire the scenic surroundings before we return to Paracas.

Sample Peru’s signature beverage, pisco, and enjoy a tour around a working distillery.

Multi-Activity: Experience an adrenaline-packed dune buggy ride through the picturesque Peruvian desert.

Prepare to set sail as we embark on a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, a thriving sanctuary that houses a variety of birds and animals, including the endangered Humboldt penguin. Here we'll see an abundance of wildlife including sea lions, penguins and more than 60 species of vivid sea birds. Along the way we will also see the 'Candelabro', a huge sand design on the hilly coast of Pisco Bay, only visible from the sea or sky. We'll return to Lima this afternoon, before our group farewell dinner at a delicious local restaurant.

Today marks the end of our Peruvian adventure. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!