DAY 1 (Saturday): Arrive in Lima

Fly home – Lima (flights not included). Upon your arrival in Lima, you will go through customs and collect your luggage. The airport hotel is about a 3 minute walk from the terminal. It’s not a very interesting hotel, but it’s close and most international flights arrive late at night, so it maximizes your sleeping time.

Overnight in Lima: Wyndham Costa del Sol Airport Hotel or similar
Meals Included: None

DAY 2 (Sunday): Fly to Arequipa & Arequipa City Tour

You will walk to the departures terminal (about 5 minutes from the hotel), and check in for your flight to Arequipa (flight not included).

Arriving in Arequipa, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Arequipa is known as “The White City” due to the rocks with which it was built. It is a beautiful place to explore. It boasts a magnificent marble Plaza de Armas with a stunning view of El Misti mountain in the background.

Your guide will take you on an afternoon orientation walk and to the picturesque Santa Catalina Monastery. First opened to the public in 1970, the convent is a maze of intricate architecture and a photographer’s paradise.

The Viceroy Francisco Toledo, during his visit to Arequipa, was informed by the council of canons of their wish to found a convent. In response, the viceroy granted them the necessary licenses for the founding of the “Monasterio de Monjas Privado de la Orden de Santa Catalina de Siena,” or “Private Convent of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Catherine of Siena.” Years later, Doña María de Guzmán, the widow of Diego Hernández de Mendoza—a beautiful, rich, young woman who never had children—decided to shut herself away in the convent, which was still under construction, and give away all her earthly belongings.

On September 10, 1579, the record and agreement for the founding of the convent was signed between the City Council, the Chief Justice, and the Regidor’s Office of Arequipa and the Bishopric of Cuzco. After signing the document, four plots of city-owned land were ceded for the site of the convent, and Doña María de Guzmán was named “first inhabitant and prioress of said Convent.”

You may also consider visiting the Andean Sanctuary Museum, whose collection of frozen mummies sacrificed on the nearby mountain tops, includes the famous ice maiden “Juanita.”

The evening is free for some sightseeing and shopping. Alpaca and Vicuña wool are Arequipa’s finest export and there are plenty of opportunities for treating yourself to some stunning textiles here. You can also enjoy Arequipa’s nightlife and fine dining.

Overnight in Arequipa: Hotel La Hosteria or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 3 (Monday): Drive to Colca Canyon & Free Afternoon to Explore

Driving out of Arequipa you 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 world’s deepest canyons and is home to condors and a fascinating local culture, completely different from any other place you will visit on this trip. You stay overnight in the charming Colca Lodge.

Soaking in the world-class hot springs is the prime activity here, closely followed by exploring the lodge’s restaurant, bar or games room. Horse riding, hiking to local ruins, mountain biking and fishing can all be arranged locally through the in-house adventure company.

Overnight in the Colca Canyon: Colca Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 (Tuesday): Explore Colca Canyon

The 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, which nests in the cliffs of one of the world’s deepest canyons (approx. 3,400 meters deep). Hopefully, you will see the condors soaring in the thermals created by the deep gorge.

From here you return to the lodge including several stops to visit local towns and make the most of the many beautiful photo opportunities on the way. After lunch you can either hike to the nearby pre-Inca ruins, explore the Yanque Museum or have a tour of the unique native culture and weavings in the area.

You could also take advantage of the many activities available through the lodge, or make the most of the fantastic spa facilities. The hot-rock massage is recommended.

Overnight in the Colca Canyon: Colca Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5 (Wednesday): Drive to Lake Titicaca

Today you embark on a spectacular drive through the high Andes, passing beautiful lakes and huge vistas as you travel on new asphalt to Juliaca, and on to our destination of Puno.

En route you can take a visit to Silustani ruins, whose fascinating circular burial chambers pre-date the Incas. The amazing stonework of this early civilization was obviously a strong influence on the famous Inca stone masons.

In Puno you check into a hotel and can explore this interesting town and barter for locally hand-knitted woolen goods.

Overnight in Puno: Hotel Sonesta Posada or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6 (Thursday): Lake Titicaca: Uros Island & Taquile Island

You will board a shared fast boat for a cruise on Lake Titicaca where your private guide explains fully the local history, traditions and agricultural methods as you visit the amazing floating reed islands of Uros. You then journey to Taquile Island for lunch where, if you wish, an extremely tough climb to the top of the island is rewarded by spectacular views of Lake Titicaca before returning to Puno and back to the hotel.

Overnight in Puno: Hotel Sonesta Posada or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7 (Friday): Bus to Cusco

A transfer from your hotel will take you to nearby Puno bus station, for your onward travel to Cusco.

This bus journey from Puno to Cusco includes an English speaking guide on board the bus, which makes stops at Pukara Museum, Abra La Raya, Raqchi, Andahuaylillas and includes a buffet lunch at Restaurant Turistico La Pascana. You are also entitled to free hot drinks on board the bus.

Overnight in Cusco: Hotel Quinta San Blas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8 (Saturday): Free Morning & Local’s Tour of Cusco

Free morning to explore on your own.

Meet in the Coffee Museum at 1pm to enjoy a tasty lunch and learn about the story and people behind this popular drink.

After lunch step out into the Cusco streets and explore with one of our carefully chosen guides. They are not only very knowledgeable but also great fun to be with. You do not want to cram too much in on your first day at altitude, so relax and get used to being up high with a gentle walk around this old Inca capital.

Visit the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the Qoricancha temple of the sun and perhaps take in the sights, sounds and smells of San Pedro food market too. If you normally shop in supermarkets and farmers markets, you are in for a surprise. Stands full of juicy exotic fruits, counters heaving with cow heads and sheep hooves and cheerful local women selling handmade cheeses, local breads, healthy juices and even toad soup.

The evening is free to relax and wander around the UNESCO World Heritage Site city center.

Overnight in Cusco: Hotel Quinta San Blas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9 (Sunday): Hike Cusco Outlying Ruins

Today you stretch your legs with a delightful hike in the hills above Cusco. First you visit the impressive site of Sacsayhuaman. Huge stone ramparts surround a beautiful grass amphitheater. Once the scene of fierce battles it now hosts the annual re-enactment of traditional Inca ceremonies such as Inti Raymi and Warachikuy. Sundays also see families from Cusco head up here to play, fly kites and dig the traditional huatias, a method of cooking potatoes in the ground.

Next is the Inca water temple of Tambo Machay lying at 3700m (12,000 feet) followed by a special picnic lunch. A trail through the fields leads you to the intricately carved Inca Temple of the Moon. From here a beautifully preserved section of royal Inca Trail leads you down into the old San Blas district, home to the city’s artists and finally into the Plaza de Armas.

Hiking distance: 8km / 5mi
Hiking time: A full day includes time to explore
Hiking Elevation: 3750 to 3300m / 12,303ft to 10,827ft

Overnight in Cusco: Hotel Quinta San Blas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10 (Monday): Hike Moray to Maras Salt Pans

Leaving Cusco behind you start your journey towards Machu Picchu. The hike starts at the fascinating circular ruins of Moray. While some think it was a landing pad for alien spaceships, most agree the Incas built this as an experimental agricultural centre. Concentric circular terraces allowed them to simulate different facing slopes and different growing temperatures to see which crops would grow where. They then used this knowledge to cultivate the varied terrain of their vast empire providing abundant amounts of food to feed the people.

After exploring Moray you take a mainly downhill trail through the fields. Depending on the time of year, you may have a chance to stop and chat with local farmers digging their fields of corn or planting potatoes. Perhaps you could have a go with the hand tools that have been used for centuries.

Along the way you stop for a for a homemade picnic with marvellous views across to the snow capped Viilcanota mountains before carrying on down to the spectacular salt pans of Maras. Here you can stop and watch as local families extract the salt by hand, much as they have done for centuries. You could even buy some of the famous Maras Pink Salt as a souvenir. Finally you take the old track down to the Sacred Valley, where once llamas, then horses carried out the salt to be sent across the empire.

Your support vehicle is on hand most of the day, should anyone prefer to take a ride rather than walk at any point.

Hiking distance: 11km / 7mi
Hiking time: 6 hours includes time to explore
Hiking Elevation: 3532 m to 4050m / 11,588ft to 13,288ft

Overnight in Ollantaytambo: Hotel Pakaritampu or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11 (Tuesday): Hike the Royal Inca Trail (km104) to Machu Picchu

You start the day with an early transfer to catch the train towards Machu Picchu. Jumping off at km104 you pass through the control point and begin your Inca Trail trek.

First you visit the recently restored ruins of Chachabamba before gradually ascending through tropical cloud forest up towards the the base of Wiñay Wayna. Here you climb more steeply on old Inca stairways through these beautiful terraces, stopping to explore the various buildings and water features.

Here we can enjoy our packed lunch, with a great view. You then continue on perhaps the loveliest part of the whole Inca Trail. Lush vegetation flanks you on either side, the scent of wild orchids fills the air, and all around you brightly coloured tropical songbirds fill your ears with song.

Soon you will reach a final set of stairs to arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gate-way, Machu Picchu appears laid out before your eyes. After plenty of photos you carry on past this wonder of the world to catch the bus down to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and a well-deserved hotel and shower.

Total hiking distance: 11 km / 7 mi. While walking all you need is your daypack, as your over-night luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Machu Picchu town to await your arrival.

Hiking distance: 12km / 7.5mi
Hiking time: 8 hours
Hiking Elevation: 2100m to 2700m / 6,889ft to 8,858ft

Overnight in Aguas Calientes: El MaPi by Inkaterra or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 12 (Wednesday): Machu Picchu Ruins Tour & Return to Cusco

Today you explore the pinnacle of Inca engineering – Machu Picchu.

For years it was lost to the jungle. Rediscovered in 1911 by the Yale professor Hiram Bingham, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Machu Picchu exceeds all expectations.

This astounding site lies in an even more astonishing location. Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop it is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba river. Things are slightly easier now than in the time of the Incas and so you start your day with a twenty minute bus ride up to the site.

You will arrive early, allowing you to explore the ruins in the company of your guide, before they get too busy. The guided tour takes around two hours leaving you a few hours free to wander amongst the old Inca walls and just sit and take in the scale of the place on your own. For those who want to walk a bit more, you could take the hour long trail up to the Sun Gate, or a shorter trail to visit the Inca Bridge which once spanned a sheer cliff face.

Eventually the time comes to catch the bus down to Machu Picchu Pueblo and board your train back along the Urubamba River. The scenery is beautiful and the train jolts softly along, allowing you to sit, stare out the window and reflect on a wonderful week.

Overnight in Cusco: Hotel Quinta San Blas or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 13 (Thursday): Free Morning & Depart Cusco

Back once more in the old Inca capital you have time to enjoy all that this city has to offer, depending on your flight schedule. Museums, chocolate making classes, souvenir hunting or even just sitting in one of the many cafes and watching the world go by. The new late flights out of Cusco allow you to really maximize your time and get the most out of this holiday of a lifetime.

You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the Cusco Airport in time for your departing flight. Fly Cusco – Lima – home (flights not included).

Meals Included: Breakfast