Day 1 – To Lima: Overnight flight from London to Lima, via Madrid, with LAN. (N)

Day 2 – Lima: Early morning arrival. Transfer to the Miraflores Park for 1 night, including immediate occupancy. Day at leisure / optional excursions. (B)

Day 3 – To Arequipa: Morning tour of colonial and modern Lima, including Casa Aliaga, the oldest colonial mansion in Lima and the architectural masterpiece of San Francisco monastery. Fly over the Andes to Arequipa, an attractive city of beautiful white buildings and colonnaded plazas, surrounded by a dramatic landscape. Stay at the Libertador for 2 nights. (B)

Day 4 – Arequipa: Full-day city tour, including the beautiful Santa Catalina convent, which dates from 1500, and the Juanita Mummy Museum. (B, L)

Day 5 – To the Colca Canyon: Drive into the Andes towards the Colca Canyon (taking approximately four hours, partly on unpaved roads, with stops en route). The scenery is breathtaking, with snowy volcanic peaks, the terraces of the Colca valley and herds of llamas scattered around. Stay 2 nights at Colca Lodge. (B, L)

Day 6 – Colca Canyon: Early morning excursion to Condor’s Cross, where magnificent condors may be seen flying over the canyon. Visit the town of Maca, famed for its pre-Columbian textiles. Afternoon at leisure to take a walk in the canyon or relax in the natural hot springs. (B)

Day 7 – To Lake Titicaca: Travel by road to Puno and Lake Titicaca (approximately six hours). Transfer to the Libertador, set on the shores of the lake, for 2 nights. (B, L)

Day 8 – Lake Titicaca: Full-day tour of the floating reed Uros islands and Taquile island, with a home-cooked lunch prepared by a local family. (B, L)

Day 9 – To Cuzco: Take the stylish Andean Explorer train to Cuzco (approximately 10 hours). Relax over lunch with a pisco sour and music in the observation car as you pass high Andean peaks, mountain streams and rivers, cultivated terraces and small valley towns. Transfer to the Monasteriofor 2 nights. (B, L)

Day 10 – Cuzco: Morning tour of Cuzco, including the San Blas district, the cathedral and the extraordinary Temple of the Sun at Koricancha. Afternoon at leisure in the Inca capital. (B)

Day 11 – To the Sacred Valley: In the morning, travel to the Indian village of Chinchero to see its Inca terraces and a traditional weaving demonstration. Continue to the Urubamba market (Wednesday only), where locals trade their corn and potatoes. After lunch, visit the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo, an astounding feat of construction and ingenuity. Stay overnight in the Aranwa Hotel. (B, L)

Day 12 – To Machu Picchu: Drive to Ollanta and take the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Tour the ruins and stay overnight at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge†. (B, L, D)

Day 13 – To Cuzco‡: Morning at leisure or further explore Machu Picchu (purchase ticket at time of booking). Return to Cuzco by rail and transfer to the Monasterio for 1 night. (B)

Day 14 – To London: Fly to Lima and on to London, via Madrid, with LAN. (B)

Day 15 – London: Afternoon arrival. (N)

NOTES 

† Optional upgrades: Upgrade to Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge on the Superior Tour from £295 per person, subject to availability.

‡ Extra night: You may wish to spend an additional night in Cuzco (from £65 per person). Please advise at the time of booking.

Accessibility: This tour is fully escorted, except for one night at Machu Picchu due to lack of accommodation for guides. The order of the itinerary is designed to allow gradual adjustment to the altitude, while taking in the major sights of Peru. There are some early morning starts and long drives.

Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals