The programme includes visits to the cities of Lima, Arequipa, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Sacred Valley of the Incas and a full-day excursion by train to Machu Picchu Inca Citadel.
Day 1: Arrival in Peru
Arrival at Lima. Transfer to hotel and city tour in the afternoon.
Day 2: LIMA / PARACAS / NAZCA
We will travel 280 km south along the Panamerican highway along the desert coast through fertile irrigated valleys where farmers grow cotton, asparagus, and other crops. In the afternoon we visit Paracas National Park, which was once home to the culture of the same name. Here we see one of the world's most beautiful desert landscapes and visit the small fishing ports in the area. The park is the natural habitat of seals, pelicans, seagulls, and many other species. Transfer to hotel.
Day 3: NAZCA / AREQUIPA
We will have the opportunity to fly over the famous Nazca lines on an optional excursion before driving almost 600 km south to Arequipa. After 6 or 7 hours we begin to climb into the foothills of the Andes to Arequipa at ( 2,400 m ) Transfer to hotel.
Day 4: AREQUIPA / JULIACA / PUNO
In the morning we will visit Peru's second largest city Arequipa to see the Santa Catalina convent, the cathedral, the Jesuit church and the modern city surrounded by fertile fields hemmed in by the high desert and the Andes. In the afternoon we will transfer to the airport in Arequipa for our flight to Juliaca, from where we will transfer to our hotel in Puno.
Day 5: PUNO / UROS / SILLUSTANI / CUSCO
In the early morning we will board the vessel that will take us across the highest freshwater lake and head north to the famous pre-Inca burial towers at Sillustani, on the edge of Lake Umayo. We cross a high plateau to La Raya at 4,318 m, from where we will descend through spectacular Andean valleys and little towns nestled in fertile fields on our way to Cusco. Transfer to hotel.
Day 6: CUSCO CITY TOUR
In the morning we visit the colonial and Inca attractions of Cusco, including Koricancha, the Sun temple and the San Blas district, which is famous for its crafts. That afternoon we visit the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, Q'enko, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machay before returning to our hotel in the early evening.
Day 7: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS / URUBAMBA
In the morning we travel by private bus to one of Peru's greatest natural and archeaological treasures, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After a 30 kilometre drive we arrive at the colourful Andean market of Pisac, where we will also visit the Inca ruins high above the village. That afternoon we drive 45 kilometers through the valley to the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo before returning to our hotel in Urubamba.
Day 8: URUBAMBA / MACHUPICCHU / CUSCO
In the early morning we return to Ollantaytambo, from where we take the train to Machu Picchu. We will visit this magnificent Inca citadel in the company of an expert guide, before having time to explore the ruins individually. We will then return to Aguas Calientes from where we will board the train returning to Cusco. Transfer to hotel.
Day 9: CUSCO / LIMA CITY AND GOLD MUSEUM
Early in the morning we will be transferred to Cusco airport for our flight to Peru's capital, Lima. Our tour through historic and modern Lima will take us to the Cathedral, San Francisco church and the Gold Museum. Transfer to the airport.