Highlights of Peru with River Amazon add-on

Your itinerary

Day 1: UK/Lima

Meet your travelling companions in the executive lounge prior to your scheduled flight to Lima. (Passengers on regional flights will arrive late evening at the hotel for a two night stay).

Day 2: Lima

Morning arrival at your hotel for a one night stay. Lima the ‘City of Kings’, was founded in 1535 by the Spanish Conquistador, Francisco Pizarro and much of Spain’s colonial influence can still be seen. Beautiful squares, fine churches and mansions have changed little since the 17th century. Our included afternoon city tour takes us to see the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Presidential Palace. Relax this afternoon or perhaps visit the fascinating pre-Inca and Inca artefacts in the city’s many museums. This evening enjoy a welcome drink before an included dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 3: Lima/Cuzco

We fly to Cuzco for a four night stay. Arriving at the colonial town with time to relax and acclimatise to the high altitude.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Cuzco

The former Inca capital, Cuzco features a fascinating combination of Inca and colonial architecture in its mansions, churches, cobbled streets lined with Inca built stone walls, and the mighty ruins of the stone Sacsayhuaman Fortress, set against the vibrant green of the mountains. We include a morning introductory tour of Cuzco and the surrounding Inca sites. Your afternoon is free to explore further. Take the opportunity to shop for Andean handicrafts and silver jewellery at the markets and boutiques or relax in a street café.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Pisac

Join the optional full day tour today to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our excursion begins with a visit to the small village of Pisac, the colourful village is awash with enticing markets and shops selling all manner of handicraft items. After your included lunch we continue to the impressive Inca ruins of the Ollantaytambo fortress and temple. The area is a delightful example of the Inca building style, it was being built at the time when the Spanish invaded therefore much the building was abandoned and remained unfinished. The partially completed complex is what remains today.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Machu Picchu

We explore the famous ruined city of Lima Machu Picchu, discovered by an American, Hiram Bingham in 1911, and the highlight of any visit to Peru. Perched inaccessibly above a steep valley swathed in dense jungle and known as the ‘Lost City’, the true reason it was built here remains a mystery. We travel to Machu Picchu by narrow gauge railway and take the bus up to mist-shrouded mountain tops and the captivating ruins. Lunch is included today.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 7: Puno

This morning we leave Cusco behind. Our journey takes you across the Altiplano plains, where the Andes are at their widest, to the town of Puno set on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Relax as your journey takes you through traditional communities where you will witness rural life, gaining an insight into the fascinating country. Later this afternoon we will arrive at our hotel where we will stay for two nights.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 8: Lake Titicaca

Covering a vast 3,500 square miles, Lake Titicaca forms the natural border between Bolivia and Peru. 12,500ft up in the mighty Andes, it’s the world’s highest navigable lake and the legendary birthplace of the Incas. We take a boat trip to the floating Uros Islands. Made from a thick type of reed called ‘totora’, which sprouts from the lake, they have been home to local Indians for centuries. After an included picnic lunch, we visit the pre-Inca burial site at Sillustani.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Puno/Limo

We fly back to Lima for an overnight stay and farewell get-together this evening. Dinner is included.

Days 10 - 13: River Amazon Add-on

Available on all dates. Journey into the heart of the Peruvian Amazon and its spectacular rainforest with this terrific four night add-on. Here you will see the wildlife and lush vegetation deep within this extraordinary region of the world – a truly unique opportunity, memories of which will remain with you for years to come. You will spend two nights full board in an Amazon rainforest lodge and one additional night bed and breakfast in Lima and one night in flight.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 14: Lima/UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK and arrival next day.