Peru has so much to offer the curious traveller and this trip takes in the essence of this fascinating country plus the opportunity to walk the iconic Inca Trail too. From Inca ruins to vibrant city culture and everything in between, the trip travels from the capital, Lima, south to Lake Titicaca on the border with Bolivia. Along the way, we visit the stunning city of Arequipa; the imposing Colca Canyon with its majestic condors; the floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca; the wonderous city of Cusco; Peru’s Sacred Valley and, last but not least, we walk the Inca Trail to the once lost Incan citadel of Machu Picchu. It is the perfect opportunity to visit the varied landscape of Peru within a small group.

Itinerary (subject to change)

Day 01: Take an overnight flight to Lima

Day 02: Arrival and private transfer to our hotel in Miraflores, Lima. Time to settle in before a holiday briefing.

Day 03: Lima sightseeing tour taking in, amongst other things, Downtown Lima, a UNESCO site and the Larco Museum.

Day 04: Fly to Arequipa, called the “White City” due to its use of white volcanic stone. Enjoy a guided tour of this vibrant city and its imposing architecture.

Day 05: Today we drive to Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world, home to condors and a unique local culture.

Day 06: Visit Cruz de Condor to witness condors soaring above on the thermals created by the gorge below. Visit local towns on the return to Colca Canyon. Optional walking or cultural activity in the afternoon. Hot springs and spa available at the hotel too.

Day 07: We enjoy a spectacular drive through the high Andes, taking in beautiful lakes and expansive views. We stop off at Silustani to learn about this fascinating pre-Inca burial site before arriving in Puno, the gateway to Lake Titicaca.

Day 08: Lake Titicaca awaits today as we take a boat to the famous floating reed islands of Uros and then on to Taquile known for its weaving. The clear sapphire water and deep blue skies are truly mesmerising.

Day 09: Today we head to the beautiful city of Cusco by bus across the high plains, stopping off at spectacular locations along the way.

Day 10: Our local guide will take us on a Cusco city tour starting in the impressive Plaza de Armas and taking in the highlights of this welcoming city. The afternoon is free to explore the artisan markets, relax in the main square or walk up to one of the viewpoints overlooking the city.

Day 11: Today we visit the Inca ruins near Cusco including Sacsayhuaman with its huge stone ramparts, a feat of Inca engineering. We then explore Tambo Machay, an Inca water temple and the Inca Temple of the Moon. From here we walk down into the old San Blas district with its craft stalls and boutique cafes.

Day 12: The Sacred Valley is a fascinating area to explore and we visit Pisac, a picturesque Andean village, the impressive Maras salt pans plus the Inca fortress town of Ollantaytambo.

Day 13: Morning visit to the old Inca town of Ollantaytambo. After a look around this ‘Living Inca Museum’, we have a short drive to the trail-head at Piscacucho where we start the Inca Trail.

Day 14 Inca Trail: Llactapata to Llulluchapampa

Day 15 Inca Trail: Llulluchapampa to Phuyupatamarca

Day 16 Inca Trail: Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu

Day 17: Machu Picchu is today’s destination and we take a guided tour of these iconic and much photographed ruins. The return train journey to Cusco is one of the great train journeys of the world along the dramatic Sacred Valley.

Day 18: Today we head to Cusco airport for our international flight.

Day 19: Arrive home after an overnight flight.

For a full itinerary with details of the Inca Trail please contact us quoting Essence of Peru and Inca Trail

To help with jet lag, it is possible to add an extra night or two at the start of the holiday. Lima is a wonderful city to explore. If you would like to stay on in Cusco and visit Palcoyo, the quieter alternative to the Rainbow Mountain, then this is highly recommended. We can also share details of extensions to the Amazon.