Classic Peru

Arrive Lima and check-in at hotel.

This morning we transfer back to the airport and fly to the beautiful city of Arequipa. This afternoon is left free for you to explore and acclimatise.

This morning we visit Santa Catalina Convent, a miniature walled town which once housed 450 nuns and serving ladies in total seclusion. The rest of the day is free to explore this beautiful city, situated at 2380m and surrounded by snow-capped mountains including the perfect conical peak of El Misti (5822m). Arequipa is famed for its colonial architecture and the arcaded city square, dominated on one side by the twin towered cathedral (1612), is among the finest to be found in South America.

This morning we head north where we enter the world of the Altiplano. We pass behind the volcanoes that ring Arequipa and on to Chivay. Passing herds of Llama and Alpaca - if lucky we may spot the elusive Vicuña. Today we briefly reach the highest point of our trip at 4,910m where we stop for a photo before descending towards Colca Canyon.

From Chivay we make an early start to the mirador Cruz del Condor in the hope of spotting the rare Andean Condor. Seeing these magnificent birds in flight is a highlight of any tour. We continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca: the highest navigable lake in the world at an elevation of 3,820m, and the legendary birthplace of the Inca civilisation. The local Aymara and Quechua-speaking Indian people have adapted over generations to life at altitude and have larger lungs, hearts and spleens, and blood that is particularly rich in red corpuscles.

From Puno we take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to explore the floating reed islands, home to the Uros people who live on the lake itself. Their islands are made from totura, a reed-like papyrus that grows in the shallows and is used in most aspects of their life, including the construction of their boats and homes. We then continue to the less visited island of Taquile which has preserved much of its Inca and pre-Inca heritage and the islanders still speak the language of the Inca - Runa Simi or Quechua. We take our time walking across the island and we will have the chance to buy locally produced embroidery - the men's handiwork for once. This evening there will be the option to visit a local folklore show before returning to our local village house for our overnight stay on the island.

This morning we have the option to visit the local Inca ruins before descending to the docks and taking our lunchtime boat back to Puno. This afternoon there is the option to visit the Yavari Steamer Ship or the local market.

Today we follow the legendary route taken by the first Inca ruler - Manco Capac - on his way to find Cusco. During our bus journey we stop at the beautifully scenic site of Sillustani - a fitting home for the chullpas (funeral towers), which probably date from the 14th century. Driving up to the northern limit of the Altiplano we cross La Raya pass (4335m) and descend to Cusco. Depending on time, those who wish may visit the colonial church at Andahuaylillas or the Inca temple ruins at Raqchi (optional) The scenery is desolate but magnificent and we may spot flocks of llamas and alpacas grazing on the windswept pastures. We arrive late afternoon at this fascinating mountain city and check into our hotel.

The old capital of the Inca Empire survives only in its ruins, imbued with an atmosphere of mystery and grandeur. The Spanish colonial city, with its attractive pink tiled roofs, arcaded plazas and steep winding alleyways, stands upon tremendous Inca foundation stones. This morning we take a walking tour of this lovely city to see important Inca and Colonial monuments, such as Plaza de Armas, the Koricanha and the Inca wall of Hatunrumiyoc with its famous twelve-sided stone. The stone, measuring some 5 feet across, has the typical bevelled joints which create the patterns of light and shadow on Inca walls. We also visit one of the outlying Inca sites - Cusco's temple-citadel, Saqsaywaman which broods high above the town, its huge, zigzagging stone walls broken into 66 sharply projecting angles to catch attackers in a withering crossfire. 20,000 conscripted workers toiled for 90 years to finish it.

Today has been left free for further sightseeing in and around the Cusco area.

We take an early morning train along the side of the Rio Urubamba, flanked by high cliffs and peaks, then climb by bus to Machu Picchu - the famous Lost City at 2,400m. The existence of this exquisite masterpiece of ancient civilisation remained unknown to the outside world until it was 'discovered' by an American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham in 1911. We explore this mountain-top stronghold - the most spectacular feat of engineering in ancient America. Returning to the valley floor, we stay in a simple hostal in Aguas Calientes, with the chance to soak in the nearby natural hot baths.

We have another chance this morning to explore the site and if you want to have a very early start it may be possible to catch sunrise. It is also possible to climb the steep and difficult peak of Huayna Picchu to look down on the Temple of the Sun. This must be pre-paid at time of booking. If you change your passport between your time of booking and prior to travel please take your original passport with you to avoid being fined. Alternatively, you can walk along part of the Inca Trail to the Gate of the Sun. Later we take the train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to our hotel.

Today is a free day with a wide choice of things to do. For river-lovers there is a the opportunity of a raft-trip (optional) down the Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This is an exciting way to see the valley and no previous experience of rafting is necessary - full instruction and safety equipment are provided. There is also the opportunity to visit Misminay, home to many of the porters who work along the Inca Trail and within the valley itself. We can learn a little more about the lives of these descendants of the ancient Inca during our visit. Alternatively you could visit Maras and Moray where hot springs at the top of the valley have been diverted into terraced saltpans. Ollantaytambo itself is also worth spending time in; during the Inca Empire it was the royal state of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region and built the town as a ceremonial centre. After our sight seeing or rafting is finished we will drive back to Cusco for our final evening.

Our trip ends this morning after breakfast.