Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Lima for the start of your trip.
| OVERNIGHT: Lima Hotel
Departing Lima, our tour begins with a trip south to the Ballestas Islands nestled in the Paracas National Reserve. We enjoy a boat ride here to view the incredible concentration of rare and exotic birds and sea mammals which make this one of the most important marine reserves in the world.
| OVERNIGHT: Ica hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
This morning we make the short drive through the Ica Desert to the heart of Peru’s wine region. Visiting the Tacama winery we have the chance to sample the local wine as well as the country’s national drink, Pisco. We then head to the nearby Oasis of Huacachina – a palm fringed lake surrounded by sand dunes where we can relax on the beach and enjoy a swim before we take things up a notch with a thrill inducing dune buggy ride over the massive sand dunes. This evening enjoy the desert sunset as we make camp and sleep under the stars.
| OVERNIGHT: Camping
| MEALS: Breakfast
Today we travel to one of South America’s most mysterious sites as we visit the intriguing Nazca Lines. Believed to have been present for over 2,000 years these huge figures carved into the desert floor were only discovered 80 years ago from the air and as such there are many contrasting theories as to what they actually signify – feel free to ask the locals! We then head to the Chauchilla Cemetery famous for its well-preserved mummies before saying goodbye to the Atacama Desert to begin our climb into the Andes towards Arequipa.
| OVERNIGHT: Arequipa
| MEALS: Breakfast
The next four days are spent in and around Colca Canyon and the surrounding areas. We include an overnight visit to the Colca Canyon, which at 900m is not only one of the deepest in the world but also the home of the majestic Condors. Here you can view the condors circling lazily in the thermals rising from the canyon floor. Some of the other activities available to arrange in this beautiful part of Peru include white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking.
| OVERNIGHT: Arequipa hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Full day in and around Colca Canyon to enjoy optional activitis including white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking.
| OVERNIGHT: Arequipa hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Full day in and around Colca Canyon to enjoy optional activitis including white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking.
| OVERNIGHT: Arequipa hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Full day in and around Colca Canyon to enjoy optional activitis including white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking.
| OVERNIGHT: Arequipa hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
An overnight coach journey carries us through the Andes to Cuzco – the adventure capital of Peru and starting point of the Inca trail. We will be based here for the next 7 days as we seek to explore the dramatic landscape and learn about the unique cultures that have existed here for thousands of years. Arriving early morning we have chance to tour the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, home to temples, terrace fields and bustling local markets before returning to Cuzco for a good night’s sleep in preparation of our trek the next day.
| OVERNIGHT: Cuzco Hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
We head out early from Cuzco to the Urubamba Valley from where we begin our 4-day trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. A stunning combination of panoramic views, Inca ruins and magnificent mountains make this one of the most exotic adventures in the world. Reaching over 4,200m in places the trail winds up through lush valleys and tiny, hospitable villages where we spend the nights. All guides and porters are included on the trek.
| OVERNIGHT: Basic accommodation
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day spent trekking along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
| OVERNIGHT: Basic accommodation
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day spent trekking along the Inca trail to Machu Picchu.
| OVERNIGHT: Basic accommodation
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we complete our trek to Machu Picchu then we return to Cuzco by train.
| OVERNIGHT:
Cuzco hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast
To help recover from our trek we have 2 free days in Cuzco. Feel free to explore more of the city and its museums and churches or look for local crafts from Alpaca woollen jumpers to Andean musical instruments and local jewellery. If you still have the energy you can arrange an adventurous white water rafting trip on either the Urubamba or Apurimac River.
| OVERNIGHT: Cuzco hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Full day free to explore more of Cuzco or enjoy some of the many optional activities available.
| OVERNIGHT: Cuzco hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
We depart Cuzco today by plane and fly to the town of Puerto Maldonado on the edge of the Tambopata - Candamo Reserve. Entering the Reserve by boat we cruise along the Madre de Dios River until we reach our jungle lodge which will be the base for the next 3 nights. In the afternoon join our local knowledgeable guides as they explain the flora and fauna you are likely to see in the jungle.
| OVERNIGHT: Jungle Lodge
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
During our time in the reserve our guide will take us on walks and canoe trips to discover the amazing array of plant, bird, animal and insect life in the jungle. We can walk to one of the ox-bow lakes that abound with exotic birdlife or take a boat onto the lake in the hope of seeing giant river otters and caimans. Our guide will teach us about the traditional uses of the plants and trees and point out different types of monkey, macaw and moth!
| OVERNIGHT: Jungle Lodge
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day spent enjoying optional jungle activities in the Candamo Reserve.
| OVERNIGHT: Jungle Lodge
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We leave the jungle this morning by boat back to Puerto Maldonado where we will board our flight back to the capital Lima.
| OVERNIGHT: None
included with
Airport transfer on arrival in Lima
Ballestas Islands boat tour
Overnight desert camp & barbeque
Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu (4 day trek including all meals and guide)
Entrance to Machu Picchu
Return train from Machu Picchu
Flight back from Cusco to Lima
4-day jungle trip (includes all meals, daily excursions, jungle guides, flights to/from the jungle & airport transfers)
All accommodation (small & simple hotels & guesthouses & 3 nights camping on Inca Trail)
Meals as per itinerary (approx 40%)
Services of tour leader
All local transport
excluded by
Airport transfers from internal flights
Optional excursions as listed in the pre-departure information
International flights
End of trip airport transfers
Meals not specified
Travel Insurance
Entrance fees to sites visited
Airport Taxes
Drinks
Visas
Tips
Detailed Description
Get an in depth insight into the lost land of the Incas including Machu Picchu on this 19 day tour through Peru. We begin our journey in Lima before heading south to the Paracas National Reserve where we get to see many birds and marine mammals on a boat ride through the Ballestas Islands. In the morning we travel through the Ica Desert before we reach our destination of Peru's wine regoin, we have the chance to visit a winery before heading on to the Oasis of Huacachina where we get the adrenaline pumping with a dune buggy ride before enjoying an amazing sunset and a night under the stars. In the morning visit the incredible Nazca lines whose origin is still debated to this day. We spend tonight in Arequipa. Up next is an incredible 4 days exploring Colca Canyon, soak up the incredible beauty of this region or take in some optional extras like white water rafting, cycling, horse riding and trekking. We then head on to Cuzco where we have the chance to see some nearby Peruvian sites before spending a night at our hotel in Cuzco preparing for our next big adventure! The next morning we depart early from Cuzco and travel to the Urubamba Valley, this is where our 4 day trek along the Inca Trail begins. We trek through the the Andes along this famous trail to the breathtaking Machu Picchu before defending and catching the train back to Cuzco. We then have a free day to recover from the trek or explore Cuzco. The next day we depart Cuzco by plane and fly to the town of Puerto Maldonado on the edge of the Tambopata in the jungle. We enter this jungle paradise by boat and head to our jungle lodge where we spend the next 3 nights. We will take guided walks and canoe trips to discover the incredinle array of plant, bird, animal and insect life in the jungle. We will see exotic birdlife and we will take a boat onto the lake in the hope of seeing giant river otters and caimans. Our guide will teach us about the traditional uses of the plants and trees and point out different types of monkey, macaw and moth! The next morning we depart the jungle by boat and then fly to Lima, ending our amazing journey through this amazing country.
