Machu Picchu & the Andes

With jaw-dropping views and once-in-a-lifetime adventures ahead, your South American vacation begins today as you touch down in Lima. Make your way to our modern, four-star hotel in the Miraflores district of the capital city.

Once known as the "City of Kings," Lima is one of South America's most populous cities and holds the title of Latin America's trendiest food destination. Close to the city and the beaches along the Pacific Ocean, there is plenty to see and do near our hotel. We convene this evening in the hotel restaurant for our first meal together. Overnight Lima.

• Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we begin our exploration of Lima on a guided tour. At the city's historic heart, we discover the colorful, well-preserved UNESCO-listed colonial buildings, including the yellow façade of the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco - a prime example of Lima Baroque architecture. After exploring the courtyards, catacombs and Mudéjar ceilings of the cloisters, we walk to the nearby Casa de Aliaga, built in 1535 for a conquistador. Richly painted, this is the oldest private house in the Americas and descendants of Aliaga still reside here.

Delving deeper into Liman history, we visit Huaca Pucllana, the remains of a pre-Incan pyramid that played a ceremonial role for the Lima culture. Lunch is served at the celebrated on-site restaurant and after, there is free time to continue exploring Lima further - or to relax by the Pacific shores.

This evening, you are free to dine independently at one of Lima's many inviting restaurants along the main strip. Overnight Lima.

• Breakfast, Lunch

We take a short internal flight to the southern city of Arequipa after breakfast this morning. Set on the banks of the River Chili, Peru's second city is known as the "White City" due to the striking volcanic stone - called sillar - that was used to construct many of its buildings.

After a lunch of regional cuisine at a local restaurant, we get a panoramic view of this attractive city and its volcanic surroundings from the Carmen Alto viewpoint, where we begin a sightseeing tour. In the charming neighborhood of Yanahuara, we admire the 18th-century Church of St John the Baptist with its ornate mestizo Baroque façade. Returning to the center, we explore Arequipa's main square, Plaza de Armas, which is lined on three sides by white-stone arcades and dominated by the impressive 17th-century cathedral. The stunning Compañia de Jesús Church, built in 1590, displays an intricately carved façade.

You have the rest of the day to relax at our central hotel or stroll to a local restaurant for dinner. Overnight Arequipa.

• Breakfast, Lunch

A guided tour of the remarkable Santa Catalina Monastery awaits after breakfast this morning. Founded in 1579, this vast Dominican complex is an oasis of calm in the heart of Arequipa and has been carefully restored, with its narrow streets, gardens and peaceful cloisters resembling a small walled colonial town. Once home to around 500 nuns who lived with servants, it is now inhabited by a much smaller community who live a much more pious existence.

After exploring the monastery's beautiful alleys and colorful courtyards, the rest of the day is free to uncover Arequipa at leisure, from its elegant plazas to its historic neighborhoods.

This evening, enjoy the city's celebrated culinary scene. Arequipa is a renowned food destination, offering everything from fresh dishes such as soltero de queso and pork-based adobo to the herbal ocopa sauce, local craft beers and the iconic Pisco sour. Peruvian cuisine is making waves around the world - and Arequipa is a popular food destination even with Peruvians.

Overnight Arequipa.

• Breakfast

A coach journey into the mighty Andes awaits today, passing rugged hills and rocky ravines as we travel to the Colca Valley. In the vast wilderness of the pampas, we stop at the National Reserve of Pampa Cañahuas, where alpacas and llamas roam the volcanic grasslands inhabited by indigenous peoples.

The lunar-like landscape continues as we pass by the Nevado Chucura crater and, from the Mirador de los Andes and Mirador de Patapampa viewpoints, we can marvel at the string of volcanoes that surround Arequipa. We pause in the quaint village of Chivay which embraces its past with traditional stone buildings. There is the option to grab a bite to eat here, but we recommend purchasing supplies before departing Arequipa.

We reach Yanque, in the Colca Valley, our home for the next two nights. Our hotel is surrounded by stunning mountains and there is time to unwind in the hot springs and thermal spas before dinner tonight. Overnight Yanque.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Waking to stunning surroundings, we begin our excursion to the remarkable Colca Canyon this morning, the world's second-deepest canyon. Traveling by coach through mountains and terraced valleys shaped long before the Incas, we follow the course of the Rio Colca to the Mirador Cruz del Cóndor. Here, we look out for Andean condors soaring above dramatic scenery and plunging into a deep ravine. These iconic creatures are the largest flying birds in the world with a wingspan of up to nine feet.

After time to explore we continue along the southern edge of the canyon, in the foothills of volcanoes, for lunch in a traditional restaurant. Next, we visit the pre-Inca villages of Coporaque and the Colcas at Chininia, incredible constructions on natural vertical faces. From the vantage point of Ocolle we take a short walk to the ruins of ancient Uyo-Uyo.

On returning to our hotel, you are free to enjoy our hotel's spectacular location and facilities before dining independently tonight. Overnight Yanque.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Our exploration of the Andes continues today as we drive into the high plains of the magical Andean plateau. Reaching heights of up to 14,700ft above sea level, the air is much thinner than at lower altitudes, but this elevation provides fantastic views across the Andes.

Sweeping vistas of open plateau dotted with grazing alpacas and rolling hills accompany us on our journey through this mysterious landscape. A picnic lunch is provided, and we make scenic stops to appreciate the stunning views. We pass volcanoes, forests and the sky-blue Lake Lagunillas, populated with white flamingos, before arriving at our destination of Puno this afternoon.

Considered to be Peru's "folklore capital," Puno sits on the shores of Lake Titicaca. After checking in to our hotel overlooking the waters of South America's largest lake, there is a free evening to explore this enchanting town. Near our hotel, you can find numerous restaurants serving local cuisine including seafood. Overnight Puno.

• Breakfast, Lunch

A highlight of our Peruvian vacation awaits today as we set sail on Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Our first stop is the amazing floating island of the indigenous Uros people, a world away from the cities of Peru. This awe-inspiring settlement of man-made islands is constructed from totora reeds by the pre-Incan people who have lived here for 4,000 years. The pliable plant is also used to create homes and ornate boats.

Next, we sail to Taquile, where the residents speak Quechua - an indigenous language used by the Incans. The locals have established an autonomous society based around sustainable tourism and long-held craft traditions. This UNESCO-listed site is recognized for its handwoven textiles and clothing, and it is the male Taquileños who specialize in knitting while the women spin and dye the wool. We learn more about this fascinating island followed by lunch in a restaurant, before returning across Lake Titicaca to Puno for a free evening.

Our hotel's restaurant serves international and Peruvian cuisine, or head towards Puno, on foot or by taxi, to find a variety of eating places. Overnight Puno.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today we embark on one of the world's most spectacular rail journeys on the PeruRail Titicaca train, from Puno to the Incan capital of Cusco. Setting off after breakfast, a full-day experience sees us pass a procession of amazing Andean scenes as we cross the Peruvian Highlands.

Equipped with numerous dining cars, a bar car and an observatory car with open-air viewing platform, the Titicaca train allows us to absorb the awe-inspiring Altiplano landscapes from the relaxing comfort of elegant 1920s Pullman-style carriages. Enroute, we are served a typical Andean lunch prepared with local ingredients, accompanied by a traditional music and dance show. The train pauses at the highest point on route, the La Raya Pass, which sits more than 14,000 feet above sea level. Here we can view the small chapel or admire the jaw-dropping vistas of untouched, sublime nature.

Arriving in Cusco this evening, we transfer to our charming hotel set within a 17th-century colonial mansion, close to the main square. Dinner is independent and, along with the hotel, there are many restaurants to choose from in the surrounding hillsides. Overnight Cusco.

• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning after breakfast, we begin a half-day tour of Cusco, the historic capital of Peru and once the center of an empire that stretched across much of western South America. Our morning introduces us to some of the most significant Inca and colonial sites, spanning archaeological, religious and military history.

We visit the Incan Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha), constructed in the 15th-century as the physical and spiritual heart of Cusco. Meaning "golden courtyard" in Quechua, the temple was originally covered in 700 sheets of solid gold, before they were removed by Spanish conquistadors and much of the stone was used to construct the adjoining Santo Domingo convent. A highlight of our tour is the astonishing Sacsayhuamán fortress, the largest structure built by the Incas. Its walls are constructed of megalithic rocks, and like Stonehenge, it remains a mystery how these colossal rocks were put in place.

After viewing Cusco's impressive cathedral overlooking the Plaza de Armas, we have lunch at a nearby restaurant before a free afternoon and evening to explore Cusco at leisure. Overnight Cusco.

• Breakfast, Lunch

One of the most enchanting locations in the world, founded around 1450, Machu Picchu was abandoned in 1572 and "lost" until explorer Hiram Bingham became the first non-Peruvian to rediscover it in 1911.

Our journey to this breathtaking citadel begins as we leave Cusco after breakfast, on the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes*. This scenic route winds through the remote Urubamba River valley - also known as the Sacred Valley. On arrival in Aguas Calientes, the doorstep to Macchu Pichu, we board a coach to the magnificent site, nestled on a saddle between two dramatic mountains. Traveling among beautiful scenery through the winding, sacred valley we reach the awe-inspiring "Lost City of the Incas." Here, a local guide explains the origins of its most prominent landmarks such as the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of Three Windows and the Sacred Sundial.

After driving back to Aguas Calientes there is time at leisure before we travel by train to Ollantaytambo and on to our refined hotel in the Sacred Valley, set in a former colonial monastery in Yucay, where we have a three-course dinner tonight. Overnight Yucay.

*Please note, the timing of our Machu Picchu excursion may vary today, depending on the entrance time we are given.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today begins with a coach excursion to Chinchero, an authentic Andean town with great views of the Sacred Valley - one of Peru's most important locations. Here, we take a guided tour of the historic town, known for its archaeological remains, craft market and the first Catholic church in Peru.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we return to Ollantaytambo for a guided tour of this town at the center of the royal Incan estate. This archetypal Andean town exudes character as well as a long history. The ancient fortress, although in ruins, is a sight to behold with important features such as the Sun Temple and Princess Baths fountain. In the Old Town, we discover an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings sheltered by the surrounding mountains rich with ancient ruins and sweeping views.

We transfer back to our hotel in Yucay after our tour for an evening at leisure, where you are free to unwind and dine independently. Overnight Yucay.

• Breakfast, Lunch

On this fascinating exploration of Peru, we have uncovered many Inca landmarks, from the jaw-dropping site of Machu Picchu and the mysterious Sacred Valley to stunning Cusco, the welcoming Inca capital. We have witnessed the splendor of condors soaring above the Colca Canyon, sailed to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca and discovered the thriving and historical cities of Lima and Arequipa.

As your vacation ends this morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Making your way to Lima's international airport, you can begin your journey home.

• Breakfast