Southern Treasures of Peru

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transfer to the airport to catch a flight (not included) to Arequipa in the south of the country. On arrival in Arequipa, you will be transferred to your selected hotel in the city. In the afternoon, head for a tour of Peru’s third-biggest city, which is popularly known as the ‘White City’ because of the sillar volcanic rock used in many of its most famous landmarks. Start off at the main square, Plaza de Armas, admiring its elegant colonial buildings such as the neo-Renaissance style basilica cathedral before visiting the sensational Santa Catalina convent, which for centuries was a forbidden city within a city, closed off from prying eyes and the influences of the outside world. Continue to the Church of the Company, perhaps the greatest masterpiece of Peruvian baroque, to study its fascinating façade. Finally, head to the residential districts of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Mt Misti volcano rising above the city on the horizon. Overnight in Arequipa (B)

Depart Arequipa after breakfast at the hotel, driving through the Yura district en route to the Colca Valley. Continue through the Pampa Cañahuas Reserve, an extensive plain populated by vicuñas, one of the four indigenous Andean camelids found all over Peru. Cross through the pampas of Viscachani and Toccra, skirting the crater of the Chucura Volcano to reach the Los Andes scenic lookout in Patapampa, which is 4,800 meters above sea level. From here, you can see the various volcanoes that surround Arequipa. Lunch is in the picturesque town of Chivay with a transfer in the afternoon to your selected hotel in the Colca Valley. Rest of the day free at leisure or you may visit the local hot springs. Overnight in Colca Valley (B,L,D)

After breakfast at the hotel, prepare for a day of high drama with a trip to the breathtaking Condor Cross lookout. Take a deep breath and appreciate the sheer vastness of the Colca Valley, which is one of the world’s deepest canyons with a maximum depth of more than 4,160 meters – twice that of the Grand Canyon. Descend to the valley floor to discover some of the rustic towns on the banks of the River Colca such as Chivay, Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma and Yanque, where quaint colonial churches are as much as part of the scenery as the peaks of the Andes. There are also stops at the lookouts of Antahuilque and Choquetico to admire majestic views of the valley. Continue to the Ocolle lookout to admire the pre-Inca agricultural terraces known as ‘the Amphitheatre’ and then hike to the Uyo Uyo archaeological site. Return to and drop off at your hotel. Overnight in Colca Valley. (B,L,D)

Today after breakfast, morning free at leisure. After lunch at the hotel, take to the road for Puno on the western shore of Lake Titicaca. The route cuts through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve and takes in the stunning ‘stone forests’ of Patahuasi. The landscapes and scenery could not be more forbidding yet enchanting, with a combination high plains, unusual rock formations and lagoons populated by cranes drying their wings in the icy wind above the water. On arrival in Puno, transfer to your selected accommodation for check-in, with the rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight in Puno (B,L)

After breakfast, transfer to the shore of Lake Titicaca after breakfast to enjoy a motor boat cruise, lighting at a number of the islands in the lake. The first stop is at the unique Uros Islands. There are more than 40 of these floating islets, which are made entirely from totora reeds plucked from the lake. Meet the Aymara-speaking islanders, learn all about the making of the islands, their lifespan and upkeep while exploring these marvels of engineering made using only primitive materials and methods. Board the boat again to continue the voyage of discovery at timeless Taquile island, where the Quechua-speaking residents have maintained their ancient social system and earned a reputation for their fine hand-weaving technique.Have lunch then return to Puno. Overnight in Puno (B,L)

Savor breakfast at the hotel before taking to the road for Cusco. Transfer from your hotel to the station to take the bus to the former Inca capital. Travel through the jaw-dropping landscapes of the highland plateau, which are dotted by Andean hamlets and herds of grazing llamas and vicuñas. Stop en route at the archaeological site of Pukara, which dates from 200BC to 300AD, as well as in Raqchi to admire the ruins of an Inca temple built to worship Wiracocha, one of the most important Inca gods. There is one more stop before Cusco at Andahuaylillas, a picturesque town famed for the beautiful 16th century Church of St Peter the Apostle. It boasts a gilded baroque interior and frescoes so delicate that it is known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of America’. Upon arrival in Cusco, you are met at the bus station by a representative and transferred to your selected hotel in the city. Overnight in Cusco (B,L)

Today after breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Continue to the Plaza de Armas to visit the Cathedral. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheater of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practiced agricultural rituals. Finally, visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls and towers can still be appreciated. Return to and drop off at your hotel. Overnight in Cusco (B)

Savor breakfast at the hotel before departing for Pisac, a historic town on the valley floor, to wander through its market. Continue to the Pisac archaeological site, which has the largest complex of terraces in the area and is a masterpiece of the agriculture of the Inca Empire. Break for lunch in a local diner before continuing to late Inca period Ollantaytambo fortress, which controlled access to the Sacred Valley. The site is a huge archaeological complex which, although it is known as a ‘fortress’, was actually a tambo, a leisure city used to accommodate delegations that traveled long distances. Drop off at your selected hotel. Overnight in Sacred Valley (B,L)

After breakfast at the hotel, take a train to Ollanta Station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. Following a scenic journey through dramatic Andean landscapes, arrive at the station in Aguas Calientes. Here you board a coach for a 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu itself. The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ had lain abandoned in the heavens for four centuries until American explorer Hiram Bingham happened upon it in 1911. The Spaniards never found it so it was spared the destruction they wrought on other Inca sites. A guide explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel and the most prominent landmarks among the 200 or so buildings such as the monumental Main Square, the Royal Quarters, and the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch at the famous Café Inkaterra, a beautiful thatched-roof restaurant hemmed in between the railway and a mountain. Overnight in Aguas Calientes (B,L)

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a free morning. We strongly recommend that you wake early today and make your way to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu. This is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience. The best views are from Huayna Picchu, which is about 360 meters above Machu Picchu and boasts an underground temple complex, and Inti Punku, which offers even better views from some 390 meters above the citadel. Another option is the Inca Bridge, a secret military trail, which controlled access to the citadel. In the afternoon, return by train to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco (B)

After breakfast, a transportation service and guide will pick you up from your hotel at the established time and transfer you to the airport. (B)