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.
DAY 1 Arrive into LimaUpon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Lima for the start of your trip.
OVERNIGHTLima Hotel
DAY 2 Lima. Drive to Ballestas IslandsDeparting 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.
OVERNIGHTBallestas Islands
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 3 Drive through the Ica Desert to the Oasis of HuacachinaThis 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.
OVERNIGHTCamping
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 4 Visit the Nazca Lines & Chauchilla Cemetery. Drive to ArequipaToday 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.
OVERNIGHTArequipa
MEALSBreakfast
DAYS 5-8 Colca CanyonThe 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.
OVERNIGHTColca Canyon
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 9 Arrive in Cuzco. Sacred Valley of the Incas tourAn 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.
OVERNIGHTCuzco Hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAYS 10-13 Begin Inca Trail. Trek to Machu PichuWe 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 4200m 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. Once we have completed the trek we return to Cuzco by train.
OVERNIGHTBasic Accommodation
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 14-15 Cuzco. Free timeTo 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.
OVERNIGHTCuzco Hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 16 Cuzco. Fly to Puerto Maldonado. Arrive in Tambopata - Candamo ReserveWe 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.
OVERNIGHTJungle Lodge
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 17-18 Tambopata – Candamo Reserve. Walks and canoe tripsDuring 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!
OVERNIGHTJungle Lodge
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 19 Transfer to Puerto Maldonado for flight to LimaWe leave the jungle this morning by boat back to Puerto Maldonado where we will board our flight back to the capital Lima.
OVERNIGHTNone