PERU EXPLORER

Day 1
The group flights depart London this evening.

Day 2
The group flights arrive in Lima this morning and on arrival we will be transferred to our hotel. There will be some free time before our afternoon tour of colonial and modern Lima. We visit the modern residential district of Lima and then explore the historical downtown area. We will discover the Plaza de Armas, cathedral and presidential palace as we take a short walk around the colonial centre, and we visit the incredible church of San Francisco, which houses one of the oldest libraries in the Americas and sits on top of a labyrinthine network of catacombs which still house the bones of Lima's wealthy 18th and 19th century residents.

Day 3
We drive south from Lima today, visiting Pachacamac Fortress, the Incas' largest coastal city at the time of the conquest. We stop for a late lunch on fresh seafood at the attractive fishing village of Pucusana. A stroll around the village where the day's catch is displayed at the market and a boat ride around the bay offer great insights to a contemporary Peruvian coastal town. We continue southwards to the town of Paracas where we spend the night.

Day 4
A short drive from our hotel takes us to the port where we board our launch to visit the world famous Ballestas Islands, a national park which contains the highest concentration of marine birds in the world. There are sea lions and numerous species of birds on the islands themselves and we will also see the Paracas Candelabra, a curious pre-Inca design on the cliff-face, only recognisable from the sea. We drive on to Nazca in the afternoon, stopping first at the interesting Ica archaeological museum, and visit the viewing platforms close to the famous Nazca Lines. These are one of the world's great archaeological mysteries, consisting of enormous figures and patterns etched in the desert sand, best seen from the elevated position of the viewing platforms. There should also be time for optional visits to the nearby Antonini archaeological museum, a pre-Inca cemetery, or the Nazca Aqueduct, which gives an insight into the Nazca civilisation's ingenious subterranean irrigation system.

Day 5
Today we have a long drive south through the coastal desert, with great views of the dunes and the Pacific Ocean, before we turn inland into the mountains on the road to Arequipa.

Day 6
Arequipa is a beautiful colonial city set in a fertile oasis, with many historic buildings characterised by their use of white volcanic stone from the nearby Misti, whose dramatic cone dominates the town. In the morning we visit the Cathedral, the Jesuit church of La Compañia and the huge serene convent of Santa Catalina, which retains typical features from the 16th and 17th centuries and is a peaceful refuge for the nuns who still live here today.

Day 7
A spectacular drive takes us to the Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons. On the way we pass volcanoes and will see almost certainly see vicuñas in the highlands before we cross the Patapampa Pass (4850m) which marks the descent into the canyon itself. The sight of the green and fertile terraces of the canyon as we take the winding road to the town of Chivay is a real contrast to the barren yet beautiful landscapes we have travelled through for most of the day. This is the first day where we may feel the effects of altitude - although we do not linger at the top of the pass we spend the night at around 3600m and so it is a good idea to take it easy on arrival in Chivay.

Day 8
Today we have a full day exploring the Colca Canyon, starting with a visit to the Cruz del Condor, the best place to see the mighty Andean condors as they glide on the morning thermals. We also see ancient tombs which line the cliffs on one side of the canyon, and make stops in the villages along the way which house several interesting colonial churches. Depending on time, we may take a short walk along farm tracks to learn more about the agriculture on which the whole region is dependent. After a long day of exploration, an optional visit to the hot springs near Chivay this evening is a wonderful way to relax.

Day 9
Today we drive through the mountains to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. En route we have opportunities to see vicuñas and possibly flamingos before making a short visit to the unique burial towers (chullpas) of Sillustani. The altitude here (3800m) makes physical effort very tiring and the evenings very cold so taking time to rest is highly recommended.

Day 10
We have a full day on and around Lake Titicaca, visiting the descendants of the Uros Indians, who live on islands of floating reeds and, save for a few modest concessions to the modern world, still live as their ancestors would have done centuries ago. These days, although tourism has had a significant economic impact on the islands, the Indians still use a barter system to trade with those living on the mainland, and fishing and weaving remain key elements of their daily life. An afternoon of exploration with short walks is designed to highlight the culture of the indigenous groups who inhabit the small towns and villages alongside the lake.

Day 11
Today we take a bus ride across the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungles. Although it is quite a long drive, it is interesting and often spectacular. There are scheduled stops along the route to visit some of the most interesting sites to help break up the day and we get a feeling for the immensity of the Andean landscapes. These include Pucapucara, a pre-Inca town, and La Raya Pass, the watershed and geographical dividing line between the altiplano and the Vilcanota Valley where Raqchi Inca temple is located. We arrive in Cuzco in the evening.

Day 12
We visit the colourful market at Pisac, at the entrance to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and afterwards enjoy a walking tour of the huge Inca ruins above the village. We drive down the valley to Ollantaytambo where we visit the immense Inca fortress and explore the unique village whose streets still fillow the pre-conquest grid plan. For those that would like to, we will also visit the Rainbow Centre in Urubamba. This is a centre set up for children with special needs. You will be shown round the school, meet the volunteers and children and get told more about the project. Please note that this is entirely optional and those who don't wish to visit the project could spend a pleasant hour wandering around the charming town of Urubamba. If you would like to bring anything for the children or donate to the project, this would naturally be very well received. For more details on the project, please see the Responsible Tourism section.

Day 13
Today the group divides between those doing the Inca Trail and those staying in Cuzco. Please see below for the Inca Trail itinerary. For those not taking the Inca Trail option, there is the chance for some optional rafting on the Urubamba River (approx US$45) this morning before our return to Cuzco in the afternoon.

Day 14 - 15
For those not walking the Inca Trail these days are free in and around Cuzco, which is one of the most pleasant and interesting cities in South America, and an excellent place for shopping, eating and drinking as well as a variety of optional tours, including visits to the sites of Pikillacta and Tipon to the south of Cusco, exploration of the colonial religious monuments in Cuzco, or hikes in the surrounding hills.

Day 16
For most people the highlight of the trip is the visit by train to the greatest ruin in the world, the lost city of Machu Picchu. This is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world, in a mountain setting of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas left no records about it, so Machu Picchu remains a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle. We depart Cuzco in the morning and arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes this afternoon. The rest of the day has been left free to enjoy the hot springs or hunt for a bargain in the lively craft market. Those who have walked the Inca Trail will meet us in Aguas Calientes this evening.

Day 17
In the morning, before the tourists arrive, we return early to have a tour and spend the morning at the ruins. There should be time for the short hike up Huayna Picchu, the small peak overlooking the ruins which offers stunning views of the entire site. We board the train in the afternoon (though its timings are somewhat erratic) for the ride along the Urubamba River to Cuzco, where we spend the night.

Day 18
We have a full day tour combining the highlights in and around the city. Outside the town are Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman where the Inca armies made their last stand against the Conquistadores. In the centre we visit the Plaza de Armas, and many examples of the famous Inca stonework like those of the Coricancha sun temple located in the Santo Domingo church and Monastery.

Day 19
Today has been left free to relax and enjoy the many attractions of Cuzco. For those that would like, it is possible to visit the cathedral, San Blas Church and a religious art museum (sites not visited on previous day) on a combined entrance fee ticket for approx. US$10.

Day 20
We leave Cuzco early today as we take a short flight to Puerto Maldonado, a small town in the rainforest. On arrival, we transfer to the dock for a 2.5 hour boat trip to our lodge in the Tambopata Reserve. On the way we may see caimans, river turtles and waterfowl. After a welcome drink at the lodge, we will have a short introductory walk along one of the forest trails - keep an eye out for monkeys, striking blue Morpho butterflies and colourful toucans and trogons.

Day 21
From the lodge we take an extended jungle walk with one of the Reserve's resident guides. The area is very rich in exotic plants, insects and monkeys, and particularly in birds and butterflies. The resident guides are normally around in the evening to answer questions, and tonight we take a canoe out onto the Tambopata River as we search for caiman by torchlight.

Day 22
We return to Puerto Maldonado after breakfast today and board our flight back to Lima. Depending on our arrival time, there may be time for last-minute shopping or optional excursions this afternoon before the group flights depart in the evening.

Day 23
The group flights arrive in London this afternoon.