“Small is beautiful: Never more than 16 travellers.”

From the world's driest deserts to the largest known macaw clay lick, this spectacular trip includes the Paracas National Park, the Titicaca National Reserve, the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary and the Tambopata National Reserve.

Our journey begins on Peru's arid coast, where the Humboldt and El Niño ocean currents combine to create the world's most fertile oceans, home to colonies of sea lions and penguins and the cradle of ancient fishing cultures.

Travelling inland, we cross the Andes into the realm of the Incas. The snowy peaks of still-sacred mountain gods watch over us as we explore the vestiges of an empire that rose to greatness in isolation from the rest of the world and was superseded by another empire, which crossed the ocean and left in its wake the colonial splendour of Arequipa and Cusco.

From the Andes we journey to the Amazon, to the most biodiverse region on Earth. The dense forests beyond Cusco shelter more than 1000 species of birds, 13 species of monkey, 1200 species of butterfly and more than 15,000 flowering plants, as well as communities of forest dwellers who have lived in harmony with their lush environment for countless generations.

Complete Itinerary

Day 1: Lima

Arrive Lima.

Day 2: Lima - Pisco

Depart Lima for Pisco, journeying along Peru’s desert coast and visiting the pre-Inca oracle of Pachacamac en route. Arrive Pisco. Afternoon visit to the Paracas National Park and Paracas Regional Museum.

Day 3: Ballestas Islands

Drive to Nazca, visiting the Huacachina oasis on the way. An opportunity to visit the Ica Regional Museum and a local winery. Continue on to Nazca. Early evening arrival at hotel

Day 4: Flight over the Nazca Lines

Visit pre-Inca cemetery and Inca aqueduct p.m.

Day 5: Arequipa

Continue along the coast to Arequipa. Lunch at Puerto Inca, continue in the afternoon to colonial city of Arequipa. Arrival early evening.

Day 6: Arequipa

A relaxed day. Arequipa city tour (including Santa Catalina Convent). Lunch at a typical local restaurant.

Day 7: Colca

Overnight trip to Colca Canyon.

Day 8: Colca

Early start for the drive to Cruz del Condor in time to see the condors rise on the morning thermals, passing through colonial villages, with plenty of opportunities to stop along the way. Afternoon, continue to Lake Titicaca, arriving in the evening.

Day 9: The islands of Uros

Amantani and Taquile. Overnight on one of the islands. Return to Puno.

Day 10: The islands of Uros

Amantani and Taquile. Overnight on one of the islands. Return to Puno.

Day 11: Cusco

Drive to Cusco (visiting pre-Inca sites and picturesque colonial churches such as Sillustani, Pucará, Raqchi, Huaro and Andahuaylillas).

Day 12: Cusco

Morning free for orientation walk with tour leader). Afternoon city tour.

Day 13: Cusco

Cusco free or Inca Trail. Non-Inca Trail passengers can enjoy the sights in Cusco or visit the Lares Valley, before joining the tour leader on the train to Machu Picchu, where they will meet the rest of the group.
Return train to Ollantaytambo and bus to hotel in Sacred Valley.

Day 14: Cusco

Cusco free or Inca Trail. Non-Inca Trail passengers can enjoy the sights in Cusco or visit the Lares Valley, before joining the tour leader on the train to Machu Picchu, where they will meet the rest of the group.
Return train to Ollantaytambo and bus to hotel in Sacred Valley.

Day 15: Cusco

Cusco free or Inca Trail. Non-Inca Trail passengers can enjoy the sights in Cusco or visit the Lares Valley, before joining the tour leader on the train to Machu Picchu, where they will meet the rest of the group.
Return train to Ollantaytambo and bus to hotel in Sacred Valley.

Day 16: Cusco

Cusco free or Inca Trail. Non-Inca Trail passengers can enjoy the sights in Cusco or visit the Lares Valley, before joining the tour leader on the train to Machu Picchu, where they will meet the rest of the group.
Return train to Ollantaytambo and bus to hotel in Sacred Valley.

Day 17: Cusco

Cusco free or Inca Trail. Non-Inca Trail passengers can enjoy the sights in Cusco or visit the Lares Valley, before joining the tour leader on the train to Machu Picchu, where they will meet the rest of the group.
Return train to Ollantaytambo and bus to hotel in Sacred Valley.

Day 18: Sacred Valley

Sacred Valley and Willoq. Return to Cusco.

Day 19: Rain forest excursion

Day 20: Rain forest excursion

Day 21: Rain forest excursion

Day 22: Lima.

Flight Puerto Maldonado to Lima.