Day 1: Arrive Lima (Overnight in Lima hotel). Transfer to hotel.  The rest of the day is free to relax.

Day 2: Arrive Arequipa (Overnight in Arequipa hotel). Fly from Lima to Arequipa where you will meet with your tour leader who will be with you for the trip.  Transfer to hotel.  Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city yet it maintains a laid back atmosphere and a traditional colonial style as it lies in the shadow of El Misti volcano.  We take a visit to the Convent of Santa Catalina, offering a brief respite from the outside world and a unique view into a by-gone way of life.  Later in the afternoon we visit the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries where we have the opportunity to view the Inca mummy known as “Juanita”.           

Day 3:Colca Canyon (Overnight): Travel for approximately 3 ½ hours along a rough, rutted road through high plains flanked by extensive Inca and pre-Inca terracing en route to Colca Canyon.  On our drive there are ample photo stops allowing us to enjoy some spectacular views of volcanoes, agricultural terraces and wild alpaca and vicuña herds.  We spend the night in the Colca Valley allowing us time to acclimatize and take a dip in the relaxing thermal baths of La Calera.

Day 5: Island Visit - Amantani (Overnight Amantanti home stay):Today we leave the port of Puno by way of a tourist boat and cruise Lake Titcaca (the highest navigable lake in the world at 3800m).  Our destination – the Island of Amananti.   We lunch on the island and then we split into smaller groups and billet into family homes where we stay with the locals and experience their style of living first hand for a once in a lifetime cultural exchange.  In the late afternoon we can enjoy the breathtaking sunset over Lake Titicaca from the top of the island. On a clear day we will even be able to see the distant peaks of the Cordillera Real in Bolivia.

Day:6: Island Visits -  Taquile & Uros  (Overnight Puno): Say our farewells to our host families and return to Puno today via our first stop on Lake Titicaca is Taquile Island.  The people of Taquile Island’s unique culture, style of dress and lifestyle make for a memorable visit. The island is characterised by the quality of their textiles.  Here, the men of the community do all the knitting, as this is strictly a male domain, while the women do the spinning. High quality, locally knitted goods are available for purchase at various cooperatives on the island.  We lunch on Taquile before resuming our boat trip to the floating islands of the Uros people. The Uros began their unusual floating existence centuries ago in an effort to isolate themselves from the Colla and Inca tribes.  Arrive in Puno and spend the night in the hotel.  

Day 7: Cusco (overnight Cusco): An 8 hour panoramic bus ride brings us over the highlands to the former capital of the Incas: Cusco. During the trip we enjoy our lunch and visit different tourist attractions like the colonial church of Andahuaylillas and the Inca temple Raqchi (dedicated to Wiracocha the most important god in Andean ideology). Arrive in Cusco and transfer to our hotel for the night (3400 m). 

Day 10: Start Choquequirao Trek (camping): CUSCO - CACHORA -CHIQUISCA: We leave early this morning and take our private to the town of Cachora (2850m), located to the north east of Cusco (3400m).  It is here that we meet the horsemen and pack the horses with their load ready for our journey.  They  will carry all our camping equipment throughout our trek.  Taking our day packs, we walk along the edge of the mountain.  At the strategic viewpoint of Capuliyoc (2800m) we can see the first views of the archaeological site of Choquequirao, as well as of the impressive Apurimac Canyon and part of the Vilcabamba mountain range.  We will find an increase in temperature as we enter deeper into the canyon.  Tonight our campsite is in the forest of Chiquisca (1930m).  Approx. walking time 5 hours.

Day 11: CHIQUISCA- CHOQUEQUIRAO: Enjoy a full breakfast as today is our “dia dificil” and we will need the energy! We begin by descending for approximately 30 minutes to Playa Santa Rosalinda (1500m), here we start our long ascent of the mountain.  We reach Marampata (2850m), where we will have a beautiful view of the archaeological complex of Choquequirao and enjoy the more temperate climate of the mountainside.  In the enigmatic evening of Choquequirao we may be lucky to observe the flight of Cóndor.  Marampata will serve as our campsite for the night (2950m.).  Approx. walking time 7 hours. 

Day 12: CHOQUEQUIRAO - RIO BLANCO: We can watch the dawn rise over Choquequirao or "Cuna de Oro" and explore the ruins for ourselves.  Our knowledgeable tour leader will present us with information concerning the history, ruins and recent excavations.  Even now, Choquequirao (3050m) keeps many ancient secrets, because at the moment only 30% of the archaeological site has been uncovered.  After the visit, we head in the direction of Choquequirao Pass (3270m), and later to the ruins of Pinchaunuyoc 2450m.  There, we descend to the deepest part of the canyon known as the White River(1900m).  Here we will camp for the night.  Approx. walking time 6 hours.  

Day 13: RIO BLANCO - MINAS VICTORIA: Early in the morning, we will ascend towards the town of Maizal (3000m); this can prove to be quite a difficult section, as the path slopes through tropical forest. Later we continue our ascent along an ancient Inca path which is worsening due to the constant natural erosions of the mountain and the intense humidity of the place.  Arrive at the interesting old silver mines of Mina Victoria thought to have been worked for over 1000 years.  Camp over night at Minas Victoria (4000) for the night. Approx. walking time 9 hours.

Day 18: Visit Machu Picchu. (Overnight Cusco): There is no way to describe the feeling of the first views of Machu Picchu, as the mist rises off the mountains early in the morning and the famous ruin appears in front of you.  However, don’t be disappointed if the Sun Gate is enveloped in cloud as is so often the case.  The morning is dedicated to exploring the extraordinary site of Machu Picchu, where your guide will be on hand to explain and give you an insight into the life of the Incas at Machu Picchu.  For the keen, there’s also the opportunity to climb the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu. In the afternoon, we have the chance to soak in the hot springs of Aguas Calientes before taking the train back to Cuzco.

Day 19: Cusco (Overnight Cusco): Free day in Cusco.  Shop for souvenirs or take a look round Cusco’s beautiful Main Square with its colonial architecture or take an optional city tour (this and any other activities can be arranged through your tour leader). 

Day 20: Arrive Lima (Overnight Lima hotel): Transfer to airport and catch our flight to Lima.  Say goodbye to your tour leader at Cusco airport.  The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish.  You may want to book a city tour if you have time.

Day:21: Depart Peru : Transfer to airport to catch your international flight.