Walking and journey times are approximate.

Day: 2 Arrive Arequipa (Overnight in Arequipa hotel).

Fly from Lima to Arequipa.  Transfer to hotel.  Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city yet it maintains a laid back atmoshpere 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.

After an early breakfast we depart in the direction of the famous vantage point of Cruz del Condor from where we have the best view down into the canyon in order to observe the majestic flight of the condors rising with the morning thermals.  We return briefly to visit the towns of Maca and Yanque, with stops to view the marvellous Colca Canyon.  After lunch we transfer by tourist bus to the city of Puno (3800m) on the shores of Lake Titicaca, where we spend the night in a hotel.

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.

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). Arriving in Cusco transfer to our hotel for overnight (3400 m).

Day: 8 Sacred Valley (Overnight Ollantaytambo)

Travel through the Sacred Valley and visit the towns and Inca ruins of Pisaq and Ollantaytambo.  Get a chance to learn a little about the local people, their way of life and their traditional weaving techniques.

Day: 9 Lares Trek (camping)

The early start (6 am) allows us the best possible views of our incredible mountainous surroundings, dotted with rural villages throughout. Our hike begins in the village Qeshwarani, from which we begin our gentle pace through the valley of Cuncani, before the high pass of Cuncani.  After lunch we continue on our path to the highland village of Cuncani, our destination for tonight. From our campsite, we will have stunning views of snow-capped Colque Cruz. Approx. walking time 5 hours.

Day: 10

Today we proceed around Sondor Mountain to a high pass (an altitude of 4440m), from which we will have great photo opportunities: scenic Huacahuasi Lake and snow-capped Veronica Mountain (amongst others!) are visible from the path. After a good morning’s hike, we stop for a quick rest in a living Inca settlement, where many still farm the traditional crop of potatoes in the same way that their ancestors did. We resume our hike upstream to the second pass, Ipasayqocha (4550m) and then descend to our campsite near Lake Ipasayqocha for the night.  Approx. walking time 8 hours.

Day: 11 (Overnight Aguas Calientes)

Today we will have ample photo opportunities: our gentle path is covered in Andean flora, and animals such as llamas and alpacas can be seen grazing along the mountainside. If we’re lucky, we might even catch a glimpse of Andean geese, puna ibis, Andean cara caras or condor. You will feel firsthand the warm welcome of the Quechua people and will have the rare opportunity to see how they live.  Our descent takes us through the spectacular valley of Patacancha, where everything remains as it has since ancient times. After our five-hour hike, we reach the town of Patacancha, where we eat lunch and wait for our private bus to take us to Ollantaytambo, we catch the train for an incredibly scenic ride to Agua Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel.  Later you may have time to relax aching muscles in the therapeutic hot springs.    Approx. walking time 5 hours.

Day: 12 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. In the afternoon, the train to Ollantaytambo and then the bus back to Cuzco.

Day: 13 Cusco (Overnight Cusco)

Transfer to airport and catch our flight to Lima.  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: 15 Depart Peru.

Transfer to airport to catch your international flight.