Overview

1. Day 1: Arrive Lima, Peru.

   On arrival at Lima International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your luxurious hotel in Miraflores, Lima's most prestigious address. At 19:00 join your Travelling Concierge for a warm and friendly Welcome Reception and an opportunity to meet with your fellow travelers over drinks, dinner and seaside views at CALA.

   meal(s):WD

   hotel:Belmond Miraflores Park Lima Hotel (2 nights).

2. Day 2: Lima, 'City of the Kings'.

   Experience Lima through the eyes of a Local Expert as you are introduced to the beautiful 'City of Kings'. Explore the UNESCO listed Historic Centre of Lima; view the imposing cathedral, and visit the San Francisco Monastery with its shadowy catacombs lined with skulls and bones. A Highlight Lunch is included in the trendy, bohemian district of Barranco at one of Lima's most up-and-coming restaurants, Amor Amar. Continue exploring Barranco and visit the workshop of Victor Delfin, one of the leading sculptors and painters in Peru, best known for his monumental El Beso, a large sculpture unveiled in 1993 in "Love Park" in the Miraflores district. Meet Victor and his wife—who was his muse for the sculpture—at his home. Then, over a hot chocolate or authentic café pasado, listen to an expert barista spill the beans on Peruvian coffee. As evening falls, the restaurant terrace at Huaca Pucllana overlooks the illuminated ruins of a 1500-year-old pre-Inca pyramid. In contrast, the cuisine at the evening's Highlight Dinner is 'new Andean', exquisitely executed by one of the capital's celebrated chefs.

   meal(s):FB, HL, HD

   hotel:Belmond Miraflores Park Lima Hotel

3. Day 3: Lima and on to the Sacred Valley.

   Board your flight for Cusco and drive to Peru's Sacred Valley. Stretching between the old Inca capital of Cusco and the legendary city of Machu Picchu, this was the fertile homeland of the Inca Empire. Visit the colourful Sunday market in the town of Chinchero, one of the most traditional markets in all of South America, where you'll be surrounded by locals in their traditional dress, buying and selling their wares. Then, meet Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a Quechua and scholar, president of the Centre for Traditional Textiles of Cusco and recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Enjoy lunch with Nilda and learn about her mission to preserve traditional weaving techniques and why weaving in Peru is much more than just an art form. View weavers at work, learn about weaving patterns and Andean beliefs. Later, check into your luxurious resort and relax before dinner at your hotel.

   meal(s):FB, L, D

   hotel:Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, Sacred Valley (2 nights).

4. Day 4: Exploring the Sacred Valley.

   Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading to the little town of Maras to meet with a local family, giving you the unique opportunity to learn the local arts and crafts of the region. View the spectacular terraced salt pans dating back to Inca times, a patchwork landscape of pinks, tans and browns. Families have passed down caring for these salt pans for generations and today maintain them in much the same way they did long ago. Experience the ways in which they care for the salt pans and how their way of life depends on this tradition. In Moray, view the Incan ruins of circular terraces said to have been used for agricultural experiments. Experience a typical, trendy Peruvian meal, a caja china lunch of fresh vegetables and slow-roasted meats, all cooked in a wooden box. After lunch, witness a private Pachamama Ceremony, or 'Payment to the Earth', as a local shaman performs a centuries-old ritual of expressing reverence to the Earth as a source of life. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy your resort's facilities.

   meal(s):FB, L

   hotel:Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, Sacred Valley.

5. Day 5: Journey to Machu Picchu.

   Start the day with a visit to the town of Ollantaytambo, a National Archeological Site. Settle in to the panoramic viewing cars of the Vistadome train for the scenic journey to Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch is included upon arrival at your resort, reminiscent of an ancient Andean village. Explore nature trails winding past waterfalls and gardens as your Local Expert explains the fascinating cloud forest ecosystem. Discover a working tea plantation and the world's largest private collection of indigenous orchids. In the evening, learn how to blend the perfect pisco sour before enjoying dinner at the hotel.

   meal(s):FB, L, D

   hotel:Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (2 nights).

6. Day 6: Mysterious Machu Picchu.

   Today, you have the entire day to discover the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu, recently named one of the 'New Seven Wonders of the World'. Meet your Local Expert for a walk through the enigmatic 'Lost City of the Incas'. Learn about its history and the people who once lived there as you explore the site. Witness the great Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza and the intricately carved Intihuatana, believed to be an ancient sun clock. After an included lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge, there is more time to explore the archaeological site at your own pace, or perhaps visit the local town and browse its market before dinner.

   meal(s):FB, L, D

   hotel:Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.

7. Day 7: Return to Cusco.

   Return by train to the Sacred Valley and tantalise your taste buds with a Highlight Lunch at a Pachamanca Feast, a traditional Peruvian meal cooked underground. At a local camelid farm, get up close and personal with llamas, guanacos, alpacas and even the rare and precious vicuña, known for their soft and highly prized wool. Arrive at your stylish hotel, only steps away from the Plaza de Armas. Built atop ancient Incan ruins and situated around a 16th century convent, your hotel is a veritable museum in the historic city of Cusco.

   meal(s):FB, HL

   hotel:JW Marriott El Convento, Cusco (2 nights).

8. Day 8: Colonial Cusco.

   Join a Local Expert to explore Cusco and its surroundings. Visit the Temple of the Sun at Korikancha and the formidable citadel of Sacsayhuaman, made of gigantic boulders, and the city cathedral. Visit the local market where you can practice your bartering skills. Set out for San Blas, Cusco's artisan centre, where you visit an unusual candle shop and learn about its importance to the locals. After, enjoy some free time on the Plaza de Armas for shopping. In the evening, enjoy a candlelit Highlight Dinner at the reputed MAP restaurant.

   meal(s):FB, HD

   hotel:JW Marriott El Convento, Cusco.

9. Day 9: Lake Region of Peru.

   After departing Cusco in the morning, board your included flight to Juliaca before a drive to Puno, situated on the edge of the majestic waters of Lake Titicaca. Arrive on Esteves Island and your lakeside hotel.

   meal(s):FB, L, D

   hotel:Libertador Lake Titicaca (2 nights).

10. Day 10: The Floating Islands of Lake Titicaca.

    Cruise Lake Titicaca, the most sacred lake in the world of the Incas, to the famous floating islands of Uros. Here the local people bundle reeds from the lake to build floating platforms, houses and canoes. Learn about their lifestyle and customs before continuing to the island of Amantani, known for its weaving, stone carvings and gorgeous landscape. Enjoy lunch hosted by local restaurateur, Gladys Quispe Yanarico at Samari. After, there is time to explore or purchase local handicrafts before returning to Puno where you can relax until dinner.

    meal(s):FB, L, D

    hotel:Libertador Lake Titicaca.

11. Day 11: Puno, Back to Lima.

    Head out to Sillustani on the shores of Lake Umayo, to explore the impressive burial grounds, before your flight to Lima. In the evening you are treated to a sensational Farewell Celebration Dinner with wine at world-renowned Astrid y Gaston, located in a magnificent San Isidro hacienda with over 300 years of history.

    meal(s):FB, L, CD

    hotel:Belmond Miraflores Park Lima Hotel

12. Day 12: Depart Lima.

    Your Peruvian adventure draws to a close today. A departure transfer is included to Lima airport.

    meal(s):FB