Day One - Arrive Lima
Arrive late evening in Lima as you begin your holiday in Peru! You will be met by our representative at the airport for your transfer to your hotel in Miraflores, in time for you to have an evening meal overlooking the elegant Parque Kennedy, a few hundred yards from the Pacific Ocean.
Day Two - City tour of Lima
You will have a free morning so you can relax after your flight and then in the afternoon we will pick you up from your hotel for a tour of Lima, including some pre-Inca ruins and the colonial centre. Then, in the evening, we will take you to the airport to catch a flight to Trujillo on the north coast.
Day Three - Chan Chan
Today, we will take you to visit the city of Chan Chan. Originally the centre of the Chimu culture, before they were conquered by the Incas, it originally covered over 20 square kilometres and had an estimated population of over 100,000. You will be able to see the houses, temples and intricate mazes as well as visit the onsite museum.
Day Four - Into the Andes to Huaraz
Today, you will leave Trujillo to catch a coach to Huaraz, high up in the Cordillera Blanca. The journey itself is fascinating and beautiful and you will stop off at particularly scenic points so you can get those all-important snaps! You will arrive in the late afternoon and we'll take you to your hotel so you can relax a bit - the altitude can take some getting used to!
Days Five - Huascaran National Park and Llanganuco Lagoon
A full-day excursion today as we take you out into the Huascaran National Park. Officially protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, it is a stunningly beautiful region of snow-white peaks and crystal-clear lagoons such as Lake Llanganuco. As well as the great scenery, you can see wildlife such as Andean Condors, vicuñas and many other creatures in the area.
Day Six - Chavin de Huantar
Another trip out of Huaraz today, as we take you the archaeological complex of Chavin de Huantar in the Mosna Valley. We'll pass through some more stunning scenery on the way there but the site itself is the real treat, with the ruins of the temples and the famous gargoyles or cabezas clavas being particularly noteworthy.
Day Seven - Relaxing in Monterrey
A bit of a rest today from all your exertions! We've left today free for you but we suggest that you might like to consider a good long soak in the hot springs at Monterrey - they're only a taxi-ride from your hotel and are a great place to relax, lie back and drink in the scenery!
Day Eight - Back to Lima
It's goodbye to the mountains for the moment as you catch the coach down to Lima. Again, it's a very pleasant journey and, as always, we'll be on hand to meet you and take you to your hotel in Miraflores.
Day Nine - Fly to Cusco
You haven't said goodbye to the Andes for long! Today you'll catch an early flight to Cusco - the ancient Inca capital. On arrival, we'll take you to your hotel, just off the main square at the heart of Cusco so you can have a wander around and soak up the atmosphere of this unique city.
Day Ten - Free day in Cusco
We've given you a free day in Cusco here although if you prefer we can organise a guided tour of the city and surrounding areas. There's loads to do and you should be pretty used to the altitude by now so you should be able to really explore the city - our 'PeruPack' will help you find all the best places!
Day Eleven - Visit to Machu Picchu
No trip to Peru would be complete without this. You will set off early in the morning to take the scenic train along the valley of the Urubamba to Machu Picchu, giving you the full afternoon at this breathtaking lost Inca city. Gazing down on this semi-mythical city, high up in the cloud forest is an unforgettable experience that will stay with you forever. You will return in the evening to Cusco.
Days Twelve-Fifteen - Four days in the Amazon Basin!
No rest for the wicked! Today your Peru holiday will take you on a journey deep into the Manu National Park. The Amazonian rainforest is deserving of any superlatives you'd like to apply, and Manu is probably the best, and most unspoilt region of it. Our expert guides will make sure you don't miss a thing on your four-day trip.
Day Sixteen - Breakfast in the mountains, dinner on the coast
You will have a free morning in Cusco to relax and send those last-minute postcards before we pick you up and take you to the airport for your flight back to Lima. We will take you back to your hotel in Miraflores, where you can relax and if you haven't already, tonight might be your last chance to try Peru's national dish: ceviche!
Day Seventeen - Last Day in Peru!
You will have a pretty much full day to explore the capital and enjoy its museums (or its shops!) before being picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport for your international flight back to the UK.
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