Day One - Your holiday in Peru begins!
Arrive late evening in Lima to begin your holiday. 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 - Head to Pisco
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 to go to the bus station, where you will catch a coach bound for Pisco, to the south of Lima, along the Pan-American highway. You'll have a free evening here and of course, it's only polite to try the famous local brandy!
Day Three - Ballestas Islands
In the morning we'll pick you up and take you to the harbour where a boat will be waiting to whisk you out to the Ballestas Islands - Peru's very own answer to the Galapagos! You can see loads of birds and sealife including flamingos, sea-lions and dolphins! In the afternoon you will have a short journey further down the Pan-American to the town of Nazca.
Day Four - Flight over the Nazca Lines
This morning we'll take you to the Nazca airstrip for you to fly over the famous and mysterious Nazca Lines in a light aircraft. We always fly in the mornings to ensure optimum weather conditions and optimum photo opportunities! After you land, we'll take you back to the hotel and you'll have a free afternoon before we take you to catch a comfortable overnight coach to Arequipa.
Day Five - The White City of Arequipa
You will arrive in the early morning in Arequipa - 'The White City'. This is probably the most beautiful city in Peru - a kind of Seville at the foot of a snow-capped volcano! You will arrive in the early morning and we will meet you at the bus station to take you to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day free to rest or to visit some of the fantastic sights in Arequipa such as the monastery of Santa Catalina.
Day Six - Colca Canyon
Today, you'll set out from Arequipa on a guided tour of Colca Canyon. The Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon and is home to a stunning array of wildlife and also some great natural hot springs! You will stay overnight in a hotel in Chivay, a small town right in the middle of the Canyon.
Day Seven - Back to Arequipa
A very early start this morning, as your guide and driver take you to the 'Cruz del Condor', a natural viewpoint opposite the nesting-sites of the famous Andean Condors. We'll arrive in time to see these majestic birds launch themselves into the Canyon as they set out on their day's hunt. After spending more time in the Canyon, you will return to Arequipa in the evening to enjoy some of its superb andean cuisine (can we recommend the stuffed peppers!?!) in one of the restaurants overlooking the bustling and beautiful main square.
Day Eight - Free day in Arequipa
We'll given you a free day in Arequipa because we know that people never want to leave! It's just such a lovely place to wander around so perhaps you might like to check out the local markets or take a walk up to the Yanahuara mirador for that perfect photo of El Misti?
Day Nine - Travel to Puno
This morning we will take you to the coach station to travel to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. You will have the rest of the day free to get used to the altitude (3,800m) - many people find the elevation a little hard to handle at first so you may just want to rest up in your hotel with some coca tea before venturing out. Either way, there's plenty to occupy your time in Puno and it's the perfect place to pick up those alpaca scarves...
Day Ten - Lake Titicaca, the Uros and Taquile
Your holiday in Peru continues today as you set out on a Boat trip across the stunning Lake Titicaca to visit the floating reed Islands of the Uros, and the beautiful island of Taquile. Return to Puno in the evening and spend some more time enjoying its specialities - grilled trout and traditional music!
Day Eleven - Along the Andes to Cusco
We will pick you up in the morning to take you to the station to catch the coach to Cusco - the ancient Inca capital. This is one of the most spectacular road journeys in the world and is an amazing experience. On arrival, we'll take you to your hotel, just off the main square at the heart of Cusco.
Day Twelve - Free day on holiday 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 Thirteen - The Sacred Valley of the Incas
A full day away from Cusco today as you journey into the Andes for a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba. As you wind your way along one of the most beautiful valleys in the world, you will be able to visit the village of Pisac (including its famous market and temple) and the temple-fortress of Ollantaytambo. You really begin to feel the spirit of the Incas as you visit these extraordinary locations. But in many ways this is just preparation for...
Day Fourteen - Machu Picchu
In many ways today is the climax to your holiday in Peru. 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 by train to Cuzco in the evening.
Day Fifteen - R & R in Cusco
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 Sixteen: Last Day on Holiday in Peru!
Sadly, today is the last day of your Peru holiday. You have a pretty much full day to explore the capital and enjoy its museums (or its shops!) before we pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport for your international flight back to the UK.
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