Highlights of Peru

Itinerary

2 Nights – Lima
3 Nights – Arequipa
5 Nights – Cuzco/Machu Picchu
3 nights – Puno / Lake Titicaca
1 Night – Lima

✈️ UK to Lima (2 nights): Setting the stage for your Peruvian adventure, your first destination is Lima, Peru’s vibrant capital. Stepping off the plane, you’ll immediately notice Lima’s distinctive coastal charm.  Nestled along the Pacific Ocean, Lima offers breath-taking ocean views, especially along the Miraflores boardwalk, and a culinary scene brimming with fresh seafood. The city is renowned for its exceptional ceviche, a local delicacy of raw fish marinated in tangy lime juice.   Aside from the delicious cuisine, explore the Plaza Mayor, which is surrounded by colonial landmarks such as Government Palace and the Cathedral. Also, head to the San Francisco Monastery, visit the Larco Museum for its pre-Columbian treasures and wander round the bohemian Barranco with its vibrant street art and eclectic galleries.  Head to the Central Market where you can experience the vibrant local life and sample local street food or take a visit to Peru’s lively Chinatown with its array of restaurants serving unique Peruvian-Chinese fusion dishes.

✈️ Lima to Arequipa (3 nights): From Lima, you’ll hop on a flight to Arequipa, where the city’s white volcanic stone buildings offer a stark contrast to Lima’s coastal urban landscape.  Nicknamed the ‘White City’ for its buildings made from sillar (the white volcanic stone) it is Peru’s second-largest city.   Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features stunning colonial architecture, with highlights such as the Plaza de Armas, the Monasterio de Santa Catalina and the Museo Santuarios Andinos, home to the famous Inca ice mummy ‘Juanita’.  For a fascinating day trip, head to Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest canyons which is best to experience on a guided tour.

✈️ Arequipa to Cuzco/Machu Picchu (5 nights):  Your next flight will take you to Cuzco, a captivating city that serves as both a destination in its own right and the gateway to Machu Picchu. You’ll use Cuzco as your base to acclimatise to the high altitude before embarking on your journey to explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu.  As the former Inca capital, Cuzco exudes a unique grandeur and vibrant culture. During your acclimatisation, you’ll have the chance to explore Cuzco’s historic sites such as the impressive Sacsayhuamán fortress and the sacred Qorikancha temple. You will enjoy a day trip to the Sacred Valley to explore ancient Inca ruins, visit traditional Andean villages, and enjoy the stunning landscapes of the terraced fields and mountains. After a couple of days, you’ll be ready to embark on your journey to Machu Picchu. We include a tour by scenic train ride through the breath-taking Andean landscape however, for the truly adventurous, we can arrange a trek along the famous Inca Trail. Machu Picchu is a place like no other.  With its awe-inspiring ruins perched high in the mountains, it offers a fascinating insight into the incredible engineering of the Inca civilisation. Whether arriving by train or on foot, exploring Machu Picchu will be an unforgettable highlight of your holiday.

🚂 Cuzco to Puno / Lake Titicaca (3 nights):   Next you’ll take a picturesque train ride to Puno, where you can explore Lake Titicaca, whose peaceful environment will provide a tranquil end to your Peru adventure and a chance to digest your Machu Picchu experience.  From Puno, you can easily access Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, where you can explore the floating islands of Uros, visit the traditional island communities of Taquile and Amantaní, and marvel at the beauty of the lake’s expansive waters.

✈️ Puno to Lima (1 night):  You’ll next fly to Lima for your final night in Peru.

✈️ Lima to UK: Time to board the flight back to the UK with Peru forever in your heart.