Peru in Style

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow
Meet your Tour Manager before your flight to Lima, via Madrid.

Day 2 Lima
Settle into your hotel by the ocean, the Miraflores Park for a 2 night stay, before this evening’s welcome dinner.

Meals: Dinner.

Day 3 Lima
Your morning tour of the historic centre of the ‘City of Kings’ includes the San Francisco Monastery and a memorable visit to the Casa Aliaga, both a home and a museum, which has been in the Aliaga family for 17 generations since the time of Pizzaro and the Spanish conquest. An introduction to the intense flavours of Peru follows at El Senorio de Sulco with a Peruvian cooking demonstration and lunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 4 Lima to Arequipa
Fly to Arequipa, named ‘The White City’ after the volcanic stone of the historic buildings. Visit the 16th century Santa Catalina Convent, evoking a sense of serenity and quiet intrigue. You’ll continue to the Catholic University to see the Juanita mummy, a remarkably preserved body of an Inca girl found in the high mountains.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 5 Arequipa
Your morning tour of Arequipa, starts at the Plaza des Armas; considered the most beautiful in Peru. View the imposing cathedral, the Baroque Jesuit Church and the Santa Theresa Monastery. At the lively San Camillo Market experience local colour and see the great variety of produce from the mountains, before lunch in a city restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 6 Arequipa to the Colca Canyon
This morning’s extraordinary journey will take you into the high passes, with far reaching views of the mountains and El Misti volcano. You might see herds of vicuñas and llamas on lonely pastures as you head into the Colca Canyon for lunch, before arriving at the Colca Lodge for a 2 night stay. The rest of the afternoon is yours to rest, acclimatise, and stroll on the riverbank perhaps to an open-air hot spring bath.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 7 Colca Canyon
Today is spent exploring the timeless and vast Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, with ancient Inca terraces leading up to the steepest cliffs. You will head off in the morning to in search of the magnificent condors, circling in the morning thermals above Condor’s Cross and stop in sleepy villages where time stands still.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 8 Colca Canyon to Puno
You’ll journey further into the mountains, arriving late afternoon in the town of Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch.

Day 9 Lake Titicaca
On a boat trip across Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world you’ll visit the floating Uros Islands on the way to Taquile Island, with its distinct culture and traditions. You’ll be served lunch on the island with views of the immense and strikingly blue lake set against the dry mountain slopes and distant Bolivian peaks.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 10 Puno to Cusco Train Journey
The stylish Andean Explorer train will carry you across the high plains of the Andes, one of the world’s great train journeys. Relax with lunch served en route as you travel past remote farms, small indigenous settlements and endless horizons. You might want to unwind in the observatory car with a pisco sour as the track passes straight through small towns as you near Cusco to arrive this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 11 Cusco
A guided tour of the former capital of the Inca Empire reveals the rich Inca and Spanish colonial heritage and lively squares. See the Koricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, the ornate gothic Cathedral and the San Blas neigbourhood. Later head out of the city to see the Inca ceremonial centre of Sacsayhuaman.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day Inti Raymi Festival of the Sun
We have coordinated our June departure so you can be in Cusco to witness the Inti Raymi Festival of the Sun. This is a recreation of the Incan festival to mark the solstice on the 24th June and takes place at Sacsayhuaman with actors taking the place of the Inca Emperor and Queen, the High Priests and Inca warriors. You will have reserved seats for the ceremony, and be able to experience Cusco at a festive time, with a procession through the streets, traditional music performances, markets and art displays.

Day 12 Cusco to Sacred Valley
Today you’ll travel into the Urubamba valley, better known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stop in Chinchero for incredible views. You’ll then head towards the river and arrive at the hotel Sol y Luna for 2 nights. There’s time to relax in the picturesque natural surroundings before enjoying lunch at Wayra Ranch, where you’ll enjoy local music and an equestrian demonstration with beautiful Peruvian Paso horses.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 13 Sacred Valley
In the morning you’ll head to Pisac to visit the colourful market and perhaps with a stop in a local village to experience daily life in the Andes. A hearty Andean lunch will be served at the historic family estate of Casa Hacienda Orihuela, set in the verdant hills. You will then head to Ollantaytambo where your guide will explain the remarkable feat of construction of this Inca fortress.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 14 Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
This morning you’ll board the Vistadome train and travel through the narrow valley towards Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. After a guided tour of the citadel, followed by lunch, you’ll have the chance to explore the breathtaking setting yourself after most of the crowds have departed.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 15 Machu Picchu to Cusco
A re-entry to Machu Picchu is included this morning should you wish to witness the magic of the ruins in the peaceful dawn. In the afternoon you’ll return to Cusco by rail and road for a further 2 nights at the beautiful Monasterio.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 16 Cusco
Today is yours to explore this captivating city independently. You might like to visit one of the excellent museums, shop for souvenirs or simply absorb the atmosphere in one of the local pavement cafés. Meet this evening for farewell dinner in a Cusco restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 17 Cusco to Lima
After a leisurely morning in Cusco, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima to connect with your onward flight to London via Madrid. Or you might like to extend your holiday with a visit to another part of Peru or a Galapagos cruise.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 18 Arrive London Heathrow
Home in body, but with the spirit of the Andes.

Tour includes:

Local expert guides in resort
All flights specified
London airport executive lounge
Inspirational sightseeing programme
16 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 5 dinners

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”