Day 1:   Accommodation:    

The capital of Peru - Lima - is a city of contrasts. Here you will encounter both abundant wealth and grinding poverty, modern skyscrapers next to some of the finest museums and historical monuments in Latin America. You will have a free day to explore its many museums, markets and colonial plazas.

Day 2:   Accommodation:       

Your first stop, south of Lima, on this Peru adventure is at Ballestas Islands in the Paracas National Reserve. Here you take a boat trip to view one of the most important Marine Reserves in the world with the highest concentration of rare and exotic sea birds and sea mammals. (B)

Day 3:   Accommodation:         

An hours drive inland in the heart of the Ica Desert is Peru's main wine center. Here you visit the Tacama Winery, originally a Jesuit run Bodega it now produces export quality wines as well as Peru's national drink, Pisco. After your tasting session you continue a few kilometers to the nearby Oasis of Huacachina. A palm fringed lake surrounded by impressive sand dunes; you can relax on the beach, go for a swim & then if its an adrenaline rush you're after head out with your Tour Leader on a custom made dune buggy & roar across the desert sands to the top of enormous dunes & then sand board down them. Tonight, after an unforgettable desert sunset, you sit around the campfire while your guides cook up a storm, followed by a night sleeping out under the stars. (B)

Day 4:   Accommodation:    

Travel to Peru is not complete without a trip to one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries - the Nazca Lines. Only discovered 80 years ago from the air, these huge figures carved into the desert floor are best viewed by light aircraft. Thought to have been made by three different civilizations going back more than 2000 years, there are many contrasting theories about what they signify and why they are there. It is worthwhile asking local opinion - you may well be surprised with the replies. This will undoubtedly be one of the best experiences on your Peru tour. Also memorable is a visit to Chauchilla Cemetery with its well-preserved mummies. Leaving the Atacama Desert you begin to climb into the Andes mountain range towards Arequipa. (B)

Days 5 to 8:   Accommodation:          

Four days are dedicated to exploring this beautiful colonial city and the spectacular surrounding area. Peru offers many options to go white water rafting, cycling, trekking, horse riding as well as a visit to the Colca Canyon, which at 900m is not only one of the deepest in the world but also the home of the majestic Condors. Here you can view the condors circling lazily in the thermals rising from the canyon floor. (B x 4)

Day 9:   Accommodation:       

An overnight coach journey across the Andes takes you to Cuzco, the outdoors capital of Peru and your base for the next 7 days. A mecca for adventure travel, Peru's famous Inca Trail begins near this city. Although Cuzco is today a colonial city most of its churches and museums are built on top of original Inca stonewalls which are clearly visible. You have the option of doing a day tour of the beautiful Urubamba or Sacred Valley of the Incas where you'll find temples, terraces, local communities and markets before returning to Cuzco for a good night's sleep before your Inca Trail. (B x 1)

Days 10 to 13:   Accommodation:          

You head out early from Cuzco to the Urubamba Valley from where you begin your 4 day hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This moderate to strenuous hike is a once in a lifetime experience and anyone with a good level of fitness can master it. A stunning combination of awesome views, Inca ruins, magnificent mountains and exotic adventure. There are also alternatives to this trek available for when the Classic Trail is unavailable, or by your choice. Please see the section on Inca Trails for details, and ensure that you tell us at the time of booking to arrange any alternatives.  Your route back to Cuzco for all options is by train. (B x 4, L + D x 3)

Day 14:   Accommodation:                               

You have a free day in Cuzco to relax and recover as well as explore more of the city and its museums and churches or look for local crafts, from Alpaca woollen jumpers to musical instruments.  The adventurous can go white water rafting on the Urubamba or Apurimac River. (B)

Day 15:   Tour End