Panoramic Peru

Fly to Peru's historic capital Lima, arriving the same day. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before an evening welcome dinner where you will have your first taste of Peruvian cuisine.

This morning embark on an informative tour of Lima, formerly known as the ‘City of Kings’. Kick your Peruvian adventure off with a mouth-watering culinary tour. Begin by gathering your ingredients from the local markets before heading to the kitchen workshop where a local chef will teach you how to prepare some traditional Peruvian delicacies. After lunch, visit Lima’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre with its striking colonial architecture. Later uncover the fascinating Huaca Pucllana, an ancient pyramid built by a pre-Incan civilisation known as the Lima culture. Take in the sights and sounds of the bohemian Barranco district this afternoon before becoming acquainted with pisco, Peru’s national drink, at an insightful pre-dinner tasting session.

Fly to Cusco. Transfer to the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas home to Incan citadels and beautiful landscapes. Stop at a small and scenic town otherwise hidden in the Peruvian Andes, to learn from a member of the local families all the intricacies of traditional iconography. At the end of the tour, transfer to your hotel in Sacred Valley.

Spend the morning exploring the charming town of Pisac, Here you’ll visit the vibrant markets where locals sell their wares including locally produced handicrafts. Afterwards continue to Huilloc, where you will meet the local Quechua community, taking part in their collective tasks including working in the fields and making clothing. You’ll also have the opportunity to observe school lessons and preparation processes for ancestral ceremonies. After, sit down to a well-earned traditional Andean lunch with a local family. Continue to Ollantaytambo where we’ll visit the preserved Incan houses and explore the old fortress. Today’s activities will be undertaken at high altitudes.

From Ollantaytambo, board the panoramic Vistadome train to travel through the mountainous landscapes to the small town of Aguas Calientes. From here, you will ascend to the magnificent ancient city of Machu Picchu. Long abandoned by the Inca, Machu Picchu came to international attention when it was stumbled upon by Hiram Bingham in 1911. It is now one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Enjoy the morning at leisure to explore the small town of Aguas Calientes, visit the thermal baths for a relaxing soak or purchase a second entrance to visit Machu Picchu again. In the afternoon take the train back to Poroy and transfer to Cusco.

Home to an incredible Incan legacy, Cusco has some of the richest heritage in Latin America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour will include visits to the Plaza de Armas, once the heart of the Incan capital of Huacaypata, and Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun. Head just out of town to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Puka Pukara, the 'Red Fortress'. This afternoon there is the option to take part in a chocolate-making tour.

Travel from Cusco to Puno, journeying through the spectacular Peruvian highlands on board a train that offers four dining cars, a bar car and an observation car. Along the way you will enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared with exquisite Andean ingredients and there will be music and dance shows on board.

Journey by boat across Lake Titicaca to the floating islands of Uros, which are constructed entirely from reeds. Spend some time exploring and meeting the local Uros people before continuing to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Taquile. Once a stronghold of the Inca, you'll find wonderful textiles here. After your tour of the island, head back to Puno.

Today start early to travel towards Chivay village, passing through Lagunillas and Tocra along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for flamingos, Andean ducks and llamas. Reach Pata Pampa at 4,820 metres altitude, where you can admire the volcanoes of Ampato, Sabancaya, Hualca-Hualca and Mismi (the source of the Amazon River), as well as views of the Cordillera Chila. Once in Chivay, enjoy the view of the terraces of the Colca Valley before bathing in the natural hot springs.

Depart Colca and travel to Arequipa. En route, head to Condor Cross where the views of the Colca Canyon are breathtaking – keep an eye out for a condor or two gliding on the thermals. You'll also visit several of the valley's villages and viewpoints. On arrival, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Peru’s spectacularly situated second city is set to a backdrop of volcanoes and is home to stunning colonial architecture. Today you’ll visit the Carmon Alto viewpoint before exploring the Yanhiara Quarter and admiring the UNESCO-listed Plaza de Armas and the Monastery of Santa Catalina. Later this afternoon, take a flight back to Lima, with a farewell dinner this evening.

Fly to Australia, arriving home two days later.