PERU ICONS & ENCOUNTERS

Lima, stories & flavours

With your guide, explore Lima's historic centre, where squares, carved balconies and grand façades trace the capital's past. Continue to the Larco Museum, whose collections reveal the artistry and beliefs of ancient Peruvian cultures. A welcome lunch offers a first taste of the country's celebrated cuisine, before the afternoon is yours at leisure.

Towards the Pacific coast

Leave Lima and travel south to Paracas, as the city gives way to long stretches of desert and coastline. Arrive at your hotel with time to settle in and enjoy the sea air, then spend the afternoon relaxing by the water or walking quietly along the shore.

Paracas, where desert meets ocean

Set out by boat towards the Ballestas Islands, passing the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph etched into the hillside. Around the islands, watch seabirds and sea lions as your guide introduces the wildlife of this stretch of the Pacific coast.

Continue into the Paracas National Reserve, where desert cliffs, open sands and ocean views create striking contrasts. Pause at coastal viewpoints and the landscapes around Playa Roja before returning to your hotel.

A morning by the sea

Enjoy breakfast and a relaxed morning in Paracas, taking in the coastal setting before your private journey back to Lima. An additional experience along the route can be arranged around your interests. Settle into your hotel in the capital for an evening at leisure.

Into the Sacred Valley

Fly to Cusco, where your guide welcomes you for the journey into the Sacred Valley. Depending on your arrival time, pause at Awanakancha to meet llamas, alpacas and vicuñas and see how their fibres become traditional textiles, then browse the colourful handicrafts of Pisac's market. Continue to your hotel, with time to rest, adjust to the altitude and enjoy the mountain surroundings.

Maras, Moray & the welcome of Misminay

Explore the circular terraces of Moray and the salt pans of Maras, two landscapes shaped by generations of knowledge and work. Continue to Misminay, where community hosts welcome you into their traditions and daily life. Conversation and shared activities offer a personal view of the valley, followed by lunch prepared with local ingredients, before you return to your hotel.

Ollantaytambo & the journey through the mountains

With your guide, explore Ollantaytambo's monumental terraces and stonework, then walk through streets where Inca town planning remains part of everyday life. At the scheduled time, board your train to Machu Picchu Pueblo. The railway follows the Urubamba between steep mountains as the landscape grows ever greener. On arrival, continue to your hotel for a restful evening ahead of tomorrow's visit.

Machu Picchu, among mountains & forest

Take the bus up to Machu Picchu for a guided exploration of its architecture, terraces and relationship with the surrounding peaks. Your guide brings its history and details into focus, with time to take in the setting along your assigned circuit. Afterwards, return to Machu Picchu Pueblo and board your train to Ollantaytambo, where private transport awaits for the onward journey to Cusco.

Cusco, history & everyday life

Discover Cusco's layered heritage with your guide. Explore the Cathedral, Qorikancha and the monumental stonework of Sacsayhuamán, each holding a different chapter of the city's past. Continue into San Blas, where narrow streets, small squares and artisan workshops invite a closer look at the city's creative traditions. The late afternoon is yours at leisure.

Cusco, at your own pace

Enjoy a day to follow your own interests in Cusco. Browse artisan shops, return to a favourite street or linger over lunch while taking in the atmosphere of the city. For those wishing to explore further, an additional cultural, culinary or walking experience can be arranged around your preferences.

Across the altiplano, towards Titicaca

Follow the Ruta del Sol towards Puno, pausing at the richly painted church of Andahuaylillas, the Inca remains of Raqchi, the mountain pass of La Raya and the ancient heritage of Pukará. Each stop reveals a different chapter of Andean history, linked by the changing landscapes in between. Lunch along the route offers a welcome pause before you continue to Puno, your gateway to Lake Titicaca.

Alternatively, travel from Cusco to Puno by scenic train, making the Andean landscape and the experience on board the focus of your day.

Across the lake, into island life

Set out across Lake Titicaca to the Uros, where local hosts share how totora reeds shape their floating islands, homes and way of life. Continue by boat to Amantaní, where a local family welcomes you into their home with a lunch they have prepared. In the afternoon, explore the island with your guide, following paths between cultivated fields and village life. As evening falls, share dinner around the family table before a peaceful night on the island.

Taquile, stories woven by hand

Share breakfast with your hosts before saying farewell and sailing on to Taquile. Walk the island's paths with your guide, discovering the skill and meaning within its UNESCO-recognised textile tradition and the role it holds in community life. Lunch with views across the lake precedes your return to Puno, where a relaxed final evening in the region awaits.

A thoughtful farewell

At the appropriate time, your private transfer takes you to Juliaca Airport for your flight to Lima and onward connection, bringing your journey through Peru to a close.