Best of Peru Cultural Discovery (Machu Picchu, The Amazon, Lake Titicaca & Hot Springs) 16D15N, Guided

Your adventure begins in Lima, the capital city of Peru, at your hotel, conveniently located just a 2 minutes' walk from the airport arrivals terminal. You’ll be welcomed with a meet and greet by a representative and together make your way to the hotel.

You’ll stay at a 4-star airport hotel offering a sophisticated retreat just steps away from the airport. Step into this haven of Peruvian excellence and utilise its premium amenities, from taking a dip in its sparkling outdoor pool to allowing your body to rejuvenate with special treatments at the on-site Spa Express (at own expense).

This evening, receive a welcome briefing about the days ahead, a good chance to get familiar with the group and your tour leader. Afterward, you prepare for your morning flight to Arequipa tomorrow.

We rise early today to catch our flight to Arequipa, an iconic city sometimes called the White City because of the white volcanic stone that was used to build many of its exquisite colonial structures. This charming city is nestled around volcanoes that reach heights of up to 6,000 metres (19,685 feet), notably the flawless cone of El Misti.

We will stop for lunch at a traditional lunchtime restaurant in Arequipa before our afternoon tour through the ancient city centre, including the Plaza de Armas (main square) and the tranquil Santa Catalina convent, which was founded in 1580 and is still maintained by the nuns who live there.

Tonight, we unwind in the comfort of Hotel Mint, a 4-star boutique hotel just a stone’s throw from the city’s main square and offers contemporary amenities and personalised services. Settle in for the night and make yourself at home. Later tonight you can choose to indulge in delightful Peruvian delicacies from the a la carte menu in the hotel’s restaurant. Alternatively, venture out to the neighbourhood and pick a spot of your choice. Your tour leaders are also happy to recommend one to you.

A breathtaking drive across the Andean high plains, also known as the Altiplano, takes us to our spectacular host for today, the Colca Canyon, which is lauded as one of the deepest canyons in the world. Before crossing the Patapampa Pass (16,110ft/4,910m), which marks our descent into the canyon proper, we pass through volcanoes along the way and get a chance to marvel at the beautiful sights of wandering vicuñas on the highlands.

We also take in the visual delights presented by the lush, fertile canyon terraces which is a contrast to the arid yet stunning Altiplano landscapes as we travel the winding road to the town of Chivay for a brief stop. Our stay at the top of the pass will be short since we may start to experience the effects of altitude today. However, we will pass the night at a height of 11,810 feet (3,600 metres) above sea level so take it easy when you get to the hotel.

You’ll stay at the Colca Lodge, a charming hotel surrounded by lush greenery that has a stunning view of the Colca River, and natural hot springs to enjoy. The spa and wellness facilities here are an unparalleled force meant to guide your body towards ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation. Settle down and unpack and treat yourself to the special offerings of your home.

Today, it's all about exploring Colca Canyon highlights. We begin with a trip to the Cruz del Condor, the greatest location to observe the majestic Andean condors as they soar on the early morning thermals. Along the journey, we stop in the villages, which are home to many intriguing colonial churches, and take in the ancient tombs that border the cliffs on one side of the canyon. Come afternoon, we set out on a walking tour to explore the adjacent pre-Incan ruins of Uyo Uyo, where we can see its fascinating assembly of stone structures, using the ancient technique of Ashlan Masonry and are erected on terraces extending over a hillside.

Retreat back to our lodge for a refreshing dip in the natural hot springs, where we can feel the stress flow out of our bodies. After ample time of quality relaxation, we convene for dinner at the hotel's restaurant featuring traditional Peruvian dishes with a modern twist.

After a hearty breakfast, we travel over high alpine plains to explore Puno, a regional trading hub set on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. We move in tune to the whinny of vicuña herds before we advance to tour the pre-Incan burial towers (chullpas) of Sillustani for a brief time.

Our hotel tonight is a posh retreat of elegance and comfort offering a harmonious blend of traditional Andes culture and modern luxury perfectly placed on the Lake Titicaca shorelines, making it the best location to watch the lake's sunset and its spectacular views. If you wish, after relaxing, proceed to the hotel’s Alma restaurant on your own for a pleasant meal of traditional meals in a modern and warm presentation

Today is to explore Lake Titicaca and visit the floating islands of Uros and Taquile. First, we join a scenic boat ride to tour Uros, where the locals have been residing on reed rafts for many years. Although a respectable portion of their revenue is now generated by highly regulated tourism, they still fish the lake and trade with communities on the mainland to obtain daily necessities.

We continue to Taquile, a distinguished community popular for its traditional way of life and where only men weave. It is possible to make out the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real in the distance from this island, which offers great panoramas of the lake. After, we head back to the hotel where you can unwind and relax and prepare for our journey tomorrow.

In the morning, we embark on a leisurely cruise across the bleak but stunning Altiplano which lies between the Andes and the tropical jungle. We stop en route to Cuzco to get some fresh air, see some of the most fascinating sites, and enjoy a delicious lunch. We arrive at Cuzco this afternoon, just in time for a brief walking tour of this ancient city that blends Inca and Spanish medieval architecture.

Tonight, Xima Hotel, a 4-star hotel, located a short walk from the city's main square welcomes us to its relaxed quarters and incredible facilities featuring a bar, restaurant, and a tranquil spa that offers a soul-stirring sensory experience.

In the morning, we join a tour of the Inca Empire's core, taking in both the city's interior and its surrounding mountains. The best specimen of Inca stonework may be seen in the city's center, where Qoricancha (Sun Temple of the Incas) and Cuzco Cathedral are located. We travel to Sacsayhuaman, a monolithic stone castle on a hill overlooking Cuzco, where the Incan troops made their final stand against the Conquistadors. On our way to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, we take a brief stop at the enormous Inca castle and explore this unique settlement, where many of the streets and facades have been continuously occupied since the time of the Incas.

You’ll stay at Del Pilar Ollantaytambo, a beautiful sanctuary located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cuzco where we spend the night in comfort.

We get up early to take a beautiful train ride through the Urubamba River Valley to Km104, where we get off, cross the river, and begin our full-day hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The breathtaking views and access to the charming remains of Winay Wayna (Forever Young), where we enjoy our box lunch, will be the reward for our uphill efforts. Following a rather flat trail past wild orchids, leads us to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where we get our first full view of Machu Picchu, one of the New Wonders of the World.

In the late afternoon, we take the opportunity to capture beautiful moments as we descend into the ruins complex offering a spectacular panorama. We leave the site and take the bus to our hotel in Aguas Calientes where we are treated to savory meals, enjoy a refreshing shower, and get a good night's sleep in preparation for our early return to Machu Picchu for an exciting tour.

Tonight, we settle in a quiet and comfortable abode offering impressive views of its natural surroundings, the Tierra Viva Machu Picchu hotel. Relax in the ambiance of the hotel’s panoramic sun terrace before turning in for the night.

Today is to explore the great Machu Picchu ruins. We reserve early morning buses and entry tickets to Machu Picchu in order to beat the daytrippers from Cuzco and get to the ruins early.

The Inca fortress is one of the architectural wonders of antiquity, made more impressive by the towering mountain backdrop. Machu Picchu remained a great mystery for centuries because the Spaniards never found it and the Incas left no written records of it. It was only rediscovered in 1911 by American historian Hiram Bingham after being lost in the jungle for centuries.

Following our tour, we take the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo (1 hour 30 minutes), here the Sacred Valley route leads us to our hotel, Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel & Villas, a mountain chalet-style haven located in the sacred valley complete with premium facilities alongside stunning panoramas of Andes. After settling in, indulge in some premium R&R; visit the sauna for a special rejuvenation session or order a soothing drink at the bar.

We leave the beautiful Sacred Valley this morning and travel up to Chincheros, a town known for its centuries-old weaving culture. Chincheros offers not just breathtaking panoramas of the valley and Vilcabamba mountain range, but also the rare cultural experience of taking part in a traditional Andean pachamanca lunch, which is hosted by the locals. This is an authentic gastronomic treat, where the food is wrapped and then buried beneath hot stones to cook slowly.

After enjoying the pachamanca treat, we head back to Cuzco, where you have some time to yourself to explore. You can peruse its vibrant streets or perhaps venture to the San Pedro market where you can find noble arts and crafts to purchase as souvenirs.

We head back to the familiar Xima Hotel where we’ll once again dive into its warm hospitality for another two nights.

Today is free for you to explore Cuzco, one of South America's most picturesque cities. You can visit the Plaza de Armas, a vibrant location and a great place to get insight into the fascinating lifestyle of the people. Or explore the Mercado San Pedro, one of the city’s largest open-air markets, to sample local fare, and find numerous handcraft shops where you can buy trinkets like scarves and jumpers made of alpaca.

If you're up for something more challenging, Cuzco offers a wide range of additional optional activities, such as paddleboarding on a lake, mountain biking, or a combo of via ferrata and zip-lining in the Sacred Valley.

We set off early this morning and board a short flight to Puerto Maldonado. Once we land, we move to the riverfront and join a 25-minute boat journey along the Madre de Dios River to arrive at our jungle accommodation at the Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion lodge. The hotel is located in the protected Tambopata National Reserve, which is home to numerous plant and animal species not found anywhere else in the world.

We can choose to go into the rainforest after lunch with our expert guide, who will show us the incredible diversity of Amazonian flora and fauna. As we continue our exploration, we board a riverboat at dusk to see nocturnal animals in their natural habitat.

Our stay in this natural dwelling is the Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción, seated in the spectacular Amazonian beauty, near a natural cocoha (lake), housing an amazing biodiverse ecosystem; the perfect place for nature-lovers. Relish the immersive Amazon experience embedded in every corner of this special resort.

The different activities planned for today include a combination of an expertly guided hike through the woodland paths and canoeing around Lake Sandoval. This tranquil lake harbors thousands of bird species, endangered giant river otters, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles, and black caimans. A network of canopy walkways allows us to ascend high into the canopy for an entirely different view of the forest. An evening stroll is also available so that you may take pleasure in the sight of wildlife and the rainforest's lush surroundings.

Wake up to a cacophony of jungle sounds and enjoy your final breakfast before we depart by boat from the lodge, to visit the Butterfly House. Afterward, we take a flight from Puerto Maldonado back to Lima. As we arrive in Lima, we transfer to our comfortable hotel in the bustling Miraflores district, Casa Andina Select Miraflores.

There are several luxury amenities situated here for you to indulge. A dip in the hot tub or a full body massage tuning your body and mind might prove excellent. In the evening, a fabulous restaurant at the foot of the pre-Incan Huaca Pucllana site will host us to a special farewell dinner to mark the last night of our adventure. We will cheers to a wonderful and immersive adventure that has re-shaped our sense of excitement.

Savour a relaxing breakfast, a perfect time to reflect on your incredible journey before you bid the city of Lima farewell and make your own arrangements for your onward travel. Alternatively, airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost, please contact us.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.