Majestic Peru

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Peru. Kick off your adventure in the coastal capital of Lima with a welcome meeting at 2 pm, where you'll meet your leader and fellow travellers. After, join your trip leader on a walking tour of the upscale Miraflores area. Enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace, then perhaps regroup for dinner. Whether you dine together or sample the city's renowned food scene on your own, don't miss the chance to try Peru's national dish, ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime juice, often served with hot peppers). If you're not a fan of seafood, there are plenty of other excellent options – just ask your leader for tips on the best local eats.

Start the day with a walking tour of Lima's historic centre. Stroll atmospheric streets lined with ornate mansions, palaces and Spanish churches, taking in Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, the San Francisco Monastery and the central market. Your leader will guide you through the market, where you'll find vendors selling fresh produce and regional specialties like cuy (better known as guinea pig) – a Peruvian delicacy. Then, head away from the tourist trail and visit Alameda de Chabuca Granda – a pedestrian strip where Limenos (locals from Lima) go for street food and entertainment. Later, travel to the port town of Paracas. The rest of the evening is free to relax or explore.

Take a 2-hour boat tour to Islas Ballestas – home to diverse wildlife, including pelicans, red-footed boobies, flamingos, sea lions and penguins. Then, hop in a private van to one of the world's most mysterious archaeological sites, the Nazca Lines, stopping at the oasis town of Huacachina for lunch. Nazca dates back to the 2nd century BC, and thanks to dry desert conditions, mummies, textiles, ceramics and other relics have been remarkably well-preserved, providing archaeologists with insights into the pre-Inca civilisation. Head to the viewing tower or take an optional flight for even better views! At sunset, drive south through the desert to meet a local in their traditional mud house where you’ll share a pachamanca dinner – a classic dish of potatoes, meat and herbs baked with hot stones (in the Quechua language, ‘pacha’ means earth and ‘manka’ means pot). Before digging in, you’ll experience a brief ceremony thanking Pachamama with chicha (corn beer).

Leave Nazca behind this morning and travel to Arequipa in a private vehicle. Standing at the foot of El Misti Volcano and filled with baroque buildings, Arequipa vies with Cusco for the title of Peru's most attractive city. Built out of a pale volcanic rock called sillar, the old buildings dazzle in the sun, giving the city its nickname – the 'White City.’ When you arrive, maybe take a stroll to stretch your legs after a long driving day – the main plaza, with its cafes and nearby cathedral, is perfect for wandering solo.

Today, get to know Arequipa with the help of a local guide. Visit the main plaza, Santa Catalina Monastery and San Ignacio Chapel on a walking tour. After, head for lunch with your group at a picanteria for some Arequipa favourites like rocoto, relleno, solterito and queso helado. Have a go at practising your Spanish with the locals, then you're free to explore at your own pace. Maybe return to the main square to take a closer look at the cathedral, cafes and eateries or explore the Yanahuara neighbourhood. You may also like to visit the Juanita Museum, which houses Peru’s famous ‘Ice Maiden’ – the Inca mummy of a girl who died in the 1440s. Your leader will happily share tips to make the most of your free afternoon.

This morning you’ll travel to Puno – a town on the shores of Lake Titicaca. It's a long drive, but the views of the high plateau of the Andean Altiplano make it an exceptionally scenic one. As you approach Puno, stop to visit the ruins of Sillustani. Tucked between small villages on a scenic peninsula near Lake Umaya, the pre-Inca ruins comprise circular towers called chullpas that served as burial sites for noblemen. Continue to Puno, a melting pot of Aymara and Quechuan Indigenous culture. Traditional Andean customs are still strongly represented here, earning the town the title of Folklore Capital of Peru.

Start the day with a tour of Lake Titicaca. At 3820 m (12,533 ft) above sea level, this is the world’s highest navigable lake. Cruise the waters in a motorboat and learn about the lake’s spiritual significance for the Quechua. Then, stop off at Uros Titinos – floating islands made from totora reeds. Reeds are used to make everything on the island, including the boats to get to the mainland, which can last up to 12 months. Continue to Taquile Island, where the locals make a living from textiles. Here, knitting is strictly men's domain, while women do the spinning. To reach the main part of the island, there’s an uphill walk on a paved path with great views of the lake. Sit down to an optional set lunch of quinoa soup, washed down with a cup of muna tea (Andean mint tea), then descend about 500 steps and jump back on the boat to Puno.