Andean Encounters

Highlights

Day by Day

Arrival in Lima. Your private host will be waiting to accompany you to your hotel in the heart of Miraflores.

A private guided tour of Lima's colonial heart - the Plaza de Armas, the Presidential and Archbishop's Palaces, the Cathedral, the catacombs of San Francisco, and the remarkable Casa Aliaga mansion, in the same family for over 480 years.

A gastronomic day in Lima's bohemian Barranco district. Visit a local market, take part in a cocktail class, and conclude with lunch at Huaca Pucllana - a restaurant set amid the remains of a pre-Inca pyramid.

Fly to the White City of Arequipa, named for the volcanic sillar stone of its architecture. Explore the Andean Sanctuaries Museum - home to Juanita, the Inca ice maiden - and the extraordinary Santa Catalina Monastery.

Venture into the countryside to visit the 18th-century Sabandia Mill and the colonial Founder's Mansion. Return to the city for authentic Arequipeñan cuisine at a traditional picantería.

Begin the journey to Colca Canyon, pausing at the Sumbay Caves with their prehistoric rock paintings, and the Tocra Pampas - where herds of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas graze freely against an Andean skyline.

Watch Andean condors soar at the famous Condor's Cross viewpoint. Visit traditional villages in the valley, then spend the afternoon at the thermal baths of La Calera beneath stunning mountain views.

Journey to Puno, the folkloric capital of Peru, pausing at Lagunillas to take in the high-altitude lakes and abundant birdlife - including Andean and Chilean Flamingos.

Sail the blue waters of Lake Titicaca. Visit the extraordinary floating islands of Uros, constructed entirely from totora reeds, and continue to Taquile Island - where Quechua-speaking locals share their vibrant customs and world-renowned textile traditions.

Board the luxurious Titicaca Train for a memorable journey from Puno to Cusco - traditional music, elegant carriages, gourmet Peruvian cuisine, pisco sours in the observation car, and panoramic views of the Andes. Stops include the high pass of La Raya and the archaeological site of Raqchi.

Explore the heart of the Inca Empire - Q'orikancha, the Cathedral's famous Cusqueñan Last Supper, the colourful San Pedro market, and the bohemian streets of San Blas. In the afternoon, visit the great fortress of Sacsayhuamán above the city.

Explore the remarkable circular terraces of Moray - believed to have been an Inca agricultural laboratory - and the ancient salt ponds of Maras, still in use today. In the afternoon, visit a native community and learn traditional weaving techniques passed down through generations.

A hands-on day in a local community - joining agricultural activities, tending animals, visiting the school, and sharing in the everyday life of the Sacred Valley's people.

A chef-led market visit followed by a private cooking class in the flavours of Peruvian and Andean cuisine - a delicious and memorable way to deepen your connection with Peru's extraordinary culinary culture.

Take the scenic train from Ollantaytambo through the cloud forest to Aguas Calientes, then ascend to Machu Picchu. A private guided tour of the citadel - the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows - followed by a spectacular sunset at the Wonder of the World.

Return to Machu Picchu for a deeper immersion - myths, folklore, and the architectural genius of the Inca. An optional limited-entry hike for panoramic views from above the citadel, before the scenic train back to Cusco.

A final morning in Cusco at a master artisan's studio - a hands-on introduction to traditional Peruvian ceramic pottery, creating your own piece to take home. Leisure time in the afternoon before the flight to Lima and onward home.

Exclusions

- International flights
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance

This is a sample itinerary - a starting point, not a fixed package. Tell us what excites you most and we will shape it into your perfect journey.