Family Discovery Tour Of Peru

Arrive Lima and check-in at hotel

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Founded in 1535 and called the City of Kings, Lima today is both ancient and modern. We visit the famous Gold Museum, a collection of unusual anthropological and archaeological items from throughout Peru. After, we make an orientation tour on foot, passing through the colonial square and under the intricate modern balconies of old Lima, seeing some of the city’s best surviving examples of colonial architecture.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We take a flight over the stark Andean scenery. Leaving the coastal plain behind, we reach the foothills of the Andes mountains and the beautiful valley of Arequipa. One of Peru’s most picturesque cities, Arequipa basks in sunshine almost all year round. Although originally an Inca town, it was re-founded in 1540 by the Spanish, and there are excellent examples of Spanish architecture.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We visit the finely restored Santa Catalina Convent, a miniature walled town which once housed 450 nuns in total seclusion. The arcaded City Square is famed for its colonial architecture and twin-towered Cathedral. The remainder of the day is free to explore this attractive and interesting city, dominated by the perfect conical peak of El Misti volcano (5670m). Many of the buildings here are unique as they are built from ‘sillar’, a white volcanic rock taken from the volcanoes surrounding the town; it is therefore sometimes known as ‘The White City’. Alternatively, it is possible to take a full day optional excursion to Colca Canyon where you have a chance to see Condors in their natural habitat.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We drive to Juliaca on the high Altiplano, then we stop at the beautifully scenic site of Sillustani – a fitting home for the chullpas (funeral towers) which probably date from the 14th century. Afterwards we continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca: the highest navigable lake in the world at an elevation of 3,856m, and the legendary birthplace of the Inca civilisation. Local people have larger lungs, hearts and spleens, and blood that is particularly rich in red corpuscles. This has enabled them to adapt to high altitude living. En route to Puno we stop at the chullpas (funeral towers) of Sillustani, which probably date from the 14th century.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We spend the morning on Lake Titicaca and visit the Uros islands. The Uros people dwell on the lake itself, on ‘floating islands’ of totora, a reedlike papyrus that grows in the shallows and is used in the construction of houses and boats. We continue by motor vessel to the mainland and board the M/V Yavari. This fascinating steamship has been restored – built in 1862, it was shipped to Peru in pieces which were then transported by mule across the Andes to Lake Titicaca.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Today we follow the legendary route taken by the first Inca ruler - Manco Capac - on his way to find Cusco. Driving up to the northern limit of the Altiplano we cross La Raya pass (4335m) and descend to Cusco visiting the Inca temple ruins at Raqchi en route. Depending on time, those who wish may visit the colonial church at Andahuaylillas. The scenery is desolate but magnificent and we may spot flocks of llamas and alpacas grazing on the windswept pastures. There is also the opportunity to take the classic train journey from Puno to Cusco (optional) - one of the great railway journeys of the world, the full day journey covers some spectacular scenery over the high altiplano and includes lunch. Please note the train journey must be prebooked at the time of booking and costs 95GBP per person. We arrive at this fascinating mountain city and check into our hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

The old capital of the Inca Empire survives only in its ruins, imbued with an atmosphere of mystery and grandeur. The Spanish colonial city, with its attractive pink tiled roofs, arcaded plazas and steep winding alleyways, stands upon tremendous Inca foundation stones; enormous blocks of grey granite fitted together with the precision of a jeweller. We will also visit Saqsaywaman, a series of zigzagging stone walls broken into 66 sharply projecting angles built by 20,000 workers over 90 years. These were thought for many years to have been a fortress protecting the Inca capital, although recent studies have suggested that the site was in fact a temple sanctuary to the sun. We plan a walking tour of ancient Cusco to see important Inca monuments including the cathedral and the wall of Hatunrumiyoc with its famous 12-sided stone, used to create light and shadow patterns.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we’ll head out to Pisac in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and visit one of Latin America’s most famous markets. This is your chance to bargain for some exotic craftwork or simply enjoy the colourful spectacle

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

We take an early morning train along the side of the Rio Urubamba, flanked by high cliffs and peaks, then climb by small bus to Machu Picchu – the famous ‘Lost City’ (2280m). The existence of this exquisite masterpiece of ancient civilisation remained unknown to the outside world until it was ‘discovered’ by an American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham in 1911; indeed, when the Spanish conquered the area in the 16th Century, it seems that they overlooked this important site. We explore this mountain-top stronghold – the most spectacular feat of engineering in ancient America. Returning to the valley floor, we stay in a simple hostal in Aguas Calientes, with the chance to soak in the nearby natural hot baths.

Overnight Hostel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

This option there’s the option to re-visit the site, we may climb Machu Picchu mountain or, subject to it being open, climb the steep peak of Wayna Picchu to look down on the Temple of the Sun. For those wishing to do something a little more energetic, it may be possible to walk along part of the Inca Trail to the Gate of the Sun (subject to availability of local permits). This afternoon we return to Cusco by train and then by bus.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Back in Cusco, there are plenty of things to do. For river-lovers there is the opportunity of a full-day raft-trip (optional) down the Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This is an exciting way to see the valley and no previous experience of rafting is necessary – full instruction and safety equipment are provided.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

A morning transfer for our flight back to Lima. There is time for some last minute shopping, or you may wish to explore the city centre.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast