Active in the Andes

Take in the beautiful Lake Titicaca with its floating reed islands before crossing the altiplano to Cusco. This vibrant city - ‘the navel of the world’ - offers a great fusion of Inca and colonial sites. Next you’ll head out into the Sacred Valley. Visit the ruins and market of Pisac, hike deserted Inca paths to ancient ruins and stay overnight in a local village house. On your final day you’ll ride mountain bikes along the valley to the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo.

Classic Peru

Following the desert coastline from Lima, you visit the Ballestas Islands with their prolific seabirds and further south, wonder at the mysterious and unexplained Nazca Lines. An exploration of colonial Arequipa reveals the harshness of convent life, followed by a spectacular drive over the Andes to watch condors soar in the Colca Canyon. Then you’ll journey to Lake Titicaca – the fabled birth place of the Incas.

Empire of the Inca

From the colonial city of Arequipa, you embark on an amazing drive across a high barren Andean plateau en route to the incredible Colca Canyon. Here you’ll watch condors soaring majestically on thermals rising from the depths below. Your journey continues to vibrant Cusco - where you’ll discover Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay and other amazing Inca ruins.

Flight of the Condor

Starting in colonial Arequipa you’ll discover the walled enclosure of Santa Catalina Convent before heading over the high altiplano to the impressive Colca Canyon - where condors soar on the rising thermals. Another spectacular drive takes you to the curious stone burial towers of Sillustani on the edge of Lake Titicaca. Exploring by boat you’ll travel to see the Uros Indians on their floating reed islands.

Incas & Islands

A spectacular flight takes you high into the Andes to Puno, on idyllic Lake Titicaca, legendary birthplace of the Incas. After visiting the remote communities on Taquile Island you head across the altiplano following the path of the first Incas to the Sacred Valley where you can visit the impressive Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo. Then it’s on to the splendours of Machu Picchu, the famous Inca citadel; these extensive ruins are simply awe-inspiring. On to the busy regional capital of Cusco with its eclectic mix of Inca, colonial and modern architecture.

Incas and Islands

Land of the Incas Family Holiday

From Lima you’ll fly south to colonial Arequipa and see a fascinating display of mummies that were discovered high in the ice of the Andes. A short flight brings you to the shores of Lake Titicaca, where a boat will take you to the floating Uros Islands to visit the Indian villagers. The tortora reed, which grows here, is used to make their islands, houses and boats.

Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca

Arequipa is a lovely colonial city built from distinct white ‘silar’ volcanic rock. As you leave the city you thread your way through these volcanoes to reach the remote Colca Canyon. Deeper than the Grand Canyon, Colca is home to typical mountain villages, some fantastic examples of mountain terracing and the majestic Andean Condor.

Taste of Peru

The highest navigable lake in the world and the birthplace of the Inca empire, Titicaca is a stunning expanse of vibrant blue water. Here you visit the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians and explore Taquile Island with its traditional way of life. Crossing the altiplano you pass typical Andean villages as you head to the centre of Inca civilisation.

Teens on the Trail Teenage Adventure

After arriving in Lima, your first port of call is Puno and the highest navigable lake in the world, Titicaca. From here you’ll explore the ruins at Sillustani, the floating Uros islands and acclimatise for the second part of your trip. Heading from the stark altiplano across La Raya pass, you’ll travel down the more fertile Vilcanota Valley. Your destination is Cusco, the ancient Inca capital and one of the biggest settlements in pre-Hispanic America.

The High Inca Trail

Cradled in the Andes, Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, has a magical ambience and is the birth place of the Inca Empire. You’ll visit the famous floating islands of the Uros Indians fashioned from the tortora reed before crossing the Altiplano to explore bustling Cusco, the crossroads of South America where Inca stonework and colonial architecture fuse.

The Inca Trail

The Inca Trail from the Sacred Valley of Urubamba to the magical ruins of Machu Picchu is one of the world’s finest trekking routes – and one of the most famous. It offers an incredible mix of fantastic mountain views, different ecosystems from cloudforest to high altitude moorland and a series of fascinating ruins perched on incredible vantage points. Having spent a couple of days in Cusco to acclimatise and explore this must-visit city, you’ll head out into the Inca heartland and onto the trail. Breathe the fresh mountain air, cross 4000m passes and catch your first breathtaking view of the lost city of Machu Picchu. How’s that for the perfect answer to the question ‘what did you do last week?’