Day 1 – Depart the UK for a morning flight to Lima, arriving in the evening. Transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 2 – Morning at leisure. Afternoon city tour of classical and modern Lima, taking in the Plaza San Martin and Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and government palace. (B)

Day 3 – Morning departure to Arequipa, Peru’s second largest city. Afternoon tour of the “White City”, visiting the impressive Santa Catalina monastery, Plaza del Armas, La Companie cloisters and the suburbs of Cayma and Yanahuara for magnificent views of the Misti volcano. Accommodation in your chosen hotel. (B)

Day 4 – Embark on a two-day tour to the Colca Canyon which at 3,000 m / 9,850 ft is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The dusty track leads through Pampa Canahuas in the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, a protected habitat for vicunhas, a relative of the llama but with finer wool. The Colca Valley has beautiful pre-Columbian terraces still farmed by native Collaguas, and there are unspoiled villages on both sides of the Canyon. Overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Early morning departure to the Condor’s Cross observation point for beautiful views and probable sightings of the great Andean bird, as it majestically climbs out of the canyon. Lunch included. Afternoon return to your hotel in Arequipa. (B, L)

Day 6 – Early departure to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Transfer to hotel for overnight. Afternoon tour of the capital of the Inca Empire visiting the Plaza del Armas, the cathedral and the Santo Domingo monastery before continuing to the Inca ruins at Tambomachay, Kenko, Puca Pucara and Sacsayhuaman. (B)

Day 7 – Full-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, including visits to Ollantaytambo and Pisac, famous for Inca terracing and a colourful market respectively. Overnight in the Urubamba valley. (B)

Day 8 – Early transfer to station to join the train to Machu Picchu, the so-called ‘Lost City of the Incas’. The guided tour of one of the world’s greatest archeological sites includes the main square, the Royal Quarters, the burial grounds, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Sacred Sundial. Buffet lunch. Overnight. (B, L)

Day 9 – Morning free to visit the ruins and an opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu above the site for its spectacular panoramic views. Afternoon return by train to Cusco for overnight. (B)

Day 10 – Early transfer to Cusco railway station for one of the most magnificent train journeys in the world, travelling in first class across the La Raya Pass to Puno, on Lake Titicaca. Lunch included. Transfer to hotel for a two-night stay. (B, L)

Day 11 – Motor boat trip on Lake Titicaca to visit the unique floating islands of the Uros Indians, where the inhabitants live today on their floating villages, modest homes and boats in much the same way as their ancestors did several hundred years ago. Afternoon visit to the Chullpas of Sillustani above Lake Umayo where the ancient Aymaras used to bury their high priests in 12 m / 40 ft high cylinder-shaped mausoleums. (B)

Days 12 – Depart hotel for the lovely journey along the shores of Lake Titicaca, stopping at the Baroque churches in Juli and Pomata and visiting a local market. Hydrofoil cruise to Moon Island and the legendary Sun Island. After lunch, continue to Huatajata. Visit en route the Urus-Iruitos floating islands and Quewaya Sustainable Project, an attempt at rescuing over 5,000 years of history and a social project to ensure the survival of this community. Superb views of the Royal Range of the Andes. Journey continues by coach to La Paz for a two-night stay. (B, L)

Day 13 – Full day tour of La Paz, including its very interesting market, the Moon Valley and Tiwanaku, the ruins of the capital Aymara civilisation, thought to date back to 1500 BC and to have once been the biggest city in the world with a population of 100,000. (B)

Day 14 – Morning at leisure. Transfer to the airport for the departure to the UK, via Lima. (B)

Day 15– Arrival in the UK.