13 days / 12 nights

• Andean scenery
• Machu Picchu, new Wonder of the World
• Lake Titicaca
• Sacred Valley of the Incas
• Colonial Cusco
• Choose your accommodation

Insider Access

Meet the grandson of Martin Chambi, renowned artist and the first indigenous photographer in the Americas. Enjoy his vast archival collection of some 30,000 negatives and prints. Martin is most famous as the first to professionally take pictures of Machu Picchu soon after its discovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham.

Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive Lima
Arrive to a private welcome and transfer to the hotel. An afternoon guided tour of Lima to see the colonial and modern highlights including the Archaeological Museum.
Lima (Choice of category)

Day 02 Lima-Arequipa (2,380m)
A flight south-east to Arequipa, known as the ‘white city’ for its buildings made of sillar, a white volcanic rock mined locally. As the cultural centre for Peru’s south there is much to see. We begin with a tour including the 16th century Santa Catalina convent, one of the country’s most impressive (B).
Arequipa (Choice of category)

Day 03 Arequipa-Colca Canyon
An early start for the scenic drive to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world – 3182m at its deepest point, almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. In addition to spectacular scenery of mountains and terraced hillsides, Colca also offers one of the best opportunities to view the Andean Condor in its native environment (B,L,D).
Colca Lodge (Choice of category)

Day 04 Colca-Arequipa
Return by road to Arequipa (B,L).
Arequipa (Choice of category)

Day 05 Arequipa-Puno (3,820m)
A morning flight to Juliaca, access point for Puno. Before arriving into town visit the pre-Columbian funerary towers of Sillustani en route. Puno is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world (B).
Puno (Choice of category)

Day 06 Puno
A private speedboat awaits for today’s adventure on Lake Titicaca. First stop is the Uros Islands. These ‘floating’ islands do not actually move but are man made islets fashioned from the local ‘tortora’ reed and inhabited by the indigenous Uros people. You also visit the delightfully terraced Taquile Island, 45km offshore. The islanders are known for their fine handwoven textiles and clothing, regarded as among the highest-quality handicrafts in Peru. Visit a museum of traditional costumes and some pre-Inca ruins (B,L).
Puno (Choice of category)

Day 07 Puno-Cusco (3,310m)
A treat is in store for you today. Journey on one of the world's great rail experiences. Travel on one of the highest railways from the shores of Lake Titicaca to Cusco. At its highest point, La Raya, the altitude is 4,313m. Stop here en route to admire breathtaking views over the altiplano of snowcapped mountains (B,L).
Cusco (Choice of category)

Day 08 Design Your Day Cusco
The day is yours to discover what makes this fine colonial city tick. Visit the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman as well as stopping in at the studio of Martin Chambi, the first indigenous photographer in the Americas and the first to photograph Machu Picchu. There is also the opportunity to meet a local artist in the San Blas district (B).
Cusco (Choice of category)

Day 09 Cusco-Machu Picchu
Transfer to Poroy Station where you board the train for the scenic journey along a narrow gauge line to Machu Picchu. Accompanied by your guide, explore this ancient site built by the Incas in the 15th century, overlooking the raging Urubamba River. The ruins were rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham (B,L,D).
Machu Picchu (Choice of category)

Day 10 Machu Picchu-Sacred Valley
A morning to further explore the ruins. This afternoon travel by rail to Urubamba in the Sacred Valley, a pretty area full of archaeological sites, Inca terraces and quaint colonial churches (B,L).
Sacred Valley (Choice of catgegory)

Day 11 Design Your Day Sacred Valley-Cusco
A day to enjoy this scenic and fertile locale. Choose from the following: visit the 15th century town of Ollantaytambo and its Inca ruins; explore Awanakancha, a living museum dedicated to llamas, vicunas and alpacas; or raft on the Urubamba River. Later this afternoon travel back to Cusco (B,L).
Cusco (Choice of category)

Day 12 Cusco-Lima
Return by air to Lima with an afternoon visiting the famous Gold Museum, Peru’s most popular (B).
Lima (Choice of category)

Day 13 Depart Lima
Transfer to the airport where you have access to the VIP airport lounge before onward flight arrangements (B).

For more information on the A&K Guardian Angel service (provided in Cusco) see this explanation.

Note: Christmas and New Year's Eve surcharges apply. Apec conference taking place in Peru throughout 2008, supplements apply April, May, November.

Departure Dates & Prices

Tour Departs: Daily