Bienvenidos! Welcome to Peru. Kick off your adventure in the coastal capital of Lima with a welcome meeting at 2 pm, where you'll meet your leader and fellow travellers. After, join your trip leader on a walking tour of the upscale Miraflores area. Enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace, then perhaps regroup for dinner. Whether you dine together or sample the city's renowned food scene on your own, don't miss the chance to try Peru's national dish, ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime juice, often served with hot peppers). If you're not a fan of seafood, there are plenty of other excellent options – just ask your leader for tips on the best local eats. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Start the day with a walking tour of Lima's historic centre. Stroll atmospheric streets lined with ornate mansions, palaces and Spanish churches, taking in Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, the San Francisco Monastery and the central market. Your leader will guide you through the market, where you'll find vendors selling fresh produce and regional specialties like cuy (better known as guinea pig) – a Peruvian delicacy. Then, head away from the tourist trail and visit Alameda de Chabuca Granda – a pedestrian strip where Limenos (locals from Lima) go for street food and entertainment. Later, travel to the port town of Paracas. The rest of the evening is free to relax or explore. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Take a 2-hour boat tour to Islas Ballestas – home to diverse wildlife, including pelicans, red-footed boobies, flamingos, sea lions and penguins. Then, hop in a private van to one of the world's most mysterious archaeological sites, the Nazca Lines, stopping at the oasis town of Huacachina for lunch. Nazca dates back to the 2nd century BC, and thanks to dry desert conditions, mummies, textiles, ceramics and other relics have been remarkably well-preserved, providing archaeologists with insights into the pre-Inca civilisation. Head to the viewing tower or take an optional flight for even better views! At sunset, drive south through the desert to meet a local in their traditional mud house where you’ll share a pachamanca dinner – a classic dish of potatoes, meat and herbs baked with hot stones (in the Quechua language, ‘pacha’ means earth and ‘manka’ means pot). Before digging in, you’ll experience a brief ceremony thanking Pachamama with chicha (corn beer). Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Paracas’ port is sometimes closed due to weather conditions between June and September. An alternative land-based tour of the Paracas National Reserve will be arranged in this instance. Nazca Lines flights are very popular. Please let your booking agent know in advance if you’d like to do this optional activity. Alternatively, speak to your leader on Day 1. Nazca Lines flights may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Should this happen, your flight will be rescheduled to the following morning (Day 4). The flight can be bumpy, but we’ll only recommend and book with operators who meet safety requirements. Maximum weight per passenger is 120 kgs/264 lbs. Extra fees apply if over this weight limit.

Leave Nazca behind this morning and travel to Arequipa in a private vehicle. Standing at the foot of El Misti Volcano and filled with baroque buildings, Arequipa vies with Cusco for the title of Peru's most attractive city. Built out of a pale volcanic rock called sillar, the old buildings dazzle in the sun, giving the city its nickname – the 'White City.’ When you arrive, maybe take a stroll to stretch your legs after a long driving day – the main plaza, with its cafes and nearby cathedral, is perfect for wandering solo. Your total travel time today will be approximately 11 hours.

Today, get to know Arequipa with the help of a local guide. Visit the main plaza, Santa Catalina Monastery and San Ignacio Chapel on a walking tour. After, head for lunch with your group at a picanteria for some Arequipa favourites like rocoto, relleno, solterito and queso helado. Have a go at practising your Spanish with the locals, then you're free to explore at your own pace. Maybe return to the main square to take a closer look at the cathedral, cafes and eateries or explore the Yanahuara neighbourhood. You may also like to visit the Juanita Museum, which houses Peru’s famous ‘Ice Maiden’ – the Inca mummy of a girl who died in the 1440s. Your leader will happily share tips to make the most of your free afternoon.

This morning you’ll travel to Puno – a town on the shores of Lake Titicaca. It's a long drive, but the views of the high plateau of the Andean Altiplano make it an exceptionally scenic one. As you approach Puno, stop to visit the ruins of Sillustani. Tucked between small villages on a scenic peninsula near Lake Umaya, the pre-Inca ruins comprise circular towers called chullpas that served as burial sites for noblemen. Continue to Puno, a melting pot of Aymara and Quechuan Indigenous culture. Traditional Andean customs are still strongly represented here, earning the town the title of Folklore Capital of Peru. Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours. The Sillustani visit will take approximately 90 minutes and includes walking to a hilltop to view the chullpas. Puno continues to experience some occasional ongoing political unrest. With safety always our priority, on some departures, we may need to use alternative transportation to avoid affected areas. Your tour leader will advise you of any specific changes to transport or the itinerary. .

Start the day with a tour of Lake Titicaca. At 3820 m (12,533 ft) above sea level, this is the world’s highest navigable lake. Cruise the waters in a motorboat and learn about the lake’s spiritual significance for the Quechua. Then, stop off at Uros Titinos – floating islands made from totora reeds. Reeds are used to make everything on the island, including the boats to get to the mainland, which can last up to 12 months. Continue to Taquile Island, where the locals make a living from textiles. Here, knitting is strictly men's domain, while women do the spinning. To reach the main part of the island, there’s an uphill walk on a paved path with great views of the lake. Sit down to an optional set lunch of quinoa soup, washed down with a cup of muna tea (Andean mint tea), then descend about 500 steps and jump back on the boat to Puno. Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours. Your walking time will be approximately 1 hour.

Take a scenic bus ride across the Altiplano to Cusco today – the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. You’ll travel by public tourist bus, and while there’s a rest stop along the way, it’s best to stock up on snacks before the journey. Set out to discover some of the city's lesser-known sites on a guided walking tour – visiting the facade of Qoricancha temple, San Pedro market, the main square, 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square and San Blas Square. For dinner tonight, why not try adobo cusqueno (pork stew) or alpaca steak. If you need recommendations, just ask your leader. Your total travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

Today, you’ll join your group for a guided tour of Sacsayhuaman – an imposing Inca fortress built from massive stone blocks, and the ultimate example of the Incas' military strength. Then, you may like to visit the city’s many museums and archaeological sites with your included boleto turistico (tourism ticket). This includes the Contemporary Art Museum, Regional History Museum, Qosqo Native Art Museum, and the Inca ruins of Q'enqo, Pica Pakara, and Pisac. The most easily accessible among these sites is Qoricancha, which was once the Inca empire's richest temple until the Spanish built a Dominican church on top of it. Tonight, you’ll need to prepare a smaller bag to take with you for the next two nights in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. This includes your visit to Machu Picchu, so be sure to pack any photographic equipment or chargers you might need. You’ll leave your main luggage in Cusco.

Take a bus through the Sacred Valley today. Known as Wilcamayo to the Incas, it has been a source of livelihood for the locals for hundreds of years, with maize crops covering the terraced valley walls. Make a stop at the AMA Restaurant in Urubamba – a cafe that provides employment opportunities for single mothers. Enjoy a snack and learn how this inclusive enterprise supports economic growth and gender equality, then continue onto the Huilloq community – tourists are an uncommon sight here! Be welcomed with an offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth), learn about ancestral textile techniques and tuck into a guinea-pig lunch (vegetarian option available upon request). Then, drive to the day’s final stop – Ollantaytambo. You'll take a guided tour of the town’s archaeological site, then have free time to relax. Your total travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

This morning, catch a train through the winding Urubamba Valley, climbing to Aguas Calientes – this seriously scenic journey will surely give your camera a good workout! If you’d like to give your legs a workout, too, your leader can recommend some great walks around Aguas Calientes. The city is in the cloud forest at the foot of Machu Picchu, so it’s the perfect place to kick back and take in your surroundings. You can choose to trek the One Day Inca Trail today (11 km/7 miles) with a local guide. Keep in mind that you must pre-book this option at least 30 days before departure. The day begins bright and early with a 6:30 am train ride to the starting point. The trail is a mix of up and downhill, passing a few archaeological sites, including Chachabamba and Winay Wayna (2680 m/8793 ft altitude) – also known as 'Forever Young.’ Considered the most impressive site on the whole Inca Trail, it’s made up of a terraced agricultural centre, religious sector and urban sector. From here, it's about a 1.5-hour trek to Intipunku (the Sun Gate), where you'll enjoy unforgettable views (weather permitting) over the Lost City of the Incas. Depending on how long the trek takes, you'll have time to snap some pics and look around before taking a short bus ride down to Aguas Calientes to rejoin the group and go to your hotel. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Take an early bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. The city was built around AD1440 as a country retreat for the Inca nobility, but there’s evidence that the land had been a sacred Inca site for much longer. Another school of thought is that this was an astronomical observatory. Take a guided tour around the ruins of temples, palaces and living quarters and decide for yourself. After, catch the bus back to Aguas Calientes, followed by a scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo and a drive to Cusco where you’ll spend the night. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. The first bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu departs at 5:30 am. The estimated arrival time is between 6 and 6:30 am. The sun rises at Machu Picchu at approximately 5:30 am. Therefore, it's not possible to be there in time for sunrise. According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and when the guided visit starts, exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. After the guided visit, visitors must exit the site. Personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted.

Enjoy free time today to delve deeper into all Cusco has to offer. You might like to use your boleto turistico to check out any sites you missed the last time you were here or just grab a coffee from a cafe at Plaza de Armas and do some people-watching. For those seeking an active adventure, the hills surrounding Cusco are well-suited for mountain biking. Ask your leader about optional activities and how to make the most of your day.

Take a short flight from Cusco to Lima today. You’ll be unescorted on your flight today, and when you arrive in Lima, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and met by a new local leader who can assist with any optional activities or final arrangements. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish. Visit some of the sites you missed at the beginning of the trip or maybe do some last-minute souvenir shopping. Tonight, why not gather the group for one final night out on the town? Your leader will be happy to give you pointers to make the most of your last day in Peru. Your total travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

This morning, you’ll take a transfer to the Lima Airport for your flight to Quito – sitting at a high altitude under the towering Pichincha volcano, this is a beautiful city, stretching along the valley and surrounded by the Andes. When you arrive, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free until your next welcome meeting at 5 pm. After, head out with your new leader and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant. Try some traditional flavours and get to know your group. As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today. You will be unaccompanied on your flight today, and until your welcome meeting tonight. Quito is located at 2850 m above sea level. At this altitude you may experience some of the milder effects of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, insomnia and a shortness of breath. If so, we recommend you avoid any strenuous activity. Please see the "Medical & Health Information" section for more details. Please keep in mind that this may be your last chance to buy items like sunscreen and toiletries. You may not be able to find them in the remote areas we visit on this trip.

You have a very early start this morning (maybe as early as 4 am, depending on flight times) as you head into the Galapagos. Transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito Airport), with a boxed breakfast on the way. When you arrive, you’ll meet your naturalist guide in the arrival hall. Transfer a short distance away to Isla Baltra, where you’ll board your home for the adventure – M/Y Queen Beatriz. Once on board, settle in and then have lunch with your group. After, you’ll sail to Punta Carrion – on the eastern side of the Itabaca Channel that separates the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz. This is a shallow and protected cove, ideal for your first snorkel and swim in the Galapagos! From the vantage point of your boat, wildlife is plentiful, so keep your eyes peeled for occasional sights of blue-footed boobies, Galapagos herons and great blue herons, while under the surface swim rays and white-tipped reef sharks. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome cocktail during the crew’s onboard presentation. Today is predominately a long travel day with an early morning start. Your first activity on the islands will not commence until after lunch. There are no snacks provided on the flights to and from the Galapagos Islands, so we recommend that you carry some snacks today. Please keep in mind that the Galapagos has strict quarantine regulations regarding bringing food onto the islands, with many fruits and vegetables being on the restricted list. There will be time after check-in and before departure to buy snacks at the airport. A USD 20 transit card is payable on departure at Quito Airport and a USD 200 national park entry fee is payable when you arrive on the islands. Credit cards are not accepted, so make sure you have cash on hand. Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours. Your flight to the Galapagos Islands will stop in Guayaquil to refuel and pick up other passengers. Your sailing time today will be approximately 1.5 hours (10 nautical miles) to Punta Carrion. Tonight, you’ll sail approximately 9 hours (64 nautical miles) to Isla Isabela.

Wake up on the south Coast of Isla Isabela – the largest island of the Galapagos archipelago. Isabela was formed by five giant volcanic craters, all still considered active. The island is located in one of the youngest geological areas in the world, having been formed less than 1 million years ago and the southern coast has the largest area of beaches in the Galapagos. You’ll visit Las Tintoreras, heading to a viewing walkway where you can see a colony of white-tipped reef sharks swimming and sleeping. Take a long walk through lava flows and see the resident blue-footed boobies, penguins, marine iguanas and crabs. In the afternoon, take another walk through a coastal lagoon, where you might see some flamingos. This mangrove-lined path leads to Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center (Arnoldo Tupiza) where you'll observe giant tortoises in all stages of development. You’ll then have the choice to go swimming at the beach or head out for some shopping in Puerto Villamil. You’ll sail overnight for approximately 6 hours (40 nautical miles) to Post Office Bay. Please note that there's a USD 10 fee to be paid upon landing on Isla Isabela.

Isla Floreana is a highlight of any Galapagos cruise, rich in natural wonders and wildlife. Today you’ll take a panga ride around the bay to see marine iguanas, sea lions and crabs before taking a leisurely walk to Post Office Bay, where 18th century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. This custom continues today with visitors to the Galapagos – post one of your own or see if there are any you could deliver back home! You’ll also have the chance to go snorkelling with sea turtles. Today you might also be lucky enough to see pink flamingos and other water birds wading in the lagoons, including pintails and stilts. Just offshore, the Devil’s Crown is an old eroded volcanic cone and a popular roosting site for seabirds like boobies, pelicans and frigates. Go snorkelling in the cone, full of sea lions and colourful fish, for maybe the best underwater experience of the adventure! Later, you’ll head to Punta Cormorant, where the sand is made up of olivine crystals (a glassy volcanic mineral), giving the beach an olive-green colour. Your sailing time today will be approximately 30 mins (3 nautical miles) to Punta Cormorant, then 4 hours (32 nautical miles) to Puerto Ayora.

Flights to the mainland depart mid-morning, so an early start is necessary today to make the most of your last day on the islands. You’ll wake up in Isla Santa Cruz and heads to the small town of Puerto Ayora – the economic centre of the archipelago and home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. As well as undertaking vital conservation work, the station also makes for interesting exploration and offers an opportunity to see giant tortoises. You may also be able to observe the baby tortoises and land iguanas! After your visit, head to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Tonight, you may like to head out with your group for a farewell dinner and toast to an excellent adventure. Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours. Your flight will make a brief stop in Guayaquil to drop off or pick up other passengers. We recommend bringing your own snacks. As you’ll be leaving the boat this morning, please remember that if you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip is considered appropriate. For logistical and cultural reasons, we treat this as an optional expense and do not incorporate it into your trip price. Suggested tipping amounts can be found under the Money Matters section in the Essential Trip Information.

There are no activities planned for today, and your adventure finishes after breakfast this morning. Of course, that doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Why not stay on in Quito for a few days and discover the charms of the city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.