The Peruvian Trail

Peru features spectacular scenery, stupendous train journeys and amazing culture including magical Machu Picchu. This truly exhilarating holiday leaves nothing to the imagination as we follow a remarkable trail around the country, taking in Lima, Huancavelica, Ica, Nazca, the ”White City” of Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and more.

We are pleased to offer this exhilarating holiday in conjunction with Ffestiniog Travel. Their excellent tours are escorted by experienced tour leaders and combine the very best of rail travel, superb sightseeing and exciting places to visit - world-wide.

Day 1 Early morning flight from London to Lima and transfer to our hotel located in the Miraflores district. (B,L) Day 2 Enjoy a city tour of Lima by private coach and have lunch before returning to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore at leisure. (B) Day 3 An early start and we join our train to Huancayo at Desamparados Station, Lima. This all-day stupendous journey reaches a dizzy height of 15,679 feet and the scenery is stunning. There are numerous bridges, tunnels and switchbacks along the route. At Galera Station we will stretch our legs. Lunch on board the train and dinner at the hotel in Huancayo is included. (B,L,D) Day 4 Our scheduled train will take us to Huancavelica. More breathtaking scenery along the line before reaching the typical Peruvian town, high in the Andean mountains. Transfer to hotel and dinner is included. (B,D) Day 5 We take a different route out of Huancavelica and travel by private coach as we head for the attractive city of Ica, known for its wine and Pisco (local drink). Again, fantastic scenery en route. (B) Day 6 We transfer to Paracas Harbour where we board our boat heading for the Ballestas Islands. These islands are home to Humboldt penguins, sea lions and flocks of seabirds including pelicans, Inca terns and cormorants. The boat will edge close to the arches and caves for wonderful photographic opportunities. Return to hotel and the rest of the day is free. (B) Day 7 Our private coach will take us to the small desert town of Nazca via the Museum of Maria Reiche to discover this German-born archaeologist’s amazing lifelong work with the ‘lines’. We board our small aircraft to view the incredible images etched into the desert sands. The artwork stretches for 50 miles and includes humming birds, monkeys and spiders that can only be appreciated from the air. We can have dinner locally before transferring to the bus station for our overnight bus to Arequipa. We travel ‘first class’ in comfortable, reclining seats. (B) Day 8 Our hotel awaits our arrival ready to provide a good breakfast in the garden restaurant. A city tour of the ‘White City’ of Arequipa includes the beautiful Monasterio de Santa Catalina and the nearby museum which is home to the mummy of ‘Juanita – the Ice Maiden.’ Rest of the day is day free to relax. (B) Day 9 We take a fascinating drive through the National Reserve of Alpacas and Vicuñas into the high plateau region before descending into the stunning Colca Canyon, considered to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Those who wish can test the thermal waters of the hot springs (but remember your bathing suit). We spend the night at a country inn with open log fire. Spectacular views of the mountains and volcanoes covered in snow. (B) Day 10 Vista Del Conders - our journey will take us to the best viewing place to see the giant condors as they ride the rising thermals. After lunch we begin our scenic journey to Puno and the shores of the Great Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. (B) Day 11 We transfer to the Harbour of Puno and board our boat bound for Uros, the incredible floating islands. The locals sell wonderful alpaca wool jumpers and a host of local crafts. Notice the reed boats with puma heads. Condors and pumas are considered to be majestic species in Peru. Later we return to the harbor and visit the ruins of Sillustani, a pre-Incan burial ground. A superb picnic lunch will be laid on. (B,L) Day 12 Today you are free to relax and take a break from travel and enjoy the sights of Puno. Puno has beautiful flower markets and there is the famous Yavari iron ship which has been painstakingly restored by Meriel Larkin. We will be collected for an afternoon tour of the great ship and learn about the amazing work carried out to restore this fine vessel. The evening is at leisure with many restaurants and places of entertainment in Puno. (B) Day 13 An early departure for the train across the Altiplano to Cusco. Lunch is included and the rear of the train has a glass observation carriage for spectacular views. Another incredible Peruvian journey in a most comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Transfer to hotel. (B,L) Day 14 Cusco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and we visit the Sacred Valley in our private bus. En route we stop at Sacsayhuaman, one of the best examples of Inca stonework. We visit a variety of sites before arriving at the picturesque village of Pisac, gateway to the Sacred Valley. There’s time to see the display of local wares and have lunch before continuing to Ollantaytambo where the Incas last stand against the Spanish Conquistadores took place. (B) Day 15 Board the Vista dome train at Ollantaytambo for the exquisite journey to Aguas Calientes. Transfer to centrally located hotel allowing easy access to restaurants and shops. (B) Day 16 No words can describe the incredulity of Machu Picchu. Its full splendour was revealed in 1911 when Hiram Bingham rediscovered Machu Picchu suddenly rising on top of a magnificent mountain. A local guide will help us assimilate some of the mysteries and then we can explore at our leisure. Our late afternoon train will take us from Aguas Calientes to Cusco, again in comfortable seats. (B) Day 17 We transfer to Cusco airport for our flight to Lima. This evening a farewell dinner and show has been arranged in the district of Barranco. (B,D) Day 18 Transfer to Lima airport for our flight to London, arriving mid-afternoon the next day. (D) Day 19 Arrive London Heathrow mid-afternoon. (B)