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Bienvenidos! Welcome to Peru. Your adventure begins in Lima, Peru’s lively capital city. When you arrive, you'll be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel. Here, you'll meet your small group of fellow travellers and your local leader for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive in Lima early, the city is full of bars converted from old mansions, so you may like to head out for your first pisco sour. After your meeting, join your leader and group for a welcome dinner. Lima has one of the world’s most revered culinary scenes, and this evening you’ll head to one of the city’s best restaurants, with views surrounded by ancient ruins. The creative chef offers up traditional Peruvian dishes with modern twists in a one-of-a-kind environment.

Start the day with a walking tour with your leader through downtown Lima. Admire the buildings of Plaza Mayor and visit the eerie catacombs of the Saint Francis Monastery, then head away from the tourist trail to Alameda de Chabuca Granda – an area popular with the locals. Later, catch a flight to Arequipa – a beautiful city with a UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre. When you arrive, head out for an orientation walk with your leader. Known as La Ciudad Blanca (The White City), Arequipa’s buildings have been built almost exclusively from a white volcanic material called sillar, giving the city a distinctive appearance. Situated in a valley at the foot of the El Misti volcano, the city stands against a truly remarkable backdrop.

This morning, meet a local guide who’s an expert on all things Arequipa and set out on a tour of the city. Explore Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square, then continue to the Santa Catalina Monastery while your guide shares stories of the city’s history along the way. Stop by the San Ignacio Chapel to appreciate its mural paintings. Visit the beautiful Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa with another local expert guide who will discuss the many layers of the building’s history – from its construction in 1656 to its subsequent destructions and reconstruction. The afternoon is free for you to make your own discoveries. Why not pick up an Alpaca jumper and meet the llamas and alpacas of Mundo Alpaca or take part in an active adventure in the surrounding hills and rivers. Or maybe visit the museum that houses 'Mummy Juanita' – the well-preserved body of a young Inca girl who died sometime between 1450 and 1480.

This morning, drive through the Altiplano high plains to the Colca Valley and Canyon. On the way you'll see grazing vicunas, llamas and alpacas, as well as stone cairns built by local Indigenous communities. More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, the Colca Canyon provides some breathtaking views. The pre-Inca terraces carved into its walls are still cultivated today, and the area is dotted with traditional Indigenous villages with locals in colourful dress. Stop at the highest point (4910 m) to take in views of the landscape below. Drive to the town of Chivay, where you'll have some time to soak up the local hot springs, then continue to your accommodation for the evening. Tonight, join your group around a bonfire at your hotel for a glass of vino caliente (hot wine), a traditional beverage here in Peru’s Andean region. Sip on this comforting mulled wine infused with warm, fragrant spices as you get to know your fellow travellers a little better.

Rise early this morning to visit the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, where Andean condors, one of the world's largest flying birds, can often be seen soaring in the air. After lunch, begin the drive to Puno. On the way, you'll stop at the Sillustani archaeological site, where you'll climb to the top of the hill to appreciate the ruined chullpas (funeral towers). These towers were built by a pre-Inca civilisation centuries ago to house the remains of noble men. Located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Puno is full of Aymara and Quechuan Indigenous culture. The town is known as the folklore capital of Peru and is renowned for its traditional dances.

See the striking scenery and unique cultures of this region on a cruise around Lake Titicaca today. This morning, depart from the port in Puno, headed for the floating Uros Islands. The Uros people constructed these islands to isolate themselves from rival tribes in ancient times. They are built completely from multiple layers of totora reeds, which grow in the shallows of the lake. Call into Taquile Island, where you'll spend an hour walking to the top of the hill to see local traditional clothing and shops for woollen handicrafts. Explore this fascinating place before traveling back to Puno for the evening. Back at your hotel, watch the sunset over Lake Titicaca, while you sample wine and cheese in the garden.

Rise early and travel to Cusco. The journey will be broken up with plenty of stops, including a visit to the Raqchi Archaeological Site. Arrive in Cusco by late afternoon. Cusco is South America's oldest continuously inhabited city, and was the home of the Inca for two centuries before the Spanish built their first capital here. Today Cusco is a fascinating combination of both cultures. At 3450 m above sea level, it’s important to take time to acclimatise to the city’s altitude. After settling in at the hotel, take a casual walk around Plaza de Armas with your leader and pick up some excellent dinner recommendations along the way.