Day 1
Spend a day soaking up Lima’s rich cultural history, colonial architecture, and live entertainment.


Day 2
Catch a three-hour morning bus south to the town of Paracas, a scenic coastal resort once popular among wealthy Limeños. After lunch at the sea-facing patio of La Negra y El Blanco, tour the Islas Ballestas, home to a squawking, swarming mass of Humboldt penguins and sea lions. In winter, humpback whales migrate through the surrounding waters. For an unbeatable fresh fish dinner to end your day, scout out a simple restaurant near the jetty.


Day 3
The sunny city of Ica, an hour south, is surrounded by a fertile valley dotted with Peru’ s oldest vineyards. Begin your day getting to grips with the local spirit by hopping between artisanal pisco bodegas and lunching at a winery restaurant. Back in Ica, tour the Museo Regional Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins with its textiles from the Paracas culture. Travel to Nazca in the evening by a two-hour bus and dine on criollo style food at Los Angeles on arrival.


Day 4
Board an early flight for the clearest conditions for observing the mysterious geoglyphs that are the Nazca Lines. Despite numerous theories for why they were etched into the desert some 2,000 years ago, there’ s still no consensus. After your flight, catch an afternoon bus for the nine-hour journey to Arequipa, a volcano-ringed city prized for its colonial architecture. Upon arrival, wind down after the journey in the easygoing pisco bar, Museo del Pisco.


Day 5
Start the day by exploring Arequipa’ s historic and elegant UNESCO World Heritage center, constructed mostly from white, volcanic sillar stone, giving it the label the “white city” . To further appreciate Arequipa’ s singular architectural style, amble through the pretty cloisters of the Monasterio de Santa Catalina. Continue on an escorted guided tour of Arequipa’s finest churches, including the lavishly carved façade of the Iglesia de la Compañía. As the evening approaches, sample local cuisine, such as rocoto relleno (stuffed, spicy pepper) at one of the typical picantería restaurants near the plaza.

Day 6
Leave Arequipa on a 4 am bus, taking just over three hours, for the Cañón del Colca, the world’ s second deepest canyon. Have your camera at the ready at the Mirador Cruz del Condór, where Andean condors float gracefully in the skies between 7–9 am. Back on the eastern rim of the canyon, relax in Chivay, home to the iron-rich La Calera thermal baths. After a dinner of alpaca steak at Maray, catch the six-hour long overnight bus to Puno.


Day 7
From the port, sail across the sparkling waters of Lake Titicaca in the morning; considered by the Inca to be the birthplace of the sun. Spend an hour on the Islas Uros – islands constructed entirely from buoyant reeds. In the afternoon, arrive at Isla Amantaní, an island admired for its colorful textiles. Stay overnight in a snug homestay with a Quechua-speaking family.


Day 8
As you land the next morning on the smaller Isla Taquile, take the 500- or-so steps up to the square slowly to avoid feeling the altitude. At the top, do not miss the expertly crafted garments for sale in a community-run shop. Dine on simple food at a restaurant overlooking the lake, before hiking back to the boat. Return to Puno and catch a six-hour night bus to Cusco.


Day 9
Spend your first morning touring the Plaza de Armas, home to La Catedral with its painting of the Last Supper featuring a roasted guinea pig as the table’ s centerpiece. Later, marvel at the paintings from the Cusco school in the Museo de Arte Religioso and find the famous 12-sided Inca stone that forms part of the museum’s exterior wall. Take a taxi up to Saqsaywaman and spend the afternoon exploring this Inca temple and fortress. For dinner, dive into Andean food at Greens Organic.


Day 10
Begin the day by seeing fleeting evidence of the Inca at Qorikancha, a once golden-walled temple worshiping the Sun God, which was sacked of its priceless treasures by the Spanish and rebuilt as the beautiful church and convent of Santo Domingo. In the afternoon, admire the prettiest part of the city, the San Blas neighborhood. If visiting at the weekend, its craft fair presents opportunities for buying traditional Andean textiles and other souvenirs. Go on the hunt for alpaca steaks for dinner in one of the tiny restaurants in the San Blas district.


Day 11
Hop on a colectivo (shared minibus) north west to reach Pisac for its famed artisans’ market, held daily but liveliest on Sundays. Continue along the valley to Ollantaytambo, considered the last living Inca town. Here, cobbled streets lead to Araqama Ayllu, a fortress used successfully by Manco Inca against the Spanish. For dinner, try inventive, organic Andean cuisine at El Albergue before an early night in preparation for your train ride to Machu Picchu tomorrow.


Day 12
Wake at first light to make a pilgrimage to the spectacular Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, but be sure to reserve at least six months in advance. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is perched between two mountains, with agricultural terraces carved into the hillsides and flawless Inca stonework visible at the Temple of the Sun. Board the train back to Ollantaytambo and then on to Cusco and wind down back at your lodgings.


Day 13
Take a 30-minute flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, and the Amazon Rainforest. Travel up the Río Tambopata and stay at the updated Refugio Amazonas, on the right side of the river. As part of your tour, visit a nutritious clay lick for the perfect opportunity to spot and photograph wildlife and trek to a nearby lake for sightings of rare giant otters. Take a jungle night walk for a chance to see a poison dart frog before falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle.


Day 14
Take a four-hour boat journey from your lodge through rainforest on a sight-seeing hunt for spotting colorful macaws, capybaras, howler monkeys, river otters, and even piranha. Return downriver by boat to Puerto Maldonado. To end your two weeks, catch a flight back to Lima.

***To extend your trip:
Spend four days and three nights hiking the Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu, but it is essential to reserve at least six months in advance as tickets are limited. The alternative five-day Salkantay to Machu Picchu trail is an option only for acclimatized, experienced hikers due to its high altitude passes.