Inca Encounter

Itinerary

Day 1 Lima

Plaza Mayor is the ideal place to begin an exploration of Lima's churches, palaces and ornate colonial mansions. The nearby monastery of San Francisco boasts eerie catacombs and the Iglesia de La Merced is a pilgrim spot for the devout. Beaches abound and traditional ceviche - a dish of white fish marinated in lemon juice, onion and hot peppers - is a local specialty.

Days 2-3 Amazon Jungle

The call of exotic birds, dense jungle and abundant wildlife - the Amazon awaits. Catch a motorised canoe into the heart of the fertile rainforest. Hike through its lush greenery in the safe hands of a local guide to learn about this amazing region. Spot everything from macaws and monkeys to otters and thousands of brightly coloured butterflies. Learn about the medicinal qualities and practical uses of the myriad unique plants and trees in the jungle. Stay in an eco-lodge that combines low impact architecture with rooms designed in traditional native style.

Day 4 Cuzco

Discover the heart and soul of Peru in Cuzco, the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city and home to the Incas for 2 centuries before the Spanish arrived. Today, Cuzco is a fascinating blend of both cultures, with Inca-built walls and old colonial buildings lining the city streets. Acclimatise to the high altitude with a stroll around the many sights and churches.

Day 5 Sacred Valley

See woolly llamas, farms and crops, and locals dressed in brightly-coloured traditional clothes on a trip through the spectacularly terraced Sacred Valley, or Wilcamayo, as the Incas called it. Explore the village of Pisac and stay overnight in the ancient Incan town of Ollantaytambo, famed for its remarkable street layout. This geometrically perfect town is admired for its great temple fortress that clings to the cliffs above.

Days 6-7 Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu

Travel by train through the winding Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes and prepare to be awed by that first incredible view of Machu Picchu rising from the mists below. Was this incredible archaeological site once a country retreat for Inca nobility, an astronomical observatory or something else? Decide for yourself on a guided tour of the ruins. Enjoy free time to wander around the ancient buildings, palaces and enormous stone walls. Be sure to take heaps of gorgeous photographs while experiencing the grandeur of Machu Picchu. Back in Aguas Calientes there's time to soak in the natural hot springs that give the town its name.

Days 8-9 Cuzco

A melting pot of Spanish and Incan influences, Cuzco abounds in history and legend - with plenty of sights to see. Depending on your interests, take a trip to the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, visit the ruins of Coricancha or explore the cathedral and its fascinating art collection.