Worldwide 2024-25

Experiences
in Peru
Santa Catalina Convent, Arequipa
Arequipa & Colca Canyon
Colonial churches & convents • Inca ice
maidens • Andean condor spotting
Set beneath the snow-capped volcano of Misti,
Arequipa – the ‘White City’ – has fine colonialera
architecture and many old and interesting
churches built of sillar, a pearly-white volcanic
stone. Highlights include the Santa Catalina
Convent, a walled monastery with beautiful
courtyards and colourful buildings; and a small,
fascinating museum displaying the 500-year-old
bodies of Inca sacrifices found frozen on nearby
mountain summits.
Colca is an ideal stop on the way to Lake
Titicaca and an area of outstanding natural
beauty, with huge patchworks of pre-Inca
terracing and unspoilt Andean villages lying
on both sides of the dramatic canyon. Relax
in thermal springs and spot majestic Andean
condors at very close range from several
scenic lookouts.
Casa de Aliaga, Lima
Peruvian Amazon
Diverse wildlife • Rainforest lodges •
Luxury cruises
Some of the most biologically diverse and
pristine areas of the Amazon basin lie in Peru.
The sprawling carpet of rainforest stretches into
the horizon with meandering coffee-coloured
rivers weaving their way through. Giant ceiba
trees emerge from the tree canopy and an
incredible variety of wildlife hides beneath.
Explore the jungle from a comfortable ecolodge
in the south near Puerto Maldonado,
accessible by air from both Lima and Cuzco.
Take guided walks and boat trips and spot
tiny lizards, colourful frogs, howler monkeys,
black caimans, giant river otters, toucans and
macaws. Alternatively, watch the Amazon
world pass by on a three-, four- or seven-night
cruise from Iquitos in the north; discover the
outstanding array of flora and fauna, and visit
small riverside communities.
Lima & the Coast
The riverboat Aqua Nera, Amazon
Excellent museums • Mysterious Nazca Lines
Modern Lima has a large colonial heritage
including the San Francisco Monastery, famous
for its catacombs; and Casa de Aliaga, the city’s
oldest colonial mansion. Treasures of various
pre-Hispanic cultures are housed in excellent
museums such as the Larco, and renowned
restaurants offer gourmet Peruvian cuisine.
Go south to Paracas for a scenic overflight to
see the mysterious Nazca Lines etched into the
desert, or a boat trip to see Peruvian boobies,
cormorants and Humboldt penguins.
Luxury trains
Trains are a highlight of travel in Peru. For a
once-in-a lifetime experience, spend one or
two nights traversing the Andes aboard the
Belmond Andean Explorer, South America’s
only luxury sleeper train. Alternatively, take
a scenic 10-hour day trip between Cuzco
and Lake Titicaca on the stylish Titicaca train.
The Belmond Hiram Bingham reflects the
sumptuous luxury of the 1920s Pullman
era and transports visitors in style to
Machu Picchu.
Local markets & communities
The picturesque villages of the Sacred Valley
are home to Incan descendants wearing
traditional attire and communities such
as Huilloc, all promising insight into local
culture. Outstanding textiles are still woven
with techniques unchanged for centuries,
and potatoes, guinea pigs and colourful
ponchos are bartered at lively markets
such as Pisac and Chinchero.
Inti Raymi festival
The most important Inca celebration in
honour of Inti, the Sun god, coincides with
the winter solstice. The present-day festivities,
held on 24 June, include a spectacular reenactment
starting at Koricancha. Hundreds
of Inca descendants in colourful finery,
accompanied by music and dancing, wind in
a procession to the main plaza of Cuzco,
before continuing to Sacsayhuamán for the
climax of the ritual ceremony.
Off-the-beaten-track Peru
Nothern Peru hides the remains of
numerous ancient civilisations, including the
Moche and Chimu cultures. Discover adobe
pyramids near Chiclayo and colonial Trujillo,
the colourful El Brujo murals, and fascinating
clifftop funerary sites at Revash and Karajia.
Take a cable car to the spectacular walled
city of Kuelap, explore little-known Gocta
Falls or relax on the desert coast around
Máncora, known for some of the best
beaches and Pacific retreats.
Suggested itinerary
Classic Peru
11 days & 9 nights
Standard from £2,395 (incl. flights)
Superior from £2,595 (incl. flights)
This introductory tour of Peru takes in the
country’s most celebrated sights.
Days 1 & 2: Fly to Lima
Fly to Lima with KLM. Stay 2 nights and take
a city tour, including the colonial centre and
Huaca Pucllana. (N)
Day 3: Fly to Cuzco • Sacred Valley
Fly to Cuzco. Transfer to the Sacred Valley
via the colourful Pisac market and stay for 2
nights. (B)
Day 4: Sacred Valley / Ollantaytambo
Day at leisure or an optional visit to
Ollantaytambo, Maras and Moray. (B)
Day 5: Machu Picchu
Train to Machu Picchu. Tour the ruins and
stay overnight. (B, D)
Day 6: Cuzco
Afternoon train to Cuzco for a 2-night stay. (B)
Day 7: Cuzco
Morning tour of the city. Optional visit to
nearby ruins or a local museum. (B)
Days 8 & 9: Puno
Cross the altiplano by road or train to Puno
and stay for 2 nights. Visit Lake Titicaca and
the Uros reed islands. (B, L)
Days 10 & 11: Fly home
Fly home, via Lima, arriving the following day.
(B) (N)
Tailor-made travel
Contact our experts
020 3627 3097
CoxandKings.co.uk/make-an-enquiry
For more information or to book, contact us on 020 3627 3097 or speak to your travel agent
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