Lake Titicaca

ITINERARY INSPIRATION

PERU: TRAIN JOURNEY THROUGH THE ANDES

This captivating tour offers the perfect introduction to Peru, taking in the very best of this magical country. It combines the country’s rich Inca heritage with its remarkable colonial legacy and the picturesque grandeur of the Peruvian Andes.
PERU, SOUTH AMERICA

ABOUT THE ITINERARY

After a couple of nights in historic Lima on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, we fly into the heart of the Andes to explore the Inca strongholds of Cusco and Machu Picchu, as well as the traditional Indian markets of the ‘Sacred Valley’. We then board the Belmond Andean Explorer for a stunning two-day rail journey across the high ‘Altiplano’ to Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon, where Andean condors wheel on the thermals rising from its depths, before a final couple of nights in the beautiful ‘white city’ of Arequipa.

Peru | Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu | The Ultimate Travel Company
ITINERARY INSPIRATION

DESIGNED BY SPECIALISTS

Bear in mind, these are just a starting point as all holidays are customised to the specific requirements of our guests. Whether you prefer a different style of accommodation, a greater focus on a particular interest or to go to a different destination all together, every itinerary is created individually around your preferences.

Lima | Peru | The Ultimate Travel Company
DAY 1

LONDON – LIMA

Suggested flights (not included in the cost of the tour) British Airways BA 456 departing London Heathrow at 06.15 hrs arriving Madrid at 09.40 hrs, connecting to Iberia IB 6659 departing at 13.15 hrs arriving Lima at 18.15 hrs. On arrival transfer to the Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel, located right in the heart of the fashionable Miraflores, where two nights are spent. Dinner under own arrangements.

DAY 2

LIMA

Depart for a morning tour of the ‘City of Kings’. Visit the Casa Aliaga, the America’s best-preserved colonial mansion, and the Convento de los Descalzos, built in 1592 by ‘the Barefooted’, a reference to the Franciscan friars. See the Paseo de Aguas or ‘Avenue of Waters’, a garden built in the 18th century by the Viceroy Amat in honour of his mistress Perricholi, and the Almeda de los Descalzos, Lima’s famous promenade which was built in 1611 by the Marquis of Montesclaros. End the morning with a visit to the San Francisco Monastery, the jewel of colonial Lima, established soon after the foundation of the city with its fascinating interior decorated in Mudejar style and decorative stone façade.

Continue to the Larco Herrera Museum for lunch. The privately-owned museum is housed in an 18th-century viceroyal mansion and contains 45,000 pieces including the finest gold and silver collections from ancient Peru and pre-Columbian ceramics including the famous erotic collection. Visit the Pedro de Osma Museum of Colonial Art, located in the bohemian district, Barranco, with its valuable collection of paintings and sculpture. Dinner at the hotel.

Sacred Valley | Peru | The Ultimate Travel Company
DAY 3

LIMA – CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY

Transfer to Lima Airport for a domestic flight to Cusco. On arrival transfer to the Sacred Valley via Pisac.

Packed lunch. Visit Pisac market and interact with the local people and even try your hand at haggling. Check into the Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba in the Sacred Valley, where two nights are spent. The hacienda-style hotel is immersed in the countryside of a gorgeous area and is surrounded by imposing green mountains. Each of its casitas has breathtaking views of the valley, its restaurant serves ingredients from the hotel’s organic farm and the Maya Spa features a hot plunge pool and a sauna. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 4

SACRED VALLEY

Visit the impressive salt flats of Maras and the Moray terraces which have been in use since the Incan Empire. Continue to the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero with its main square bordered by an Inca-constructed wall and its church decorated with unique frescoes.

Lunch at Casa de Barro restaurant in Chinchero. Afternoon visit to the Inca fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo built just as the Spaniards arrived and one stronghold where the Incas were never defeated. Dinner under own arrangements.

Peru | Machu Picchu | The Ultimate Travel Company
DAY 5

SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Early morning departure for Ollantaytambo station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. Visit Machu Picchu, the ‘Lost City of the Incas’, which was discovered by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Construction began around 1430 AD but it was abandoned by the Incas a hundred years later at the time of the Spanish Conquest, although it was never discovered by the invaders. Since it was not plundered by the Spanish, it is especially important as a cultural site and is considered a sacred place. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Late lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel at Machu Picchu. Depart for Aguas Calientes to board the Hiram Bingham, the luxury train service named after the American explorer, Hiram Bingham, who discovered the stunning ruins of the ancient citadel. This spectacular 3½-hour journey takes you through a changing landscape while you enjoy pre-prandial drinks, a four-course dinner and live music as the train descends back to Cusco through the Andes. On arrival, check into the Belmond Monasterio where two nights are spent. The hotel was originally built as a monastery in the 16th-century and converted into a hotel in 1995. It remains a national historical landmark, protected by the INC, (National Institute of Culture), and has retained its characteristics and charm. It is a splendid model of the colonial renaissance style, consisting of three sections on different levels. The heart of the hotel is the central courtyard with its fountain and 300-year-old cedar tree surrounded by gardens and the famous stone cloisters – a unique atmosphere providing the comforts and quality of a modern five-star hotel.

Plaza de armas Cusco | Ultimate Travel Company
DAY 6

CUSCO

Morning city tour of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, set in a verdant valley high in the Andean mountain range. Placed on the World Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO in 1983, it is undoubtedly one of the most important destinations in Peru. Explore the cobbled streets and Andean baroque buildings from the colonial period such as the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Church built upon the foundations of the Inca temple, the Koricancha, (the Temple of the Sun). Visit Sacsayhuaman, the impressive Inca ruins above Cusco, an intricately designed walled temple complex built of massive interlocking stones and, like much of the Incas’ stonework, there is still much mystery surrounding how it was constructed. Continue to the red fortress at Puca Pucara, Qenqo, a ritualistic site with subterranean galleries which form an underground maze, and Tambomachay, also known as the Incan baths.

Lunch in a local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure to explore the local markets. Dinner under own arrangements.

Belmond Andean Explorer, Cusco, Lake Titicaca & Arequipa | The Ultimate Travel Company
DAY 7

CUSCO – PUNO (ANDEAN EXPLORER)

Board the Belmond Andean Explorer train for a two-night journey from Cusco to Colca. Settle down in your luxurious cabin as the train begins its journey southeast towards Puno.

Lunch on board in one of the elegant dining cars. Andean specialities are served with contemporary flair. Arrive at La Raya in time for tea and to take in the sunset over La Raya Mountain range. Dinner on board. The train continues to Lake Titicaca, where it will stop for the evening.

DAY 8

CUSCO – COLCA (ANDEAN EXPLORER)

Awake early to catch the sunrise across Lake Titicaca. Today’s tours explore the eclectic beauty and rich diversity of life on Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America and home to many islands. Take a traditional boat ride out to the Uros Islands, stunning man-made lands carefully created from woven reeds that are constantly being replenished.

Lunch at the hangar, Puno Dock. Return to the train for tea as your journey continues. Dinner on board.

Colca Canyon | Peru | The Ultimate Travel Company
DAY 9

COLCA

Visit Sumbay Caves, home to fascinating cave paintings that are estimated to be almost 8,000 years old. Disembark at Km 93 and transfer to the Colca Canyon, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and reputed to be the world’s deepest river gorge. Check into the Colca Lodge where two nights are spent. The lodge, situated amidst ancient farming terraces and the Colca River, has been built in the traditional style using stone, mud bricks and thatched roofs in keeping with the natural surroundings. The lodge offers thermal water springs with medicinal properties.

Lunch at the lodge. Afternoon visit to the Colcas at Chininia and the pre-Inca constructions. See the view-point at Ocolle and the amphi-theatre followed by a short walk to the ruins at Uyo-Uyo. Dinner at the lodge.

Colca Canyon | Peru | The Ultimate Travel Company
DAY 10

COLCA CANYON

Morning visit to the observation point at ‘Condor’s Cross’, with its panoramic views of the canyon, to try and catch sight of the Andean Condor, the largest flying bird in the world. Return to the lodge passing through the local villages of Maca at the base of the Sabancaya Volcano and Yanque with its baroque church from the colonial era.

Lunch at the lodge. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at the lodge.

Arequipa & Colca Canyon | Lush green canyon with rugged cliffs under a bright sky | The Ultimate Travel Company
DAY 11

COLCA CANYON – AREQUIPA

Morning at leisure.

Lunch at the hotel. Drive to Arequipa across Pampa Cañahuas in the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, inhabited by herds of vicuñas and alpacas. You will also see beautiful pre-Columbian terraces, still being cultivated by the native Collaguas. On arrival transfer to the centrally located Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, where two nights are spent. Formerly the mint, a historical monument and one of the most beautiful colonial houses in Arequipa, it has been transformed into one of the foremost hotels in the city. Dinner under own arrangements.

Arequipa & Colca Canyon | Cathedral and plaza with a volcano in the background at dusk | The Ultimate Travel Company
DAY 12

AREQUIPA

Morning tour of the ‘white city’. Visit the Main Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Peru because it is built of sillar (a white volcanic rock) with intricately carved arches. It is next to the impressive Arequipa Cathedral, constructed in the 17th century and fully rebuilt after several earthquakes. Continue to the Church of the Society of Jesus or La Compaña (1590), considered a classical example of the local baroque architecture, which houses an exceptional collection of paintings and murals. The tour ends at the Monastery of Saint Catherine, an authentic medieval cloister and a small religious citadel built in 1579.

Lunch at Chicha Restaurant. Afternoon excursion to the countryside surrounding Arequipa, the ‘campiña Arequipa’. The area features pre-Inca terraces on the banks of the largest river which descends from the highlands. Start at the watchtower in one of Arequipa’s outlying areas, Carmen Alto, which provides beautiful views of the Misti, Chachani and Pich Pichu volcanoes. This is followed by Yanuhuara, one of the typical towns located close to the city and the Sabandia water mill. Farewell dinner at Zig Zag Restaurant.

DAY 13

AREQUIPA – LIMA – LONDON

Morning at leisure.

Lunch under own arrangements. Transfer to Arequipa airport for a flight to Lima. Suggested flight (not included in the cost of the tour) Iberia IB 6650 departing at 20.00 hrs.

DAY 14

FLY HOME

Arrive Madrid at 14.15 hrs and connect to IB 3180 departing at 16.50 hrs arriving London Heathrow at 18.15 hrs.

THE PRICE BREAKDOWN
14 days from $10,740 per person

Tour Date: 3rd May 2024 – 16th May 2024

Single Supplement: $4,110

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
  • Twin bed cabin on board the Andean Explorer
  • Breakfast daily; 11 lunches; 8 dinners
  • Bottled water with included meals; Peruvian wine, beer, pisco sour and soft drinks on board the Hiram Bingham; all drinks on board the Andean Explorer
  • All entrance fees, visits, excursions and transportation as per the itinerary
  • Gratuities in restaurants for included meals; gratuities to guides/s; gratuities to driver/s; porterage
  • Gratuities for staff on board the Andean Explorer
  • Local English-speaking guide/s
  • The services of your tour leader throughout

PRICE EXCLUDES

  • International flights
  • Meals under own arrangements
  • Travel insurance
  • Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.)
  • Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 01/07/23.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“BEAUTIFULLY ORGANISED AND PERFECT RECOMMENDATIONS. ”
“What a fantastic trip organized by Ultimate. They listened to what we wanted and set up perfect destinations for us. Everyone was friendly and professional from the office in London through to on-the-ground support. The organization of pick-ups, connecting flights and so on, went like clockwork.”
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“MY FIRST PORT OF CALL FROM NOW ON. ”
“Efficient, friendly and helpful throughout. made everything a million times easier, Ultimate Travel Company will by my first port of call from now on.”
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“FANTASTIC!”
“Sophie went above and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic honeymoon. We had 0 stress relating to planning and everything was taken care of from the moment we stepped off the plane. Sophie anticipated what we wanted when we didn’t even know ourselves. We will certainly be booking with Ultimate again.”
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“PROBLEM FREE EXCELLENCE.”
“Efficiently organized, everything went like clockwork. This is all the more remarkable since the tour involved considerable complexity.”
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“AN EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE COMPANY.”
“We have continued to ask Ultimate Travel to make our distant overseas travel arrangements for many years and they have always given us great service.”
TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL

ITINERARY INSPIRATION

Arequipa & Colca Canyon | Church steeple and palm trees against a backdrop of a snow-capped volcano | The Ultimate Travel Company
CONTACT

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP WITH US

"*" indicates required fields

Sign up to newsletter updates
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
MAKE AN ENQUIRY