2 Weeks in Peru

Today we'll explore Lima's main cultural areas by bike. We ride past beautiful houses that once were inhabited by renowned writers, painters and musicians as we hear more about the city's history. Get a feel for the city by visiting limeños favourite places to hang out, and enjoying a snack in a traditional neighbourhood café.

In the evening, head out to enjoy vibrant Barranco, Lima's most popular night life area, with its excellent bars and diverse music and shows.

Fly across the Andes to Peru's second-largest city, Arequipa. Nestled in the mountains, Arequipa is known for its beautiful colonial buildings that are made of rare white lava. The picturesque city is surrounded by 3 volcanos that are sometimes capped with snow.

Santa Catalina Monastery is a must-see for photography fans in Arequipa! The large citadel was built in the 16th century and was home to nuns of Spanish or Spanish/Peruvian descent. Today, its bright blue, red and yellow alleys and sweet flower pots invite you to wander around peacefully, catching glimpses into past lives in the old kitchen and other rooms.

Later, you're free to enjoy Arequipa's night-life. Our haunts include those on Calle San Francisco (like Deja Vu), or you can watch the sun set from one of the fancier bars overlooking the main square.

After waking up in the so-called White City, we first dive into a colourful food market. Let your guide show you some delicious specialties.

Then you meet our local friend. He's got the keys to a private location that he's looking forward to showing us! So let's climb up to a private terrace, which has a fantastic view of colonial buildings.

Surprise: you're making your own meal up here! The prettiest place to learn to make your Peru's most famous dish, ceviche. This flavoursome fresh fish dish is sure to impress your friends when you replicate it back home. Enjoy!

Today it's time for a change of scenery - the bus winds its way through the Andes to the stunning Colca Canyon. The small mountain town of Chivay awaits. Stroll to the fruit market before heading to the thermal baths to take a relaxing soak. Enjoy the views and quiet surroundings of Chivay, which offer a wonderful space to breathe.

The early bird will catch the bird! Get up at dawn on a mission. We're off to spot the Andean condor, the bird that the Colca Canyon is famous for, and a majestic sight with its 3m (7 foot) wingspan! We hike through the hills to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, where we will have the best chance of watching the giants soar through the sky.

Afterwards, enjoy the landscape of Peru as it changes around you on our journey East. We're welcomed with open arms by the villagers of Ccotos, who live by Lake Titicaca. We'll be staying with host families, to gain unique insight into rural life in Peru. Your stay there supports the community.

The village has prepared a feast and invites the whole group to come together for dinner in the town hall.

Rise and shine at your Ccotos home! After breakfast, the community tells you more about the local way of life, about village traditions and life by the lake. You thank your hosts and wave them a fond goodbye as your journey continues.

Time to get out on Lake Titicaca, that reaches all the way to Bolivia! Visit the Uros Islands, unique islands made of totora reeds, that float on the lake. Local people create their huts, furniture and boats with totora. So unusual!

In the evening, we hop on an overnight bus. Lie back in your cozy sleeper seat and snooze through the journey to our next destination.

We arrive in Cuzco, the capital of the Incan, empire early in the morning. Our hotel rooms are already ready.

Later, it's time to see the key highlights of the most visited city in Peru. We start in Koricancha (the Temple of the Sun), the most important temple for the Incas. You'll see impressive Inca architecture and constructions, including a famous stone with twelve angles, which demonstrates how skilled Inca builders were. We'll marvel at colossal Sacsayhuamán fortress. Its main wall was built in zigzag with giant stones up to 5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide, between 90 and 125 tons of weight. We'll also visit Tambomachay site, also known as Baños del Inca (baths of the Incas) and of course the buzzing main square!

In the evening, mingle with other travellers in Cuzco's many bars.

With a private coach and a local guide, you set off into Urubamba Valley – the so-called Sacred Valley of the Incas, that is full of interesting sites. Pass by the old estate of Chinchero at an altitude of 3,760 meters. Where the Inca king Tupac Yupanqui once ruled, you can now witness the traditional Peruvian craft of wool dyeing and processing.

A stop in Moray will allow you to explore a terraced, circular farming complex that served as a research centre for the Inca. Next, see how salt was extracted from the imposing white salt terraces of Maras. On the final leg of the day, take in the vast Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo before exploring the narrow streets of this Inca city at your own pace, and sleeping there.

Get your hiking boots on! Today you're taking a long walk along the famous Inca Trail, that inhabitants and visitors used to take to Machu Picchu. You'll walk along ancient paths, through a lush green landscape, imagining how things may have changed since then. After about three hours, look forward to a picnic among the ruins of Wiñay Wayna.

You push on, your destination motivating you. Climb through a mystical cloud forest to finally reach the Sun Gate, the highest point of your hike at 2,750 meters. From here, you can enjoy the famous breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, nestled between green mountains. You made it! By the way, this is where everyone takes their Tinder profile picture - whether you're a Tinderer or not, make sure to get that must-have photo of you with the lost Inca city!

We're leaving the proper visit of Machu Picchu to tomorrow, after some well-earned rest. Make a short descent and hop into your coach, which will take you to your hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes.

Jump out of bed bright and early - we're headed to Machu Picchu before the day trippers arrive! Our favourite time to see the ruins is the morning, when mysterious fog still lingers, giving the site a magical air. Today you'll explore the site properly, with a guide, learning more about the detective hunt that started when the ruins came to the attention of the archaeological world. What were the different structures used for, why are the steps so deep?

Take your time to look around and enjoy the beautiful scenery of this special place.

In the afternoon, we head back to Aguas Calientes, where we start our journey back to Cusco.

Today you have a free day to enjoy the city and do some last minute souvenir shopping.

In the evening, reunite with your group and guide in a cool restaurant. Head straight to the bar to mix your own drink! Learn how to shake up Peru's national cocktail, pisco sour. You toast to your trip and dig into a tasty last dinner together. Salud!

Your Peruvian adventure has come to an end! Full of new memories, and probably with a pair of alpaca socks, you head home.

..or do you want to visit Rainbow Mountain? Check our optional extension!