Peru

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Lima with British Airways and transfer to the Casa Andina Premium Miraflores for 2 nights.

Next day, morning tour of colonial and modern Lima, including Casa Aliaga, the oldest colonial mansion in Lima, and the architectural masterpiece of San Francisco monastery.

Fly over the Andes to Arequipa, a city of white buildings and colonnaded plazas, surrounded by the dramatic landscape of ice-capped volcanoes. Stay at the Costa del Sol Wyndham for 2 nights. (Breakfast)

Next day, full-day city tour, including the beautiful Santa Catalina convent, which dates from the 16th century, and the Juanita Mummy Museum. 

Drive into the Andes towards Colca Canyon (approx 4 hours, partly on unpaved roads, with stops en route). The scenery is breathtaking, with the terraces of the Colca valley and herds of llamas scattered around. Overnight at Aranwa Colca. 

Early morning excursion to Condor’s Cross, where magnificent condors can be seen flying over the canyon. Visit the town of Maca, famed for its pre-Columbian textiles, and continue by road to Puno and Lake Titicaca (approx 6 hours). Stay 2 nights at the Libertador on the shore of the lake. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Next day, full-day tour of the floating Uros reed islands and Taquile island, with a home-cooked lunch prepared by a local family.

Take the stylish Belmond Andean Explorer train to Cuzco. Relax over lunch or with a pisco sour in the observation car as you pass through gentle rolling Andean plains where vicuñas and alpacas may be seen. Dinner and overnight on board (bunk bed cabin). Upgrade to a twinbedded cabin from £105 per person. 

Disembark the train and travel by road to the indigenous village of Chinchero to see its Inca terraces and a traditional weaving demonstration. Continue to the Sacred Valley and stay 2 nights at Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Next day, half-day visit to the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo, an astounding feat of construction and ingenuity. Afternoon at leisure.

Drive to Ollanta and take the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Tour the spectacular ruins and stay overnight at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel.

Morning at leisure or further explore Machu Picchu (purchase ticket at time of booking). Return to Cuzco by rail and transfer to the Casa Andina Premium Cuzco for 3 nights. (Breakfast)

Next day, morning tour of Cuzco, including the San Blas district, the cathedral and the extraordinary Temple of the Sun at Koricancha. Afternoon at leisure in the Inca capital. (Breakfast)

Next day, day at leisure or take an optional excursion to the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, Awanacancha llama farm or the ruins of Sacsayhuaman. 

Fly to London via Lima with British Airways, arriving the next day.