Your Peruvian adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 2pm, where you’ll meet the rest of the group. After, head out on a walking tour to explore the Miraflores area, before enjoying free time for the rest of the evening. This is a great opportunity to sample some of the top restaurants in Lima and taste Peruvian cuisine.

Start your day with a guided walking tour of Lima’s historic center – you’ll visit Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, the San Francisco Monastery and the central market. Try Peruvian delicacies such as cuy (guinea pig), before visiting Alameda de Chabuca Granda for a more local vibe. You can sample several Peruvian desserts here, before leaving Lima and transferring to Paracas.

Leave early in the morning for Paracas port, where you'll board a boat towards Islas Ballestas. These islands are home to a diverse variety of wildlife, such as red-footed boobies, flamingos, pelicans, sea lions and even penguins. After, stop by the oasis town of Huacachina, if time allows, then visit the Nazca Lines, a mysterious archaeological site dating back to the second century BCE. The dry desert conditions here mean that many of the relics are well preserved. See the ruins from the viewing platform, or opt for a bird’s-eye view on an optional flight.

Travel the nine hours from Nazca to Arequipa by private vehicle. Bursting with Spanish colonial charm, Arequipa is known as the White City due to many of the buildings being built out of a pale volcanic rock called sillar, which makes them dazzle in the sun. It sits at the foot of El Misti volcano, giving it a dramatic backdrop.

Get your bearings of Arequipa by starting off with a guided walking tour of the city. You’ll visit the main plaza, Santa Catalina Monastery, San Ignacio Chapel and the suburb of Yanahuara. Afterwards, the rest of the day is free to explore on your own. We recommend a visit to the Juanita Museum, which houses the Ice Maiden, the Inca mummy of a girl who died in the 1440s. Your tour leader can also make suggestions on other attractions around the city.

Travel by minivan to Puno through the Altiplano highlands. Stop at Sillustani archaeological site near Lake Umaya and view the pre-Inca ruins. Afterwards, head to Puno, a town on the shores of Lake Titicaca and a melting pot of Aymara and Quechuan indigenous culture. If you’re in town during a festival, you might see a parade and dances showcasing the best of Andean culture.

At 3,820m (12,533ft) above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. On today’s tour of the waters, you’ll stop at Uros Titino, floating islands made entirely of layers of totora reeds. You’ll continue on to Taquile Island, where there’s a one-hour uphill trek to the main part of the island. There’s an optional lunch here, consisting of a local staple – nutritious quinoa soup – followed by a cup of muna tea (Andean mint tea). Head back down to the boat, and settle in for the three-hour ride back to Puno.

Today’s bus journey is a six-hour ride, but it’s a scenic one across the Altiplano before you arrive in Cusco. This is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America, and chock full of history. On a guided walking tour, see the Qoricancha temple, San Pedro market, the main square, 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square and San Blas Square. The tour finishes at the Chocolate Museum, where you can sample hot chocolate made from local cacao beans.

The entire day is yours to explore Cusco at your own pace. Visit the many museums and archaeological sites here, such as the Contemporary Art Museum, Regional History Museum, Qosqo Native Art Museum and the Inca ruins of Saqsaywaman, Q'enqo, Pica Pakara, Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Alternatively, book a unique optional activity such as stand-up paddleboarding or a totem-painting workshop. Get active with optional add-ons such as mountain biking or a via ferrata and zipline in the Sacred Valley.

Set off on a private bus to travel through the Sacred Valley. You’ll see maize crops covering the terraced valley walls and the sacred river beneath. Just outside Cusco, make a stop to visit the Inca fortress, Sacsayhuaman – it overlooks the city from a hilltop position. Visit a community in the valley for lunch, and learn about the local lifestyle and language. After, continue on to Ollantaytambo – you may have time to explore the remains of the town’s Inca city.

Board a train in the morning for a 90-minute journey to Aguas Calientes through the Urubamba Valley. The city is at the foot of Machu Picchu, so you’re well-located for the next day’s adventure. Visit the natural hot springs, or if you’re feeling adventurous, book the optional one-day Inca Trail trek for a sneak peek at Machu Picchu. If you choose to add on the trek, a local will lead you to sites such as Chachabamba and Winay Wayna and Intipunku (the Sun Gate) before seeing Machu Picchu and returning to Aguas Calientes by bus.

Tick an epic destination off your bucket list with a visit to Machu Picchu. It starts with an early bus at 5.30am, but you’ll be glad for the early-morning wake-up call to maximize your time at this extraordinary site. The city was built in 1440CE, as a country retreat for Incan nobility, and is now one of the most impressive sights in all of South America. Your guided tour will take you through the site – after some free time to explore, you’ll head back to Cusco.

After such a busy day exploring Machu Picchu, you’ll have an entire free day in Cusco to spend how you like. You may want to relax and recharge after the excitement of the last two days. Otherwise, there are optional activities both indoors and outdoors to experience everything Cusco has to offer.

You’ll hop on a short flight from Cusco back to Lima, where the rest of the day is free. Visit some of the sites you may have missed at the beginning of the trip, or simply take a stroll around the city. Spend the last night of the tour on your own or with your fellow travelers for one last hurrah.

The tour comes to an end after breakfast in the morning. There are no planned activities today, so bid a fond farewell to Peru and your fellow travelers. Should you wish to extend your stay in Lima, there are plenty of additional activities you can join.