Land of the Incas - 19 days

Explore Peru and Bolivia in this fantastic overlanding adventure. Witness diverse landscapes from dramatic canyons to cloud forests and floating villages and challenge yourself on the spectacular Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu.

AT A GLANCE

Starts in: Lima, Peru Ends In: La Paz, Bolivia

Departs 2009: February to December

Meals: 6 breakfasts 7 lunches 7 dinners

Tour Leader: Yes

Accommodation: 11 nights Hotels, 5 nights Camping, 2 nights Homestay

Transport: Overland truck, train,

boat and walking

Compulsory Single Supplement: No

Local Payment Required: $550

Average Group Size: 10-12

Please note this itinerary also runs in reverse click here for more details or to book

	DAY 1: LIMA Welcome to Lima! Today is an arrival day and you can get here at any time. To get a feel for colonial Lima, take a cab to the Plaza de Armas and watch the changing of the Palace Guard in the afternoon. Walk around the streets surrounding the Jirón de la Unión for great examples of Spanish-colonial architecture and to experience life in a large South American city. There are many fine museums in and around the city, including the Museo Rafael Larco Herrera, which houses an equally impressive collection of pottery, mummies and textiles from the Paracas and Nazca cultures. An optional city tour visits many of the cities highlights. The more affluent coastal districts of Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro offer good nightlife and cafés. The Limeños are friendly and the city’s many interesting museums, churches, markets, restaurants and nightlife will surely entice you. Seafood lovers should be sure to try ceviche, for which Lima is well known.
	DAYS 2-3: SANDBOARDING & NAZCA LINES Huacachina is literally an oasis in the middle of the desert. Surrounded by some of the world's highest sand dunes sandboarding has become this area's claim to fame. Whether you are an avid snowboarder looking for something new or trying it for the first time you are sure to enjoy this optional activity. Close by are the mysterious Nazca Lines, consisting of patterns and pictures etched in the ground, crisscrossing an area of flat desert. Some of the lines measure up to 10 km (32 miles) in length, and yet remain perfectly straight. The depictions of birds, insects and animals are only recognizable from the air. Who drew the lines, and why, is something about which modern archaeologists can only theorise. From the ground we can make out very little and the best view is from a light aircraft, which can easily be arranged. Remains of the Nazca culture are still visible during our tour of an ancient desert cemetery site, which also includes a visit to a pottery workshop.
	DAY 4: PUERTA INCA This beautiful sea shore location along one of the most important archeological sites off the Peruvian coast between Nazca and Copiapo is also called "Quebrada de la Vaca". Our campsite is located by the beautiful beach and we can enjoy swimming and sunbathing on the warm sands, or try to spot some of the fabulous flora and fauna, including a variety of birds, adorable seal lions and cute penguins, before perhaps trying some of the tasty seafood available and then settling down to a night under a blanket of stars.
	DAYS 5 - 6: AREQUIPA - UNESCO SITE Peru’s second largest city after Lima and hailed as the most beautiful, Arequipa, maintains a traditional colonial style and more laid back pace in comparison with the capital. Arequipa is built from a pearly white volcanic rock called sillar, the older buildings dazzle in the sun, thus the nickname, “the White City.” The main plaza with its cafés and nearby cathedral is a top draw for visitors and the friendly locals make the city a great place for visitors. Why not take take an optional visit to the Convent of Santa Catalina, which offers a brief respite from the outside world and a unique view into a by-gone way of life. In the evening you can explore and sample the yummy cuisine in the many restaurants (try an alpaca steak - low in fat and calories and very tender!), check out some of the nightlife (and do like the locals by tasting some Pisco sour) or just take a wander round the streets and squares. The city looks particularly beautiful at night when the Cathedral and other monuments are lit up.
	DAY 7: COLCA CANYON The Colca Valley is an area of stunning natural beauty. Our excursion to the Colca Canyon involves a remarkable drive through Inca and pre-Inca terracing, we will see huge volcanoes towering above us. The Canyon itself is a spectacular sight, more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the States. Once at the Canyon we will look for the king of the Andes, the mighty Andean Condor, as well as seeing a variety of birdlife, including the giant humming bird, eagles and alpacas, llamas and vicuñas,
	DAYS 8 - 11: CUZCO & OLLANTAYTAMBO Next we head to the buzzing city of Cuzco. It is the perfect base for optional explorations of the city and area as well as a range of outdoor activities. We spend the next few days relaxing and exploring this fascinating city, while taking time to acclimatize to the higher altitude before our trek. The city attracts thousands of travellers who come not just to visit a unique destination but also to experience an age-old culture very different from their 20th century way of life. It is steeped in history, tradition and legend. There are a myriad of very old and grand churches dotted around the city and several interesting ruins in and around Cuzco. Whilst exploring, why not visit the Archaeological Museum, which also houses a small art museum, the Regional History Museum and the Religious Art Museum? On day 11 we check out Ollantaytambo which is a major Inca ruin site and your first taste of what lies ahead on the Inca Trail. It is admired for its huge steep terraces guarding the Inca Fortress and for being one of the few places where the Spanish lost a major battle during the conquest. We spend the night in this small town before heading out for the start of the hike the next morning.
	DAYS 11 - 14: THE INCA TRAIL A trip to Peru is not complete without a visit to the Inca ruins. For those interested in a challenging but worthwhile hike, the Inca Trail is exceptional, however you must be prepared for it! It is a 40-km (25 mile) hike, with 3 high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 4200m (13776 ft). The trail is often steep, and it may rain even during the dry season. The temperatures at night may fall below zero, so it is important to come well prepared. Our local crew of porters, cook and guide will look after us well for the duration of the hike. Walking the trail that linked this ancient empire will supply you with breathtaking views at every step, as we move from high plateau areas to dense cloud forest. Depending on the season, you may see a great variety of flora, including miniature and large orchids, and fiery rhododendron bushes. On the final day of the hike we climb the steps to the Sun Gate overlooking the peaks that surround Machu Picchu. There is no way to describe the feeling of the first views of Machu Picchu, as the mist rises off the mountains early in the morning and the famous ruin appears in front of you. You have the better part of the day to explore the site. In the afternoon, we have the chance to soak in the hot springs of Aguas Calientes before taking the train back to Cuzco. NOTE: If you have always dreamed of trekking the Inca Trail be warned – the numbers are strictly controlled and the trail is periodically closed due to maintenance and/or inclement weather. So please book early! If the Inca Trail is unavailable we will offer the Lares Trek as an alternative. With its breathtaking passes, glacial lakes and hot springs, this less crowded option, which also ends with a full day’s visit to Machu Picchu, is thought to be more spectacular and has more to offer than the Inca Trail (includes 2 nights camping, 1 night hotel – Aguas Calientes & comprehensive tour of Machu Picchu). DONT FANCY THE TREK? If you would rather set your weary head upon a comfy pillow than spend 2-3 days hiking either Trail, then why not spend those days in the relative comfort of your Cuzco Hotel? On the day before the group reaches Machu Picchu, you will travel by train to Aguas Calientes and overnight. The next morning we take the bus to the Machu Picchu entrance and rendezvous with the hikers at the ruins (includes 2 nights Cuzco, 1 night Aguas Calientes & comprehensive tour of Machu Picchu). Please specify either preference when making your reservation.
	DAYS 15 - 17: LAKE TITICACA Today we travel through the high Altiplano region to get from Cuzco to Puno, on Lake Titicaca. There is an overnight excursion to the Islands on Lake Titicaca. This includes a visit to the Uros floating islands, and an overnight stay with a family on Taquile or Amantani Island. We return to Puno in the late afternoon. Located 3830 m (12562 ft) above sea level, Puno’s weather can be extreme with very cold nights, and a strong sun during the day. There is not a lot to see in Puno itself, however there are several good spots offering scenic views of Lake Titicaca and the town. Puno is also known for its wealth of traditional dances. There are up to 100 different varieties, usually performed in the street processions celebrating Catholic feast days. You may see these celebrations if you’re fortunate enough to be visiting at the appropriate time. Lake Titicaca is a stunning sight. The horizon appears limitless from the lake, and the water a deep and inviting blue. Our first stop is the floating reed islands of the Uros people. The Uros began their unusual floating existence centuries ago in an effort to isolate themselves from rival tribes the Collas and the Incas. Today about 300 people live on the islands, however their numbers are slowly declining. The islands are made up of many layers of reeds. Taquile is rich in culture, and the people’s unique style of dress and lifestyle will definitely make for a memorable visit. Men of the community do all the knitting, strictly a male domain, while women do the spinning. High quality, locally knitted goods are available for purchase at various cooperatives on the island. Amantaní island has its own beuaty, the soil a rich terracotta red, due to the high iron deposits, which contrasts brightly with the deep azure blue of the lake and sky, and greenery of the local crops. The garmets of the locals are shrouded in mystery as the patterns reveal secret messages about their social standing and marital status. We spend two nights in a small community on the Lluquina peninsula, enjoying rural life and immersing ourselves in the culture by staying in the houses of local people and families.
	DAY 18 & 19: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA We drive around Lake Titicaca and through the altiplano to La Paz in Bolivia. La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. You've free time to explore, and highlights include visits to museums, and excursions to Tiahuanaco ruins (cradle of Inca civilisation), the worlds highest ski resort and the incredible Valley of the Moon named for its crater like formations. Check out the Mercado de Hechicería (Witches’ Market), where Paceños and visitors may purchase potions and incantations made from all sorts of herbs, seeds, and secret ingredients to remedy any number of illnesses (real or imagined) and protect from evil spirits. There is also a thriving black market and a Carnaval market, where locals purchase carnival costumes. You’ll also find a wealth of shops selling all sorts of handicrafts, mainly alpaca wool products, silver jewellery, woven textiles and leather goods. On day 19 we say goodbye to our new found friends and the tour ends.