Andean Footsteps

On arrival at Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport you are transferred to your hotel in the well-known coastal suburb of Miraflores. In the evening you meet your tour leader and the other members of your group for a pre-tour briefing. Please check the noticeboard near the hotel reception for confirmation of the exact time and place of the meeting (please note that if a significant number of group members are arriving late into Lima, this meeting may be held sometime on Day 2). This meeting is generally followed by an optional group dinner at a nearby restaurant. Lima has some of the most superb cuisine in South America and is especially renowned for its exceptional seafood. During your time here, you may wish to try ceviche, Peru's national dish, which is raw fish marinated in lime juice and often served with hot peppers. This culinary delight is a must for all seafood lovers! On the morning of Day 2 we start our exploration of the Peruvian capital with a half-day city tour. Founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador, Francisco Pizarro, it was from Lima that all Spanish territories in South America were governed. Few cities at that time could rival Lima's power, wealth and opulence. However its glory days ended in 1746 when the city was virtually destroyed by an earthquake. Many of the colonial buildings were rebuilt and we get a first-hand look at several of them on our tour. The striking Plaza Mayor (Plaza de Armas), flanked by some of the most important buildings in town such as the cathedral, the huge Government Palace and the Archbishop's Palace, constitutes the heart of the city. We visit the cathedral and the nearby San Francisco Monastery, with its catacombs containing some 70,000 human remains. We also visit the impressive National Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology and History of Peru, which is home to a wonderful collection of cultural exhibits tracing the history, arts and accomplishments of the people of Peru, ranging from the original inhabitants of the land through to the Inca Empire and the Spanish conquerors. The afternoon is free to do your own exploration of Lima. You may wish to wander around Miraflores or perhaps catch a taxi to visit the Gold Museum or the Larco Museum, which is renowned for its ancient pottery collection. Please remember that you must agree on a fare with the driver before catching a taxi, as the taxis here do not have meters. (Miraflores-downtown approximately 10-15 soles)

Meals included: 1 breakfast 

Today we fly to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, where we take an afternoon walking tour to explore this fascinating city. Please remember to walk slowly and take it reasonably easy upon arrival, as you will no doubt feel the effects of altitude as we have travelled from sea level up to 3350 metres. Cusco is a favourite destination of many visitors to Peru. Its main sites radiate outwards from the Plaza de Armas, which is dominated by the 17th century Baroque cathedral. It was in this very plaza that the Spanish conquistadors put to death the last Inca king, Tupac Amaru I. As we wander the streets and side alleys of the city we witness the perfect tapering Inca stonework that provided the foundations for many of Cusco's colonial and modern buildings. Our comprehensive sightseeing tour of the city's main sights includes the cathedral and Koricancha Temple. We then take to the surrounding hills and visit the impressive ceremonial ruins of Sacsayhuaman, where massive stone blocks that form the walls of this site give us an awesome picture of how highly developed Inca engineering was. In our free time, it is also possible to visit the Inca Museum, Religious Art Museum, Church of San Blas and Santa Catalina Museum. The Sacred Valley, located between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, was greatly treasured because of its climate, fertile land and the presence of the Urubamba (Sacred) River. On our second day in Cusco, we will see evidence of the Incas' engineering skills in the ruins of ancient aqueducts, irrigation canals, dams on the Urubamba River, imposing sets of terraces and centres of worship dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth). At the Sacred Valley we visit the Awana Kancha tourist centre where we see llama, alpaca, vicuna and guanaco all in the one place, the ruins at Qenko, the colourful market town of Pisac and the towering Inca citadel at Ollantaytambo. Built on a steep mountainside this grand citadel served as both a temple and fortress. A walk up to the top is rewarded by fine views over the village and out further into the valley.

Meals included: 2 breakfasts 

This morning we set off for the Inca Trail by travelling from Cusco into the Sacred Valley before heading to Kilometre 82, where our trek begins. Today we hike past the ancient hilltop fort of Huillca Raccay and the beautiful archaeological site of Llactapata. It is a fairly leisurely hike and along the way there are stunning views of snow-capped Veronica Peak (5860m). Following the river we pass a tiny village and continue on to our camp at Wayllabamba, located at 3000 metres. Porters are provided on this trek, so during the day you need only to carry a daypack with your personal items. This need to be big enough to carry such items as water, camera and a warm jacket.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

Today is the most difficult part of the trek as we climb to Warminwanusca, or Dead Woman's Pass (4200m). Along the way we trek through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery to be seen anywhere in the Andes. This is the first and highest of three Andean passes on the Inca Trail, with breathtaking views over the snow capped Vilcanota and Vilcabama mountain ranges. Ahead of us we can see the ruins of Runkuracay and in the valley below, Rio Pacamayo (Sunrise River). Here the trail changes from dirt to steps and stone pathways, our route takes us through a landscape dotted with rural hamlets, grazing llamas and well-preserved remnants of the Incan culture. Although not too arduous we still need to make a steep descent to the valley below, and our camp beneath the cliff tops at Pacamayo (3600m), overlooking the cloud forest.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

We climb up to the oval shaped ruin of Runkurakay, which is believed to have once been an Inca tambo or post house. Pushing on up the Inca staircase and beside two tiny and fast diminishing mountain lakes, we are rewarded at the summit of our second pass (3900m) with spectacular views of Pumasillo (6245m) and the entire snow-capped Vilcabamba range. From here it is a steep descent and then ascent to our third pass and the ruins of Phullupatamarca, where we embark on a long descent into a beautiful orchid-filled cloud forest. The scenery will blow you away! Butterflies flutter across the trail and the air is pure and clean as we head to breathtaking Winaywayna (2650m).

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner 

On our final morning we make an early start to reach the Sun Gate for sunrise. Here we enjoy our first views of the complex of Machu Picchu, often referred to as the Lost City of the Incas. On a clear morning the view from the Sun Gate can be quite stunning and creates a lasting impression that will stay with you long after you return home. Built around 1450 the city was deserted less than a century later following the Spanish invasion and 'lost' for hundreds of years before it was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The architecture of Machu Picchu is quite extraordinary, with the mortar-free design particularly earthquake resistant and the stones so precisely cut that to this day not even a knife fits between them. We tour the site with our guide and then have some free time to explore by ourselves, before taking the bus down to the small town of Aguas Calientes. There are some small shops and restaurants in the town where we can while the time away. Alternatively you may choose to wash away the dust and grime of the trail in the hot thermal baths located on the edge of town. In the late afternoon we take the train back to Cusco.

Meals included: 1 breakfast 

Today is a free day to spend in Cusco. The oldest continuously inhabited city in the western hemisphere, Cusco is a wonderful place in which to stroll aimlessly or participate in an outdoor activity. If you are feeling energetic there are a myriad of adventures available in and around town, such as cycling and horse riding. There are plenty of opportunities to shop for handicrafts or wander around the cobblestone streets and visit museums, churches and colonial sites. You may just wish to relax with a 'cerveza' or a 'pisco sour' in one of the restaurants and 'penas' (traditional local bars) surrounding Plaza de Armas.

Meals included: 1 breakfast 

We travel by bus today to the town of Puno, situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at 3810 metres. This scheduled tourist service takes us on good roads initially through some spectacular mountain scenery and we stop at several sites along the way, including Inca adobe ruins. Lunch is included on a stop in the small town of Sicuani. Along the way we also make a short roadside stop at La Raya, which at 4335 metres is the highest point on our journey. We also drive through the large sprawling town of Juliaca on our way to Puno, which is a colourful and lively place renowned for its traditional street dancing, often performed in celebration of Catholic festive days in February each year. An important agricultural centre, Puno is reasonably compact and centred around the pedestrian part of Calle Lima, which is full of restaurants and bars. The town is a launching pad for excursions out on Lake Titicaca whilst on the surrounding plateaus, grazing alpacas and llamas are familiar sights.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch 

This morning we leave our hotel by local trishaw and head for the lake to board our boat. One of our first stops is on one of the floating reed islands of the Uros people, who still live as they have done so for centuries. The islanders use totora reeds for many things, from building their homes and boats to producing hand-woven mats. We then make our way across the lake back to Puno and continue by road to Sillustani, where located on a small peninsula are well-preserved burial towers called 'chullpas'. Constructed by the Colla people in pre-Incan times, these 'chullpas' often have lizards carved into their stone exterior; lizards are considered a symbol of life because of their ability to regrow their tails. The complex engineering feat involved in the construction of these conical towers, which stand up to a height of 12 metres, continues to amaze archaeologists even today. We return to our hotel in Puno in the late afternoon.

Meals included: 1 breakfast 

Peru and Bolivia both share the waters of Lake Titicaca, and today we follow the shores of the lake to the Bolivian border at Desaguadero. Here we complete our immigration and customs formalities. The journey by road to the Bolivian capital, La Paz, takes us via the ancient ruins of Tiahuanaco. This was the base of a great civilisation that began around 500 BC before mysteriously 'disappearing' around 1200 AD. It is believed that the ceremonial complex date back to the 8th century AD and was once at the centre of a powerful and self-sustaining empire based in the southern Central Andes. The sprawling ruins comprise of temples, courtyards, terraced pyramids, monolithic stone statues and gateways. The most famous structure is the Puerta del Sol (Gateway of the Sun). From the ruins it is less than a two-hour drive to La Paz, where we spend the night. We enjoy spectacular views of the city on our approach, due to its unique location in the middle of a vast volcanic crater that resembles a bowl.

Meals included: 1 breakfast 

We spend a full day visiting the sights of La Paz - the highest capital in the world. Towering over the city is Mount Illimani, which reaches a height of 6439 metres with its snow-covered peaks. Much of La Paz is modern, however, there are still some examples of late 19th century architecture such as the Presidential Palace, La Paz Cathedral and National Congress. We view these and visit a few of the city's small, but fascinating museums as well as wander around the Witches Market, where they sell some unusual medicinal potions. A short distance from the town centre is the Valley of the Moon - an eroded maze of canyons and pinnacles that form a bizarre landscape.

Meals included: 1 breakfast 

We leave La Paz in the early morning and travel by comfortable bus to the town of Oruro, where we then join the train for a spectacular journey around the edge of Lake Popoo and through the villages of Popp, Challapata and Huari. We then enter the highlands with a superb view over the mineral-rich mountains that characterise this part of Bolivia and enjoy our first glimpse of llamas, alpacas and even the graceful vicunas. Our train journey across the Altiplano ends in the small township of Uyuni, our base for two nights. From here we explore the Uyuni Salt Desert, an immense saltpan stretching over an area of 12,000 square kilometres. It was once part of a prehistoric salt lake, Lago Minchin, which covered most of south-western Bolivia. The sunsets here can be quite incredible. Our full day excursion across this strange and fascinating desert includes a visit to the tiny village of Jiria that lies at the foot of the Tunupa Volcano. We have time to explore the natural caves in the volcano, and enjoy outstanding views over the salt desert. Our next stop is Isla Pescado, a small volcanic island situated 80 kilometres inside the desert. Isla Pescado is home to enormous cacti and there is plenty of time to do some of our own exploring. In the late afternoon we return to our hotel in Uyuni, where we can enjoy some local cuisine in one of the nearby restaurants.

Meals included: 2 breakfasts 

We continue our journey across the altiplano by private vehicle to the silver-mining town of Potosi. The six-hour journey crosses the high Bolivian Plateau, passing through dry deserts and the occasional oasis towns with their shepherd inhabitants. Arriving in Potosi we check into our hotel and then take a short stroll around the main plaza, taking in the colonial architecture of this old city. The immense Cerro Rico Mountain (4824 metres) dominates the town of Potosi (4082m). In its heyday it was considered the richest silver mine in the world. Potosi was founded in 1545, following the discovery of silver in Cerro Rico. This discovery proved to be the first of many and the town quickly flourished into one of the richest in Latin America. Silver was the backbone of the Spanish economy and led to its monarchy's extravagance for over two centuries. Millions of miners worked in the mines in terrible conditions, resulting in a stunningly high number of deaths either by disease or preventable accidents. At the turn of 19th century, however, reserves began to dwindle and the city declined. Evidence of Potosi's rich colonial past can still be seen in the form of its grand colonial architecture, narrow streets and ornate churches. In the morning, we enjoy a guided tour of the city, visiting many of its highlights including the San Lorenzo Church, Cobija Arch, the main square and its cathedral, the Jesuit Tower and the Museum of La Casa de la Moneda. This museum has a fascinating section dedicated to art and historical artefacts. The afternoon is ours to further explore the city and there are many options available, including a visit to the Cooperative Mines, which provides the opportunity to enter the mines and see the labourers at work. You can also indulge in a thermal bath or visit the historical colonial farm at the Marquise de Ottavi, situated in a picturesque valley.

Meals included: 2 breakfasts 

Actually the official capital of Bolivia, the beautiful colonial city of Sucre is only a three-hour drive away along a well maintained road, which descends more than 1000 metres to the temperate valleys of Chuquisacra. Small rivers, cactus fields, fruit and vegetable plantations dominate the valley, which is inhabited by gentle local people who live in mud huts. Sucre is a pleasant city set in a valley surrounded by low mountains and has retained the flavour of its colonial heritage in its churches, museums and ancient mansions. Sucre was founded in 1538 as the Spanish capital of the vast region of Charcas and in 1776 with the new territorial division created by the Spaniards, its name was changed to Chuquisaca. Chuquisaca played an important role during the long colonial period, influencing much of Bolivia's history. Indeed, it was here that independence was declared on August 6, 1825. Several years later the name of the city was changed to Sucre, in honour of the general who promoted the independence movement. On arrival we settle in to our hotel and then enjoy a guided tour of the old part of Sucre including Recoleta Church and Monastery, the Chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the cathedral and Museum of La Casa de la Libertad. During our stay we have enough free time to enjoy this historical town and soak up the colonial atmosphere. In our free time we can visit the local markets and textile museum, take a walk around the city or enjoy a horse ride in the surrounding countryside.

Meals included: 2 breakfasts 

Meals included: 1 breakfast