Machu Picchu and the Andes

We fly to Lima via Amsterdam, the vibrant capital city of Peru. On arrival, we check into our hotel for the next two nights.

A guided tour introduces us to the city and we discover the city's more modern districts as well as its fascinating historic heart. A thriving city, Lima was first founded by Spanish conquistadors in the late 16th century and still has a remarkably well-preserved colonial centre. Our tour begins at the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco where we explore the beautiful courtyards and catacombs. Later, we see Huaca Pucllana before continuing to the upmarket district of Miraflores where traditional stallholders rub shoulders with modern boutiques. We also admire Casa de Aliaga, the best-preserved colonial mansion in the Americas.

Heading to the airport we board our flight to the 'White City' of Arequipa. Its nickname refers to the striking white volcanic stone - known as sillar - that was used to construct much of the city. We enjoy a guided tour in the afternoon beginning at the Carmen Alto viewpoint where we take in impressive panoramic views across the city, the volcanic mountains, and the surrounding rural countryside. Arequipa's main square - Plaza de Armas - is one of the most beautiful in South America. Lined on three sides by white-stone buildings with split-level arcades, the focus is drawn to the huge 17th-century cathedral.

This morning, we explore the enormous complex of monastic buildings that make up the Santa Catalina Convent, founded in 1580. Today, the convent has been beautifully refurbished with period furniture and paintings. Afterwards, you're free to explore Arequipa at your own pace and there are plenty of historical sights and colourful monasteries to seek out. The traditional neighbourhood of Yanahuara is a tranquil district known for its pearly white buildings and Spanish-colonial churches. Alternatively, you could take it easy and relax in one of the city's many laid-back cafés or restaurants, admiring the backdrop of the three snow-capped volcanos which encircle the city.

We travel to the Colca Valley this morning. We stop along the way at the National Reserve of Pampa Cañahuas, where alpacas and llamas roam the volcanic grasslands, and the quaint village of Chivay, which continues to embrace its past with delightfully traditional stone buildings and nearby 'Inca' bridge. We also visit the town of Yanque to see its museum dedicated to the region and its people.

Today we visit Mirador Cruz del Condor. This observation deck is ideal for spotting the magnificent condors that Colca Canyon is famous for. An important animal in Incan heritage, legend has it that these unique birds, who have a wingspan of over nine feet, are immortal. However, Andean condors are sadly endangered and live solitary yet monogamous lives.

We board a coach this morning for Puno, enjoying scenic stops along the way. During the journey, we reach heights of up to 14,700 feet above sea level allowing us to enjoy fabulous views across the Andes. We check into our hotel on arrival.

We journey by speedboat to Lake Titicaca where we cruise to the Uros floating islands. Here, incredible flotillas made entirely out of totora reeds are used by the enterprising Uros people. We then continue to Taquile, a beautiful island home to the Aymara, a Spanish-speaking people who live in an almost economically-autonomous community. We enjoy lunch, learning more about their way of life before returning to the hotel for a relaxed afternoon.

We board the PeruRail Titicaca Train to Cusco, soaking up striking Andean landscapes as we journey in restored 1920s carriages through the Peruvian Highlands. Cusco is a city of true beauty and is regarded as the 'Archaeological Capital of the Americas' because of its delightful blend of indigenous and colonial Spanish architecture.

One of the most impressive attractions here is the incredible Inca walls. Created from enormous granite blocks carved to fit together without the aid of mortar beds, it's a lasting tribute to the ingenuity of the Incas that their design has survived the test of time.

Our day includes a sightseeing tour of the ancient capital, Cusco. We visit the Plaza de Armas in the historic centre before visiting the Temple of Koricancha. The 'Temple of the Sun' was one of the most important in the Inca Empire, originally built around 1200AD, it was brought to ruin during a war with Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Today, a Spanish cathedral sits on top of the original stone foundations where an underground archaeological museum displays relics from the site.

We enjoy a highlight of our holiday today as we enjoy the scenic rail route to Aguas Calientes where we visit the 'Lost City of the Incas' - Machu Picchu. A winding bus ride takes us up to Machu Picchu itself where we're greeted by one of the most incredible sights in the world - an ancient Incan citadel built amid the clouds, mountains, and forested peaks of Peru. Our local guide explains the fascinating history of this awe-inspiring landmark, forgotten for 400 years before being uncovered in 1911. Machu Picchu is now a UNESCO World Heritage site as well as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After time to soak up the ancient atmosphere, we join the train to Ollantaytambo, transferring by coach to our hotel.

Our day begins with a coach excursion to Chinchero, an authentic Andean town with great views of the Sacred Valley - one of Peru's most important locations - where we witness some traditional weaving techniques. After lunch in a local restaurant, we return to Ollantaytambo, where a local guide shows us round the city's ancient fortress which, even in ruins, has retained important features such as the Sun Temple and Princess Baths fountain. We also discover the village's Old Town, an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings.

We drive to Pisac today, where we enjoy a walk around the Inty Huatana fortress. If we look hard enough, it's possible to find the ancient Intihuatana ritual stone which was used as an astrological clock by the Incas. Literally translated 'Intihuatana' means 'the Hitching Post of the Sun'. We return to Cusco in the afternoon, where we are free to explore Cusco at our own leisure.

After a free morning, we join our internal flight to Lima, continuing via Amsterdam to the UK.

Landing in the UK, our South American adventure draws to a close.