Morning departure from London Heathrow by KLM (or similar), flying via Amsterdam to Lima. On arrival in the afternoon, you will be met and transferred to the Miraflores Park Hotel where you stay in an Executive Suite with ocean views.

A morning sightseeing tour of Lima takes in some of the highlights of the ‘City of Kings’, including the Larco Herrera Museum, housing the largest and most impressive ceramic collection in the world.

A free day affords the unique opportunity to take a flight to Nazca, to overfly the remarkable site of the mystical Nazca Lines, a fascinating collection of geometric shapes, patterns and animal effigies dating from the 5th century BC and spanning some 1500 years, (price £325 per person - please advise at time of booking if you would like to take this excursion).

Morning flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. On arrival transfer to the wonderfully ambient 16th century Monasterio Hotel. The rest of the day is free to adjust to the higher altitude of Cusco which is 3,200 metres high.

Cusco is considered, by some, to be the archaeological capital of the Americas and your morning tour takes in some of Cusco’s numerous monuments to its ancient and colonial past. You will visit the magnificent Cathedral and the artisan district of San Blas, as well as the spectacular Inca citadel of Sacsayhuaman. This afternoon is free to continue exploring this most engaging of cities.

Transferring to Poroy you board the luxurious Hiram Bingham today for a train journey to Machu Picchu. Surely one of antiquity’s greatest sites, this ‘lost city’ was discovered in 1911, by the very man whose name graces the train that brought you here. Overnight at the spectacularly located Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.

The day is free until the late afternoon departure aboard the Hiram Bingham train to Poroy and Cusco. Return to the Monasterio Hotel

A full day’s tour of the fabulous Urubamba Valley takes in the rich landscapes and captivating ruins of the Sacred valley of the Incas. Visiting the bustling town of Pisac and its dominating fortress, you then continue to the formidable ruins of Ollantaytambo, scene of a rare Spanish defeat during their conquest of the country. In the small Andean village of Chinchero you can enjoy its stunning views and traditional rural charm, before heading back to Cusco.

Morning flight to Lima. A room will be provided at the Ramada Airport Hotel. Later, return to the airport for the KLM flight (or similar) via Amsterdam to London. If you are taking the Rio extension, stay overnight in Lima at the Miraflores Park.

Arrive London Heathrow in the afternoon.