Early morning departure from London Heathrow by Iberia via Madrid (2 hours 20 minutes), to Lima (12 hours) arriving late afternoon. Stay at the Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores.

You will have a half-day tour of Lima, the country´s capital. It was originally named “La Ciudad de los Reyes” (the City of Kings). The Plaza de Armas and now Plaza Mayor; used to be the city’s most popular meeting point and main market. Around the great Plaza Mayor stands the Palacio de Gobierno, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipalidad and the Club Unión. In the centre of the plaza is a fountain dating from 1650. Some blocks from the main square, stands the Santo Domingo or San Francisco, Churches and Monasteries. Inside are valuable collections of paintings, dating from 16th century. Also visit the private Larco Herrera Museum, which houses a large collection of gold, jewellery, textiles, ceramics and more.

Morning flight on LAN to Cusco (1 hour). On arrival head into the Sacred Valley stopping at the traditional Andean weavers of Awanacancha. After lunch, continue to the town of Ollantaytambo where you will visit the Inca ruins. Afterwards, continue to the Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley where you stay for 3 nights.

At leisure. A number of adventure activities can be booked at the hotel such as rafting on the Urubamba River, hiking, mountain-biking, horse riding or visits to local communities. For the less energetic, you may relax and enjoy the hotels’ colourful gardens, visit the spa, practise yoga or visit the hotels’ observatory.

Transfer to Ollantaytambo station this morning to board the train to the magnificent ruins of the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, where you will have a tour of this most remarkable of sites. After the tour and lunch, return by train and road to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Alternatively, for those who would like to stay longer and re-visit Machu Picchu, you may stay overnight at the Sumaq Hotel . You will return to Cusco by train on the afternoon of Day 6.

This morning a leisurely transfer by road takes you back to Cusco on a different route from your arrival. Stop en route at the Seminario Pottery Workshops in Urubamba whose products are inspired by ancient Peruvian cultures. Also stop at the Andean village of Chinchero. In Cusco, stay at the Casa Andina Private Collection, located close to Coricancha Temple.

A morning sightseeing tour takes in the glories of one of the most spectacular cities in the Americas, including the Spanish grandeur of its colonial heart and the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, site of the Incas last stand against the Spanish invaders. This afternoon is free to continue exploring at your leisure.

Free day to either enjoy more of Cusco or take an optional excursion to the village of Andahuaylillas noted for its 17th century church known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of the Americas’ due to its stunning Baroque interior, and Raqchi to see the 15th century Wiracocha Temple.

Fly to Lima. Day rooms will be provided at the Ramada Airport Hotel, before returning to the airport for your Iberia flight (or similar) to London via Madrid. (Alternatively, stay longer in Peru and take the extension to Lake Titicaca.)

Arrive at London Heathrow in the afternoon.