Best of Peru 35 to 45

Hello and welcome to the oh-so-lovely Lima! You’ll meet your Contiki Trip Manager at the hotel for a welcome meeting and a quick run-through of what’s coming up. Then we’ll head out for a welcome dinner with the brand new crew in buzzy Miraflores.

We’ll kick today off with a guided tour to admire Lima’s headline-hitting architecture. Next, we’ll check out the first Cathedral in South America, then brave the mysterious San Francisco catacombs. Time to switch gears in colourful Chinatown, markets and artsy streets, before finishing in mural-filled Barranco (hello, Bridge of Sighs). We’ll wrap up with ocean views at Love Park. The rest of the day is yours to dive deeper into whatever grabs you.

Goodbye, Lima. We’ll jump on a flight to our next destination — famous for bright colonial buildings made from volcanic stone.Welcome to La Ciudad Blanca. Wander historic streets past grand churches, the Cathedral and Plaza de Armas (with volcano views always in the background) on a guided tour. Today's main event? Santa Catalina Monastery, a “city within a city” packed with colourful courtyards and centuries of stories.

This morning, we’ll hit the road towards Chivay, the gateway to Colca Canyon. Expect scenic stops and plenty of volcano views (and yep, some are still active). Rolling through Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, keep your eyes peeled for vicuñas, llamas and alpacas. We’ll pause in Patahuasi for a traditional Inca tea to help with the altitude, then swing by Patapampa for big-viewpoint photos.Once we arrive, we’ll tuck into a local lunch made with produce from the Colca Valley. The afternoon is yours to choose your vibe: opt to unwind in Chivay’s natural hot springs, or get your adrenaline going with a zipline. Then it’s on to our hotel for a comfy night’s rest before tomorrow’s adventure.

Early start, but it’s so worth it. Today, we’ll head out to Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world and the best place to spot the legendary Andean condor. We’ll hang out at Cruz del Condor and watch for those huge wings catching the morning air. Cameras at the ready!After the condor moment, we’ll roll back towards Chivay with a few short stops in traditional Andean villages to catch a bit of local life. Post-lunch, we’ll continue across the highlands to Puno, arriving on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Bright and early, we’ll hop on a Triciclo (just like the locals) to the port, then jump on a boat out onto Lake Titicaca — the world’s highest navigable lake.First stop: the Uros Floating Islands, built entirely from totora reeds. You’ll meet the community, learn how the reeds become everything from homes to boats, and see how this way of life has been kept going for centuries.After a gentle hike up to the main village, we’ll visit Taquile Island, famous for its intricate UNESCO-recognised textiles. Next, we’ll cruise on to Luquina Village, our homebase for the night. Settle in, enjoy a family-style lunch and spend the night with a local family. Dine on a delish home-cooked dinner and get a real taste of everyday Andean life.

Share breakfast with our host family this morning, then say our thank yous and goodbyes before hopping back on the boat for a scenic ride across Lake Titicaca.Back in Puno, we’ll jump into private transport and start the journey to Cusco (around 7 hours), breaking up the drive with some seriously solid stops.We’ll check out Pukara Museum, stretch our legs at La Raya Pass, then explore the Raqchi Archaeological Complex before getting back on the road.By evening, we’ll reach Cusco. Then it’s simple: wander, grab dinner with the crew, and settle in for the night.

Kick things off with a walking tour of Cusco this morning. Check out Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, then stroll an ancient Inca-built street to Q’oricancha (the Sun Temple), where Inca stonework meets Spanish colonial style. Next up: San Pedro Market for a burst of local colour, before heading into artsy San Blas — with stops at the Twelve-Angled Stone and the cute Siete Borreguitos street. The rest of the day is yours, with an optional mountain biking experience up for grabs.

Morning, travellers. Today we’ll hit up Taray, the best lookout point for those classic Sacred Valley views. Then we’ll dive straight into Pisac Market, checking out local textile traditions and supporting makers from the mountain villages.Time to step it up! We’ll head higher to the Pisac Inca site, perched on the mountain, with your Trip Manager guiding you through the standout viewpoints and ruins. After that, we’ll follow the Vilcanota River through the Sacred Valley to Urubamba for lunch. Next stop: the epic Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, including the striking Temple of the Sun.This evening, we’ll board the train to Aguas Calientes, our home for the night. Rest well tonight, cuz tomorrow - we're hitting THE Machu Picchu.

Today’s the day, people! Get ready for a proper deep-dive into the Inca world as we jump on the bus up to Machu Picchu.With an expert guide leading the way, we’ll spend a couple of hours exploring the citadel’s temples, terraces and ceremonial spots — plus the stories that make it all click. After that, you’ve got free time to wander, take photos, and soak it all in at your own pace. When you’re ready, you’ll head back down to Aguas Calientes by bus or on foot.You’ll have time to grab lunch in town before we jump on the train to Ollantaytambo, then transfer back to Cusco.And we’ll be back in Cusco. Feet up, you’ve earned it.

Today’s all about slowing down and soaking up Cusco at your own pace. Wander the cobblestone streets, hang in the plazas, or book an optional massage. Still chasing the adrenaline? You can opt in for a full-day trip to Rainbow Mountain for a seriously colourful hike and big views. And tonight? You can also jump into an interactive Peruvian cooking experience for dinner.

This morning is yours in Cusco before we continue to the Amazon. You’ll have time to squeeze in one last wander, coffee, or souvenir hunt.Later, we’ll transfer to the bus station and hop on an overnight bus to Puerto Maldonado.

We’ll arrive into Puerto Maldonado in the morning, ready to swap bus life for jungle life.At the station, we’ll transfer to the Rainforest Office for a quick briefing. Then it’s repack time — you’ll only need your essentials for two nights in the jungle (we’ll stow your bigger bags safely). After that, we’ll jump on a motorised canoe for a scenic ride along the river to our lodge.Welcome to the world’s largest rainforest. We’ll settle in with a welcome drink and lunch, then kick things off with an intro walk (keep an eye out for plants, insects, and any wildlife that wants to show up). Lucky for us, the Amazon doesn’t clock off when the sun goes down. So we’ll head out before dinner for a nighttime boat ride to look for nocturnal creatures like caimans.

Up early, and ready to explore, we’ll head out to Lake Sandoval, a pristine oxbow lake. Canoe through calm waters and be on the lookout for hoatzins, giant river otters, colourful birds, and monkeys. Back at the lodge, we’ll refuel with lunch and some downtime. Then it’s round two in the afternoon with a guided hike through the rainforest, finishing with a proper Amazon sunset.

It’s our last morning in the Amazon — better make it count, right? We’ll rise early for one last jungle flex. Grab a quick coffee or tea, then we’ll take a short walk to the clay lick to watch parrots gather in full colour-and-noise mode. Proper Amazon spectacle.We’ll head back to the lodge for breakfast, then catch the boat back to Puerto Maldonado with one last look at the rainforest sliding past. Then it’s airport time. Get those final group pics, say your goodbyes, and take in one last “we actually did that” moment before everyone heads off.