Highlights of Peru: Lima, Colca, Titicaca, Cusco & Machu Picchu

Barranco's fame is nothing new; in the 19th century, Lima's aristocracy frequented its beaches. Today, creatives from all walks of life have set up in buildings and 'casonas' (big houses). Gallery owners, restaurateurs and cafe owners followed. As a result, Lima's Museum of Contemporary Art is an absolute must. The historic centre of Lima, otherwise known as Cercado, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers splendid examples of Spanish colonial architecture, such as Torre-Tagle Palace (18th century) and the Basilica Cathedral of Lima (17th century), home to the tomb of Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador who led the Spanish conquest of Peru. Visit one of Lima's fascinating museums. For example, at Museo Larco, explore more than 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian history up to the colonial period: all the ancient cultures are represented.

Included Included in the itinerary - We have reserved a table for you at one of the best restaurants in the world, Maido. Nikkei cuisine, created by the Japanese people of Peru, has established itself as a style in its own right and enjoys worldwide acclaim. Maido is a prime example of this exotic fusion thanks to the delicious creations of chef Mitsuharu Tsumura. A table will be waiting for you, with a taxi to get you there and back.

Optional - Private tour of Barranco.

Private transfer to the airport and flight to Arequipa. Second transfer. Overnight stay, a few blocks from Plaza de Armas. This historical building has been extended and the rooms are centred around a covered gallery courtyard, the volcanic stone blocks add a minimalist but authentic touch. This hotel has fully-equipped rooms with modern bathrooms for a comfortable night's stay. The rooftop restaurant offers generous-sized portions of unpretentious, delicious cuisine on a beautiful terrace.

Already included Included in the itinerary - Colca Canyon tickets. Its steep slopes were cultivated with terraced crops by the Collagua people as early as the seventh century and the Incas later built irrigation systems and a network of 'colcas' (granaries) here. Enjoy Cruz del Condor viewpoint, hiking and visiting surrounding villages and former Spanish colonial settlements in the afternoon.

Transfer by bus to Yanque. Two-night stay north of the town with beautiful views of the heights of the canyon. This wonderful accommodation is a yellow and red house with a green heart and the perfect balance of simplicity. Rooms are authentic and comfortable with fully-equipped bathrooms; just what's needed for a pleasant night's stay. The chef serves traditional culinary delights using organic ingredients. The hammocks in the pretty garden invite some serious relaxation, which is all part of the experience.

Included in the itinerary - Hiking in the Colca Canyon, with a private guide. First, visit the village to see the 18th century church in all its colonial splendour. From here, explore an ancient five-mile trail between the two valleys until you reach the hot springs of La Calera. The small fields of potatoes, quinoa and beans give way to candle cacti, groves of polylepis (a high-altitude stocky tree) and flowering shrubs, which all highlight the austere and mineral-rich landscape. Along the way, spot the pre-Inca terraces and listen to fascinating information from your guide. If you're lucky, you'll see a giant hummingbird hovering near a puya flower. Estimated walking time: three hours.

Transfer by bus to Puno. Two-night stay in a hotel in the city centre. This hotel is simple but pristine, with pretty indigenous touches: walls are decorated with 'aguayo', traditional wool fabric from the Altiplano region, as well as figurines and watercolour paintings. The rooms and bathrooms are clean and comfortable. In the dining room, enjoy unpretentious Peruvian cuisine and a few international dishes, too.

Puno, trapped between the mountains and lake, extends upwards. The city is a charming regional trading hub, close to the Bolivian border, with bustling activity on the lake.

Included in the itinerary - The floating reed islands of Uros Titinos and Taquile on Lake Titicaca. The artificial floating islands are made up of many overlapping layers of rushes – totora – a special subspecies of bulrush found in Titicaca. Some islands are still inhabited and traditional totora canoes come and go to transport residents. On Taquile, men knit and women weave - UNESCO added the island's textile art to their Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The island owes its existence to nature and in order to maintain a balance between community life and tourism, the residents manage both aspects themselves. Tours are given by a private guide.

Transfer by bus to Cusco. Three-night stay three blocks from Cusco's main square, Plaza de Armas, in the old town. The hotel is a celebration of Peruvian folk art and Andean colours. Rooms are very well-designed and comfortable.

Included in the itinerary - Pisco tasting. Peru's national drink is a fine wine brandy. Visit one of the best places for pisco in Cusco and try traditional pisco sours.

At the centre of the world, the city was most likely built by the Killke people, a century before the arrival of the Incas, who then expanded it and made it the capital of their empire. The Spaniards partly destroyed it, but on its foundations built the noble city of Cusco. The capital of the Incas is still, literally, the base of the city: most walls and foundations date back to the pre-Hispanic period and are found in many places (especially in the old colonial area of San Blas, where the hotel is located). The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin and the Church of the Society of Jesus, with gold and paintings from the Cusco School of Art (16th-17th centuries), both stand proudly on Plaza de Armas. Make sure to also visit Sacsayhuaman, one of the most impressive Inca ruins, located just over one mile north of Cusco. Admire the three levels of walls laid out in a zig-zag formation to represent the shape of a puma's head.

Optional - Cooking class; Boleto Turistico General ticket.

Transfer to Ollantaytambo train station and take a scenic train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).

Included in the itinerary - This scenic train's winding route is a truly breathtaking experience. Machu Picchu, the citadel created by the Inca Emperor Pachacutec, is one of the most iconic sites on the planet, and for good reason. The beauty of the mountains, the scale of the design, the logistics and engineering it took to build along with the strength, energy and creative genius shown by the Incas are all beyond comprehension. A private guide will help you go beyond the mere feeling of wonder and teach you about the awe-inspiring majesty of one of the most impressive places on Earth.

Overnight stay at the northern edge of the town. The contemporary building is beautifully decorated with dried branches of eucalyptus. The interior features a stylish black and white monochrome design and the rooms boast fresh Peruvian cotton sheets. The restaurant offers national and international cuisine with organic ingredients wherever possible. The spa products are also organic and the spa, located on the upper floor, has big windows opening out onto the rainforest.

Included in the itinerary - In the morning, enjoy another tour of the ancient city suspended over the Urubamba River. Then, climb Machu Picchu Mountain, a staggering 10,112ft above sea level. The climb is tough but the spectacular views make it worth every step.

Transfer to the train station and take a scenic train to Ollantaytambo. Second transfer to Urubamba. Three-night stay in the north-western part of the town. The contemporary Andean architecture means this hotel enjoys beautiful natural light. The interior design features white wood furniture to create a light and stylish look. The rooms are pristine and minimalist with a laidback charm and stunning views of the surrounding scenery. The gardens are the perfect setting for relaxing during the day and gathering around the fire in the evening. The Andean-style breakfast is served from 05:00 am, perfect for those eager to get out and explore. The small spa, with its sauna, jacuzzi and wide selection of massages, provides valuable treatments and relaxation services after a long day exploring.

Included in the itinerary - Travel by car and then, with a private guide, explore the impressive, concentric terraces of the Inca agricultural research centre of Moray. The centre works towards the artificial creation of different climatic conditions to allow for the acclimatisation of allogeneic plants. Then, head downhill through picturesque farmland, dominated by the Vilcabamba mountain range, towards the salt mines of Maras, whose thousands of basins make up a strange, white, honeycomb landscape. This day in the countryside involves about three hours of walking.

Included in the itinerary - Local markets bring everyone together in a riot of colours, with the indigenous people of Peru in their vivid red ponchos. Enjoy a tour in a private car with driver. Start with Pisac: Enjoy the famous market with its endless produce including fresh cheese, chicken, herbs, bread, cabbages, guinea pigs, corn and potatoes, then explore the ancient agricultural terraces and Inca citadel, dating back thousands of years. At the other end of the valley, the fortified site of Ollantaytambo is a beautifully preserved example of Inca urban design.