Focus is on “off the beaten path”, overland journeys and boutique and owner operated accommodation wherever possible, always charming and in good taste. Emphasis is on insider experiences that provide a well rounded understanding of the culture of Peru. In this itinerary, we combine a number of elements we believe give it a "handcrafted" feel. Whereas some accommodation is expensive and very upscale such as La Casona Inkaterra in Cuzco, other choices such as Los Horcones are more basic but equally unique and charming, and of course locally inspired. We have used our in-depth knowledge of each destination, considering what is available and what works best in our view, to create an experience that first and foremost engages you with the local environment. Bear in mind that there are additional elements we can include such as “A day with the Weavers”, a visit to the community of Patakancha near Cuzco, or a visit to artists' workshops. We are always happy to customize our journeys for you.

Good time to travel: Year round. Absolute best time: March/April

Arrival in Lima from your international flight. You will be met by our English-speaking representative and transferred to Second Home.  Once home to a Peruvian sculptor, this charming guesthouse is strategically located overlooking the Pacific Ocean while nestled in the heart of Barranco, Lima’s arts district. You will enter an artist’s imaginative world, replete with his creative works. Dinner at La Gloria.  La Gloria features refined and intimate dining amongst Lima’s chic crowd.
Overnight at Second Home.

Today you will enjoy a full-day escort by one of Aracari’s friends/insiders. You tell us what you would like to see in Lima, and we will match you with the appropriate insider. A typical day could involve browsing around shops, art galleries or folk art collections, stopping for coffee at locally frequented spot and perhaps even going to a museum or exhibition. It’s entirely up to you. Lunch is included at the Casa Garcia Alvarado, a Republican Mansion built in 1912 located in the heart of Miraflores.  Still lived-in by its owners, Mrs. Ana Maria Garcia Alvarado or her daughter will host you.
Overnight at Second Home.

Take a morning flight to Trujillo, Peru’s third largest city. Upon arrival you will be collected by your guide and driver to begin a morning visit of the Huaca de la Luna (Moche c 100-700 AD) a superb archaeological site where excavations are currently under way. Lunch in the sea side resort of Huanchaco. Afternoon visit of Chan Chan, the most extensive adobe (mud brick) city in the Americas corresponding to the pre Inca Chimu culture. Finally you will visit Casa Ganoza, a traditional family estate situated right on Plaza de Armas. This home is one of the few surviving architectural examples of its time, still lived-in by its original owners.
Overnight at the Hotel Libertador.

You will be collected from your hotel and driven to Chiclayo, about a 3 hour drive on a good paved road. Chiclayo is one of Peru’s most important commercial cities and the area around Chiclayo is also the home of some of Peru's most important ancient cultures, which emerged much before the time of the Incas, as early as 2000bc. You will visit two museums, including the superb Tumbas Reales Museum which houses the magnificent and now world famous collection of artifacts found in the tomb of The Lord of Sipan.  Light lunch and visit to the eroded Moche Pyramids of Tucume - an amazing sight!
Overnight Los Horcones de Tucume.

Enjoy a relaxing morning of horseback riding at Tucume, followed by a visit to the Sican Museum. This outstanding museum holds the artifacts found in two burials within the adobe pyramid of Huaca Loro, in an area better known as Batan Grande, not far the Museum.  The culture these artifacts correspond to is known as Sican. Impressive gold, silver and semi precious stone artifacts and accessories are beautifully displayed in the museum. Transfer to the Chiclayo airport to catch your flight to Lima.
Overnight at Second Home.

Day 6
Lima – Arequipa (2380m / 7,740 ft)

You will be collected by our representative and driven to the airport to catch a morning flight to Arequipa. On arrival, you will be met by your guide and driven to your hotel, the atmospheric and cozy Molino Blanco. This unique owner-operated Guest House is located in what was an old mill very near the town centre. In the afternoon, you will enjoy guided visits of the highlights of the city such as the Museo Santuarios Andinos where Inca frozen mummies are kept, the wonderful 16th century Santa Catalina Convent and the new Colonial Art Museum in the Convent of Santa Teresa. 
Overnight Molino Blanco.

Early morning departure with your guide on your 4x4 vehicle to the Colca Canyon. Journey time is approximately 5 hours on a paved (75% of the journey) and unpaved but in good condition (25% of the journey) road. You will go across the high altitude plateau (over 4,000m/13200ft) with its astounding landscapes and see plenty of local wildlife such as the graceful wild Vicuna. On the way, you will stop at the Sumbay caves to observe the prehistoric cave paintings. Box lunch en route. Mid-afternoon arrival at your lovely lodge, the Colca Lodge, overlooking the river and with private thermal pools.
Overnight Colca Lodge.

Day 8
Colca - Sillustani - Puno

Today you will leave the Colca Valley and head southeast towards Lake Titicaca. You will travel a total of (332 km/221.33mi) in about 8 hours. Most of the route is paved. Approximately 2 hours after your departure, you will reach Sumbay, where you will meet your Lake Titicaca guide and vehicle. Beautiful landscapes along the way, corresponding to Puna or high altitude ecosystems. Approximately 1 hour before reaching Puno, where you will overnight, you will visit the superb Pre-Inca burial towers of Sillustani, located right by Lake Umayo. Arrival into Puno.
Overnight at Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection Puno, overlooking the bay of Puno.

Early morning departure to Suasi. Shared guide and boat (private boat is also possible please inquire). You will sail along the Bay of Puno and visit the famous and picturesque if touristy Uros floating reed islands. Continue your journey toward the main section of the lake, and visit Taquile Island, where the indigenous people wear distinctive woven and knitted colourful hats. Arrival at Suasi before lunch. Barbecue lunch at the beach. Enjoy the island for the rest of the afternoon. Take a relaxing walk, visit the cultural cabin or simply relax and enjoy the setting.
Overnight at Suasi Lodge.

Enjoy a full day of activities or rest and relaxation at this charming eco-lodge on a largely unknown private island located close to the Peru/Bolivia border. The 45- hectare island is uninhabited except for the Lodge. The landscaped gardens are a dream, and there are many activities such as hiking to observe the amazing views and the wild vicuna as well as flora native to the altiplano, kayaking, or simply relaxing.
Overnight at Suasi Lodge.

You will be collected from your hotel to drive to Cuzco, along the Highland Route: (389km, of which 85km are unpaved, 9-11 hours, possible from April – November). During the rest of the year, best to take the Main or Conventional route (360 km, 6-8 hours, All paved). Your first visit will be the pretty village of Lampa. There is not much to do in Lampa, except visit its wonderful cathedral and stroll around this quaint village. Lampa is one of the only Andean villages that has been properly preserved, and for that reason only it merits a visit. If we took the normal paved route, which is what most people do, you not only miss Lampa, but also the natural wonder of the Tinajani Canyon, with its amazing pink rock formations and daliesque landscapes, and the quenua and puya forests along the way. After Tinajani you will drive along a minor unpaved road for a bit longer until you reach the main Cuzco-Puno road. Once on that stretch you will drive along and visit the superb Inca ruins of Raqchi, unique in that they are part adobe and part stone, and very fine stonework in places, which is not easy to find. Arrival in Cuzco in the afternoon and transfer to La Casona - Inkaterra’s new property in Cuzco. Located at Plazoleta Nazarenas across from the Monasterio, it is housed in a lovely colonial mansion. It is a very exclusive and exquisitely decorated hotel.
Overnight at La Casona.

This morning you will be collected by your guide to begin a half day guided visit of the Inca archaeological sites around Cuzco. You will explore, Sacsayhuaman, the only Inca site known boasting megalythic architecture, and lesser but also very interesting sites such as Tambomachay, Quenco and Puca Pucara. Lunch at Map Café. Set in an intriguing glass ‘box’ in the courtyard of the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, this restaurant offers the best in Andean Nouvelle cuisine. Spend the afternoon on a guided walking tour of Cuzco.  Start your visit by positioning yourself in the Main Square, observing the juxtaposition of Inca and Colonial architecture. You will walk through the City’s main streets with Inca stonework, and observe the finest of Spanish Colonial architecture. Some of the sights you will visit are the main highlights such as the Cathedral and the Sun Temple, but also some lesser-known ones as La Merced or San Francisco.
Overnight at La Casona.

You will be collected by your guide and driven to Ollantaytambo to take the Vistadome Train to Aguas Calientes, the station that serves Machu Picchu. The train ride is approximately 3 hours through wonderful cloudforest scenery. On arrival, check in at the beautiful Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Guided visit of the site with your private guide. Machu Picchu, also known as "The Lost City of the Incas" is one of the world's most celebrated archaeological sites and rightly so. Its location is spectacular. It is nestled in the Andean cloud forest on a high ridge straddling between two mountains with the Urubamba River curling like a snake below it. The mountain scenery surrounding it is magnificent and the site itself is also spectacular, with some of the finest and more complex Inca architecture known. Your Machu Picchu visit can be greatly enhanced by the accompaniment of Peter Frost, one of our erudite specialists.
Overnight at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.

Enjoy Machu Picchu almost all to yourself, as you will be able to access the site as soon as it opens, and watch the morning unfold. Machu Picchu at this time is pure magic. All day at leisure in Machu Picchu. Afternoon return by Vistadome Train from Machu Picchu to Cuzco, journey time is approximately 3.45 hours. At the train station you will be collected and driven to La Casona.
Overnight at La Casona.

Enjoy a full day of unstructured visits with an “Aracari insider/friend”. Your day in Cuzco could involve browsing around shops and art galleries, stopping for coffee and lunch at locally frequented spots and perhaps even going to a museum or exhibition. Your day will be planned around your particular interests. You will have a vehicle, “friend” and driver at your disposal to go wherever you prefer. Overnight at La Casona.

Transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Lima.  In the afternoon, you will have a vehicle and driver at your disposal to go wherever in Lima you prefer. Transfer to the airport to catch your evening international flight home.