On this 15-night and 16-day tour we explore the best of Peru’s pre-Columbian archaeology and history. Starting in Lima, the country’s capital, we examine the background to the many ancient cultures of Peru by viewing a rich panoply of treasures and artifacts in the city’s museums. We then fly to Cuzco and explore the Inca heartlands with visits to such sites as Sacsayhuamán, Pisac and, of course, Machu Picchu which we travel to by luxury train. Moving on to the shores of Lake Titicaca we gain an insight into the indigenous culture of Peru when we enjoy a superb trip to the floating reed islands of Urcos. We fly back to Lima then on to the lovely city of Chiclayo where we explore the pre-Inca cultures of the Moche, Chimú and Lambeyeque. At the pyramids of Sipán we view the remarkable tomb of the Lord of Sipán whose precious ornaments – many of gold – we see in the nearby museum.

The Inca Empire (1438-1533 CE) was the largest and most successful South American civilization, rivaling many of the Old World’s great imperial cultures. Known as Tawantinsuyu (‘Land of the Four Quarters’), the empire stretched some 4,000 km, from Ecuador south through Peru to Chile, had 40,000 km of imperial roads, and a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual population of around 10 million inhabitants. Based at the imperial capital of Cuzco was the cosmic temple-home of the Sun God Inti and the royal family and imperial administration. In the valleys around were Inca towns, fortresses, and temples, including the lost citadel of Machu Picchu. All of this was achieved without the wheel or draft animals, with no writing system, no iron or steel, and no money or market system. While the Incas are the best-known Pre-Columbian civilization of South America, their success was in part built on the extraordinary cultures which preceded them. In the Andes, by Lake Titicaca, the Tiwanaku civilization flourished between c. 200–700 CE, and the imperial Wari between 500–1000 CE. In the river valleys of the coast, vast temple-pyramids of mudbrick were built by the Moche (100-750 CE), Sicán (800-1375 CE) and Chimú (1200-1476 CE) – civilizations which have yielded some of the world’s most spectacular golden treasures in recent years.

Day 1: Arrival - fly London to Lima (indirect) to arrive late the same day (or join the tour at the Lima hotel). Hotel in Lima – 3 nights. (D).

Day 2: Lima - this morning we explore Peru’s historic capital with its graceful colonial-era palaces, churches, cathedrals, and lively squares. We spend the afternoon at the superlative Gold Museum with its startling collection of pre-Hispanic wealth from a range of cultures including the Moche, Chimú and Lambayeque. (B, L, D).

Day 3: Lima – at the National Museum we marvel over the large archaeological and anthropological collection representing the most intricate metalwork, sculpture and ceramic masterpieces of pre-Hispanic cultures. This includes remarkable gold, silver and copper breastplates and mysterious Chimú whistling bottles. Our tour continues at the Larco Museum with its engaging collection of gold, jewelry, garments, ceramics and stelae showcasing over 10,000 years of Peruvian history. (B, L, D).

Day 4: To the navel of the world - fly to Cuzco and transfer to our hotel. Enjoy some rest time to acclimatize before an afternoon walking tour where we appreciate the city’s evocative mountain setting and blend of ancient Inca and colonial architecture. Hotel in Cuzco – 3 nights. (B, L, D).

Day 5: The Inca heartlands – our day starts at the formidable Inca fortress at Sacsayhuamán, built in the 15th century using enormous stones joined so tightly together that, in the words of a Spanish chronicler, ‘the point of a pin could not have been inserted’ between them. We continue to Q'enqo, an Inca religious sites carved as a natural rock formation, and Tambo Machay, a spring channelled into a series of waterfalls and canals whose true use remains a mystery. Return to Cuzco for some free time. (B, L, D).

Day 6: Pisac Quechua Market and ruins - we depart Cuzco for the colourful Sunday market at Pisac where Quechua communities gather to sell their wares including handicrafts, clothing and musical instruments. This is one of the best places in Peru to experience Quechua culture and purchase traditional crafts. We continue to the dramatic ruins of Pisac set on a hillside above the town and containing beautiful examples of Inca architecture, from residential, hydraulic and agricultural through to religious and military. Return to Cuzco. (B, L, D).

Day 7: Machu Picchu - Transfer to Ollanta station for our luxury train to Machu Picchu where we journey through spectacular scenery and lush vegetation towards what for some is the highlight of any tour to Peru. This incredible 15th century Inca city occupies a magnificent setting on a ridge high above the river below and remains the most emblematic Inca site and icon of South American archaeology. Lost to history under dense jungle the city was only located by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. We spend the whole afternoon at the site. Hotel in Machu Picchu area – 1 night. (B, L, D).

Day 8: Machu Picchu - morning free at Machu Picchu; lunch; afternoon return train to Cuzco. Hotel in Cuzco – 1 night. (B, L, D).

Day 9: Cuzco to Lake Titicaca - take the comfortable morning train from Cuzco to Puno on Lake Titicaca. Our unforgettable 10-hour journey takes us through stunning mountain scenery to the shores of Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. This is one of the world’s greatest rail journeys and one that is sure to create lasting memories. Hotel in Puno – 2 nights. (B, L, D).

Day 10: The Uros Islands - a morning trip by boat to the floating Uros islands, inhabited by the indigenous Uri people. Hand-made from the local tortora reed these islands provide a fascinating insight into a unique way of life. Return to hotel. Free time to visit town and market. (B, L, D).

Day 11: To Chichlayo - fly Juliaca to Lima, then on to Chiclayo. Transfer to hotel – 4 nights. (B, D).

Day 12: Chiclayo and Witch Doctors’ Market - morning tour of Chiclayo to admire its narrow, cobbled streets and lovely neo-classical buildings. We also visit the 'Witch Doctors' market, an unusual selling point for herbs, teas, potions, amulets and other curatives which demonstrate the importance of alternative medicine in modern Peru. Here we are given an insight into traditional Peruvian culture and indigenous beliefs, some of which survive from pre-Columbian times. Afternoon free to continue your explorations of the town. (B, L, D).

Day 13: The pyramids of Sipán - a full day excursion to the pyramids of Sipán, the site of recent magnificent gold discoveries from the pre-Inca Moche culture (AD 100 – 850). Here was unearthed the fabulous tomb of the Lord of Sipán (c. AD 350) containing a rich array of gold, silver and copper ornaments. After a picnic lunch on site we spend the afternoon visiting the Bruning Museum in Lambayeque where the gold artefacts are kept. (B, L, D).

Day 14: The pyramids of Tucume and coastal villages - in the morning we visit the pyramids of Tucume, a collection of mud-brick structures built by the Lambayeque Culture between AD 700 to 1000. We spend the remainder of the day at the beautiful fishing villages of Pimentel and Santa Rosa, a relaxing finale to the trip, where we can soak up the sun and sand, and admire the fishermen using caballitos de totora, a reed boat that dates to pre-Columbian times. (B, L, D).

Day 15: Departure - fly Chiclayo to Lima, then on to London (or perhaps extend your stay in Peru). (B).

Day 16: Arrive London