PERU, BOLIVIA AND CHILE IN STYLE

Arrive into Lima, the City of Kings. You’ll be staying in the heart of Lima’s most happening district, Barranco. Home to boutique shops, bars and restaurants and a thriving artisan scene.

Founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1535, today Lima is a captivating mix of extraordinary Baroque churches, colonial squares and contemporary galleries. You will be taken on a tour of both the modern and colonial areas of Lima, with stops at the imposing cathedral, the Presidential Palace, Church of San Francisco and the San Isidro and Miraflores districts.

Stay: Two nights at Hotel B – bed & breakfast

Today your luxury adventure through Peru takes you to the ancient Inca heartland of the Sacred Valley. You will fly into Cusco, but stay at the beautiful Sol y Luna hotel in the Sacred Valley, the perfect base when acclimatising to the thin air of the Andes.

Over the following days you will explore the ancient Inca sites and stunning mountain scenery of the region. Visit the chaming town of Pisac, famed for its artisan market, as well as Ollantaytambo – the longest continuously occupied village on the continent with roads, canals and a fortress that have barely changed since the Inca period.

Not forgetting the taditional Andean village of Chinchero with its well-preserved Inca wall; the salt production centre of Maras and the greenhouse terraces of Moray, which were used by the Incas to refine their farming techniques.

Stay: Three nights at Sol y Luna – bed & breakfast

Today you will visit arguably South America’s most famous attraction. The Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.

After breakfast board the luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham tain to Machu Picchu. A delicious brunch, drinks and traditional music makes the journey fly by as the train weaves through a parade of changing landscapes, from lush fields and vibrant villages to epic mountains and the meandering Urubamba River.

You will arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day on a guided tour of the terraces, temples, staircases, palaces and fountains of this ancient citadel. The night is spent at a boutique hotel in the small town of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of the ruins.

Stay: One night at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel – half-board

After a morning at Machu Picchu you will take the train to Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once the ancient Inca Capital.

As well as relics left over from the Inca Empire, Cusco is rich in masterpieces of colonial architecture such as the Cathedral and Church of the Company of Christ. Explore the quaint cobbled streets and Baroque buildings, as well as beyond the city to visit the massive walls of the Sacsayhuaman Fortress. You’ll also take in the famous archaeological sites of Kenko and Tambomachay, both important religious centres for the Incas.

Stay: Two nights at the Inkaterra La Casona – bed & breakfast

From Cusco you will board the Titicaca train to Lake Titicaca. The journey takes a full day and you’ll enjoy dramatic scenery as you cross the Altiplano – hopefully seeing vicuna, alpaca and llama en route. A delicious three course lunch is served on-board and local musicians playing gentle Andean music to accompany the journey.

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, with stunning views and shores that are home to Aymara and Quechua Indians – people who pre-date the Incas by over 1,000 years. Your hotel is set on its own private peninsula and is the perfect base for exploring the area. The hotel has its own boat to take you to the nearby floating reed islands of Uros and the traditional communities on Taquile. There are trails to explore by foot and bike, as well as bird watching and a number of colonial sites.

Stay: Three nights at Titilaka – full board (including activities in small groups)

Your time in Peru comes to an end, as you travel overland into neighbouring Bolivia.

Your first stop is the highest capital in the world, La Paz. Standing at over 3,600m and enclosed by the Cordillera Real mountain range, the capital is one ofthe most colourful in South America.

You’ll be staying at a modern design hotel in the heart of the city. During your stay you will enjoy a tour of the city, taking in the Gold Museum, San Francisco Church, Murillo Square and the Witch Doctor’s Market where you’ll find an interesting array of artefacts, handicrafts and woven textiles.

Stay: Two nights at Atix Hotel – bed & breakfast

Your adventure in Bolivia now brings you to the incredible Salar de Uyuni, which holds the title for the world’s largest salt flat at a staggering 11,000 square kilometres.

This surreal, vast expanse with its blue skies, 12-metre-high cacti and deep lagoons is sure to capture your imagination. Your accommodation are vintage American style camper vans, situated on the outskirts of the salt flats.

Over the next two days you will have plenty of opportunity to explore this unique wilderness. You’ll first visit the fascinating Isla Pescado. Situated in the centre of the salt pan, this rocky outcrop is studded with giant cacti and offers a fabulous view of the surrounding salt flats. The following day you will visit the small village of Tahua, situated at the foot of the Tunupa Volcano, and hike to the cave of the Coquesa Mummies.

Stay: Two nights staying in an Airstream Camper – full-board

The adventure continues as you are driven across the border into Chile and the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama.

This is the perfect spot to discover the rugged terrain of the Atacama – and photograph the views of Licancabur Volcano. Your camera will be busy in the desert too; the landscapes are spectacular, with shimmering salt flats, volcanoes and spouting geysers. Then there’s Moon Valley – an unworldly landscape you can experience on horseback, by hiking or mountain biking.

Stay: Three nights at Tierra Atacama – full board (including activities in small groups)

Your final stop in this three-country adventure are the winelands in Chile.

After a short flight to Santiago, you will be driven to the famed Rosario Valley. Staying on a beautiful wine estate; you’re welcomed with a presentation by a specialist guide who will introduce you to the valley’s highlights. You’ll be able to explore the valley on horseback, by bicycle or on foot, but for foodies the trips around the estate’s cheese making facility and a wine tour that includes tastings is a must.

Stay: Two nights at La Casona at Matetic Vineyard – full board (including activities in small groups)

After a final breakfast, you will be driven back to Santiago airport for your onward flight connections.