Desert to Mountain Kingdoms

Enjoy an evening in Peru's capital, taking advantage of its world-class restaurants, enjoying a pisco sour and getting a good night's sleep before your adventure in the Amazon.

Spend your time in this fascinating area in the north of Peru discovering some of the country's most important and interesting pre-Colombian archaeological sites.

Your guide will first of all drive you to downtown Chiclayo city to begin your private day's tour with Saint Mary's Cathedral, located at the city's main park. Its neoclassical construction dates back to 1869-71, and its design and drawings were entrusted to Gustave Eiffel. Next, you'll be driven to the Park of the Muses, where the region's cultural fusion is more than evident.

Then it's onto one the city's best attractions: the herbalists' market, also known as the witches' market. Your guide will tell you all about the importance role this market and its produce has been to both ancient and modern peoples, where the medicinal properties of plants and the healing properties of other objects are used by local shamans in their spiritual sessions. Now for a spot of lunch at one of Chiclayo's best restaurants, "Fiesta", which specializes in delicious Northern Peruvian cuisine.

In the afternoon your guide will drive you to the famous Túcume archaeological complex, also know as Peru's 'Valley of the Pyramids'. With over 200 hectares, this complex is home to twenty-six major pyramids and other monuments such as squares, walls, courtyards and water canal systems, all reflecting the ancient Lambayeque's sophisticated growth system and complex social structure. Your guide will brief you on the history and help bring to life what was once one of Peru's most impressive cities built over 1000 years ago.

Transfer back to your hotel at the end of the day.

Your guide will collect you from your hotel to begin your full day's exploration of Trujillo's colonial quarter and monuments, with lunch at Huanchaco, an ancient fishing village where you can see the old boats called "Caballitos de Totora". Then in the afternoon, a full guided tour of the largest adobe city in America, the fascinating archaeological complex of Chan Chan.

Tour of the main attractions of the city of Trujillo, known as the "City of Eternal Spring", and which has a rich colonial heritage, standing out with its baroque-style properties as well as the republican art of its neo-classical mansions. Your tour begins at the Plaza de Armas, a beautiful historic setting where Martin de Estete began tracing the city on behalf of the founder Diego de Almagro in December of 1534, and where you will find the monument of La Libertad, a baroque sculpture built of marble. Proceed to the main city Cathedral, which dates from 1647 and holds in its interior rococo altars painted in white and gold, and baroque paintings by the Cusco and Quito schools. The cathedral also houses the Cathedral Museum, with mainly religious works in gold and silver dating from virreynal times. Continue with a visit to the Urquiaga or Calonge neoclassical Mansions, and in whose interiors you'll find the desk of Simon Bolivar, a large collection of pottery and dishes donated by the Libertador to Mr. Juan Antonio Ochaita y Urquiaga. Today, the mansion belongs to the Banco Central de Reserva del Peru.

It's then onto to visit the House of Emancipation, also known as the "House of Windows", which was the residence of Dr. Pedro Madalengoitia y Saenz de Zarate, cantor of the Cathedral and brother of the Bishop of Trujillo. Continue to the Ganoza Chopitea House, located near the Main Square and called the Lions house. Enjoy a panoramic view of the Plaza El Recreo and the ancient City Wall of Trujillo, before heading to the south of Trujillo to visit a religious center of the Mochica culture, built in the fifth century.

You will then be driven onto Huanchaco, an old fishing village, where you can see the traditional "Caballitos de Totora" or reed-built canoe boats, and which are still used for fishing. Watch how a newly built Totora boat is driven into the sea, before enjoying a delicious lunch in a restaurant facing the sea.

Your next stop is a comprehensive guided tour of the pre-Colombian archaeological complex of Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in America and also the largest of the Chimu culture, covering an area of 20 km² approximately.

Constructed by the Chimor people, who originated from the Moche civilisation, around AD 850 and what became part of the Kingdom of Chimu. This ancient and imperial adobe city, reported to be where 30,000 inhabitant once lived, lasted until the fall of the Incan Empire in AD 1470.

Spend your days relaxing and exploring the incredible scenery of the Sacred Valley. It's a great place to experience the beautiful scenery and culture of Peru.

Your private guide will take you on a comprehensive tour of the Machu Picchu citadel, really bringing it to life by detailing the history, significance and myths surrounding it as well as taking you to the hidden corners and best viewpoints. After your tour, you'll descend to Aguas Calientes for a delicious lunch at the rustically elegant Inkaterra hotel, before an afternoon at leisure. You can explore the areas around Machu Picchu or carry on exploring the ruins.

Return in the evening to overnight at your chosen hotel in the Machu Picchu area.

You have the morning free to explore the famous site on your own.

Enjoy this beautiful city and UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll have our list of recommendations as well as private guides on hand to enjoy the best of this beautiful city. We can arrange a number of private, interest-led tours to booking fine restaurants for you. Your personal travel designer will be able to recommend activities that are most suitable to your interests.

Transfer to Cusco's Wanchaq station to board the Andean Explorer for a scenic and comfortable train ride to Puno on Lake Titicaca. The usual departure time is 8am, the journey takes 10-hours, during which you'll traverse some stunning terrain through mountains, highlands and local villages to arrive at Puno on the edge of Lake Titicaca just before 6pm in the evening.

A gourmet lunch will be served to you in the dining car, there is some on-board entertainment and afternoon tea too.

Your guide will meet you at the train station in Puno to take you onto your hotel on the Lake.

This tour will allow you to really enjoy and experience the highest navigable lake in the world as well as the extraordinary lives of the communities that inhabit this tranquil yet demanding existence by taking you onto the water and into the local villages.