Lima to La Paz (20 Days)

Leaving the fine colonial buildings and museums of Lima behind, we head southward down the Pan American Highway to our first stop, the desert town of Nazca - home to the mysterious Nazca Lines. Remnants of the fascinating pre-Inca civilisation of Nazca can also be seen everywhere. Next stop is Arequipa, arguably Peru’s most beautiful and charming city with the towering, cone shaped volcano, El Misti, forming a spectacular backdrop. During our stay we visit the Convent of Santa Catalina and the city’s cathedral before descending into Colca Valley for an overnight stay in the world’s second deepest canyon. Continuing on we arrive at Cusco, where we explore the ancient Inca capital and all the great sights such as Sacsayhuaman and around the Sacred Valley. We also enjoy some of the best mountain scenery in South America on a camping trek along ancient Inca trails to Machu Picchu. Moving south-east we continue to the town of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Here we visit the floating islands of the Uros people and enjoy an overnight homestay on Amantani Island before taking in Sillustani, an ancient burial ground containing spectacular pre-Columbian burial towers. Continuing around the other side of the lake we arrive at the ruins of the Tiahuanaco civilisation, a powerful, self-sustaining empire dating back to 400BC, before crossing into Bolivia. Our final destination is La Paz, where we have time to explore the sights and wander the steep cobblestone streets of this unusual Andean city.