Trailblazing Peru tour & South America cruise with Machu Picchu

A true bucket-list South America adventure taking in some of the Ancient, Modern, and Natural Wonders of the World - includes all travel and tours

Day 1: UK - Lima

Arrive in Lima, the capital of Peru, situated on the Pacific Coast. Transfer to your hotel, and spend the rest of the day exploring the ‘city of the Kings’ at leisure. Overnight in Lima.

Day 2: Lima - Cusco

Today, head to the airport for your flight to the former Inca capital of Cusco. In the afternoon, head out on a half-day city tour - visit the famous cathedral, with its magnificently carved woodwork, ornate altar and hundreds of canvases from the 17th-century ‘Cusco Painting School’. Then explore the Koricancha or ‘Temple of the Sun’, which is a splendid example of the fusion of Inca and colonial architecture. Your final stop is San Pedro local market, where you’ll get the chance to learn about local products. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 3: Cusco - Sacred Valley

This morning, you’ll drive to charming Chinchero - renowned for the production of textiles - located in the Sacred Valley, a famous area packed full of spectacular scenery and intriguing folklore and legends. Explore the ruins of Tupac Inca Yupanqui's royal house, as well as a beautiful colonial temple built on Inca foundations. Then you’ll join a local family for an insight into the Andean weaving process, learning about different techniques and products.

For lunch, head to Hacienda Huayoccari, owned by the renowned Lambarri Orihuela family - savour flavours of the past as you soak up impressive views of the Sacred Valley. Once you’ve had your fill of local life, visit the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out. (Meal: breakfast, lunch)

Day 4: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Today will have you riding the train through the Sacred Valley and up to the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu, one of the seven new wonders of the world, and a true ancient marvel. You’ll embark on a guided tour of the ruins, discovering different sections of the historic site. Then enjoy lunch at Café Inkaterra before jumping aboard the train back to the Sacred Valley and transferring back to your hotel. (Meal: breakfast, lunch)

Day 5: Cusco - Lima - Santiago, Chile

Make your way to the airport for your flight to Lima. From Peru’s enigmatic capital, you’ll then fly to the Chilean capital of Santiago and transfer to your hotel for an evening at leisure. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 6: Santiago, Chile

Today you’ll transfer to the San Antonia port to board the Holland America MS Oosterdam for your awe-inspiring cruise. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 7: Coquimbo (La Serena), Chile

Your first port of call is the capital of the Coquimbo region on Chile’s coast, La Serena. The city is known for its long beaches, like El Faro with its landmark Faro Monumental lighthouse, and its colonial and neo-colonial architecture. Then there’s the late-Renaissance Iglesia de San Francisco, which is one of many churches dominating the skyline. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 8-9: At Sea

Sail through the open waters, enjoying endless sea views (whilst finding your sea legs, sailor). Then make the most of the luxe amenities aboard the ship. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 10: General San Martin (Pisco), Peru

Next up is the Pisco region of Peru, which is a stunningly stark junction of lunar landscape and teeming sea. The beloved national brandy of the same name hails from here, so be sure to enjoy a tipple or two, after uncovering the mark the Paracas and Incas have made on the area. Often referred to as ‘the Galápagos of Peru’ or ‘Little Galápagos, the local waters are home to a mind-blowing menagerie of wildlife. Meal: breakfast)

Day 11-13: Callao (Lima), Peru

The Peruvian seaside city of Calloa is your next stop. The first Port of Peru, it brings together gastronomy, history, beaches and tradition for a unique experience. Visit the Real Felipe Fortress, the vibrant, historic village of Chucuito, the cultural and artistic hub of Callao Monumental, and much more. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 14: At Sea

It’s another day of endless blue views as you cruise towards your next destination - the perfect time to take advantage of the cruise ship’s mega facilities. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 15: Manta, Ecuador

Arrive in the bustling port city of Manta, on Ecuador’s central coast. Enjoy some downtime on popular Murciélago Beach or the more low-key Tarqui Beach, before hitting the restaurants and bars clustered along the Malecón Escénico promenade. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 16: At Sea

With another day at sea, you’ll get to while away the hours enjoying all the luxurious amenities aboard the ship once again. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 17: Fuerte Amador, Panama

Today, you’ll arrive at Fuerte Amador, the gateway to Panama City and the southern entrance of the Panama Canal. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 18: Panama Canal Balboa

Enter the Panama Canal to sail through from the Caribbean Sea to the Gulf of Panama and the Pacific Ocean. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 19: At Sea

Spend another day cruising the dreamy waters of the Caribbean, making the most of the ship’s facilities as you head to your next location. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 20: Oranjestad, Aruba

Your next stopover will be in the charming Dutch community of Oranjestad, Aruba, where you can lap up the candy-coloured townhouses and open-air patios that define this place. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 21: At Sea

Today is your final day at sea, as you set sail towards Fort Lauderdale. (Meal: breakfast)

Day 22: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Arrive in Fort Lauderdale and transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK. (Meal: breakfast)

Good to know

Please note that while a Machu Picchu tour is included, an entrance fee of £35 per person needs to be paid. Entry tickets personalised and must be pre-purchased with your full passport details. Once issued, these tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Each ticket is issued for a specific time slot, and for each time slot there is a limited number of tickets allocated, which are sold on a first come, first served basis. The visit to Machu Picchu is restricted to specific circuits which you´ll need to follow. It is not possible to re-enter the ruins with the same entrance ticket. For the full details of the rules including time slots, alternative routes (e.g. Wayna Picchu) and purchase of tickets, please check the following link: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/#