WHERE CONDORS SOAR

Arriving in Lima, you’ll spend a night at the stylish Hotel B in hip Barranco, whose boutique interiors are surrounded by a great selection of restaurants, shops and galleries. Go on a coastal walk along the scenic beachfront nearby to blow away any jet lag, while the city’s fantastic colonial architecture lies not far beyond. The following day you’ll board a flight to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca empire.

The Inca-built walls of Cusco line narrow cobblestone streets and, dotted with plazas, colonial mansions and churches, the city is the perfect place to acclimatise before heading up into the Andes. Your home for three nights will be El Mercado Tunqui, which is full of colonial character and contemporary style, and is ideally placed for exploring the city – and on your return from a day’s sightseeing, you can relax in the large courtyard. On your third night in Cusco you’ll meet your guide for a briefing before the hard (but extremely rewarding) work begins tomorrow!

You'll start early on the first day of your trek, visiting the Inca ruins such as Tarawasi and mountain villages such as Mollepata, before hiking to your first mountain lodge, Soray, where you’ll stay for two nights. The mountain lodges along the trail come with comfortable beds, ensuite bathrooms with hot showers, hearty, delicious food and hot tubs to soothe aching muscles in – just what you need after a hard day’s trekking. After some peaceful relaxation in the mountains at Soray, maybe visiting a glacier lake or enjoying a horse ride, your hike begins in earnest: over the coming days, you’ll follow river valleys, venture into cloud forest and pass through avocado orchards and coffee plantations, as snow-capped peaks provide the views and Andean condors the company. Each night brings a new mountain lodge, and each one has its own character. Your next stop will be Wayra Lodge for one night, which sits below Humantay mountain, where you can get in the hot tub at 12,000 feet (!) and at Colpa Lodge the following night, which is nestled in a cloud forest in the Colpapampa Valley near hot springs and rivers, you’ll be greeted with a bubbling outdoor Jacuzzi with panoramic mountain views and a traditional Peruvian meal cooked by layering meat and vegetables with hot stones... a welcome indeed. On your final night on the trail, you’ll stay at Lucma, which is built into the mountainside and is surrounded by avocado trees, with spectacular views on offer.

After several days edging ever closer to the lost city of the Incas, you'll enjoy some panoramic views over Machu Picchu before descending through lush bamboo forests to the Aobamba River. From here, let the scenic Vistadome train take the strain to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll toast your arrival at the beautiful Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, which has a stunning setting in a cloud forest and tropical gardens overlooking the Vilcanota River, just a 30-minute walk from Machu Picchu. Enjoy delicious cuisine, indulge in the spa, and relax by the fire in your deluxe casita. The next morning, legs rested, you’ll make your way to the station for a well-deserved lift up to Machu Picchu, where you’ll have a guided tour as well as plenty of time to wander the site on your own. Having explored one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’, hop back onboard the Vistadome train to the beautiful Sacred Valley, the final destination of your vacation.

Last but not least, the unspoilt Sacred Valley offers unique insights into Inca culture and allows you to immerse yourself in spectacular landscapes. Stay at the charming Sol y Luna, a Relais & Chateaux hotel set in 25 acres of beautiful gardens, whose casitas come with local touches such as handmade furniture and murals by local artists – alongside beautiful views of the Andes. There are a range of activities on offer here, from cookery demonstrations and pottery and weaving workshops to mountain biking, canoeing on Lake Huaypo and rafting on the Urubamba River. From here you will be transferred to Cusco for a flight to Lima, where you will catch your flights home.