Spectacular Peru

Today you return to Barranco for a Peruvian cookery class on the rooftop (weather permitting) of palatial Hotel B. You’ll enjoy glittering views of the Pacific Ocean while learning how to make a traditional national dish and a Pisco Sour, followed by a three-course lunch. In the afternoon you’ll meet with a local art buff for a tour of Barranco, the creative beating heart of Lima. Our expert guide will take you through the district’s sweep of colonial architecture and to all the artistic sweet spots – including the Jade Rivera Museum, to learn about the renowned Peruvian street artist, whose murals are found across the city. End your day sipping fine Peruvian coffee at one of the city’s best cafes, Bodega Verde.

It’s time to leave for your three-day, two-night adventure to the Amazon. After a short flight to Puerto Maldonado, board a riverboat for a magical two-hour trip to your next hotel, a rustic jungle lodge on the edge of the Tambopata River. You’ll learn about the lodge’s conservation efforts after lunch, when you head out on a hike with one of the guides to discover the importance of the Amazon’s plants and wildlife. Dusk brings the opportunity for spotting nocturnal animals such as caimans near your lodge and star gazing at the southern constellations.

Today will be jam-packed with the kind of wildlife experiences only the Amazon can offer. After an early breakfast you’ll be taken over to the shores of the flawless Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake. Floating through the pristine waters, catching sight of giant river otter, red howler monkeys and the yellow-spotted side neck turtle, is an experience like no other. Your afternoon will be spent back on land for more wildlife spotting opportunities, as well as a look at the medicinal properties of the exotic plants around you, and you’ll enjoy one last wildlife hike, this time under the cover of darkness.

After a 45-minute boat trip back along the Madre De Dios River, you’ll board your plane to Cusco. The excitement of the jungle will mean a rest will be welcome and your next hotel is the perfect spot for it. Perched on the banks of the Vilcanota River, with sweeping views across the Sacred Valley, this restored 17th-century hacienda is your chance to kick back. You call the shots this afternoon: enjoy one of the many activities, soak in the spa or just drink up the new vista before we move to the higher altitudes of the uplands.

There are few better ways to see Peru’s famous Sacred Valley than on a mountain bike. We’ll get you kitted out before whizzing along to the archeological site of Moray, renowned for its architectural platforms and terraces, built by the Incas for agricultural research. You’ll walk down into the belly of the ruins and learn the history of this important site, before peddling onto the salt mines of Maras, where thousands of salt pans spill out across the hillside. On your descent back, you’ll stop at the pre-Incan ruins of Pichingoto, a collection of tiny stone houses forged into the cliff face, before crossing the Urubamba River and meeting your driver, who will deliver you safely back to Inkaterra for dinner.

It’s time for your pilgrimage to world-famous Machu Picchu. Your transport? A Vistadome train, with huge panoramic windows and glass ceilings that allow you to capture every glimpse of the phenomenal scenery. Hurtling through the ancient landscapes you’ll feel a real sense of awe as you approach the iconic Inca citadel. High up in the Andes, surrounded by lush vegetation and dramatic escarpments, it’s a pinch-me moment that lives up to every expectation. Having enjoyed a stop at Aguas Calientes for lunch, you’ll travel on to Cusco by train, where you’ll check into your new hotel and exchange stories around the fire pit.

Enjoy an immersive morning as you take a guided walking tour through the former Incan capital, weaving your way through the cathedral, the ancient Koricancha Temple, the artists’ district of San Blas and the Sacsayhuamán Fortress. You’ll have a final afternoon at leisure after this, soaking up the beauty of cosmopolitan Cusco, until it’s time for your group’s last dinner together. You’ll gather at one of Cusco’s top restaurants to feast on Peruvian fusion food and raise a toast to all your incredible experiences and precious new friendships.

Your Flash Pack adventure ends today with a final breakfast before your group catches their transfers to the airport or next destination. Speaking of which, if you want your Peru trip to continue, we can give you tips on where and how to extend your time in this dazzling country – just ask. Until next time, buen viaje!