Day 1 LimaGet acquainted with Lima, Peru's modern capital. There's plenty to see in this bustling city, from colonial mansions to vibrant plazas, fine museums and ornate churches. Day 2 Paracas/Ballestas IslandsLeave the city behind and travel south along the coast of Peru. Pitch a tent in Paracas, which spans over 335,000 hectares and is one of the world's most important marine reserves. Take a walk along the coastline and spot the vibrant birdlife Paracas is famous for. Day 3 NazcaSpot penguins, sea lions and boobies during a boat tour through the Ballestas Islands. Learn about the mysterious sand images on a Nazca Lines tour and perhaps take an overhead flight to fully appreciate the scale of this puzzling creation. Day 4 Puerto IncaThe windswept graves at the Chauchilla Cemetery display the eerie skeletons and mummified bodies of the Nazca people, some of which date from 1,000 AD. Camp overnight near Puerto Inca. Days 5-6 ArequipaExplore the scenic city of Arequipa and perhaps stop by the Museo Santury to view Juanita, the ice princess. The body of this frozen Inca maiden is thought to be more than 500 years old, and was found at a sacrificial site on the summit of Nevado Ampato. Days 7-8 Chivay/Colca CanyonTry to spot the mighty Andean condors as they silently take to the sky thousands of metres above the floor of the breathtaking Colca Canyon. Day 9 Raqchi HomestayGet to know a local family as guests at a homestay in Raqchi. Spend the evening huddled around a crackling fire, sharing a meal, and discovering traditional Peruvian song and dance. Days 10-11 CuzcoArrive in the city set high city in the mountains of Peru, Cuzco. Wander through cobblestone streets lined with massive Inca stone walls and Spanish-colonial architecture. Perhaps enjoy a traditional dance performance or sign up for one of the many adventure activities on offer in Cuzco, including quad-biking and whitewater rafting. Days 12-15 Quechua Community Trek/Classic Inca TrailFollow in the footsteps of the Incas on an alternate Inca trail trek through the Andes. Go trekking through the snow-capped Cordillera Urubamba mountains, along winding mountain paths, past herds of grazing llamas. Meet local Quechua communities during the four-day hike before descending into the Sacred Valley to explore the massive Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo. Days 16-17 Machu Picchu/CuzcoExplore the crumbling ruins of Peru's most frequented attraction, Machu Picchu, the 'lost Inca city'. Brave the steep climb to the top of Huayna Picchu for a breathtaking overhead vista or find a spot near the Sun Gate to sit back and soak up the magical atmosphere.
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