 Introduction: As well as seeing the mysterious Nazca Lines and exploring the strange desert coastline and beautiful Lake Titicaca, we'll take time to enjoy the dramatic Andean scenery and the atmosphere of markets, crowded with colourful local inhabitants. We include a 5-day hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and offer an optional extension to the southern Amazon jungle.
Nazca Lines & Colca Canyon: Leaving Lima, we drive via Paracas to Nazca where we overfly (optional) the mysterious Nazca Lines - huge, geometrical figures cut into the stony desert floor (800 AD). Driving into the highlands, we see the sights of Arequipa (2350m) and journey to the Colca Canyon, one of the most impressive on the planet.
Lake Titicaca & the Altiplano: We travel across the Andes to Lake Titicaca, passing jagged snow-capped peaks. We take a boat out to Taquile island, exploring pre-Inca ruins and overnighting with the local Indian community. Then we drive across the high Altiplano, pausing at the pre-Inca temple of Raqchi, to Cusco (3400m), the Inca 'Navel of the Universe'.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: We explore this fascinating city on foot and visit the great Jaguar Fortress at Sacsayhuaman. Our 5-day trek on the old Inca Trail to Machu Picchu slowly crosses the scenic Andean landscape of snowy peaks and lush tropical forests. We'll stop along the way at remote sites like Runkuraqay and Sayaqmarka, ruins that can only be reached on foot. Finally, we feast our eyes on Machu Picchu, the most astounding feat of stone engineering in ancient America.
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