Upon arrival at Lima International Airport you’ll be met by an Atelier concierge who will help with your bags, give you a snapshot of life in Lima, and assist with hotel check-in.

Your first full day in Peru’s capital city includes a visit to admire the treasures of Lima’s Larco Museum, before a walking tour in Colonial Downtown. Lunch comes courtesy of a live cooking demo at a top Lima restaurant, followed by an afternoon to enjoy dramatic coastal views from the upmarket San Isidro and Miraflores Districts, or visit the peaceful ruins of Huaca Mateo Salado. Tonight, find one of those fine dining restaurants Lima is so famous for.

On a Peru tour tailored to variety, changing landscapes, cultures and even climates, day 3 begins as the rest of the trip means to go on – swapping busy Lima for the desert dunes of Paracas, on Peru’s western coastline. This region is home to many myths and legends, none more so than the Nazca Lines. On your way to Paracas, visit Pisco Airport and be thrilled with an overflight above these giant, ancient carvings on the desert floor that, somehow, can only be seen from the sky. Archeologists are still unsure how the Nazca Lines were made or what their true purpose could be, making for one of South America’s most exhilarating travel experiences.

The coastline around Paracas is full of surprises, from ancient carvings to adventure sports and unexpected wildlife encounters, including the nearby the Ballestas Islands. As such, day 4 of your all-encompassing tour of Peru begins with a nature-spotting boat ride to the Ballestas in search of seabirds, sea lions, and even penguins. Then, time permitting, there’s chance to go dune buggying in the desert before heading back to Lima later in the day.

More extraordinary Peru experiences keep coming as you travel from the capital to the glorious White City, Arequipa. This picturesque town is a place of quaint plazas, evocative outer walls (with a view), and pretty colonial buildings. Upon arrival a private walking tour of Arequipa is a great way to discover the city, taking time to appreciate the beautifully adorned Santa Catalina Convent in particular.

Manmade beauty makes way for natural wonders on day 6. Departing Arequipa, your next stop is the awe-inspiring Colca Canyon to witness wild Condors flying overhead, as well as the endlessly spellbinding views of one of the world’s deepest – and most fabled – river canyons. Throughout the day you can get a sense of local culture in nearby villages, go trekking, or simply enjoy the comforts of your boutique Colca Canyon lodge.

The next leg of your southern Peru tour takes you from the striking gorges of Colca Canyon to the mythical shores of Lake Titicaca. You’ll travel by road and the scenic journey will take most of the day. However, it’s an absorbing experience in itself and there is a boutique hotel beside Lake Titicaca to look forward to on the other side.

Lake Titicaca has been a sacred place for Peruvians over many centuries. Some say the floating islands of the lake even kept native peoples safe from invading Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th century. It’s a beautiful location too, the highest navigable lake in the world that straddles the borders of Bolivia and Peru. You’ll get to see it all on a relaxing boat ride through the reeds and on to Taquile and Uros Islands. Here, meet locals and learn the history of this spiritual place.

Having enjoyed the tranquility of Lake Titicaca and surrounding Andean foothills, buckle up once more for a scintillating drive to Cusco and the Sacred Valley. You’ll stop off at picture-perfect viewpoints, lesser-visited towns and ruins like Andahuaylillas, Racchi, and Pucara along the way. Upon arrival in Cusco, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Having settled into Cusco, you can either take a hike to surrounding hilltop ruins, embark on a private walking tour of Old Town, or spend the day at leisure to experience the restaurants, boutiques and cultural highlights of Cusco your own way. You may wish to explore Sacsayhuaman Fortress, visit the Qorikancha Temple (the most important of its kind in the Inca Empire), or delve into the complex history of Cusco Cathedral and the surrounding atmospheric streets.

As your Peru tour reaches its climax, you’ll next travel into the Sacred Valley and the age of the Inca, discovering the perfectly-preserved archaeological sites of Pisac, Moray, and Ollantaytambo. These ancient wonders are worth the trip to Peru alone, so be sure to spend the time you need amongst their majesty and explore at your own pace. Later, check into your boutique Sacred Valley lodge for an evening at leisure.

The penultimate stop on this all-encompassing tour of southern Peru can only be Machu Picchu, a place that has captured the imagination of countless visitors over the years. Once here, it’s easy to see why. To get there, travel through the Sacred Valley by rail for one of the most scenic train journeys in South America. Then, enjoy The Lost City on a private guided tour, before free time to explore on your own – taking in those Sacred Valley views all the while. Later, return to your boutique Sacred Valley Lodge.

As your trip draws to a close, you may have time for one final walk around the area before your onward flight to Lima from Cusco and home, full of priceless memories of Peru.