DAY 1: UK - Lima.
Fly to Lima where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for two nights.

DAY 2: Lima.
Known as the 'City of the Kings', Lima is a fascinating blend of colonial history, Hispanic culture and modern skyscrapers. Today, tour its colonial landmarks, including Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and San Francisco Monastery with its splendid 17th century mural-decorated cloisters. Also see the Larco Herrera Museum's impressive collection of pre-Columbian artefacts. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. (B, D)

DAY 3: Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley.
Fly to Cuzco, a magnificent Andean city, once the Inca capital and now the gateway to some of Peru's best-known Inca sites. Travel to the Sacred Valley, winding through snow-capped mountains and ancient villages, to see the Kenko amphitheatre, ancient Puca Pucara and the massive Temple of Sacsayhuaman. Next, visit a traditional family home and a bustling local market in the aeons-old mountain village of Pisac. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu.
Marvel at the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo before boarding a train that weaves through the lush Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu. At the site, ascend to the Lost City of the Incas, a phenomenal collection of ruins perched against a breathtaking mountain backdrop and framed by dense jungle. Your guided tour will reveal the secrets and stories behind this sacred site and its best-known structures, including the stupendous Temple of the Sun, Andean Cross and staggered fountains. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Machu Picchu - Cuzco.
Enjoy the tranquillity of Machu Picchu at leisure. After lunch, return to Ollantaytambo by train and continue to Cuzco. (B, L)

DAY 6: Cuzco.
Delve into the history of the Inca civilisation and its wars with the Spaniards on a tour of Cuzco. Marvel at the imposing cathedral and Santo Domingo Monastery before tonight's dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by Andean folk music. (B, D)

DAY 7: Cuzco - Quito.
Fly to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this eclectic city blends a colonial old town with a modern district of office blocks and shopping streets. (B, D)

DAY 8: Quito.
Learn about Quito's history on an included tour of the city's highlights including the Legislative Palace and its historic stone murals, Independence Plaza, San Francisco Monastery, the Jesuits' La Compania Church and the Equatorial Monument, which marks the centre of the world. (B)

DAY 9: Otavalo.
Visit Otavalo, home to the colourful Plaza de Ponchos artisan market, Latin America's largest market. Explore the atmospheric maze of multi-hued stalls, which bustle with traditionally dressed Quechua traders, before heading to the indigenous Quechua Indian village of Peguche to visit homes and see exquisite weaved handicrafts being made. Enjoy a home-hosted meal of traditional Andean delicacies before returning to Quito. (B, L)

DAY 10: Quito - San Cristobal (for embarkation).
Fly to the Galápagos Island of San Cristobal and board MV Santa Cruz for your three-night cruise. Each day, visit different islands and head ashore with an expert naturalist who will introduce the unique wildlife. First, see San Cristobal, the island where Charles Darwin first set foot in 1835 and home to the legendary blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, San Cristobal mocking birds and Lava Lizards. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Española - Floreana.
Today, explore Española, also known as Hood Island, with its beautiful colonies of waved albatrosses (between Apr-Dec), Nazca boobies, Darwin's finches and the famous blowhole. Pick your way through rock-basking marine iguanas before heading to Floreana this afternoon to see its secluded lagoon populated with pink flamingos, and perhaps snorkel amid the coral formations of Devil's Crown. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Fernandina.
Dome-shaped Fernandina is the youngest of the Galápagos. Today, walk among marine iguanas on the black lava rocks and watch for sea lion colonies, Sally Lightfoot crabs and hawks. This afternoon, cruise around the magnificent coastal cliffs forming part of the sunken Ecuador Volcano, admiring the awe-inspiring geology and looking out for flightless cormorants, sea lions, Galápagos penguins and maybe even dolphins and whales. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Baltra - Quito.
Enjoy an early morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station before flying back to Quito. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D)

DAY 14: Quito - UK.
Spend the day at leisure before transferring to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)

DAY 15: Home landing in the UK.