New BA direct flight to Lima opens up Peru for short breaks

Now that British Airways are operating direct non-stop flights to Lima (the service starts in May 2016, thrice weekly) a short holiday of just a week to see Peru’s most outstanding highlights becomes a much more attractive and feasible option than when you had to factor in a journey of over 17 hours changing ‘planes in Europe or the US – both ways. Yes, you can even take your children at half term!

Our Signature Peru The Inca Heartland Private Journey should fit the bill although of course you can tweak it to suit your preferences.

For example, you could travel out from the UK o Friday lunchtime, arriving in the Peruvian capital in the evening.   Next morning you’ll probably awaken early, raring to go: the time difference lag will probably have you up well before breakfast  - and set off on a whistle-stop guided tour of the Peruvian capital’s  magnificent, monumental colonial palaces and churches (it was after all the City of Kings) before taking a short flight to Inca capital Cusco high in the Andes followed by a scenic drive to the nearby Sacred Valley of the Incas.  All this and it’s still only Saturday!

Sunday is market day in the Valley and you’ll be able to browse the arts and crafts in Pisac’s traditional market before exploring the ruined temple fortress at Ollantaytambo, rising imperiously at the gateway to the Amazon jungle.  Monday takes you on a short but dramatic rail journey through an ever narrowing Canyon to Machu Picchu.  So often nominated as one of the must-see attractions in the whole world, and certainly the most iconic and magical place in Latin America. A mind-boggling experience for visitors of all ages.

Return to Cusco on Tuesday and the following day you’ll have a guided tour of this beautiful golden city, with its mélange of Spanish colonial and Inca architecture. You’ll’ also visit a few other Inca archaeological sites just outside town.  Thursday is a free day in the city; you can explore by yourself or choose one of many optional excursions in the pretty countryside outside, such as mountain biking, horse-riding or river-rafting.

On Friday morning you fly back to Lima and connect with the evening BA flight which gets you back to Gatwick early afternoon – in time to get home at a not-too ungodly hour that night and a with a full day to recover from the jet lag if you have work or school on Monday morning!