Hidden under the dense foliage of a highland jungle, forgotten by the Incas themselves, Machu Picchu escaped the Conquistadors and eluded treasure hunters until Hiram Bingham brought “The Lost City of the Incas” to the world’s attention in 1911. Further exploration uncovered an ancient highway, a royal road that connected Machu Picchu to Cusco, the Inca capital. Follow in the timeworn grooves of centuries of footsteps. Camping with striking views of the high sierra and dense selva, crossing two high passes (4,270m/14,000ft) we arrive at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, for our first view of Machu Picchu, spread below us.

Optional extension to Inca Trail Trek Explore the ‘Top Three’ Lake Titicaca… which is the highest navigable lake on earth at 12,580 feet altitude was perceived by its ancient cultures to be an inland sea connected to the ocean, mother of all waters. Later we fly in to Arequipa, which the second biggest city of Peru also known as The White City. While in Arequipa we take the most spectacular excursion to the Colca Canyon — reportedly the deepest in the world, thought to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the USA. It is much like stumbling upon a lush oasis in the middle of the Sahara, or the Gobi. It has even been called one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The trails between the famous craggy mountains of Torres del Paine in Patagonia are among the world’s classic trekking routes. Breathtaking views of glaciers, rivers, lakes, forests, and abundant wildlife provides the trip with constantly changing scenes and experiences. During summer (Nov–Mar) there are 18 hours of day light which gives us plenty of time for exploring! Note: Other dates available upon request.

To complement any trip on the Chilean side of Patagonia there is "Los Glaciares National Park" in Argentina. Los Glaciares is one of the most scenically impressive national parks in South America. This vast reserve protects around 2300 square miles of the Patagonean Andes, including over 40 major glaciers. The northern section of the park is dominated by the incredible, world-famous form of the Fitzroy Massif, with its sheer, 6000-foot rise from the glaciers at its base.

At (6,962 meters / 22,840 feet) the summit of Mt. Aconcagua is the highest point on the planet outside of Asia. It ranks second behind Mt. Everest among the seven highest continental points (“seven summits”). Located in the spectacular Andean range along the border with Argentina and Chile, Aconcagua rises majestically (1200 meters / 4,000 feet) above its neighbours, and is part of a provincial park protecting 71,000 hectares of terrain. Climbing the peak is definitely challenging, but requires very little technical climbing experience, so anyone in excellent physical condition has a good chance to summit, and large numbers of people do so every year.