Highlights

With its colonial architecture, plazas, churches and colourful local life, there's a reason Quito's Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site

Cueuna boasts colonial streets and buildings to wander, juxtaposed with El Cajas NP’s stunning landscapes to hike around – it’s the perfect mix of city and nature

Seek out volcanoes, hot springs or waterfalls in Banos – it's just a stone’s throw away from plenty of interesting nature spots

Head out on a city tour of Lima, visiting Miraflores and downtown, and join the Peruvian nightlife in the neighbourhood of Barranco

You will visit the following places:

Lima

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima Metropolitan Area. With a population fast approaching 9 million, Lima is the fifth largest city in Latin America, behind Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Lima is home to one of the largest financial hubs in Latin America. It has been defined as a beta world city by GaWC international rankings. It was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, as La Ciudad de los Reyes, or "The City of Kings."

Cantón Quito

San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito, is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains. With a population of 1,397,698 according to the last census (2001), and, as estimated by the municipality, approximately 1,504,991 in 2005, Quito is the second most populous city in Ecuador, after Guayaquil. It is also the capital of the Pichincha province and the seat of Metropolitan District of Quito. The canton recorded a population of 1,842,201 residents in the 2001 national census. In 2008 the city was designated as the headquarters of the Union of South American Nations.

Cuenca

The city of Cuenca — in full, Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca — is the capital of the Azuay Province. It is located in the highlands of Ecuador at about 2,500 meters above sea level, with an urban population of approximately 400,000 rising to 700,000 inhabitants in the larger metro area. The centre of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site due to its many historical buildings. Of all the cities in Ecuador, Cuenca is arguably the most charming with its stunning architecture, tourist attractions, hotels and night activities. It has long been known for a rich intellectual, and is famous for its colorful festivals, distinct food and breathtaking scenery. In recent years, Cuenca has become a hot spot for expatriates and retirees settling down to live.