Alternative summer highlights

Glastonbury, Wimbledon and Midsummer’s Day… summer’s arrived! Fear not, Dragoman offer an alternative to the inevitable downpour, unripe strawberries and trench foot. Take the high road to experience the highlights of the Altiplano with mountain trekking, homestays and community involvement, witnessing spectacular mountain landscapes, along with Dragoman Overland’s own alternative Inca Trail and exclusive Quechua Community Project, during its 16-day Incas, Trails & Condors adventure, departing Cusco 7th September 2008.

The adventure begins high up, in and around the ancient Inca capital of Cusco and the Urumbamba Valley amongst the riches of Peru’s Inca heritage. Here, highlights include trekking Dragoman’s alternative Inca Trail – an unconventional route with stunning views and a Quechua Indian community project.

Later, in Raqchi, a small artisan village, travellers stay in traditional family houses, experience village life and have the opportunity to buy some of the locally produced pottery. Next, head through some of the remotest parts of the Andes, away from the main routes, exploring a region that most tourists miss. Cross high passes (up to 5,000m) to natural hot springs at Chivay (3,600m) then visit nearby Colca Canyon, one of the deepest gorges in the world and a sanctuary for the Andean Condor.

On to Arequipa (almost 3,500m), a beautiful old colonial town situated against a spectacular backdrop of the snow-covered Volcano Misti. Here, visit Juanita the 'Ice Maiden' - a mummy found high up on Volcano Ampato, and the museum that provides an insight into the culture and beliefs of the ancient civilisations who lived in these areas. Continue to the coast and Puerto Inca once the Inca port for Cusco, before heading to Nazca where travellers have the opportunity of flying over the famous Nazca lines.

Stop off at Paracas NP, covering 335,000 hectares of land and sea and one of the most important marine reserves in the world, with the highest concentration of marine birds. Take a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands in search of Sea Lion, Guano Bird, Inca Tern, Pelican and possibly, Penguin and Dolphin. Reaching Lima, the capital of Peru, explore the city's museums, including Museo de la Nacion, cathedrals and famous catacombs, and wander through plazas dotted with cafes, before the journey concludes next day.

The tour costs £495 p/p plus USD$670 (~£340) kitty including transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s Mercedes Benz vehicle, camp and hostel/hotel accommodation (35%/65%), all camp meals, two person crew and local guides, Sacred Valley tour and entrance fees to all major sites. Flights are not included but are available through Dragoman Overland.

For more information, visit Dragoman.com.