Pack up your marmalade sandwiches and head to Peru

Paddington Bear, the ever so polite immigrant bear from Darkest Peru, with his old bush hat, battered suitcase and marmalade sandwiches this week celebrates his 50th birthday. The first book featuring the loveable bear, created by author Michael Bond, was published on 13th October 1958, and the enduring popular series of 70 books of Paddington Bear’s adventures have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

If exploring the ancient wonders of darkest Peru is high up on your travel wishlist, The Adventure Company offers a host of itineraries to suit intrepid adventurers, hikers, or families.

Even better, your trip to Peru in Paddington’s 50th year will help a local charity. For each person booking a tour to Peru, The Adventure Company donates £5 to the charity SOS Children to help them with their community-based projects supporting under-privileged children.

Classic Peru, 22-day trip departing 13th December 2008

Covering the highlights of Peru, this trip takes you to the highest navigable lake in the world – Lake Titicaca; the birthplace of the Inca Empire. Head to Cusco for a city tour and the chance to explore the history and culture in the museums, the famous market and through the artists’ district of San Blas.

From Cusco, journey to the Sacred Valley – the heartland of the Inca Empire. Here, you will have the chance to experience traditional Inca markets, impressive architecture and visit the ‘lost city’ of Machu Picchu, close to Paddington Bear’s rumoured home. The 22-day trip departs on 13th December 2008 and costs from £2,449 (plus local payment of US $400) per person including flights from London Heathrow, accommodation and transport.

The Adventure Company offers a total of eight memorable tours of Peru in its Worldwide Adventures brochure, featuring a choice of 11, 15 and 16-day itineraries as well as the action-packed 22-day Classic Peru trip.

An early booking discount of £50 per person is available on five of these trips - Classic Peru, Empire of the Inca, Active in the Andes, The Inca Trail and The High Inca Trail. This discount is valid for 2009 departures if booked before 20th December 2008.

The Adventure Company also offers two Family Adventures in Peru, including a specific teenage trip – Teens on Trail - a 15-day itinerary incorporating the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

The charitable donations apply to all ten tours departing on dates throughout 2009 and 2010.

For more information and reservations visit Adventurecompany.co.uk.