12 Day Itinerary
£10,200pp
Embark on a journey immersing in the rich culture and breathtaking landscapes of Peru. Experience Lima’s colonial and contemporary blend, Cusco’s charm, and uncover history at the Sacred Valley’s Inca ruins and Machu Picchu.
Welcome to Peru.
Spend time with a private guide to explore the historical centre of Lima, from the Plaza Mayor to the Government Palace.
Continue to the San Francisco Monastery and step inside Casa Aliaga built in 1535 by Don Jeronimo de Aliaga, a member of Pizzaro’s conquering forces. Then visit the Larco Herrera Museum, home to the most extensive collection of pre-Colombian art in Peru. Throughout this morning, your guide will help you to piece together Peru’s multifaceted history giving a deeper level of meaning and context to the days ahead.
It’s no secret that Peru’s culinary traditions exploded onto the international culinary stage a few years ago. We will arrange for our favourite foodie expert to take you to the roots of those traditions. Visit local markets where small eateries specialise in one signature dish or product. Try the best ceviche in town from the food truck that was part of the award-winning series ‘Ceviche with Feeling’ by chef Gaston Acurio. Finally, choose from over 30 flavours of delicious ice cream from a small family-run business.
Located in a restored 1920’s Belle-Epoque-style mansion with views of the Pacific Coast, Hotel B is the perfect place to start your Peruvian adventure. This delightful boutique hotel in Lima is in the heart of Barranco, our favourite neighbourhood in Lima. Walk the colourful streets lined with some of the city’s finest galleries, shops and restaurants. If you can spare the time, we usually recommend two nights at Hotel B to give you plenty of time to enjoy the best of Lima and the hotel.
From the riverside city of Iquitos, you will travel to Nauta, a small town on the banks of the Maranon River. Here you will board The Delphin for a highly personalised and intimate experience of this mighty river. With just four suites, all with a private terrace, you will enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Amazon as you drift past forests, river beaches and tiny fishing settlements. The top deck features a bar and library where guests can rest and let the ever-changing landscape sink in.
Days are spent taking skiff rides out into the smaller tributaries of the Amazon and exploring the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Activities include bird-watching, piranha fishing, jungle walks, stand-up paddle-boarding, visiting local communities, and traversing canopy walkways above the canopies.
The Pacaya Reserve is the size of New Jersey and bursting with wildlife and exotic flora. Spot Amazonian pink dolphins playing in the water and sleepy sloths in the trees above. With highly specialised guides on board, you will have the opportunity to see wildlife usually hidden to the untrained eye. Learn about the extraordinary biodiversity of the world’s largest rainforest including the medicinal qualities of nearly 1000 species of plants that locals use to cure and prevent several ailments
The Sacred Valley is a treasure trove of natural wonders and historical sites. From high-octane mountain biking to spiritual Andean rituals, there is no end to the life-changing adventures to be had.
You will stay at the Sol y Luna hotel, our favourite lodge in the Sacred Valley. The 43 cottages are set within lovingly tended gardens filled with flowers and hummingbirds. The outdoor pool gazes over the mountains beyond, and the two restaurants serve organic farm-to-table dishes inspired by Peru’s culinary traditions. There is also an excellent spa with an extensive wellness menu and no end to the adventures we can plan.
Tearing yourself away from the Sol y Luna isn’t easy, but you won’t regret a visit to Maras and Moray. Start at Moray, once an Inca agricultural research laboratory. It was here that the Incas studied temperature variation from one terrace to the next to develop crop varieties. Then continue to the town of Maras, which grew in importance during the 17th Century salt trade. Cross the extensive Maras Pampas where cattle and sheep feed on these verdant pastures with the snow-capped Urubamba mountains presiding in the distance.
On your way from The Sol y Luna stop at the Ollantaytambo ruins, home to the largest known Inca cemetery. This ancient site was also a residential settlement with ceremonial baths and a temple complex constructed from exquisitely carved pink granite.
From Ollantaytambo, travel on the Vistadome train passing stunning views of the Urubamba Valley. Arriving at Aguas Calientes, you will climb up the hillside to experience your first steps into Machu Picchu. Spend half a day exploring for as long as you wish with a guide to help you understand the meaning of the temples and hidden corners. Lunch will be included at a good restaurant within walking distance to give you plenty of time to enjoy the experience of Machu Picchu.
Spend the night at the charming Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel at the foot of the mountain. The lodge was inspired by an Andean village with tropical gardens frequented by colourful birds.
After a hearty Peruvian breakfast, return to Machu Picchu via a mountain trail that winds through the valley (we will discuss the best route according to how challenging you would like the morning to be). This will give you extraordinary views of Machu Picchu from another angle.
In the late afternoon, board the luxury Hiram Bingham train to Cusco. Enjoy the best of train travel with a delicious dinner prepared by a celebrated team of chefs and stunning mountain views as you wind your way through the Sacred Valley. The train features an open-air observation deck to breathe the fresh mountain air as the sun descends.
Arriving in Cusco you will be driven to the Belmond Monasterio Hotel. This luxury hotel is located in a 400-year-old monastery. Here you can sip pisco sours in cloisters lit by candlelight and admire interiors rich with historic art and architecture.
During your time in Cusco, we will arrange for you to spend half a day with our private guide to explore the cobblestone streets of this bustling city. Walk to the vibrant San Pedro food market, where locals gather to buy and sell a wide variety of fresh produce, from cheese to chocolate. We highly recommend visiting the Koricancha temple. The walls of this Inca site were once plated in sheets of gold and devoted to the Sun God, Inti. Finally, end the morning in the bohemian neighbourhood of San Blas where many of the town’s most prevalent artists live and work.
A direct flight from Cusco takes you back to Lima to connect with onward international flights or continue the adventure into other corners of Peru. We usually recommend a night in Lima before international connections unless they are evening flights.
Day Itinerary
£10,200pp
7 Day Itinerary
Guide Price: £8,700pp
Take in the highlights of Peru, with a four day Amazon cruise before trekking through the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in an action packed week with the family.
21 Day Itinerary
Guide Price: £15,100pp
Take a voyage through three countries, across vineyards, lakes and mountains on trip for the ultimate South American adventure.
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