1 Week in Peru - 5 Luxury Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Luxury Highlights of Peru: Lima, Cusco & the Sacred Valley

Experience the highlights of Peru in style on this luxury weeklong itinerary featuring Lima, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley. Between nights at lavish hotels and an Andean-tucked lodge, you'll have plenty of time to unwind between immersive activities. Join expert guides for insightful tours of Lima and Cusco, enjoy first-class service on the Belmond train, hike to the well-preserved ruins in Ollantaytambo, and bike through ancient Inca terraces along the Urubamba River.

Welcome to Peru! Your luxury-infused adventure begins in Lima, where a (mouthwatering) food tour, a guided highlights excursion, and an overnight stay at the opulent Hotel B ensure you're refreshed and settled in. Afterward, catch a flight to Cusco and take the evening to savor your 5-star accommodation's on-site spa and gourmet restaurant. A bucket list-worthy day is next on your agenda, and it starts with a four-hour train journey onboard the exclusive Hiram Bingham. Soon, you'll arrive in Aguas Calientes and set off on a spectacular hike around the stone structures and terraces of Machu Picchu. 

After another overnight in Cusco, join up with a local guide to uncover iconic city landmarks, like the Temple of the Sun and the fortress of Sacsayhuamán. Then, on Day 4, transfer north into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Your base here is Explora Valle Sagrado, and beyond featuring a spa and an outdoor pool, the hotel staff are experts at organizing activities catered to your interests. Options include visiting ancient ruins, cycling mountain trails, and hiking to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, and with two free days, you'll conquer a few before returning to Cusco to catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Luxury Peru Train Adventure: Cusco, Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca

Perfect for travelers who prefer keeping on the move, this weeklong train journey through Peru whisks you from Cusco to Machu Picchu and through the Andes to Lake Titicaca. Don't expect just any train, though. You'll be traveling first-class and aboard the Andean Explorer luxury rail line, which ensures your comfort is always a top priority. Enjoy gourmet meals on board, partake in a shaman-led yoga session, and meet the long-standing residents of the famous Uros Islands. 

After a flight from Lima to Cusco, your adventure kicks off with a half-day walking tour, a feast of Peruvian cuisine at the acclaimed Chicha restaurant, and an overnight at a monastery-turned-luxury hotel. The next morning, pause to explore Písac while transferring to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Upon arrival, spend the evening lazing at the lavish Hotel Río Sagrado and dining at the countryside restaurant of El Huerto. Then, start the following day with a shaman-led yoga class, which rejuvenates you for a scenic train journey to Aguas Calientes, deemed the hub for trips to Machu Picchu.

Your accommodation in Aguas Calientes is Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo. After taking a night to enjoy its many upscale amenities, it'll serve as the perfect base to explore Machu Picchu alongside a guide. Next, return to Cusco, but don't get too comfortable, as soon you'll board the renowned Andean Explorer for a multiday ride to Peru's far south. The first leg takes you through terraced hillsides and picturesque villages to the Lake Titicaca-backed city of Puno. Then, continue to Lake Saracocha and pause to tour the Sumbay Caves before wrapping up your journey in Arequipa. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Luxury Peru Outdoor Adventure in the Andes & Amazon

Discover the nature-reclaimed and untamed landscapes of Peru on this activity-filled outdoor adventure. With three nights each in Cusco and a remote ecolodge near Puerto Maldonado, limited travel days make more time for thrilling excursions and to enjoy your accommodation's lavish amenities. Explore Machu Picchu's complex structures with a guide, learn the art of Peruvian cooking alongside a local chef, and trek elevated jungle walkways in search of monkeys, exotic birds, and more.

Upon arrival in Cusco, a private driver will collect you from the airport and whisk you to the well-appointed Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay. Spend your first night enjoying its many amenities, including the spa and gourmet restaurant, which ensures you're well-rested for two days of cultural activities. Join a local chef for a rooftop cooking class, explore city highlights on a walking tour, and embark on a scenic journey to Machu Picchu onboard a luxury train. While at this New Wonder of the World, an expert guide will lead the way between the Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza, and other complex structures.

After three days in Cusco, your adventure continues by plane to Puerto Maldonado, where a boat awaits to transfer you to the remote Tambopata Research Center. This luxury ecolodge is tucked within an expansive Amazon jungle reserve. During your three-day stay, you'll have plenty of time to take in your surroundings: hike along elevated walkways amid endemic wildlife, team up with a guide for jungle hikes, and canoe deeper into the jungle. You'll also have time to rejuvenate through hearty meals and revitalizing spa treatments before wrapping up your trip at the Puerto Maldonado airport. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Peru's Luxurious Coastal, Desert & Vineyard Tour

Discover lesser-visited historic wonders and inviting beaches along Peru's Pacific coast on this luxury tour. Quick but immersive stays in four different destinations make this itinerary an excellent choice for discerning travelers who enjoy keeping on the move. Notable highlights include a day trip to the wildlife-filled Ballestas Islands, an overnight stay at a luxury wine estate, time to explore the pre-Inca Cahuachi Pyramids, and a thrilling helicopter ride.

Lima is the perfect starting point for your weeklong journey along Peru's Pacific coast, and with an overnight here at the 5-star Miraflores, you'll be spoiled with fine amenities and gourmet meals. In addition, join a guide to check out city highlights, including the Plaza de Armas and the historic center, before settling in for a scenic ride to Paracas. This secluded town is famous for its golden sands and turquoise waters, and you'll experience both during a day trip to the Ballestas Islands. You'll also find ample time to enjoy the pools, gardens, and spa of your lavish accommodation, Hotel Paracas.

Continuing down the coast, pause to explore the dramatic Canyon de los Perdidos on your way to Viñas Queirolo—a luxury wine estate tucked in the town of Ica. Make the most of your stay here by touring the property and learning about the flavors of pisco, Peru's national drink. Then, transfer deeper into the desert to Nazca, where a fascinating visit to the Cahuachi Pyramids is planned, as well as a helicopter journey over the mysterious Nazca Lines. Later, return to Lima and wrap up your adventure with a celebratory food tour through the Barranco neighborhood. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Luxury Culture & Gastronomy Tour in Peru

Uncover top restaurants, bustling markets, and enchanting estates on this luxury food tour in Peru. Featuring Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Cusco, and carefully crafted for luxury-loving travelers, each day introduces you to the flavors and history of the Andean highlands. Hike to a peak rising above Machu Picchu, discover amphitheaters, agricultural terraces, and astronomy centers, and reward your efforts with stays at 5-star accommodations and indulgent meals.

Peru's cuisine is rich in spices, marinated meats, and zesty kicks, and straight after arriving in Lima and stretching your legs on a guided walking tour, you'll indulge in the best of it at the renowned Central Restaurante. The next morning, fly to Cusco and continue to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where lunch at the historic estate of Wayra awaits. Then, following a night at the 5-star Tambo del Inka, you'll embark on a full-day tour of the region's legendary sites. Admire the hillside Maras Salt Pans, roam through the Inca amphitheaters of Moray, and visit the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo.

More historical and gastronomical adventures are planned for Day 3 in the Sacred Valley, including a tour of Písac and lunch at Hacienda Sarapampa. Then, pack your bags for a scenic train journey to Machu Picchu. Your home here, in Aguas Calientes, is the primely located Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. After checking in, you'll head straight to Machu Picchu for a tour of its famous ruins. Return the following morning to hike to one of the surrounding peaks before catching a train back to Cusco. Here, a rooftop cooking workshop rounds off your weeklong culinary adventure. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Peru Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Peru? Check out these other one-week Peru itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.