Hidden Gems of Peru: Amazon, Andes, Beaches & More - 16 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Explore

Welcome to Peru! Your adventure begins at Lima airport, where your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the buzzing capital. Settle in and then head out to explore independently. Start in the city's historic center, founded in 1535 and now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its colonial architecture.

A good place to start is Plaza Mayor, Lima's central square, which is lined with Spanish colonial buildings, including a magnificent 16th-century church—the Cathedral Basilica of Lima—that took 80 years to complete. Visit the San Francisco Convent with its ornate altars, dome, and underground catacombs.

Continue to the bohemian district of Barranco, beloved for its quirky street art, then spend the evening sipping cocktails with coastal views in Miraflores. End the day by sampling tasty Peruvian dishes at one of Lima's world-class restaurants.

Day 2: Central Lima Food Tour

Dig into Lima's impressive cuisine today on a food tour. Along with your guide, stroll down Avenida Arequipa to the city center, where you'll stop at Soperos Unidos Restaurant to sample Peruvian soup. Move on to Plaza San Martín and wander down famous streets such as Jirón de la Unión, where you'll reach La Cervecería, the perfect spot to enjoy beer tasting and appetizers.

Soak up some history at landmarks like San Francisco Basilica before tucking into delicious churros. Next, head to Cordano Bar in the main square for iconic chicha morada (a purple fruit juice made with corn) and more Peruvian dishes. Finally, walk down Alameda Chabuca Granda, where you'll pause to try anticuchos (meat skewers) and tasty desserts, including picarones (Peruvian donuts).

Day 3: Fly to Tambopata, Transfer to an Amazon Lodge

Today your Amazon adventure begins with a 90-minute flight east to Tambopata. This region is home to the Tambopata National Reserve, a protected 1,061 square mile (2,750 sq km) stretch of virgin Amazon rainforest bisected by the Tambopata River. The biodiverse reserve is home to an astounding array of plants and animals, including over 1,700 flora species, 600 types of birds, and animals ranging from black caiman to jaguars, sloths, and monkeys.

Upon arrival, your jungle guide will take you by land and boat to the Refugio Amazonas Lodge in the Tambopata National Reserve. Settle in, have dinner, and embark upon an exciting night walk through the jungle. Along the way, your guide will look out for nocturnal creatures emerging in the forest, from spiders to honey bears.

Day 4: Sunrise Bird Hike, Boat to Tambopata Research Center

Rise and shine this morning to begin a short walk through the forest to a canopy tower. Climb to the top for superb treetop views as the sun burns the early-morning mist from the sky while you look out for colorful toucans, macaws, and monkeys leaping through the trees. After enjoying breakfast in nature, you'll board a boat to Tambopata Research Center (TRC), located in the heart of the reserve.

Along the way, stop at El Chuncho Claylick, where you'll spot dozens of macaws feeding on the sodium-rich riverbank clays. Continue to the TRC, where you'll check in and receive a briefing about the lodge and its activities, from hikes to cruises and bird-watching trips. Get your first glimpse of the lodge's elevated rainforest walkways on your way to dinner.

Day 5: Explore the Amazon at Tambopata Research Center

Choose your own adventure today, as you'll pick three or four of the 25 excursions available at TRC. Guided walks range in length and difficulty from the jungle orchid trail to the rainforest master hike, a six-hour trek to observe animals and plant species. Wildlife fans will love the bird-watching tour, where a guide will take you to the best bird-watching regions to spot various exotic species using telescopes and binoculars.

If you prefer to sightsee by boat, sail to Oxbow Lake to see creatures lurking below the surface and on the water's edge. You can also take a sunset canoe trip down the Tambopata River. After dinner, head out on another adrenaline-pumping night walk before returning to your room, where you'll fall asleep to the sounds of the Amazon rainforest.

Day 6: Transfer to the Sacred Valley, Visit Inca Ruins & the Maras Salt Pans

Say goodbye to the Amazon today and fly an hour west to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Then settle back for the drive through spectacular Andean scenery, passing rice fields, eucalyptus forests, and tiny villages surrounded by the peaks of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range. As you slowly descend into the Sacred Valley (also known as the Urubamba River Valley), there will be plenty of opportunities to take in the views.

Stop for lunch at UNU Restaurant in Tiobamba with Chicón Mountain as your backdrop. Afterward, visit Moray, a complex of Inca stone amphitheaters, which historians believe were developed to experiment with crop production in different microclimates. As you explore the terraces, marvel at the Inca's architectural precision, featuring stones that fit together so precisely that they don't need mortar.

End the day with a trip to the Maras Salt Pans, a stunning patchwork of salt pans perched on a hillside. These salty pools are fed by natural springs at the top of the valley and have been used for salt production since Inca times.

Day 7: Indigenous Community Tour & Ceremony, Hike to Pisac

Start the day with a drive to the community of Viacha, where you'll be greeted by a local, Julian Maque, who'll invite you for lunch in his home. Chat about life in the Andes and learn about regional customs, then walk through the village to get a glimpse of rural life.

You'll also have the chance to take part in an Andean ceremony. In the Andes, traditional rituals such as coca leaf readings and offerings to the Earth Mother date back to pre-Incan times. Participate in an offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth) before saying goodbye to your hosts.

Finish the day by hiking downhill to the Pisac Archaeological Site, taking in sweeping views over the valley. Explore this well-preserved site, which dates back to the 15th century and includes the remains of ceremonial baths, homes, and one of the largest Inca cemeteries ever discovered. Afterward, continue to your hotel for a restful evening.

Day 8: Visit Ollantaytambo, Andean Culinary Experience, Train to Aguas Calientes

This morning you'll head to Ollantaytambo, an Inca town home to some of the Sacred Valley's most impressive ruins. The Ollantaytambo Archeological Site, set on a hill overlooking the town, features incredible stonework that rivals Machu Picchu. Ramble through the town's narrow cobblestone streets, visit a local market, and browse artisan shops selling traditional textiles and handicrafts.

Next, you'll immerse yourself in Andean culture with a unique culinary experience. Enjoy a welcome cocktail made of caña alta, a Peruvian spirit, then learn the pachamanca (earth pot) cooking technique. This age-old practice involves preparing a mix of tubers like potato, oca, and mashua, with herbs and beef or lamb in a pot placed underground and cooked using preheated stones.

Feast on your creation for lunch, accompanied by fresh salads, Peruvian sauces, and chicha morada. Finally, you'll indulge in a dessert of the day and a shot of elixir Andino, an Andean digestif. End the day with a scenic 90-minute journey on the Vistadome train alongside the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes.

Day 9: Guided Tour of Machu Picchu, Transfer to Cusco

Rise early today for your guided tour of UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu. Known as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this Inca city sits on a misty mountaintop in the Sacred Valley, surrounded by forested peaks. Explore the ancient city in the sky, which was built in the 15th century but lay forgotten until the early 20th century.

View the surrounding peaks and wander the steep staircases connecting Machu Picchu's former palaces and temples. Admire the sheer feat of engineering and learn about the site's past as a key agricultural and religious hub built by Emperor Pachacuti. Your private guide will lead you through Machu Picchu's ruins, teaching you about the history and legends of this world-famous landmark.

Afterward, board the Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo, complete with panoramic windows allowing you to soak up views of the Sacred Valley. Disembark and meet your driver for the journey to Cusco, where you'll check into your hotel.

Day 10: Cooking Class in Cusco, Free Time

This morning, join chef Seledonia Montalvo for a cooking class in Cusco. The experience begins with a stroll through the city's vibrant San Pedro and Cascaparo Markets. Learn about the produce and herbs on display and pick up supplies for your cooking class, bartering with the vendors and watching locals buy and sell goods.

Next, head to Seledonia's restaurant on Ruinas Street, where she'll teach you how to prepare classic Peruvian dishes, from causa rellena (layered potato casserole) to rocoto relleno (stuffed peppers) and ceviche (fish cocktail). Dine on your creations and then spend the rest of the day exploring Cusco independently.

Often referred to as the Navel of the World, the former Inca capital blends Andean and Spanish colonial culture. Navigate the city's cobblestone streets, stopping at museums, churches, and palaces. The bustling Plaza de Armas, Cusco's central square, is a highlight, surrounded by architectural treasures like the sandstone Cusco Cathedral.

Day 11: Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour

Escape the city today, taking an early-morning drive to the striking Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains via roads that spiral to around 15,400 feet (4,700 m) above sea level. When you arrive, take a short, albeit slow, hike to the mountain, with plenty of breaks to adjust to the high altitude. Rest assured, your guide will carry extra oxygen should you need it.

Eventually, you'll reach the summit and enjoy views of the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains, streaked with various rock colors. If you're feeling adventurous, take an optional short hike to the stone forest viewpoint to witness peculiar rock formations before making the return trek. Have a picnic lunch on-site and then drive back to Cusco for a free evening.

Day 12: Fly to Máncora, Free Time

Today you'll leave the Sacred Valley and fly four hours to the far north of Peru, where Máncora's soft sand and Pacific views await. Touch down in this paradisiacal resort town, which is home to gorgeous beaches, nearby hot springs, and mud baths. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day as you please. Relax by the pool or laze on the golden sand and wade into azure waters. End the day with a seafood dinner overlooking the ocean.

Day 13: Whale Watching Tour

Set sail for a whale watching adventure today. Step aboard your vessel at the Los Organos Pier, then enter the open ocean. As you sail, your guide will teach you all about the area's biodiverse marine life; look out for playful pods of dolphins, curious sea lions, turtles, and blue-footed boobies. If you're lucky, you'll spot humpback whales breaching the waves. Listen to their unique calls from the boat's hydrophone, which allows you to listen to their eerily-beautiful song.

Day 14: Swim with Sea Turtles

This morning you'll head to Máncora Pier, where you'll take a boat trip to a remote area where sea turtles thrive. Here, you can jump into the ocean and swim with these gentle creatures, observing them in their natural habitat. Afterward, return to shore for a final idyllic beach afternoon. Take a sunset walk along the sand, followed by oceanside cocktails and a typical Peruvian meal.

Day 15: Fly to Lima, Archaeological Tour

Today you'll fly back to Lima, where your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in one of the city's seaside districts, either Miraflores or Barranco. Check in and then take a guided tour of the city's archaeological wonders. Stops include the 2,000-year-old pyramids in the center of Miraflores and San Isidro and the Larco Museum in the Pueblo Libre district.

Peruse the museum's collection of gold, silver, and ceramics from ancient Peru, then relax in the museum's garden, where you can enjoy a gourmet meal before returning to your hotel. Spend your final evening in Lima as you please, traversing the atmospheric streets and indulging in some shopping and pisco sours.

Day 16: Depart Lima

Today your Peru adventure comes to an end. At the appointed hour, your driver will take you to the airport in time to catch your homebound flight. Safe travels!