Highlights
- Discover Lima's famous food scene, from street eats to fine dining
- Enjoy four days of jungle adventures in the Peruvian Amazon
- Explore the cobbled streets of Cusco and the ruins of the Sacred Valley
- Immerse yourself in Inca heritage and history at the citadel of Machu Picchu
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lima, Evening Food Tour | Lima |
| Day 2 | Fly to Puerto Maldonado, Transfer to Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica | Puerto Maldonado |
| Day 3 | Amazon Adventures (Day 2) | Puerto Maldonado |
| Day 4 | Amazon Adventures (Day 3) | Puerto Maldonado |
| Day 5 | Amazon Adventures (Day 4), Transfer to the Sacred Valley | Sacred Valley |
| Day 6 | Sacred Valley Tour, Visit the Ollantaytambo Ruins | Sacred Valley |
| Day 7 | Train to Aguas Calientes, Explore Machu Picchu | Machu Picchu |
| Day 8 | Explore Machu Picchu (Day 2), Train to Cusco | Cusco |
| Day 9 | Cusco City Tour, Visit San Pedro Market | Cusco |
| Day 10 | Rooftop Cooking Workshop & Market Visit, Depart Peru |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Evening Food Tour
Welcome to Peru! This is one of South America's premier destinations for archaeology, Indigenous history, natural beauty, jungle adventures, and incredible food. You'll experience all of the above, starting right away with a celebration of Peru's world-class culinary scene. You'll arrive at the airport in the capital of Lima. A driver will pick you up for the 1.5-hour ride into the city and your accommodation, Belmond Miraflores Park.
Located in the upscale coastal suburb of Miraflores, this 5-star hotel is set amid verdant gardens and is known for its exceptional service and dazzling sea views. Many of the Belmond's well-appointed rooms and suites feature private balconies overlooking the Pacific. Other welcome features include a spa/wellness center and a rooftop pool where you can relax after a long flight in a sun lounger. There are many dining options at the hotel, including the acclaimed Tragaluz restaurant, serving innovative Peruvian/international cuisine.
Later, around 4 pm, you're off to discover the best of Peru's world-famous cuisine on a half-day foodie tour. Meet your guide on the waterfront and kick things off with some seaside snacks paired with a pisco sour (Peru's national cocktail) as you enjoy the fine coastal views. Then, head over to the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, which dates to around 500 CE, to sample a variety of foods, including Peru's famous ceviche. The tour ends in the romantic Barranco neighborhood in a trendy restaurant, where you'll dine al fresco at a garden table as you enjoy a curated selection of the chef's signature dishes.
Day 2: Fly to Puerto Maldonado, Transfer to Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
Let the jungle adventures begin! This morning, take a private transfer to the Lima airport and hop on a plane for the quick, 1.5-hour flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival, you'll be met by a driver and transported to the boat launch, where you'll take a scenic 45-minute boat ride along the Río Madre de Dios, heading deep into the Peruvian Amazon for a few days of rainforest fun.
Even in the remote jungle, your accommodation offers all creature comforts and mod-cons. You'll be staying at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, a luxury eco-luxury lodge right on the Madre de Dios. Each of Reserva Amazonica's 35 wooden rustic-chic cabanas was inspired by the Indigenous Ese’Eja culture and was thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding rainforest while providing modern comforts, like king beds and private plunge pools. There's also a spa/wellness center on-site, plus a gourmet restaurant serving Amazonian and international dishes.
However, the real star of Reserva Amazonica is its surroundings. One of the lodge's highlights is its canopy walkway and observation tower, which allow guests to venture into the treetops and enjoy panoramic views of the rainforest canopy. This unique vantage point offers a bird's-eye perspective of the Amazon's diverse ecosystem. So, after settling in, feel free to grab your binoculars and take a stroll—around 540 bird species have been spotted in this rainforest.
Day 3: Amazon Adventures (Day 2)
For your first full day in the Amazon, choose between any number of thrilling excursions and activities arranged by the lodge. Know that the lodge enjoys a privileged location next to the lush Tambopata National Reserve. This unspoiled protected area (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) covers approximately 1,478 square miles (3,827 sq km), where the Madre de Dios river meanders through the Southern Peruvian rainforest. This region is known as the Biodiversity Capital of Peru, home to thousands of species of plants, insects, birds, mammals, and amphibians.
If you like, you can meet a local guide at a nearby lake and hop in a wooden canoe for a day trip into the reserve. The excursion combines a canoe ride with nature hikes through the reserve to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción. Along the way, you'll spot many interesting animals, including caimans and various monkeys, including howler, capuchin and squirrel monkeys. Get lucky, and you might even sport an endangered giant river otter.
Lunch will be delicious Amazonian cuisine at a local hacienda, followed by a guided visit to a garden containing more than 200 medicinal plants. There will also be an opportunity to grab a bow and learn the techniques of Indigenous archery. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel.
Day 4: Amazon Adventures (Day 3)
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Amazon Adventures (Day 4), Transfer to the Sacred Valley
Alas, you must bid farewell to the Amazon this morning—but not before embarking on one last rainforest excursion. After enjoying the lodge's ample breakfast buffet (complete with fresh Amazonian fruits), you can head back out to the canopy walkway for one last morning birding session. Or, take a stroll along the lodge trails to the hotel's rainforest garden just around the cabañas. This interesting native garden was started by the locals, showcasing native plants, trees, and orchids.
Later, you'll transfer by boat and vehicle back to the airport and board the hourlong flight from Lima to Cusco. Upon arrival, you'll transfer about 1.5 hours north of the city to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Extending along the Urubamba River, the valley encompasses picturesque villages, archaeological sites, and soaring Andes peaks.
It's also the location of your hotel, Tambo del Inka. This 5-star resort features elegant rooms with regional fabrics and balconies overlooking the river. There's an infinity pool, spa, and gardens on site, plus Hawa Restaurant, which serves gourmet New Andean cuisine prepared with local, organic products.
Day 6: Sacred Valley Tour, Visit the Ollantaytambo Ruins
Embark early on a full-day tour of the most legendary sites in the Sacred Valley. First up are the Maras Salt Pans, a massive patchwork of salt pans perched on a hillside. These saline pools are fed by natural springs at the top of the valley and have been used for salt production since Inca times.
Afterward, you'll visit Moray, an incredible complex of stone amphitheaters developed by the Inca. While the exact reason for the construction of this site remains unknown, historians believe the Inca constructed it in order to experiment with crop production in different microclimates.
Continue with your driver to the eastern end of the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo. This highland town and archaeological site is one of the few remaining places in the Sacred Valley that has retained its original Inca urban planning. These include agricultural terraces that are still in use today. There are also plenty of ruins here of stone structures, ancient ceremonial centers, and more. After hiking around the ruins, you can stroll the town's cobbled streets and browse artisanal handicrafts.
Day 7: Train to Aguas Calientes, Explore Machu Picchu
The day begins with a transfer to the train station in the Sacred Valley. There, you'll board a luxury train for the 3.5-hour trip to Peru's most famous ancient Inca site, Machu Picchu. During the ride, you'll enjoy first-class service as you marvel at views of the Urubamba River and Andes peaks through the windows. You can spend the journey in the train's observatory bar car, sipping a smart cocktail like a pisco sour before sitting to a gourmet three-course lunch.
Your destination is the town of Aguas Calientes. This is the main hub for excursions up the mountain to the UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located right at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Overnighting at this stylish retreat lets you beat the citadel's mass crowds. This 5-star hotel also offers a range of welcome amenities for the weary traveler, such as Inca spa rituals to nourish your spirit and soothe your weary muscles after a day hiking around the citadel.
After checking in, you'll board a bus for the 25-minute ride up the mountain to Machu Picchu at 7,970 feet (2,430 m), which dates to around 1450 CE. During a tour led by an expert guide, you'll hike around the complex and visit its famous landmarks, including astronomical/ritual stone structures like the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. Many landmarks, like the Sacred Plaza and Inca Bridge, showcase the Incas' architectural prowess. The agricultural terraces are also impressive, demonstrating the Incas' skill at cultivating crops on steep hillsides.
Day 8: Explore Machu Picchu (Day 2), Train to Cusco
One day at Machu Picchu isn't enough, which is why this morning, you'll return to the citadel a second time. It's a great opportunity to walk amid more well-preserved ruins, plus embark on one of the additional hikes in the area. The most famous are the routes up the tallest peaks rising above the citadel: Huayna Picchu at 8,920 feet (2,720 m) and Montaña Machu Picchu at 10,111 feet (3,082 m). Both involve rigorous uphill (at times almost vertical) hikes, and both reward your effort with great views over the citadel and the Andes below.
You'll no doubt be sore after all that hiking, which is fine because, after this half-day excursion, you'll board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train once again for the relaxing four-hour ride southeast to Cusco. Located in the highlands, this area has been settled for thousands of years. However, it wasn't until 1200 CE that Cusco was officially founded as a center for Inca rule. It was the capital of the Inca Kingdom until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Today, the city features an incredible mix of Spanish-colonial architecture and ancient Inca archaeological sites.
Your accommodation is a part of Cusco's rich history, too. Palacio del Inka is a 500-year-old manor estate converted into a 5-star luxury hotel. It's in the historic center, a short walk from landmarks like the Plaza de Armas, Cusco's main square. As for amenities, its elegant guest suites are appointed with luxurious furnishings, modern amenities, and many feature views looking out over the hotel courtyard and gardens to the city skyline beyond. After settling in, you can indulge in a range of luxurious amenities, including a full-service spa and fine dining restaurant serving gourmet Peruvian cuisine.
Day 9: Cusco City Tour, Visit San Pedro Market
Take the morning to relax at the hotel or explore Cusco on your own. Save your energy, however, because, after lunch, you'll meet your expert local guide for a half-day walking tour of the city. Explore Cusco's historic center, visiting iconic landmarks like the Plaza de Armas and Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun). During Inca reign in the 15th century, this was Cusco's religious and political center.
From there, walk down Hatunrumiyoc Street and admire the ancient Inca walls, particularly the 12-Angle Stone, so named because its dozen angles fit perfectly in the surrounding stones. It's a shining example of the ancient Incas' stonemasonry prowess.
Then, continue on to San Pedro, Cusco's most famous municipal market. There's no better way to know the soul of this city than by browsing its kiosks and marveling at the abundance of fresh produce, which includes many of Peru's thousands of varieties of potatoes. You can also sit down at one of the food stalls for fresh fruit juice and to snack on street food. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel.
Day 10: Rooftop Cooking Workshop & Market Visit, Depart Peru
No need to depart just yet! This morning, you'll enjoy one last epic Peruvian culinary experience when you meet up with a local chef and return to Mercado San Pedro. There, you'll pick up fresh ingredients for today's very special cooking class. After the market, continue on foot to a rooftop kitchen, where you'll don your chef's whites and start cooking amid incredible views of the Cusco skyline.
During the workshop, you'll learn the techniques and secrets to producing some of the country's most emblematic dishes. At the end of the experience, everyone will sit down and enjoy these creations for lunch. Afterward, you'll transfer to the airport and board a plane to Cusco, where you'll catch your connecting flight home. Safe travels!
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