Highlights
- Dine at some of Peru's best restaurants, from Lima to the Sacred Valley
- Browse the ancient markets of the Sacred Valley and lunch at haciendas
- Explore famous Inca sites on foot, like Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu
- Finish with a rooftop cooking class overlooking Cusco before departure
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lima, City Tour & Dinner at Central Restaurante | Lima |
| Day 2 | Fly to the Sacred Valley, Lunch at Wayra Ranch | Sacred Valley |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Tour of the Sacred Valley | Sacred Valley |
| Day 4 | Visit the Pisac Archeaological Site & Market, Lunch at Hacienda Sarapampa | Sacred Valley |
| Day 5 | Luxury Train to Aguas Calientes, Visit Machu Picchu | Machu Picchu |
| Day 6 | Machu Picchu (Day 2), Train to Cusco | Cusco |
| Day 7 | Cusco Walking Tour & Rooftop Cooking Class, Depart Peru |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lima, City Tour & Dinner at Central Restaurante
Welcome to Peru! This South American nation is famous as much for its world-class cuisine as for its awe-inspiring Inca ruins. You'll experience the best of both, starting in Lima. Your driver will be waiting at the airport for the 1.5-hour transfer into the city and Belmond Miraflores Park. Located in the coastal suburb of Miraflores, this 5-star hotel is set amid verdant gardens and is known for its dazzling sea views. To wit, many of its well-appointed rooms feature balconies overlooking the Pacific. Other features include a spa/wellness center and a rooftop pool where you can relax in a sun lounger.
After checking in, you'll stretch your legs on a guided walking tour of Lima's famous historic center. Peru's capital was officially founded by the conquistador Pizarro in 1535 as the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru—once the largest such viceroyalty on the continent. Many highlight Spanish-colonial landmarks remain, which you'll see for yourself. The tour will take you around the Plaza de Armas, Lima's main square. Here, you'll visit impressive colonial landmarks, including the 16th-century Convent of Santo Domingo.
Later, take a seat at one of the best restaurants in Peru. Central Restaurante is helmed by Chef Virgilio Martínez, whose inspired menu takes diners on a culinary journey through Peru's diverse landscapes, with each dish inspired by a specific altitude—from the depths of the Pacific Ocean to the peaks of the Andes. You'll enjoy the famous tasting menu, which features a series of meticulously crafted dishes reflecting the diverse ecosystems of Peru. Standout dishes may include Amazonian piranha with camu camu berries, Andean tubers with alpaca jerky, or Pacific seafood ceviche with Amazonian ants.
Day 2: Fly to the Sacred Valley, Lunch at Wayra Ranch
Say goodbye to the coast and hello to the highlands as you return to the airport this morning and board the hourlong flight from Lima to Cusco. Upon arrival, you'll transfer about 9 miles (15 km) 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.
Today's lunch will be at Wayra, a gem of a restaurant in a historic estate outside Urubamba. The dining room features local terra cotta tiles and original stonework, plus murals and woodcarvings by renowned Peruvian artists. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal of local and international favorites, like the Peruvian classic lomo saltado (beef tenderloin sauteed with onion and tomatoes). Everything is made using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven.
Day 3: Full-Day Tour of the Sacred Valley
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, fed by natural springs at the top of the valley, 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.
Afterward, 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 of stone structures, ancient ceremonial centers, and more. After hiking around the ruins, you can stroll the town's cobbled streets and browse food stalls and artisanal handicrafts.
Day 4: Visit the Pisac Archeaological Site & Market, Lunch at Hacienda Sarapampa
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
After breakfast, you'll leave on a half-day tour to visit the famous archaeological site in the village of Pisac. During a three-hour guided tour, you'll explore these hilltop ruins, which are comprised of Inca burial grounds, irrigation systems, and astronomy centers. Later, head into town and visit Pisac's famous textile market to browse handmade garments.
For lunch, your driver will take you to Hacienda Sarapampa, a country estate near the town of Pisac. Here, you'll sit down with Maria del Pilar and Jussef, your friendly hosts, for a private lunch followed by a guided tour of the hacienda grounds. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel and will have the rest of the rest of the day free to enjoy your hotel.
Day 5: Luxury Train to Aguas Calientes, Visit 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 ride to Peru's most famous ancient Inca site, Machu Picchu. During the trip, 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 (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 6: Machu Picchu (Day 2), Train to Cusco
One day at Machu Picchu simply 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 three-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 right 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 7: Cusco Walking Tour & Rooftop Cooking Class, Depart Peru
Pack as much fun and culture into your remaining time in Peru as possible. This morning, You'll meet your 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). From there, walk a short way to 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 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. It's also where you'll pick up fresh ingredients for today's special cooking workshop.
With supplies in hand, 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, sit down and enjoy these creations for your final meal in Peru. After eating, you'll transfer to the airport and catch your connecting flight home. Safe travels!
More Great Peru Itineraries
Map
