Highlights of Peru

Trip Highlights

This itinerary takes you through Peru's must-see destinations, combining breathtaking landscapes, rich Andean culture and gastronomic fusion. Beginning in the modern capital city of Lima, explore the past and present of the capital as well as world-class museums. Understand Peru's booming gastronomic scene with a professional chef. Discover the top attractions of the stunning Sacred Valley, the heart of the Inca Empire, also known as the Urubamba Valley, with its impressive ruins, traditional weaving villages and colonial towns. Take the renowned Hiram Bingham train to the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, with ample time to marvel at this archaeological wonder and end your journey exploring the beguiling colonial streets of Cusco. In just over a week, you will see the ultimate highlights all while staying in some of the most luxurious and unique accommodations. 

Hotels and lodges described in the itinerary are recommended by Craft Travel but there are numerous options in each destination and we will customize your itinerary based upon your preferences. With your feedback, we will similarly customize suggested activities, time spent in each location and trip extensions to additional destinations of interest nearby.

Detailed Itinerary

Upon arrival at Lima International Airport, one of our representatives will be waiting to greet and provide you with your customized welcome pack with a booklet of your trip itinerary and pertinent travel information, before transferring you to your hotel. You will be assisted with check-in procedures.

Depending on your arrival time, we recommend dining at one of Lima’s top restaurants. Lima is home to four of the World’s Top 50 Restaurants (2018-2019) and Peru proudly claims to be the ultimate culinary destination in South America. Ask your Travel Designer for one of our favorite restaurants and we’d be happy to make a reservation on your behalf.

Overnight at Belmond Miraflores Park (no meals)

One of the main fascinations of Lima is the concentration of ancient history in the area; not only do the origins of the city pre-date the Spanish foundation of the city by several millennia, its museums are full of the artistic treasures of magnificent pre-Columbian civilizations that flourished throughout the coastal deserts of Peru. Begin to unravel this multifaceted history accompanied by a specialist guide with a professional background in history, art and architecture. The downtown center highlights include the Cathedral, Convent of Santo Domingo and the Main Square with its beautiful baroque style buildings. You will also have a chance to visit Casa Aliaga, the oldest home on the continent and still family-owned after 17 generations. If you spend a full day focused on Lima's history, you can also visit the impressive Larco Herrera Museum - known for is 'erotic' pottery, or choose other sites of interest like La Casona de San Marcos, the Convent of San Francisco and its catacomb, Huaca Pucllana and the Museum of the Inquisition.

In the afternoon, get a taste of Peru as you venture on a culinary tour. Having exploded onto the global food scene, Peru is now widely regarded as one of the world’s principal food travel destinations. Home to colorful dishes inspired by the country’s dramatically diverse geography, rich ethnic make-up and long culinary history, on this sampling tour you will savor some of the flavours that have helped put Peru on the world food map. Visit a local market, traditional bodegas and artisan eateries that collectively showcase some of the best of Peru’s produce.

Overnight at Belmond Miraflores Park (Breakfast)

Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be transferred to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, which is the ideal location for acclimatizing to the higher altitudes that will shortly follow. En route, stop at Awanacancha ranch to meet the different camelids that live in the Andes such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos. We will then head to the colonial town of Pisac, a quiet Andean village where locals relax in the plaza or enjoy freshly bread baked in an old-fashioned clay oven. Pisac is also known for its market, which becomes alive and vibrant on Sundays. The main square also gets crowded right after mass, which is celebrated in Quechua, and the congregation leaves the church in a colorful procession, led by the Mayor holding his silver staff of office.

We will also visit the Pisac ruins, the largest Inca fortress and one of the largest of ancient America. We will walk the entire site with an expert guide and hike or walk, according to one’s physical abilities. Pisac Ruins is an incredible complex of the finest Inca stonework, all guarded by walks, gates and towers. It is also known for its agricultural terracing, which was an essential part of Incan survival. After exploring this site in detail, we will return to your hotel in Sacred Valley.

Overnight at Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado (Breakfast)

Today we will visit the fabulous town of Ollantaytambo and its ruins. It was here that one of the greatest battles of the Conquest was fought and one of the few where the Incas defeated the Spaniards. Afterwards, we will visit Hacienda Huayoccari for a three-course lunch in this traditional hacienda, owned and lived-in by one of the oldest land-owning families in Cusco.

In the afternoon we will visit Maras salt pans. This site consists of a huge number of watered terraces that collect salt by evaporation from the saline waters that gush from an underground stream. Built in a similar way to agricultural terraces seen throughout the Andes, the Salinas of Maras have been in use since pre-Columbian times. Nearby Maras lie the enigmatic Inca terraces of Moray, which were likely used for agricultural experimentation.

Overnight at Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado (Breakfast & Lunch)

In the morning we will head to Poroy Train Station to board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. A gourmet brunch will be served on board this scenic train ride, as you pass through lush landscapes and Andean villages. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, you will take a bus with your private guide to the entrance of Machu Picchu, a man-made marvel that has become a symbol for the ingenuity and prosperity of the most expansive empires in Latin American history.

Overnight at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (Breakfast)

In the morning we will return to the ruins with your private guide. A visit can be arranged to enter the ruins as early as 6:00AM. An optional hike to Into Punku or “Sun Gate” can be arranged, which is the original gateway into Machu Picchu. The views of the site and surrounding landscape are superb and the approximate time for this specific excursion is 2h30m. This is considered to be a moderate hike. For a more rigorous hike, we recommend the hike up to Huayna Picchu, the mountain behind Machu Picchu. This hike is strenuous and only recommended for people who are comfortable with heights and are in good physical condition. There are fabulous views of Machu Picchu from up above and a visit to the Moon Temple, which is near Huayna Picchu, can be arranged. The approximate time of this excursion is 3 hours.

Following your visit, you will take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes and board the Vistadome train. A private transfer will be arranged to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight at Belmond Hotel Monasterio (Breakfast)

Since its narrow alleyways were originally designed by the Incas as a city for walking, you will explore Cusco by foot. Begin at the Plaza de Armas, the Main Square, which is marked by the exquisite Spanish Colonial architecture imposed by Spanish colonists to exert religious and political influence. Underneath it all, however, you can clearly see remnants of Inca solid stonework. Visit Koricancha, the most sumptuous “Sun Temple” in the Inca Empire, and the breathtaking Cathedral, a repository for Cusco’s colonial art, as well as many other important archaeological relics and artifacts. You will also stop by the colourful San Pedro market and pass through the charming neighborhood of San Blas. Next, visit Sacsayhuaman, an Inca citadel atop a hill, on the outskirts of the city. Not only are the imposing terraces of masterful stonework a sight to behold, but the vistas overlooking the sienna rooftops of Cusco provide a whole new perspective to the city you traversed.

Following the visit, from atop an Inca wall, enjoy panoramic views of Cusco during a private BBQ with your own dedicated cook. Sample a variety of local meats – including alpaca – accompanied by fresh, leafy salads from the on-site vegetable garden for hearty, home-cooking at its best.

Overnight at Belmond Hotel Monasterio (Breakfast & Lunch)

You will be transferred to Cusco airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival into Lima, you will meet with a professional chef to share their insider’s perspective on why Peru is one of the world’s most important culinary destinations. This is a hands-on experience, from searching for a variety of local and seasonal ingredients from vendors at a local market right down to the preparation and presentation of a cuisine that is based on ancient traditions and long-established culinary styles. Enjoy a private interactive cooking class with the chef in the privacy of their own home in Barranco neighborhood.

In the evening, you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure home.

(Breakfast & Lunch)

• 7 nights accommodation (based on double/twin occupancy)

• Daily breakfast

• Additional meals as specified in the itinerary

• Private scheduled guided touring as specified

• All ground transfers between airports and accommodations (internal flights not included)

• All entrance fees as mentioned on tour

• Traveller Made ® Member Agency benefits at participating hotels:

  • Complimentary upgrade (subject to availability)

  • Early check-in and late check out (subject to availability)

  • Bespoke welcome room amenities upon arrival

  • $100 SPA credit

  • **benefits vary by property; member properties in this itinerary are: Belmond Miraflores Park, Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado, Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, Belmond Hotel Monastery

• *Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international or internal flights, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature

• In the Andes, the rainy season runs from November to March, and the dry season from April to October. The wettest months tend to be January/February. The heaviest rain tends to be in February, which is when the Inca Trail is closed annually for maintenance. If you’re travelling in the rainy season, you still have a chance of seeing blue skies at Machu Picchu – and we recommend visiting the site twice on two consecutive days to increase your chance of good weather. This time of year also brings its benefits – it’s orchid season, with the hundreds of beautiful varieties endemic to the area flowering from October/November, right through till March. The site also takes on a mystical appearance when the clouds roll in! The busiest period at Machu Picchu, based on visitor arrival numbers, is between June and August. This coincides with the most favorable, dry weather conditions. If you’re happy to risk the possibility of a bit of rain, you can be rewarded by fewer visitors at other times of the year, and visit during the shoulder months, such as in May and October.

• For travelers concerned about altitude, the lower elevation of the Sacred Valley makes it the ideal place for acclimatizing to the higher altitude found in Cusco.