PERU
Peru contains some of the most photographed places on Earth alongside some of the least visited. The inimitable Machu Picchu vs. Chachapoyas hidden in the cloud forest. The food scene that everyone is writing about in Lima vs. the desert wine valleys of Ica that not enough people are writing about. The Incan terraces of the Sacred Valley vs. the Cordillera Blanca's off-the-beaten-path Andes trekking. The entire country is built like that, every famous thing is near its less visited, equally extraordinary cousin. The best Peru trips treat the famous parts as the first step, rather than the destination.
A Taste of What's Possible
Spend a day with master Andean weavers in a mountain village above the Sacred Valley
Taste pisco and small-batch wine in the desert vineyards of the Ica Valley
Explore Nikkei cuisine where Japanese and Peruvian food meet and tell a broader story of migration and exchange
Where You'll Stay
We spend a lot of time obsessing over the perfect accommodations. Our favorites tend to be smaller, boutique properties with a unique sense of style and fantastic service.
Here are just a few of our favorites...
Three of Our Favorite Spots
CHACHAPOYAS
01
The cloud forest of northern Peru has been quietly hiding one of South America's most extraordinary archaeological sites, and almost no one has heard of it. Kuélap is older and arguably more dramatic than Machu Picchu, sits in mist most mornings, and you may well have it to yourself.
AREQUIPA & COLCA CANYON
02
Peru's "White City" is built from pale volcanic stone and sits in the shadow of three volcanoes that the locals talk about like old friends. Beyond it, the Colca Canyon drops twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, condors work the morning thermals at eye level, and the terraced villages along the rim have been farmed continuously for fifteen hundred years.
THE CORDILLERA BLANCA
03
The highest tropical mountain range on Earth, with glacial lakes that look digitally enhanced and peaks that have made it onto every serious climber's list. With its conspicuous absence of crowds, the Cordillera Blanca is for travelers who want their Andes uncrowded.
"Another wonderful trip this time to Argentina and Peru visiting amazing geographies (waterfalls, glaciers, mountains) and interesting cites. The guides were all amazing and the logistics all worked flawlessly. It really is no stress travel. We learnt a lot about the history and politics of the countries visited and we avoided the crowds at nearly all times. The hotels picked were wonderful and well placed. There is not much I could say that could be better."
Lisa and Philip S. // Boston, Massachusetts
Sample Itinerary
A Two Week Cultural Journey Through Peru
Day 1: Upon arrival in Lima, you’ll be met and transferred to your accommodations in Barranco, a vibrant and artistic neighborhood with a laid-back atmosphere. Relax and enjoy rooftop views of the surrounding neighborhood and sea.
Day 2: Journey into the vibrant heart of Peruvian cuisine. Begin at a market in the bustling district of Surquillo, surveying diverse ingredients unique to Peru, before enjoying typical dishes for lunch at a traditional restaurant. Meet with a local coffee roaster and savor the distinct flavors of their Peruvian brews, and finish the day with artisanal ice cream featuring Peru's exotic ingredients.
Day 3: Explore Lima’s ancient colonial area in the morning, followed by a visit to one of Peru’s most culturally rich and resilient indigenous communities, where you will learn about their fascinating art from a skilled craftsperson.
Day 4: Fly to Puerto Maldonado and transfer to the Tambopata River to board a private riverboat, beginning your journey deep into the Amazon Basin. Take in the lush scenery and enjoy lunch on board, eventually arriving and settling into your delightful rainforest eco-lodge.
Day 5: Early this morning, visit the largest known macaw clay lick in the Amazon, followed by a trail walk through the lush rainforest to spot Amazonian monkeys and other mammals.
Day 6: Head out on a hike with an expert naturalist guide to learn about the rainforest ecosystem, and in the evening board a sunset cruise on the river as the setting sun transforms into a canvas of stars.
Day 7: Say goodbye to the rainforest and fly onward to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit Pisac, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Peru, and encounter the valley’s vibrant art scene before settling into your beautiful accommodations immersed in the heart of the Sacred Valley among the magnificent surrounding mountain range.
Day 8: Visit the unique town and ruins of Ollantaytambo, known for its traditional cancha enclosures that were once occupied by the Inca elite. You’ll be hosted for a Pachamanca lunch, using traditional Inca cooking techniques with wood-fired stones. Enjoy your meal with breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks of Mount Veronica and the Ollantaytambo ruins.
Day 9: Relax with a scenic horseback ride through the Sacred Valley on a world-renowned Peruvian Paso Horse as you take in views of adobe homes, sprawling farms, and the impressive Urubamba mountain range. Afterwards, it's time to stretch your legs with a trek through the enigmatic Inca terraces of Moray and salt pools of Maras.
Day 10: Board the iconic Vistadome train and begin your scenic journey toward Machu Picchu. Either ride the train all the way to Aguas Calientes or disembark earlier to hike through the ruins of Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of the breathtaking site. This evening, settle into your lovely accommodations in Aguas Calientes.
Day 11: Return to Machu Picchu for a day of expertly guided exploration in the 15th-century Inca citadel. In the afternoon, travel onward to charming Cusco by combination of train and private transfer and settle into your luxurious retreat nestled in the heart of the town, housed in a former Inca palace.
Day 12: A full day to explore Cuzco's charming creative spaces, sample local delicacies, and search for unique treasures. Visit the city's highlights, stroll through the open-air San Pedro Market, and venture to the city's outskirts to view the impressive ruins of Sacsayhuaman fortress.
Day 13: Explore a side of Peru that most travelers don’t get to see as you hike through mountainous ruins and picturesque farmland. Come face-to-face with the llamas that roam the land, and learn how their caretakers spin, dye, and weave their wool.
Day 14: After enjoying your morning at leisure, you’ll be transferred to the Cusco airport to begin your onward journey home.
