Get over the winter blues and start planing your exotic, far-flung trips in 2018! If you’re thinking about traveling to South America, Peru has it all. Tick Machu Picchu off your bucket list, dine in the world’s top restaurants and discover stunning landscapes from the depths of the Amazon to the shores of Lake Titicaca. Here we share our handpicked round-up of some of the top trips to Peru in 2018.
5 trips to Peru to Inspire your 2018 travels
These top trips to Peru can all be tailored according to your interests, travel dates and budget by Aracari – the local experts in private tailormade travel to Peru.
1. Classic Luxury Peru
Let’s kick off with the ultimate must-see destinations of Peru in this classic one-week route taking you to Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu. staying in luxury hand-picked accommodation with a distinct sense of style and place.
Visit Lima with a specialist guide for an in-depth insight into life in the capital – past and present. Savor Peru’s booming gastronomic scene by dining in the world’s top restaurants in Lima and learning to cook in the private home of a professional chef. Fly to Cusco and drive straight to the stunning Sacred Valley to acclimatize and explore Incan ruins. Travel in serious style aboard the spectacular Belmond Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu to marvel at this archaeological wonder. Round off the week soaking up the beguiling colonial streets of Cusco. Read the complete itinerary.
2. Peru with Flavor
Peru is the perfect destination for foodies seeking out a world-class gastronomic travel experience. Lima’s food scene has exploded, with 10 restaurants currently in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list and trail-blazing chefs grabbing the world’s attention.
This 10-day itinerary takes your taste buds on an incredible journey. From fine dining at Central, the number four restaurant in the world, to browsing vibrant local markets, you’ll taste it all. Spend an afternoon with a leading chef learning to make some of Peru’s classic dishes, have a celebrity chef prepare a five-course gourmet meal for you in their kitchen workshop, sample the Inca cooking method of a traditional pachamanca lunch on an organic farm in the Sacred Valley, and visit the unmissable ruins of Machu Picchu. Check out the full itinerary.
3. Luxury Peru by Rail 
South America’s first luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer, started its service in May 2017, taking in dramatic scenery from Cusco to Arequipa via Lake Titicaca on an incredible three day voyage through southern Peru. The 10-day trip Peru by Rail which covers Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu.
You’ll take the renowned Belmond Hiram Bingham train from Machu Picchu and admire the cobbled streets in Cusco. Then spend two nights aboard the Andean Explorer. Check out the complete itinerary.
4. Exploring the Delights of Peru
Peru is a fantastic destination for the whole family. There’s so much for kids to explore, experience and learn. This 14 day journey of discovery covers Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon Rainforest.
With Aracari specialist guides who are excellent at bringing history alive for the kids and entertaing as well as educating, this is a balanced itinerary that the whole family will enjoy together – a shared experience to remember for years to come. Delve into the history of Cusco, Discover the grandeur of Machu Picchu, scour the Amazon for rare and fascinating wildlife and meet local communities living on Lake Titicaca. Check out the example itinerary.
5. Peru’s Best Kept Secret: Chachapoyas
Lush vegetation, mountainous terrain, diverse wildlife and archaeology of tremendous cultural significance hidden amid the undergrowth – Chachapoyas is truly ¨Indiana Jones¨ territory. Off the beaten track in the cloud forest of Peru’s northern Amazonas region, it’s away from the main tourist trail, and yet has so much to offer the intrepid traveller. Reached via direct flight from Lima, Chachapoyas can be visited as an extension to any of the other top Peru trips featured in this article with a minimum of four days.
This Peru itinerary takes in the towering Gocta waterfall – one of the tallest in the world, beautiful cloud forest to hike through, and magnificent archaeological sites. One of the highlights is Kuelap ruins – an ancient fortress in the sky that was recently featured on BBC’s Travel Show. Check out the example itinerary.
For more inspiration, have a look at our Insider Experiences in Peru, Bolivia and the Galapagos, or our full list of example itineraries. We hope our favorite trips to Peru inspire you to get in touch. We’re ready to put together the perfect tailormade trip created bespoke just for you. Contact us or email travel@aracari.com