Highlights
- Take in Lima's top historic sites with a specialist in history and folk art
- Visit Ollantaytambo and Pisac ruins, highlights of the Sacred Valley
- Journey to Machu Picchu on the luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham train
- Lunch at Hacienda Huayoccari and browse the owner's private art collection
- Visit a local market and learn to cook with a professional chef
With Classic luxury trip Peru, take in Peru’s must-see destinations, Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu in a week, staying at hand-picked accommodations with a distinct sense of style and place. Explore Lima with a specialist guide for an in-depth insight into life in the capital – past and present. Understand Peru’s booming gastronomic scene with a professional chef. Discover the top attractions of the stunning Sacred Valley. Take the renowned Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu with ample time to marvel at this archaeological wonder, and admire the beguiling colonial streets of Cusco. All elements of this itinerary can be tailormade to your interests and travel style – just let us know.
Daily Summary 8 Days / 7 Nights
- Day 1
LimaView on map
Arrival to Peru
An English-speaking Aracari representative will be expecting you from your international arrival, will greet you and give you your customized welcome pack with a booklet of your trip itinerary and other useful information before whisking you off to your hotel, assisting you with all check-in procedures.
Depending on your arrival time today we recommend booking a table at one of Lima's top restaurants - the capital of Peru is home to four of the World's Top 50 Restaurants (2018-19) and Peru proudly lays claim to being the ultimate culinary destination in South America.
Accommodation options
- Day 2
LimaView on map
Into the Past City Tour & Urban Eats Food Tour
Spend a full day exploring Lima's historical highlights, or combine a visit to the historic center with sampling food tour Urban Eats.
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 or 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.
If you only explore the historic city center for a half day, you will also have time to enjoy Urban Eats sampling food 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. Visiting a local market, traditional bodegas and artisan eateries that collectively showcase some of the best of Peru’s produce, discover new ingredients and learn more about Lima’s trailblazing gastronomic status by tasting a sample of the extraordinary variety of foods Peru offers.
Accommodation options- Day 3
Lima – Cusco – Sacred ValleyView on map
Visit Pisac Market and Ruins
Fly from Lima to Cusco and drive to the Sacred Valley. En route stop at Awanacancha ranch to meet the different camelids that live in the Andes such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos. Visit Pisac market and ruins. With Inca masonry of superlative quality, the stunning terracing at Pisac follows the contours of the mountain. The views of the valley will leave you in awe.
Accommodation options
- Day 4
Sacred ValleyView on map
Sacred Valley highlights - Ollantaytambo, Maras & Moray
Today 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 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. Here you can browse their private collection of folk art and ancient artifacts.
In the afternoon 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.
Accommodation options- Day 5
Sacred Valley – Machu PicchuView on map
Belmond Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu
Drive to Poroy train station to board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu. A gourmet brunch is served on board this secnic train ride, as you pass through lush landscapes and Andean villages. On arrival to Aguas Calientes you will take a bus to the entrance of Machu picchu. The main destination on many travelers’ lists, the ‘lost city of the Incas’ is a man-made marvel that has become a symbol for the ingenuity and prosperity of the most expansive empires in Latin American history.
- For small groups we recommend privately chartering the Private Machu Picchu train
Accommodation options
- Day 6
Machu Picchu – CuscoView on map
Visit Machu Picchu
This morning return to the ruins with your guide. Optionally hike to the Sun Gate, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, offering spectacular panoramic views. Following your visit, take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes and board the Vistadome train. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Accommodation options
- Day 7
CuscoView on map
Cusco walking tour & private BBQ lunch
Since its narrow alleyways were originally designed by the Incas as a city for walking, start your exploration of Cusco on foot. Begin at the Plaza de Armas, the Main Square, which is marked by the exquisite Spanish Colonial architecture and ornamentation imposed by Spanish colonists to exert religious and political influence. Underneath it all, however, you can clearly see remnants of Inca Cusco in the 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.
Accommodation options- Day 8
Cusco – LimaView on map
Fly to Lima for culinary tour Lima with Zest. Departure
Fly from Cusco to Lima where a professional chef will meet with you to share their insider's perspective on why Peru is one of the world's most important culinary destinations. Lima With Zest 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. Your chef and instructor invites you to her family’s apartment in Barranco for an interactive cooking class where you will dine on your own creations. After your culinary experience, you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure.
Aracari specializes in tailormade travel. Here are just some of our further trip suggestions. Contact us for more bespoke ideas to inspire your travels.
Some optional activities
- Visit Lima's bohemian district of Barranco, home to interesting architecture, galleries, craft shops and trendy ateliers
- Spend another day in the Sacred Valley and take advantage of the extraordinary range of adventure activities: hiking, biking, rafting, ziplining, horse-riding, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding - to name but a few!
- Take an exclusive tour of Cusco's Monastery with a leading expert in colonial art history
Featured Destinations
Journey pricing as of 2024
Basic Pricing - US$7,300 per person
This is a sample journey and can be tailored to your interests and travel style.
- Based on two people travelling together in double or twin occupancy
- Price is per person for the full 8-day itinerary
- Based on Hotel Selection 1: Hotel B, Sol y Luna, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, Inkaterra La Casona
What's Included?
This journey is based on two people travelling together in double or twin occupancy, excluding flights (international and domestic).
- Includes all specified services in the journey description
- All transfers and entrance fees
- A welcome pack on arrival including: a pre-loaded cell phone to contact your travel consultant at any time, a printed booklet packed with insider tips alongside your detailed journey and up-to-date recommendations on dining and shopping
- Hand-selected English-speaking guides
- Specialist guides (where noted)
- 24-hour support from our locally based team
- 7 nights in a hand-picked selection of Peru’s finest hotels - all personally tried and tested
What's not Included?
- Domestic flights (quoted separately).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- International Flights and airport taxes.
- Neither personal expenses nor any other service not specified in the itinerary.
Classic luxury trip PeruPeru's must-see destinations in style - Day 2
