The 12-Day Peruvian Adventure of Thomas Robinson

The capital of Peru is a vibrant city that combines colonial architecture, great museums, Inca treasures, and a plethora of great restaurants, pubs, and shopping with a real laid-back Latin vibe. 

With our detailed suggestions for the top eateries, boutiques, and attractions, you'll be well-equipped to discover the city. Lima is home to some of the world's top restaurants, so treating yourself to a few days of fine dining here will be an unforgettable culinary adventure. Our guide will be waiting for you on the first afternoon to give you a tailor-made tour of the city. 

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Belmond Miraflores Park

Join chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino as he shows you around a Lima market in the morning. Along the way, he'll talk about the abundance of Peruvian natural ingredients and the recent surge in popularity of Peruvian cuisine around the world. Find out for yourself why Peru is called the culinary capital of South America. 

After lunch, you'll be joined by Marco Testino, an expert on Peruvian art. He'll then take you on a one-of-a-kind tour of Lima's thriving contemporary art scene, showing you the studios of prominent Peruvian artists and private collectors, as well as defining galleries and innovative pop-up venues. 

Later that night, you'll reunite with Pedro Miguel for a brief Peruvian cooking demo in the test kitchen of Malabar, his restaurant. Following that, you'll have a customized tasting menu made especially for you. 

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Belmond Miraflores Park

Take a plane from Lima to Cusco. You will have lunch at the ancient family-run Hacienda Huayoccari on the way to your accommodation. Before you get the opportunity to peruse the family's vast private collection of pre-Columbian, colonial, and archaeological items and artworks, you will savor a delectable lunch made with fresh, local produce. 

Some of Peru's most breathtaking Andean landscapes may be seen in the Urubamba Valley, which is also called the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It was once the Inca empire's epicentre and is now home to numerous significant archeological monuments, including those that serve as a jumping off point for visitors to the world-famous hidden citadel of Machu Picchu. 

Urubamba offers a lovely environment all year round and is the ideal elevation for acclimatization, at only 2800m. This is a fantastic vacation spot for history and culture buffs, but it's also a paradise for adventurers and nature lovers, with activities like rafting, horseback riding, ziplining, paragliding, and even stand-up paddleboarding on high Andean lagoons. 

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Sol y Luna

Chinchero, a high Andean community known for its traditional weaving industry and well-preserved Inca ruins, will be your first stop today. 

In the following section, you will learn about the strange circular agricultural terraces of Moray. On the way, you will enjoy a picnic in a nearby peaceful place. Then, you will head to the ancient settlement of Maras, where the salt pans have been used continuously for more than 500 years. Another alternative is to go on a beautiful hike between the two locations if you're in the mood for some exercise. 

We have planned to visit a secluded village that afternoon for a private weaving lesson with some of the local women, following a private gourmet picnic. Getting to know the natives and seeing the region's stunning traditional textiles at the same time is a wonderful experience. 

Stay 

Sol y Luna

Chinchero, a high Andean community known for its traditional weaving industry and well-preserved Inca ruins, will be your first stop today. 

In the following section, you will learn about the strange circular agricultural terraces of Moray. On the way, you will enjoy a picnic in a nearby peaceful place. Then, you will head to the ancient settlement of Maras, where the salt pans have been used continuously for more than 500 years. Another alternative is to go on a beautiful hike between the two locations if you're in the mood for some exercise. 

We have planned to visit a secluded village that afternoon for a private weaving lesson with some of the local women, following a private gourmet picnic. Getting to know the natives and seeing the region's stunning traditional textiles at the same time is a wonderful experience. 

Stay 

Sol y Luna

From Ollantaytambo, continue up the valley on the Vistadome train, passing through Inca territory as you approach the fortress of Machu Picchu. After getting off the train, you'll start your hike up through a verdant tropical cloud forest, following a path that the Incas used centuries ago. Before reaching Wiñayhuayna, the road ascends over the thundering Urubamba river and continues on past the enigmatic ruins at Chachabamba. Here it connects with the traditional Inca Trail that leads to Machu Picchu. 

Embark on your journey down the Inca Trail's most famous section after enjoying a picnic lunch. The trail ends with a brief ascent to Inti Punku, where you'll get your first glimpse of the majestic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. 

The most well-known artifact from the Incan Empire and undeniably one of the most well-known ancient ruins globally is the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, which dates back to the 15th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Staying at the one and only hotel adjacent to the park's entrance will provide you with stunning views from the comfort of your accommodation. 

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Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

A challenging walk up the steep Huayna Picchu mountain is included in your entrance tickets, which allow you to explore the ruins for an entire second day. This is a terrific chance to escape the throng and get an uncommon perspective of the entire site from above. Each tour is tailored to the individual. 

To return to Cusco, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime ride on the illustrious Hiram Bingham luxury train. At Sanctuary Lodge, you can enjoy afternoon tea starting at 4:00 pm before your departure. Onboard the train, you can enjoy dinner and beverages. 

Stay 

Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

Our knowledgeable guide will greet you at the lobby in the morning to take you on a leisurely walking tour of the beautiful historic attractions of this city. The tour can be personalized according to your interests and will cover the various periods that have impacted Cusco and Peruvian history. Stops along the way will include the Cathedral, the sun temple of Qoricancha, and the Inca citadel of Sacsayhuaman. 

At the end of the day, you will arrive at the Sacsayhuaman ruins outside of town. Here, you will have the opportunity to participate in a traditional ceremony led by a respected Quechuan paqo, or shaman, who has taken it upon himself to protect the sacred Ausangate mountain. 

After that, the whole family can participate in an Andean music workshop where they can learn how to play traditional instruments. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bid farewell to the Inca Empire's historic core. 

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Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

Get aboard a boat along the Amazon River after flying to Iquitos. The Amazon River begins its journey in the Peruvian Andes and flows eastward over the northern half of South America. It carries more water than the world's top ten rivers put together as it makes its way to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is where your adventure begins and ends. The "mirror forest" is another name for the world's biggest protected flooded forest; it encompasses a particularly well-preserved section of the Amazon rainforest in Peru. 

The Amazon basin is home to one-third of the world's known species, and scientists predict that hundreds of millions more species may still be hiding out there. The ecosystem's biodiversity is really extraordinary. The rivers you'll be traveling through are just as alive with wildlife as the forest itself; in fact, there are more than three thousand fish species in these rivers alone. Among them is the paiche, a fish that can reach a length of fifteen feet and is known as the pirarucu in Brazil. Lastly, these tributaries are a good place to see gray and, more rarely, pink river dolphins, which are known to swim in the wake of boats and often seen playing. 

On a once-in-a-lifetime luxury cruise, you'll explore the secluded waterways of the world's biggest flooded forest preserve. You won't get a better chance to observe the region's distinctive fauna than on expeditions in smaller motorized canoes and guided jungle treks. Some things to do include swimming with pink dolphins, kayaking through peaceful side channels, biking through riverfront towns, or simply sitting on the observation deck and watching the world go by. 

Indulge in delectable gourmet Peruvian cuisine crafted by the onboard chef using fresh local ingredients every night, while taking in breathtaking views of the jungle from your room. This is all while enjoying your incredibly secluded position. 

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Aria Amazon

After a skiff ride across the murky Yanallpa River, you'll get off to hike through the heart of the Amazonian rainforest. Once you've had your fill of exploring, it's back on to the skiffs for another nighttime trip down the El Dorado River, this time in search of nocturnal animals and some truly spectacular astronomy. 

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Aria Amazon

The third day of your cruise begins bright and early, but the payoff is well worth the effort: a breakfast picnic set to the soundtrack of a jungle symphony and fishing in the murky waters of the Pacaya River. 

While the banana boats bring their wares from the forest to the port of Requena in the afternoon, you will once again board the skiffs and set sail down the Ucayali River, this time keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins. As the sun goes down, take in the breathtaking vistas of the night sky and use the state-of-the-art telescope to make out the constellations and planets. 

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Aria Amazon

There are a variety of water activities available to you on the morning of day four, including swimming in the black water Yarapa or Clavero Rivers, canoeing, kayaking, or jungle wandering. 

During the afternoon, the boat will stop by a secluded Amazonian community to gain a better understanding of the indigenous people who call these areas home and whose livelihoods depend on protecting the jungle. 

Stay 

Aria Amazon

On your last day at sea, you can stop by the Bellavista Nanay morning market on the Nanay River to try some local delicacies, such as suri, which are fried Amazon caterpillars. Next, you'll head back to the Aria for breakfast and to finish packing. You will have one last unforgettable trip at the Manatee Rescue Center, an unusual orphanage for Amazonian manatees, before you say your goodbyes. On the way to the airport for your flight out of Iquitos, your driver will, if time permits, also stop at the San Juan craft market.