Essence of Peru

(11 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Amazon

This private, luxurious tour is an ideal introduction to Peru. It includes Lima, the cultural, natural, and archaeological highlights of Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and a luxury cruise in the Amazon River Basin.

Begin in Lima, the cosmopolitan Peruvian capital and the heart of the country's burgeoning food scene. During private, insider-led cultural touring of Lima’s impressive historic district (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), see a spectacular pre-Columbian art collection, and browse boutiques for high-quality local goods such as crafts and cooking utensils. If desired, take a private tasting tour of the city, stopping at a vibrant market and local cafes to sample indigenous produce and local snacks. Learn to make Peru's iconic ceviche (marinated fish) and pisco sour during a private cooking class, and then have lunch at one of Lima’s top restaurants. Also enjoy reservations at Lima's most acclaimed restaurants.

Next, fly to Cusco, and transfer through the beautiful countryside to the Sacred Valley (Urubamba Valley), a river valley with the high peaks of the Andes towering overhead. During private touring with your own guide and driver, experience the best of the local culture, such as visits to indigenous markets and villages, meetings with renowned local weavers and artisans, and tours of outstanding archaeological sites such as Ollantaytambo, Moray and Pisac. Perhaps also visit terraced salt evaporation ponds at Maras to learn how this natural resource is harvested by local people. Upon request, additional activities can also be incorporated, such as pottery or weaving workshops, a Nuevo Andean cooking lesson, a traditional pachamanca dinner, and active touring including day treks, rafting, horse-back riding or mountain biking.

Continue to Machu Picchu and spend one night near the ruins. Your private guide will teach you about the fascinating history of the site and ensure that you have the opportunity to explore the grounds after most tourists have left. Spend the following day exploring the ruins with the option to hike trails to stunning viewpoints around the site

Continue to Cusco on the luxury Hiram Bingham train.  An oxygenated room will be arranged at the city’s most luxurious and distinguished hotel. Your guide will lead you through the narrow cobblestone streets as you learn about the fascinating Incan and Spanish history in the city. During your tour, visit markets, galleries, boutiques and the best artisan workshops. Also opt to see important archaeological sites just outside of the city. In the evenings, enjoy dining reservations at Cusco’s top restaurants. Additional activities can also be arranged, upon request, such as a meeting with a local art expert or an evening cultural performance. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a day excursion to beautiful Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain (also known as Tres Rainbows), where mineral deposits create colorful stripes on the dramatic, undulating alpine landscape. (This location is different from the more remote and more crowded Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.)

Next, fly to Iquitos for a three-night luxury expedition cruise in the Amazon River Basin. While on board, enjoy gourmet meals created by one of Peru’s top chefs, observe wildlife along the waterways from the observation deck, and choose from a variety of wildlife and nature excursions led by expert naturalists. You might like to visit at a local Amazon village, go piranha fishing or on a night excursion to see nocturnal wildlife, visit a manatee rescue center, or board a skiff to explore narrow waterways and spot monkeys and pink dolphin.

On the final day, fly back to Lima where you will be assisted to the international terminal for your onward flight.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world