Luxuries of Peru

(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Luxury Train (Lake Titicaca)

This luxury tour of Peru combines private in-depth cultural touring of top highlights such as Machu Picchu, Cusco and the floating islands of Lake Titicaca with a luxurious two-night train journey through spectacular Andean landscapes and accommodation in Peru’s best hotels.

Begin in Lima with an overnight stay in the cosmopolitan Peruvian capital.

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, board the renowned Belmond Andean Explorer for a scenic journey to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa. Enjoy luxurious en-suite accommodation, fine Peruvian cuisine and awe-inspiring views of the Andes and the rolling grasslands of the altiplano from your cabin or the well-appointed dining room and lounge cars. Stop to visit Raqch’i, an Inca archaeological site, and spend time exploring beautiful Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America. Take a boat excursion to the fascinating “floating islands,” which are made from bundles of reeds and inhabited by the indigenous Uros people. Also visit Taquile Island to meet local weavers who produce colorful, UNESCO inscribed textiles, and the Sumbay Caves, to see ancient cave paintings.

Disembark in Arequipa, an attractive colonial city in the shadow of several volcanoes. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional touring in the region, such as exploring the UNESCO-inscribed colonial architecture in Arequipa, or watching condors soar over Colca Canyon—one of the deepest canyons in the world—and relaxing at a nearby luxury lodge.

On your final day, fly back to Lima to connect with your onward flight.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Lima Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 2 Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley Private transfer to airport for flight to Cusco. Private arrival transfer to Sacred Valley hotel for 2 nights, with touring en route Day 3 Sacred Valley Full-day private touring in the valley Day 4 Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu Private transfer to Ollantaytambo train station for Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night. Afternoon private tour of Machu Picchu Day 5 Machu Picchu – Cusco Morning private touring and hiking (if desired) at Machu Picchu. Afternoon luxury Hiram Bingham train to Cusco. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 6 Cusco Full-day private tour of Cusco and nearby ruins Day 7 Cusco – Luxury Train Private transfer to train station to board Belmond Andean Explorer luxury train. Begin train-based touring and activities this afternoon Day 8 Luxury Train & Lake Titicaca Train-based excursions and activities Day 9 Luxury Train & Arequipa – Depart Lima Morning train-based excursion and activities. Transfer to airport for flight to Lima. Airport assistance to connecting onward flight

Hotels

Lima: Miraflores Park Hotel or Country Club Lima Hotel Sacred Valley: Sol y Luna or Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Machu Picchu: Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge or Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel Cusco: Palacio Nazarenas Luxury Train: Belmond Andean Explorer

Cost

$14,380 Per person (double occupancy)