Take to the Trails: Hiking and Rafting in Peru

Day 1 | Arrive in Lima You’re met on arrival and privately transferred to Barranco, Lima’s creative quarter by the Pacific. Your boutique base is perfectly placed for an evening stroll along the cliffs or through lantern-lit streets lined with galleries and cafés. After your journey, today is about easing in: fresh coastal air, excellent food and the reassurance that everything is taken care of. We’re on hand with our personal recommendations, so your first night feels relaxed yet considered – a soft landing before the adventure gathers pace.

Day 2 | Lima’s Culinary Underground This morning, delve into Lima’s celebrated food scene with a private guide, visiting tucked-away huariques known mainly to locals. Expect bold flavours, family recipes and insight into the city’s layered culinary heritage. Afterwards, explore Barranco by bike, weaving between murals, hidden courtyards and ocean viewpoints. It’s active without being demanding, striking the right balance between indulgence and exploration. The afternoon is free to linger over lunch or explore independently, with our team ensuring every detail flows seamlessly.

Day 3 | Into the Sacred Valley Fly to Cusco, where you’ll be met and driven directly into the Sacred Valley to aid acclimatisation. As the road winds past terraced hills and snow-dusted peaks, the shift in atmosphere is palpable. Your hacienda-style retreat sits among farmland and mountains, offering space, calm and Andean warmth. Spend the afternoon unwinding in the gardens or taking a gentle walk nearby. This is a purposeful pause, allowing you to adjust comfortably while anticipation builds for the days ahead.

Day 4 | White Water in the Andes Today brings a burst of energy with a private rafting experience near Ollantaytambo. Guided by experts, you’ll navigate lively rapids framed by dramatic valley scenery – exhilarating yet accessible for confident beginners. It’s a refreshing way to experience the Andes from a different perspective. Return to your hotel for a relaxed afternoon; perhaps a spa treatment or simply time to absorb the views. The blend of adrenaline and comfort is carefully judged, keeping the journey dynamic without feeling rushed.

 Day 5 | Inca Strongholds and Living Culture With your private guide, explore Ollantaytambo’s remarkable fortress, climbing vast stone terraces and tracing the ingenuity of Inca engineering. Continue to lesser-visited Pumamarca and into Huilloc village, where traditional weaving techniques are still practised. A countryside picnic adds a thoughtful touch between explorations. This is an immersive day – iconic ruins balanced by genuine community encounters – offering depth beyond the usual circuit. You return to the valley with a richer understanding of both past and present.

Day 6 | Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Board the Vistadome Observatory train for panoramic views en route to your trailhead. From here, your private guide leads you along a rewarding section of the Inca Trail through cloud forest and ancient stone paths. Approaching Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate is unforgettable – your first glimpse of the citadel from above. Descend to Aguas Calientes and your tranquil riverside hotel. It’s an active, deeply satisfying day, fully supported so you can focus on the experience.

Day 7 | A Deeper Look at Machu Picchu An early return to Machu Picchu gives you a quieter window to explore further. With a second entrance, you’re free to revisit favourite viewpoints or walk additional trails at your own rhythm. Later, travel back through the Sacred Valley by train and transfer privately to your hotel in Cusco. The transition from jungle-clad peaks to highland city is seamless, thanks to meticulous coordination behind the scenes.

Day 8 | The Many Faces of Cusco Cusco unfolds layer by layer today. Explore the immense stones of Sacsayhuamán, pause at Cristo Blanco for sweeping city views, then wander through the vibrant San Pedro Market. At Qoricancha, discover the fusion of Inca and colonial architecture, before stepping inside the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas. Your guide brings context and nuance, ensuring these landmark sites feel vivid rather than overwhelming. The afternoon is free to explore cobbled streets and independent boutiques at leisure.

Day 9 | Into the Colca Canyon Today you journey south into the vast landscapes of the Colca Canyon, arriving at Puqio, a refined tented camp set among ancient terraces. Built from stone and canvas in keeping with the environment, it feels remote yet deeply comfortable. After settling into your private tent, head out on a gentle introductory walk with your guide to understand the canyon’s scale and history. As the light softens, return for a relaxed dinner showcasing regional ingredients. It’s an atmospheric shift – expansive, elemental and quietly restorative.

Day 10 | Exploring Colca Wake to stillness and wide Andean skies. With expert local guides, set out along highland trails that weave between pre-Inca agricultural terraces and remote hamlets. The highlight is reaching viewpoints where Andean condors ride the thermals rising from the canyon walls – an unforgettable sight. The pace is tailored to you, whether you prefer a more challenging hike or a steady exploration. Back at Puqio, unwind with a fireside drink as dusk settles. The experience feels immersive yet beautifully supported throughout.

Day 11 | Canyon Immersion Today offers deeper insight into life in the canyon. Perhaps ride Peruvian horses across open plateaus, or walk between villages where centuries-old farming traditions endure. Your guide brings context to the landscapes, connecting geology, culture and daily life. Between explorations, Puqio’s thoughtful design invites rest – a quiet corner with a book, or simply time to absorb the silence. This final day in Colca blends activity and reflection, leaving you with a profound sense of place before returning to city life.

Day 12 | To Arequipa Travel back to Arequipa, the elegant ‘White City’ framed by volcanic peaks. Your townhouse hotel places you within easy reach of the historic centre. After days in the canyon, the city’s gentle rhythm feels refreshing. Spend the afternoon at leisure – perhaps a rooftop drink overlooking El Misti – as we position you perfectly for tomorrow’s exploration.

Day 13 | Arequipa’s Cultural Heart With a private guide, explore the remarkable Santa Catalina Monastery, a self-contained citadel of colourful cloisters and quiet courtyards. Visit the museum housing the remarkably preserved Juanita Mummy, offering insight into Inca ritual, and stroll the cathedral-lined Plaza de Armas. It’s a rich, thoughtful morning that brings Peru’s history full circle. Your final afternoon is free to savour the city at your own pace.

Day 14 | Departure A private transfer takes you to the airport for your onward flight. You leave with a layered understanding of Peru – from Pacific flavours and Inca citadels to canyon silence and colonial elegance – all seamlessly woven together.