Iconic Peru

Day 1 – Arrive in Lima
Arrive in Lima where you’ll be met on arrival and privately transferred to the elegant Hotel B, a beautifully restored mansion in the bohemian district of Barranco. This refined retreat offers a calm introduction to Peru after your journey. Spend the afternoon settling in or wandering the nearby streets, where galleries, sea views and grand old houses hint at Lima’s artistic spirit. With the Pacific breeze in the air and excellent restaurants nearby, it’s an easy, relaxed beginning before your deeper exploration of Peru unfolds.

Day 2 – Lima’s Culinary Scene
This morning you’ll discover why Lima is considered South America’s culinary capital. With a private guide from Lima Gourmet Company, explore neighbourhood markets and lesser-known eateries, meeting chefs and tasting regional specialities along the way. Expect everything from vibrant ceviche to traditional street snacks, with stories behind the ingredients that shape Peruvian cuisine. It’s an engaging, insider-led experience that goes far beyond a typical food tour. The afternoon is free to explore Barranco or relax back at Hotel B.

Day 3 – Lima to the Sacred Valley
Fly to Cusco this morning where you’ll be met and driven directly into the lush Sacred Valley, allowing time to acclimatise gently to the altitude. Your home for the next few nights is Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel, Sacred Valley, set beside the rushing Urubamba River. Terraced gardens, hummingbirds and the sound of flowing water create a wonderfully peaceful setting. Spend the afternoon unwinding after the journey or exploring the grounds. It’s a slower introduction to the Andes before you begin discovering the valley’s remarkable cultural landscape.

Day 4 – Flavours of the Andes
Today offers a deeper look at Andean culture through its food traditions. Accompanied by your private guide, visit local producers to learn about ancient farming techniques that still shape life in the valley. You’ll take part in a hands-on cooking experience and sample traditional dishes prepared with local ingredients. A highlight is tasting chicha, the region’s historic fermented maize drink, while learning about its role in community celebrations. It’s an immersive, personal day that reveals the Sacred Valley through its people, flavours and long-held traditions.

Day 5 – Chinchero, Maras and Moray
Continue exploring the Sacred Valley’s most iconic sites. In the highland village of Chinchero, meet local weavers preserving centuries-old textile traditions. Nearby, the striking circular terraces of Moray reveal the Incas’ remarkable agricultural experimentation, while the dazzling white salt pans of Maras Salt Mines cascade down the hillside in geometric patterns. Lunch at the charming Huayoccari Restaurant adds a warm family welcome and sweeping valley views before returning to Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel, Sacred Valley.

Day 7 – A Quiet Morning at Machu Picchu
Rise early for a second visit to Machu Picchu, this time exploring at your own pace as the early morning light spreads across the citadel. Without the crowds of midday, the terraces and temples feel especially atmospheric. Later, return to Aguas Calientes and board the Vistadome Observatory Train for the scenic journey back through the valley. On arrival in Cusco, a private transfer takes you to the beautifully restored colonial mansion Inkaterra La Casona in the historic centre.

Day 8 – Discovering Cusco
Spend today exploring the former Inca capital with your private guide. Wander through the lively San Pedro Market, then step inside the remarkable Qorikancha, once the Inca Empire’s most important temple. Colonial splendour awaits at Cusco Cathedral and the ornate Church of the Society of Jesus. End in the artistic quarter of San Blas, where narrow streets and artisan workshops capture Cusco’s enduring creative spirit before returning to Inkaterra La Casona.

Day 9 – Departure
After breakfast at Inkaterra La Casona, your private transfer will take you to Cusco airport for your onward journey. As you leave the Andes behind, you’ll carry with you memories of Peru’s remarkable contrasts — Lima’s vibrant culinary scene, the living culture of the Sacred Valley, and the unforgettable moment of seeing Machu Picchu revealed among the mountains.