Signature Peru & Beyond

• Find out what’s in store for the future with a private coca leaf reading with a local shaman.
• Wellness aspect: Enjoy spa treatments and deluxe services throughout your trip
• Marvel at the skill of the Peru’s highland weavers, who use the same methods practiced by their ancestors.
• Visit rural communities in the Sacred Valley towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo
• Enjoy an atmospheric ride on the luxury, vintage-style, Belmond-owned Hiram Bingham Train.
• Relish a Machu Picchu luxury tour with your very own expert guide to explain the history, architecture, and theories surrounding the site.
• Scale the ancient stone stairway up Machu Picchu’s neighboring peak, Huayna Picchu.
• Embark on a private city tour of Cusco, whose fascinating streets feature a unique concoction of Inca ruins and colonial constructions
• Sample ceviche and other delectable renowned Peruvian specialties at some of the country’s top restaurants.
• Stay in the finest hotels South America offers.

DAY 1: Arrive at your hotel in Lima after your international flight to Peru!

Lima is a metropolitan city known for its colonial architecture and mouthwatering ceviche!

When your international flight arrives in Lima, look for your Kuoda host holding a sign with your name on it! We know you’ll most likely be a little tired after your long flight, so we’ll save you the stress of trying to navigate and bring you straight to your hotel where you can shake off that icky flight feeling with a shower and a sleep. Relax into the evening and enjoy a good night’s rest.

Day 2: Take a private tour of the renowned Larco Herrera Museum and then visit Lima’s historic center.

The pre-Colombian archaeology museum of Larco Herrera holds about 45,000 artifacts from the coast of Peru.

Wake up refreshed and enjoy breakfast in your hotel this morning. You have the morning to spend at your leisure, either enjoying the comforts of your hotel or exploring vibrant Miraflores!

At the appropriate time mid-day, we’ll collect you and bring you to the Pueblo Libre neighborhood, home to the Larco Herrera Museum. Housing the country’s largest collection of pre-Columbian artifacts (including extensive gold and silver collections, as well as the infamous erotic archaeological collection) and providing rare open access to their exquisitely catalogued storage area, this museum is the perfect introduction to Peru’s multi-faceted cultural history.

First, you’ll begin your visit with a delicious lunch enjoyed on the vine-covered terrace of the Museum’s café, and then you’ll have time to explore the exhibits.

Next we’ll delve into the heart of Peru’s “City of Kings,” where you’ll visit the Plaza Mayor, featuring the current President’s palace, the Convent of San Francisco (including subterranean catacombs!) and the Casa Aliaga, which is the western hemisphere’s oldest mansion and still owned and inhabited by the 17th generation of the Aliaga family.

Upon completion of your tour, we will bring you back to your hotel where your guide will be happy to suggest some great places to see and dine within walking distance of Miraflores.

Day 3: Fly to Cusco to tour an ancient local hacienda, the Pisac Market, and the Peruvian countryside.

The Sacred Valley, lower in altitude than Cusco, offers gorgeous landscapes and a serene atmosphere.

This morning we’ll escort you back to the airport for your morning flight to Cusco. Watch the windows as the desert coast rises into the snow-capped peaks of the Andes!

Just 15 minutes outside of Cusco, true Peruvian countryside will stretch away on either side of you, sheep grazing tranquilly road-side. Impossibly steep peaks rise in the distance. Your journey will take you to an ancient hacienda, nestled in the fertile valley next to the pueblo of Pisac. Step onto the family-owned hacienda grounds and step into centuries past while your hosts expound upon the growing process of Giant White Corn and its profound cultural significance in the Andes Mountains. This hacienda dates back generations, and you’ll immediately be immersed in local customs steeped in the spirits and mysticism of the Andes, and embraced by the warmth of local Peruvians.

Relish your time on the farm with a delicious multi-course lunch with sample dishes featuring none other than the “white gold” giant-kernelled corn, and make sure to visit the on-site stables housing the renowned Peruvian Paso horses. Watch the horses dance with their human counterparts in a “marinera” demonstration, and even go for a quick trot yourself if you feel up to the task!

From there, your exclusive tour of Peru will take you to another valley town – Pisac – where you’ll have the chance to rub shoulders with locals as you survey the artisan offerings of the market. Vegetables, textiles and silver jewelry are just some of the items that are sold here.

Later, return to the hotel of your choice.

Day 4: Hike to Ollantaytambo’s iconic ruins & Explore the Arts of the Sacred Valley

Ollantaytambo is a fascinating Incan town known for its original urban planning and awe-inspiring ruins.

Today’s journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas will start with a drive through the breathtaking Patacancha Valley. At the ruins of Pumamarca we’ll begin our hike down a pre-Columbian trail, following irrigation canals that line terraced fields still in use today.

After approximately two hours of easy hiking, we’ll find ourselves in the Incan town of Ollantaytambo, where the centuries-old influence of the Incas is still very much visible: water from the mountains trickles down to the Inca-built street canals, while original Inca walls and trapezoidal doors are still found here.

With your guide by your side, ascend beyond the stepped, slope-side terraces to the ruins of a centuries-old fortress above town, where the Incas secured an important victory over the Spanish conquistadors. Inspect the intricately hewn stone constructions and have your guide show you the distant quarries from where the Incas sourced these huge stone blocks. This site also afford fabulous views of the valley and the Urubamba River that meanders through it.

Following a lunch featuring local flavors, hop back in the car. This time, we’ll take you to our favorite artist’s workshop, famous throughout Peru for handcrafted ceramics. Spend the afternoon laughing, learning, and creating hand-made souvenirs with a Peruvian flair to bring home with you!

Upon completion of your tour, we will bring you back to your hotel for an evening spent at leisure.

Day 5: Enjoy a morning train through the cloud forest on the luxury Hiram Bingham train and visit the Machu Picchu Citadel!

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind train ride on the Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu and be amazed with the enigmatic and historical atmosphere of Machu Picchu.

Today will be a day that remains permanently etched in your mind, long after you’ve returned from your personalized trip of Peru, for today will be the day you finally set eyes on the storied city of Machu Picchu!

We’ll travel to the fabled citadel first by rail, boarding the Belmond’s luxury Hiram Bingham train, watch the cloud jungle pass by through the large glass windows and enjoy a gourmet lunch on-board! Make sure to take advantage of the open-air observatory car in this 1920’s Pullman-inspired train.

After a brief chartered bus journey, you’ll be dropped off at the gates to Machu Picchu. As you trek up the entrance’s stone steps, heavy foliage hides the surrounding views until you emerge at what seems like the top of the world, with Machu Picchu spread out below. You’re sure to reach for your camera to try and capture the vista, but before you do, be sure to take a moment to stop and truly appreciate this staggering site.

Upon conclusion of your tour, retire to your hotel for the evening, and enjoy a satisfying dinner on site at the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel before falling asleep to the sounds of the humming cloud forest around you.

Day 6: Hike one of the coveted, limited-entry hikes, Huayna Picchu and return to Sacred Valley on the Hiram Bingham!

Huayna Picchu, a not to miss experience while exploring Machu Picchu!

Today you have the option to hike two different trails – Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, so it’s completely up to you on how you would like to culminate your Machu Picchu luxury tour. Feeling adventurous? Consider hiking the steep slope of neighboring Huayna Picchu, which offers unrivalled views over Machu Picchu. Lunch will be on-site at the Sanctuary Lodge whenever you get hungry.

Please note that only a limited amount of hikers are allowed to climb Huayna Picchu each day and tickets will need to be purchased in advance along with your Machu Picchu entrance.

In the afternoon, after high-tea at the Sanctuary Lodge, descend to Aguas Calientes for your return Hiram Bingham train. Once onboard, you will be served a delicious dinner accompanied by live Andean musicians.

Your Kuoda host will meet you at the station and bring you to your hotel for a well-deserved good night’s rest.

Day 7: Explore the hidden cobblestone streets of historical Cusco and taste your way through the most iconic Peruvian products.

Tucked into the Andes Mountains, the city of Cusco lies at 11,150ft (3,300m) above sea level!

It’s time to get acquainted with Cusco, a gorgeous city that wins the heart of most every traveler that passes through it. Get to know the real Cusco during a private tour. After breakfast, meet your guide and wander among the archaeological remains of Sacsayhuaman, where the Incas staged a great battle against the conquistadors. Return to the city and roam the atmospheric streets of the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, which is known for its free-spirited scene. Explore Qoricancha and the Santo Domingo monastery (a colonial structure built on top of the ancient Inca temple of the sun); see where the locals make their grocery runs at the open-air San Pedro market and pass the famous 12-angled stone, whose image appears on the bottle of the local Cusqueña beer.

At the end of the tour, your guide will suggest places to enjoy a delicious light local lunch, but make sure to save some room for the snacks that await you in your Peru culinary tour this afternoon!

First make your way to the Coffee Museum, just a ten minute walk from your hotel, where a stimulating aroma will welcome you in. After a workshop detailing coffee’s history as well as how it is grown, sorted, and roasted, you will be whisked away to the Chocolate Museum. Did you know that Peru is the birthplace of chocolate? Here you will learn about its spectacular history and the unique process that chocolate undergoes from plant to plate. Best of all, make your own chocolate truffles to bring home with you! Lastly, you will find yourself in the Republica del Pisco to taste an assortment of the country’s spirit-of-choice paired with Peruvian fusion appetizers. This is the perfect way to know which Pisco variety you’ll want to take home with you!

Day 8: Visit the Agricultural Lab of the Incas – Maras and Moray and Our Friends in a Local Community!

The Sacred Valley is known for its serene breathtaking snow-capped mountain views!

After breakfast, you’ll be taken to see the ancient agricultural site of Moray. Experts today believe these grassy amphitheaters served as a farming laboratory, with the varying temperatures and soils of the ascending terraces providing different growing environments. We’ll pass through the town of Maras – known for its beautiful colonial doorways – before arriving at the town’s still-in-use salt pans. The small white evaporation pools that cover the hillside are still harvested by locals in a traditional manner. We’ll pause for a delicious local lunch, where you’ll be able to sample some regional fare.

Post lunch you’ll have a chance to mingle with the locals during a visit to an off-the-beaten-track highland village on the shore of the icy blue Lake Piuray. This rural community subsists on agriculture and many of the women are master weavers, creating exquisite textiles using generations-old techniques. You will have the opportunity to communicate with the residents, visit their houses and fields, and experience what day-to-day life is like in the Andean highlands. You might also get to meet some of the local children who attend Kuoda’s after-school program (Monday to Friday) – they love sharing their art with visitors.

Day 9: Tour the inspired streets of bohemian Barranco and bid farewell to Peru!

The Limeñan district of Barranco is home to Peru’s most influential artists, musicians, and cultural commentators.

Going home is the worst part of any private Peru vacation, but at Kuoda, we’ll do our best to make it as smooth and hassle-free as possible. First, we’ll bring you to Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima. In Lima, a Kuoda host will meet you and take you to the seaside bohemian district of Barranco. See the streets of Barranco come alive as you visit a number of local art galleries and shops that support local artisans. Finally, enjoy a first-class gourmet meal featuring world-renowned Peruvian flavors in a restaurant of your choosing before returning to the airport for your journey home! Buen viaje!

Like the sound of this Signature Peru & Beyond private tour? Get in touch with Kuoda and we’ll start crafting your very own customized private travel experience to Peru!

Notes: There are many additional activities that can be added to the Signature Peru & Beyond private tour, as our tours are entirely customized to your interests, hobbies, and expectations! Please note that Huayna Picchu has a limited entry quota per day and needs to be booked months in advance.

• Visit an ancient hacienda dedicated to agriculture surrounding giant Peruvian corn and delight in a one-of-a-kind culinary experience.
• Trot around the Sacred Valley on a Peruvian Paso horse, with an authentic “chalán” (Peruvian horseman) leading the way.
• Visit exclusive boutiques dedicated to rescuing cultural heritage via chic, modern looks.
• Hone your culinary skills during Peruvian cooking classes with celebrated chefs.
• Take a day hike along part of the famed Inca Trail and arrive in Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate.
• Lunch on hearty Peruvian fare hosted by a local family, who will welcome you into their private home.
• Amp up the adrenaline with exhilarating adventure activities, such as riding the fast-flowing rapids of the Vilcanota River or zooming along zip lines in the Andes.

• Personalized itinerary planning: Work with a Kuoda Travel Designer to create the trip of your dreams.
• Kuoda hosts take the hassle out of traveling. They’ll be there to assist you – whether with luggage, check in, transport or translating – at every destination during your private tour of Peru.
• Got a question or query? Kuoda operate a 24-hour, seven day a week customer service operation and can provide updates and assistance whenever you need it.
• With Kuoda, you’ll never be bundled in with big groups; each visit, activity, tour and experience will be completely private and conducted by your very own expert, English-speaking guide.
• Our private tours of Peru are fully flexible, which means we can modify them to suit your travel mood. So if you want to cut an activity or add on a new one, just say the word!
• All necessary adventure and trekking equipment will be provided so all you need bring is yourself.
• Receive a customized Kuoda Travel kit upon arrival.

This example tour has costs based on two sharing accommodations. If more will travel in your private party, it will benefit you as the cost “per person” will reduce.

Prices are based on final accommodation choices, travel dates and other details within your tour, which are flexible to your individual interests and desires. Feel free to reach us via email at [email protected] or by calling us directly at 1.800.986.4150.