Cusco offers a variety of accommodation options, ranging from budget-friendly to upscale. Of the city’s high-end hotels, Inkaterra’s La Casona is perhaps the most beautiful and an unparalleled choice for luxury travel in Peru. La Casona is the first hotel in Peru to be granted membership in the elite Relais and Chateaux collection of hotels, a distinct membership offered to properties providing exemplary and truly unique luxury properties and also transcending experiences elevating the conceptual standard that is “art of living”.

Accommodation: Stay in Luxurious Suites

La Casona is located in Plaza Las Nazarenas, a short walk from the city’s central plaza, the Plaza de Armas. This suites-only hotel is set in a 16th-century colonial mansion. Closed to the public, this grand building is designated a National Historic Monument. The mansion has been painstakingly restored, blending Peruvian design elements with convenient amenities. With only 11 suites in total, you’ll feel like you’re staying at your own private manor along with the welcome addition of modern comforts that wouldn’t have been available to its historic residents.

Suites feature antique furnishings with a choice of a king or two twin beds. All rooms include a fireplace and heated floors, with some also offering private balconies. Bathrooms feature showers and Roman (oversize) tubs, handcrafted toiletries and plush towels.

Dining: Don’t Miss the Exceptional Breakfast Buffet

Most hotels in Cusco include breakfast in their room rates, but the breakfast buffet offered at La Casona goes above and beyond the usual standard.

Service: Enjoy Extra Perks

Room rates also include a welcome gift, afternoon tea and free Wi-Fi. Like the décor, the hotel’s level of service is befitting aristocracy. The concierge and butler can tailor the experience to your preferences and help you plan customized excursions and activities around the city.

Get in touch with us today to book a stay at this one-of-a-kind hotel, as well as plan the other details of your private Peru vacation.

 

INKATERRA LA CASONA
Member Relais & Châteaux since 2010

Plaza Las Nazarenas 113
00000, Cusco
Tel.: + 51 1 610 0400

Website:
http://www.inkaterra.com/inkaterra/inkaterra-la-casona/the-experience/

Many travelers pass through Cusco en route to Machu Picchu, but this compelling city deserves more than a short stop-over. Cusco is one of the most vibrant cities in Latin America.

An Incan City at Heart

Cusco is situated in the heart of the Andes Mountains, at an altitude of approximately 11,150 feet (3,400 meters) above sea level. Hundreds of years ago, Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire. This powerful civilization ruled a large part of South America before being displaced by the Spanish in the 16th Century.

Cusco fell on hard times after the Spanish conquest, but the discovery of Machu Picchu in the early 20th century signaled the beginning of a renaissance for the city which later received declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The innumerable delightful amount of churches and convents are testament to the city’s unique conservation, beginning with the churches throughout the central historic district and the Cathedral in particular as the most striking example.  Between independent travelers and private tours, Machu Picchu and Cusco attract more than one million international visitors every year.

The city is proud of its Incan heritage, with modern Cusco blending ancient traditions with influences from its Spanish settlers. You can sense the city’s rich history as you wander through its old colonial streets building that were constructed using the foundation of Incan stonework and architecture. You’ll find numerous excellent museums all over the city, dedicated to the mixed cultural heritage that has made Cusco such a unique, fascinating place to visit.

Take a Tour of Cusco

In 1950, a terrible earthquake struck Cusco, seriously damaging over half of the city’s buildings. Although numerous colonial churches and adobe houses were left in ruins, almost all of the city’s Inca sites remained intact.

Some notable Inca sites in the city include Koricancha, which was once the most important temple in the Incan Empire; as well as Sacsayhuaman, a citadel found on the northern outskirts of the city.

A compact and open city, Cusco’s appeal is further enhanced by its walkability. It’s easy to stroll between various sites, soaking up the city’s infectious energy as you go. Cusco’s narrow colonial streets are a sea of noise, color and smells, making a stroll through the city an intense yet wonderful experience.

Cusco is also home to some of Peru’s finest restaurants and services. Although Lima is recognized as the country’s Mecca for foodies, Cusco is not far behind. Cusco’s restaurants are using traditional ingredients and techniques to create modern interpretations of classic Peruvian dishes. With Gaston Acurio’s Chicha leading to way, the city’s talented chefs are enticing more and more visitors to come to Cusco as much for its food as anything else.

Cusco also offers some of the top hotels in the country. Unique accommodations like Hotel Palacio Nazarenas and La Casona are redefining luxury travel in Peru, and are consistently voted among the best places to stay in South America. Cusco’s innovative hotels and attractive restaurants add a cosmopolitan flair to the city, while its rich customs and intriguing historical sites connect it to the past allowing the city to strike a perfect balance between history and traditional culture.

We can help you plan a rewarding stop in Cusco as part of your personalized trip to Peru. Meet one of our friendly travel designers and contact us today to get started!

One of the questions our customers most frequently ask is about how to combine adventure and luxury travel in Peru. The answer is that you’ll find these two travel styles often complement one another more than you might think, particularly in Peru.

This country is a natural playground but also offers extensive upscale facilities that make it possible to pamper yourself at the end of an active day. From Amazon luxury cruises to “sky lodges” perched on top of mountains, Peru offers endless opportunities to mix elegance with exploration. Let’s take a look at a few sample itinerary suggestions to give you a better idea of how you can experience authentic, glamorous adventures on your private luxury Peru tour.

Lima

Known as the City of Kings, Lima is Peru’s cosmopolitan capital. Take a tour of the city’s colorful historic district (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), visit magnificent and ancient pre-Colombian archeological sites, browse boutiques and art galleries for high-quality handicrafts, or explore exotic food markets. We can arrange private cooking classes, ceviche-making classes, or tastings of local specialties. Treat yourself to a meal at one of the city’s world-renowned restaurants, such as Central, Gaston y Astrid, or Maido.

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, Lima is an excellent base for surfing the action packed Pacific Ocean, cycling though bustling streets, and paragliding along the cliff hanging coastline of the Costa Verde. Embark on a rafting excursion to one of the nearby towns, such as Lunahuana or Huancaya. Huancaya also offers great opportunities for rainbow trout fishing.

However you choose to spend your days in Lima, you’ll appreciate finishing them at one of the city’s high-end hotels, such the Miraflores Park Hotel or Hotel B, Lima’s first luxury boutique hotel.

 Sacred Valley

Embark on a four-day trek along the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Your private guide and porters will escort you on this spectacular hike through the Andes. Walk in the footsteps of the Inca, exploring their fascinating structures and taking in stunning views of the surrounding mountains and jungle along the way. At the end of each day, enjoy superb cuisine, soothing treatments performed by a private masseuse, and accommodation in deluxe tents. After arriving at Machu Picchu, explore the ruins with your private guide and spend one night at the Sanctuary Lodge. Return to Cusco in style via the opulent Hiram Bingham train.

Spend a night at the spectacular Skylodge Adventure Suites. The Skylodge is accessed by an exciting 1,312-foot (400-meter) climb by via ferrata or zipline. Touted as the world’s first hanging lodge, the Skylodge is a transparent hanging bedroom which offers a 300-degree view over the Sacred Valley. Suites feature solar-powered lighting, high-quality mattresses, and down pillows. Gourmet meals with wine pairings are included in the price of a package.

Cusco

As part of your personalized luxury trip to Peru, your guide will lead you through Cusco and its narrow streets, providing insight into the city’s eclectic Inca and Spanish heritage. You can visit local markets, art galleries, boutiques, and artisan workshops. If time allows, you can also include trips to important archaeological sites found on the outskirts of the city, such as Sacsayhuaman. Your evenings will be spent dining at some of Cusco’s top restaurants.

Relax in comfort in one of the Cusco’s ultra-luxe hotels before embarking on thrilling excursions horseback riding, mountain biking, or hiking in the nearby valleys and mountainsides. Go paddle boarding at Piuray Lake, which sits over 9,842 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level.

For hikers, there’s many more trekking options in this region a part from the Inca Trail. Consider taking on the Salkantay Trek around the mountain of Salkantay (6,271m – 20,574ft). There’s also Ausangate (6,384m – 20,944ft), another sacred snow-covered peak, which offers a convenient looping trail. On a clear day, you can spot Ausangate dominating the southern horizon of Cusco.

Amazon

If you’ve always dreamed of an Amazon luxury tour, consider a voyage on a luxury yacht expedition: The MV Aqua or the MV Aria. One of the best river tour expeditions in the World, starts in Iquitos, the largest city in the world accessible only by boat or airplane.

These five-star yachts will redefine your expectations of traveling by boat. All feature deluxe suites with eco-sensitive stone bathrooms and air-conditioning. Huge picture windows allow guests to admire the river scenery outside while relaxing on their California King-Size beds. Dine on meals using local ingredients prepared by some of Peru’s top chefs.

Smaller launch boats transport you on wildlife-viewing excursions to see pink river dolphins, caiman, and colorful birdlife. These fine boats all feature comfortable padded seating, with the observation deck of the MV Aria also including an outdoor Jacuzzi.

Another remarkable base for luxury tours of the Amazon is Iquitos’ Treehouse Lodge. This lodge offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the magic of sleeping in a tree, without sacrificing on comfort.

These unusual tree house accommodations offer cozy beds with crisp white linens, as well as cool water showers, eco-friendly bathrooms, and protective mosquito netting. The tree houses are surrounded by a transparent layer of mosquito netting, which allows for unobstructed views of the surrounding natural scenery and wildlife. Fantastic meals, which emphasize local ingredients, are served in the main lodge.

These are just a few examples of the ways to combine life-changing adventures and swish amenities in Peru. Contact Kuoda Travel today to learn more about these itineraries and other options for luxury travel in Peru.

Most people have seen panoramic photos of this amazing Inca citadel. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu rests on a plateau set 7,972 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level between two peaks, Huayna Picchu and the higher Montana Machu Picchu.

The citadel’s remarkable appearance is in part due to its seamless integration with its natural surroundings. From its perch, Machu Picchu appears to emerge from the rocky slopes of the mountain. Despite its fame, the history of this impressive structure is not as well known and its original purpose remains shrouded in mystery.

A Hidden Masterpiece

Many people are surprised to discover how recently the Inca Empire dominated Peru. The first records of the Incas date from around 1200 A.D., but the empire did not enter its expansion period until around 1450. The Inca Emperor Pachacutec is believed to have been responsible for the construction of Machu Picchu.

Laborers conscripted from conquered regions constructed platforms for the different sectors, retaining walls and agricultural terraces with built-in drainage systems. The citadel was built mainly using the heavy granite stones of which the mountain itself is made. These monumental stones were carved, sculpted and dragged into place to create a site of spectacular beauty.

Hiram Bingham

Machu Picchu was never discovered by the Spanish invaders, remaining largely unknown for centuries except to locals living nearby. With the help of the Peruvian government, Yale scholar Hiram Bingham became one of the first outsiders to encounter the site in 1911.

At the time, Bingham thought he had found the last refuge of the Incas, although that was later revealed to be Vilcabamba. Machu Picchu’s exact purpose is still not 100 per cent agreed upon. There are no written records of the Inca civilization, leaving researchers with little information to guide their interpretation of archaeological findings.

Most of the mummies discovered at the citadel were initially thought to be women, leading to the theory that Machu Picchu was sacred site that housed virgins of the sun. Subsequent research showed that the mummies were fairly evenly split between men and women, thus disapproving this early theory about Machu Picchu’s purpose.

Bingham’s publications about the site in National Geographic magazine ignited worldwide interest in the mysterious ancient citadel. Whatever Machu Picchu’s purpose may have been, this site continues to draw millions of international visitors to Peru. Luxury tours of Machu Picchu are once-in-a-lifetime trips for many travelers, who are astounded and delighted to finally see this New World Wonder in person.

Private Tours of Machu Picchu

The citadel is laid out in an east-west direction, maximizing its exposure to sunlight during the day. Some buildings have windows and other features that align precisely with the solstices, equinoxes and various movements of constellations. Like other Inca constructions, most of Machu Picchu’s buildings are made of polished stones that fit together so perfectly not even a piece of paper can be slide between them.

The most important buildings of Machu Picchu are found in an area called the religious sector. The Intihuatana (“Sun Stone” or “hitching post of the sun”) sits atop a pyramid of terraces built from a small rocky outcrop. Believed to have been an astronomical clock or calendar, the main pillar marks the position of the sun throughout the year. The Temple of the Sun includes a rounded tower-like structure with windows, one of which aligns directly with the morning sun during the winter solstice in June. Beneath the temple is a cave that some researchers believe once held the mummy of Inca Pachacutec. Today, it’s thought that the citadel may have been a type of country retreat for Pachacutec.

Apu Huayna Picchu & Apu Machu Picchu

The citadel of Machu Picchu is positioned between two separate “apus”, known as sacred peaks in Quechua. Mt. Huayna Picchu, Quechua for “Young Mountain”, marks the north end of the site and while on the south stands Mt. Machu Picchu, Quechua for “Old Mountain”. Both offer stunning views at the expense of an inclined hike.

Standing tall at 1,640ft, Mt. Machu Picchu is more than twice as tall as its sister peak. However, the reward for the 2 hour climb up flights of ancient stone stairs is the most incredible view that can be achieved (short of a helicopter) of how this magical site was gracefully immersed into its natural surroundings. Distant, skyscraping Andean peaks tower in the distance while the winding Urubamba River completely wraps around the entire site like an anaconda. Both peaks charge an additional cost for access, however, keep in mind that Huayna Picchu only allows a total of 400 entrances on a daily basis and spots vanish rather quickly.

Before you head up to Machu Picchu, it’s worth visiting the Casa Concha Museum in Cusco to learn about the latest research on the site. Private tours of Machu Picchu are much more meaningful for those who understand the significance and historical context of this magnificent site. It’s possible to see the main parts of Machu Picchu within a few hours, but we recommend spending an entire day at the site in order to appreciate it fully.

The travel designers at Kuoda Travel are experts in Machu Picchu private tours. Contact us to find out more about excursions to Machu Picchu and other exclusive tours of Peru.