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.

Classic Lima: A Mix of Colonial Archictecture blended in with the Pacific Coast

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.

Hotel B Luxury Boutique Hotel in Lima

 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.

Hiram Bingham Luxury Train and World Famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

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.

Chill in the clouds in a Skylodge Capsules- Via Ferrata in the Sacred Valley

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.

Trek the glorious Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

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.

Luxury Amazon Cruise along the Amazon River

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.

Relax in the caonpy of the Amazon Rainforest – Treehouse Lodges

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.

Temple of the Three Windows – 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.

Mr. Hiram Bingham at Machu Picchu in 1912

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

Experience the grandeur 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

Kuoda Travelers at the top of Huayna 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.

The start of the Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike

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.