Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Lima, Peru
With 80 miles of coastline and virtually no rain, Lima’s unique position on Peru’s Costa Verde means the salt-spritzed capital is appealing year-round. Lima's much-starred restaurant scene is so effervescent that the city is widely acknowledged as the culinary capital of Latin America, and shows no signs of dimming; the city has more than 16,000 cevicherias (UNESCO has declared Peru's staple dish one of Intangible Cultural Heritage), while chefs like Virgilio Martínez and Pedro Schiaffino are innovating with indigenous ingredients from Andean tomatoes to Amazonian river snails.
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2 Lima | Pre-Hispanic Treasures
Discover hidden pre-Hispanic treasures in the expansive Larco Museum’s floor-to-ceiling displays of intricate pottery, some depicting faces of sacrificial figures.
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3 Sacred Valley | History At High Altitude
The Sacred Valley of the Incas carves through the green peaks of the Peruvian Andes near Cusco, where salt mines and snow-capped peaks make for a dramatic backdrop. Deemed a spiritual epicenter by the Inca people, the valley is also home to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, pockets of terraced topography and remote villages of Quechua-speaking communities whose deeply traditional way of life endures. Visit a wildlife center where South American camelids — llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas — are bred, and discover the difference between their prized fibers and about the age-old weaving techniques used on them.
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4 Sacred Valley | Local Life
Moray is a very different Inca site, one whose aim was to develop new crop strains for growth in different altitudes and locations. Afterward, explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a visit to a remote village frozen in time, followed by lunch at the Children of the Rainbow School, a project supported by A&K Philanthropy.
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5 Machu Picchu | Lost Citadel Revealed
No amount of visitors can detract from the mystery and magic of the Incas' great 15th-century citadel in the mountains — particularly when the terraced plateau and the peaks at either end are wreathed in cloud from the surrounding rainforest. The journey to Machu Picchu is almost as exciting as the destination, whether you take a 27-mile, high-altitude hike along the Inca Trail or opt to travel by train, with panoramic views from the Vistadome and five-star luxury aboard Belmond's Hiram Bingham train from Cusco. Either way, it’s worth it to marvel at Incan engineering and the view from the Sun Gate, which aligns with the sunrise at the summer solstice.
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6 Machu Picchu | Ollantaytambo Fortress
After a return visit to Machu Picchu in the morning, ride the Vistadome Train to Ollantaytambo fortress, a formidable Incan stone structure of massive stone terraces hugging the mountain slopes that served as both a fortress and a temple.
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7 Cusco | Colonial Legacy
Built in the shape of a puma by the Incas, Cusco stretches like a slumbering feline along the Huatanay valley. Far from sleepy, spirited cevicherias in San Blas, a UNESCO-protected historical quarter and steep cobbled streets make the gateway to Machu Picchu a worthy warm-up to the main event. On the outskirts of Cusco, visit the immense and awe-inspiring ruins of Sacsayhuamán. Testament to Incan architectural skill, its walls are made from gigantic stone blocks, some estimated to weigh up to 120 tons each, cut and fitted together with incredible precision without the use of mortar.
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8 The Amazon Basin | Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Running from its source in central Peru to the Atlantic Ocean, this iconic river is a magnet for wildlife lovers. Immerse yourself in the sleepy backwaters, lush islands and deep jungle of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, a wedge of rainforest bounded by the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali tributaries. A luxury cruise aboard A&K’s new riverboat, Pure Amazon, is the most exclusive way to experience this untouched wilderness — a wonderfully biodiverse stretch of jungle alive with sloths, monkeys, caimans, pink dolphins, turtles, manatees and stunning birdlife.
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9 The Amazon Basin | Wild Adventures
A variety of skiff excursions depart Pure Amazon at least twice a day, affording you the flexibility to explore your way. Whether you prefer a relaxing cruise of the tributaries, a more active exploration of the rainforest on foot or a deep dive into local Indigenous cultures, our expert guides are there to confidently lead the way.
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10 The Amazon Basin | A Parting Glimpse
A new day along the ever-changing river brings with it new possibilities. This may be the day you spot the Amazon’s fabled pink dolphins or go ashore to visit the residents of a local village to learn about daily life deep in the Amazon.
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11 Depart Lima
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