Start your South American adventure today with a direct Business Class flight to Lima. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle. The rest of the day is free for a first exploration at your leisure. For dinner, if you wish, we will reserve one of the best tables in the city (Lima has become extremely renowned for its gastronomy!).
Meals on your own and overnight at Hotel B 5* (Relais & Châteaux member) in a Junior Suite Aposento.
Hiram Bingham Luxury Train
This morning, you'll discover Lima, particularly the "Cercado," its historic center, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you'll find splendid examples of Spanish colonial architecture, such as the Torre-Tagle Palace and the San Juan Cathedral, which houses the tomb of Francisco Pizarro... You’ll also explore the Miraflores neighborhood, overlooking the Pacific, and the colonial jewel of San Francisco.
You’ll then continue to the airport for your domestic flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival, you’ll head straight to the "Sacred Valley of the Incas." Nestled amidst lush gardens beside the Urubamba River, this peaceful Andean retreat is perfect for exploring the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Meals on your own and overnight at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba 5* in a Superior Deluxe Room.
Today is dedicated to exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas. First, you'll meet Quechua farmers and artisans during an inspiring visit to an Andean community in the Sacred Valley, near the famous Chinchero market. This immersion reveals the unique lifestyle and traditions of the descendants of the Inca Empire, with activities such as village exploration, tastings, observing weavers at work, learning about ancient medical remedies, walking through local agricultural fields, and participating in a traditional Andean blessing.
Next, you'll visit the Maras salt mines, where you’ll find breathtaking terraced salt flats clinging to the mountainside. These ancient terraces, which number around 4,000, still employ Incan methods of salt extraction. Continue to the fascinating site of Moray, which resembles a massive amphitheater, though its purpose was agricultural, not cultural. Lunch is included during the excursion.
Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
Machu Picchu Luxury Tailored Journey
The big day has arrived! After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the Ollantaytambo train station to board the luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham train. With panoramic windows, you'll enjoy stunning views of the incredible landscapes that unfold before you. A brunch will be served as you ascend. Upon reaching your destination, a short bus ride will take you to an exceptional view: Machu Picchu.
Guided tour of the site, one of the world’s most beautiful and famous, a dream destination for travel enthusiasts! Situated at nearly 2,400 meters above sea level, Machu Picchu consists of stone structures spread across a narrow hilltop, shrouded in mystery that archaeologists have yet to fully explain.
Dinner and overnight at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge 5* in a Standard Patio Room.
Staying at the site, you'll have the incredible privilege of rediscovering Machu Picchu before the crowds arrive. You’ll enjoy a scenic hike through the mountain and the site’s ruins. After lunch at the hotel, return to the valley by luxury train, accompanied by the sounds of Peruvian tambourines and traditional music that set the tone for your journey. Dinner is served onboard.
Upon arrival at the train station, you'll be transferred to Cuzco by private vehicle for an overnight stay.
Overnight at Belmond Palacio Nazarenas 5* in a Junior Suite.
Today is dedicated to Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This mythical city, "the Rome of the Incas," will captivate you with its colonial atmosphere, warm restaurants, treasure-filled churches and monasteries, colorful markets, and lively festivals. A visit to Cuzco alone justifies a trip to Peru! As you wander through its streets, you’ll undoubtedly fall under its spell.
You’ll visit its main square, known as "Huacaypata" (Place of Lamentations), the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha), the most important temple in the Inca Empire, the Santo Domingo Monastery, and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, built during the reign of Inca Pachacutec, where the Sun Festival is celebrated each year.
You’ll also stop at the Manos de la Comunidad center, home to South American camelids like llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. Here, you’ll learn about the famous fibers created from their fur and ancient weaving techniques still practiced today.
Meals on your own and overnight at the hotel.
Luxury Experience at Lake Titicaca
Morning departure for Puno aboard the Titicaca Train: a unique journey through mountains and clouds, between snow and high Andean pasturelands, offering luxurious service as you travel from Cuzco to Lake Titicaca. This ten-hour scenic ride lets you admire the stunning mountain landscapes and varying climates of the region. Lunch is served onboard.
Arriving in Puno in the late afternoon, you’ll board a boat to your luxury lakeside retreat, a magical place ideal for rejuvenation... Situated between Peru and Bolivia, this magnificent lake is considered by the Incas to be the sacred cradle of human civilization, and it’s one of the world’s largest, deepest, and highest lakes (3,800 meters above sea level).
Dinner and overnight at Titilaka 5* (Relais & Châteaux member) in a Dawn/Dusk Room.
A free day with full board, discovering Lake Titicaca. Your hotel will be the starting point for all Andean explorations and cultural and sporting activities offered by the establishment (in English and in group).
Unique experiences await you across the Peruvian highlands! A wide range of options is available, including (a more complete list will be provided by the hotel, excursions are to be booked on-site):
Excursion to the Uros Islands: The Uros people are believed to have arrived here with the first inhabitants of the Americas around 40,000 years ago. These floating islands were used as a refuge to escape the demands of the Incas. Today, around 250 Uros live on 80 floating islands.
Excursion to the Taquile Islands: A traditional boat ride to the Taquile Islands offers stunning views of Bolivia’s Royal Cordillera and its snow-capped peaks. The locals are dedicated to agriculture and have developed a unique form of communal tourism.
Excursion to Sillustani: Sillustani was an ancient burial site for the pre-Inca civilization and continued to be used by the Incas. A fascinating place blending archaeology, history, and otherworldly landscapes.
Birdwatching: Over 60 species of aquatic, lakeside, and mountain birds.
Traditional boat ride to explore the Totorales (aquatic plants).
Depart from Lake Titicaca toward the Colca Valley, a winding road offering stunning Andean landscapes. Along the way, you'll pass by the Lagunillas Lake, the largest in the region. The route takes you past towering mountains such as Q'illu Q'illu (5,220 meters), Warank'anthi (5,426 meters), and Ankachita (5,131 meters). Picnic lunch en route.
Arriving in the afternoon in the Colca Valley and its magnificent canyon, you’ll check into your Belmond hotel, a luxurious haven in the heart of the canyon.
Dinner on your own and overnight at Belmond Las Casitas 5* in a Garden View Casita.
Early departure for one of the world’s deepest and most narrow canyons (it is considered by Peruvians to be deeper than the Grand Canyon!). The valley’s deep gorges, terraced hillsides, volcanoes, and small, remote villages offer breathtaking panoramas. You’ll visit the Condor Cross viewpoint, where you’ll be captivated by the stunning landscape and spot the famous Andean condors in their natural habitat.
On the return journey, you’ll visit the towns of Macca and Yanque with their colonial-era churches and stop at the viewpoints of Wayra Punku, Antahuilque, and Choquetico.
The remainder of the day is free. For the evening, we suggest exploring this beautiful valley on foot, where you’ll likely encounter local artisans selling handmade souvenirs.
Meals on your own and overnight at the hotel.
Today, you’ll travel to Arequipa, crossing an arid plain populated by llamas, alpacas, and various migratory birds. Keep an eye out for possible sightings of falcons, a peregrine falcon, a mountain partridge, a puma, and the four South American camelid species! You’ll pass through the Patapampa pass (4,910 meters) where several snow-capped volcanoes are visible.
Check into your luxurious hotel, CIRQA, built in 1540. CIRQA beautifully highlights Arequipa's iconic white architecture, constructed with sillar, a volcanic stone. The hotel blends restored architecture with modern décor, connecting the past and present. The cuisine offers innovative reinterpretations of regional flavors.
Dinner and overnight at CIRQA 5* (Relais & Châteaux member) in an Aposento Room.
Morning visit to the charming city of Arequipa, recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its narrow streets, cobbled lanes, and gardens with names of Spanish cities evoke the ancient neighborhoods of Seville or Granada. Visit the San Lazaro district, the San Francisco Monastery (one of the city's most beautiful buildings), and the main square, one of the country’s most beautiful, where elegant arcades compete with the cathedral and the Church of the Jesuit Company. At Santa Catalina, a 16th-century convent, you'll find narrow streets lined with colorful homes in ochre, blue, and white.
In the afternoon, you'll head to the airport for your flight to Lima, before continuing to France in the evening (direct Business Class flight).
Overnight on board.
Arrival at home after this exceptional journey discovering Peru.
LIMA: Hotel B 5*
SACRED VALLEY: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba 5*
MACHU PICCHU: Belmond Sanctuary Lodge 5*
CUSCO: Belmond Palacio Nazarenas 5*
LAKE TITICACA: Titilaka 5*
COLCA CANYON: Belmond Las Casitas 5*
AREQUIPA: CIRQA 5*
