Peru: Lima, The Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu by Train

Arrive in Lima, where the drive from the airport follows the coastal highway. The ocean air is immediate, and surfers are often visible on the waves off the Costa Verde. The hotel is in Miraflores, a district defined by its cliffside malecón, upscale restaurants, and steady Pacific views. The first evening is for settling in and acclimatizing to the city's rhythm.

The day begins with a 13-kilometre cycling tour connecting the fashionable district of Miraflores with the adjacent, more bohemian Barranco. The route passes historic houses in the Bajada de Baños and crosses the famous Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs). The ride gives way to a walking tour through Barranco's streets, known for their vibrant murals, small galleries, and craft breweries.

Lunch is a survey of Peruvian tapas before a free afternoon. The day concludes with drinks on the hotel's rooftop terrace, timed for sunset over the Pacific.

A morning flight leaves the coast behind, climbing east into the Andes and landing in Cusco. The shift in altitude is palpable. The initial exploration of the city is a slow-paced orientation walk through the historic center, where Spanish colonial arcades are built directly on Incan stone foundations. A walk through the San Pedro Market offers a sensory introduction to the region's produce and crafts. The rest of the day is best spent acclimatizing, with a low-key lunch and dinner in the city.

The journey into the Sacred Valley begins with a private overland drive from Cusco. The first stop is the Cuyo Chico community, for a practical look at their traditional adobe ceramic crafts and a lesson in making empanadas for a local-style snack. From there, the road leads to the massive Inca ruins of Pisaq, which command the valley from a high ridge. Lunch is at Parwa, a community-run restaurant in Huchuy Qosqo that serves a farm-to-table menu.

After checking into the hotel, dinner is a traditional pachamanca—a ceremonial meal of meats and vegetables slow-cooked underground with hot stones.

Today offers a choice of activity, both designed to engage with the valley's dramatic landscape. The first option is an acclimatization hike along a meandering trail to the Perilnilloq waterfall and the nearby Raqaypata Inca ruins above it. The second, more demanding option is to scale a via ferrata—a network of steel rungs and cables fixed to a rock face—for a vertical climb and lunch with commanding views. Both options include lunch. The afternoon is free to relax at the hotel before a group dinner.

The morning is dedicated to exploring the formidable ruins of Ollantaytambo, a massive Inca fortress with steep stone terraces rising from the valley floor. It's one of the few places where the Spanish were temporarily defeated. The focus then shifts from ancient history to living tradition with a visit to the Urubamba workshop of Pablo Seminario, a renowned artist whose ceramics reinterpret pre-Columbian motifs. Lunch is served at Hacienda Huayoccari, a private, family-owned historic estate filled with art and artifacts, offering broad views of the valley.

The route back to Cusco from the Sacred Valley is a tour of the region's most distinct archaeological sites. The first stop is the Maras salt pans, a mosaic of thousands of small, terraced pools that have been harvested since Inca times and shimmer white against the mountainside. Nearby are the mysterious circular terraces of Moray, thought to be an Inca agricultural research station. The final stop is Chinchero, an Andean village known for its colonial church, Inca ruins, and sweeping mountain views, before the final leg of the drive back to Cusco for a free evening.

A day for a deeper exploration of Cusco on foot. A guided walk focuses on the city's colonial-era architecture, cobblestone streets, and hidden courtyards, leading to the Sapantiana aqueduct and waterfall just outside the main center. Following the walk, lunch is at a restaurant near the Plaza de Armas. The afternoon is unstructured, free for independent wandering, shopping for textiles, or simply sitting in a plaza cafe to watch the city go by.

The day is centered on the scenic train journey to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. After a private drive from Cusco back into the Sacred Valley to the station at Ollantaytambo, you board the train. The tracks follow the Urubamba River as it carves its way through the mountains, with the landscape gradually transforming from high-altitude plains to dense, green cloud forest. Upon arrival, a short orientation walk introduces the bustling town before an evening at leisure.

An early start is required for the bus ride up the winding road to Machu Picchu, arriving as the morning light illuminates the citadel. The archaeological site includes key areas such as the Inti Watana stone, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows, highlighting the stonework and layout. Lunch is at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, located directly at the citadel entrance, offering a quiet pause before the return journey. The journey back begins with the scenic 31-kilometre train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, taking between 1.5 and 1.75 hours. A 60-kilometre road transfer, lasting another 1.5 to 1.75 hours, connects Ollantaytambo to Cusco for dinner and a night at the Novotel Cusco Hotel.

The journey concludes after breakfast in Cusco. There are no planned activities, allowing for departure at any time. Arrangements for onward travel can be made from the hotel.