Peru with Belmond

On day 1 fly to Lima, there is a direct flight with British Airways which currently operates three times a week. Arrive into Lima in the evening and transfer to your hotel, in the upmarket neighbourhood of Miraflores.

Your hotel is one of the most luxurious in the Peruvian capital and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It is a great base for exploring the city, which is one of the oldest in the Americas and is known as the ‘City of Kings’.

On day 2 your local guide will take you on a private tour of the city, including a visit to the historic centre, where the San Francisco monastery is found and also the catacombs. You will also visit one of the South America’s most impressive museums, the Larco Herrera Museum, which is home to a huge collection of pre-Columbian art.  

Lima is famous for its gastronomic scene and evenings can be spent dining in one of the capital’s world-renowned restaurants, which include Astrid y Gaston, Central and Maido.

Stay: Two nights at the Belmond Miraflores Park – bed & breakfast

After breakfast on day 3 you will be driven back to Lima airport, for the short direct flight to Cusco. On arrival in Cusco you will be met and driven into the beautiful surroundings of the Sacred Valley, which is at lower altitude to Cusco and an easier place to acclimatise.

The Belmond Rio Sagrado has a privileged position, on the banks of the Urubamba River and surrounded by lush gardens. It is an ideal spot to relax and also discover some of the historic Inca remains found in the surrounding countryside. For those not wanting to venture too far from the hotel, there is also a lovely outdoor heated swimming pool and spa.

On days 4 and 5 your local guide will take you to some of the Sacred Valley’s most famous attractions, including the Salt Pans at Maras and the perfectly preserved Inca terraces at Moray. You will also have a private guided tour of the market towns of Chinchero, Pisac and Ollantaytambo, where you will explore an impressive Inca fortress, see the beautifully coloured textiles at the local markets and visit traditional homes which have been almost unchanged since the time of the Incas.

Stay: Three nights at the Belmond Rio Sagrado – bed & breakfast

Today you will visit Peru’s most famous attraction and arguably the most recognised archaeological site in all of South America, the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.

You will board the luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham train at the Rio Sagrado’s own private station and enjoy a delicious brunch and champagne reception on board, whilst the train travels alongside the Urubamba river and descends into the cloud-forest.

After 1 ½ hours you will arrive at Aguas Calientes station, where you will board a comfortable mini-bus which will take you the final section of the way to the ruins. Machu Picchu is built on a mountain and the 20-minute bus journey takes you up a series of switchbacks, before arriving at the entrance to the ruins and also your hotel.

The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge has a privileged position next to the entrance of Machu Picchu and means guests don’t have to take the shuttle bus back to their hotel at the end of the day. The advantage of staying at the Sanctuary Lodge is you don’t have to leave to take the final bus of the day and therefore getting a little longer in the ruins. For those wanting to make the experience even more special, you can upgrade to a room with a view of the ruins at the hotel.

On arrival at the ruins you will be taken on a private tour of the Inca Citadel. Your local guide will explain the history and significance of Machu Picchu and you will have plenty of opportunity to take pictures and see the llamas which wander through the ruins. After your tour an afternoon tea is served at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.

Stay: One night at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge – half-board

On day 7 you will have the option of returning to Machu Picchu and possibly climbing the impressive Huayna Picchu, which overlooks the ruins. Later in the day you will board the Belmond Hiram Bingham train and take the 3 ½ hour journey back to the Inca Capital of Cusco. On board a delicious three-course dinner is served, as well as champagne and pisco sours and entertainment is provided by local musicians.

Arriving into Cusco in the evening you will be driven to your hotel, a former monastery dating back to the 16^th century and now a luxury hotel in the heart of Inca Capital. There is a charming courtyard, where a delicious breakfast is served each morning, as well as an excellent restaurant and many original features throughout.

On day 8 you will be taken on a private tour of Cusco’s most famous attractions, including the Plaza de Armas, the Inca temple of Qorikancha and the impressive Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, which overlook the city and have beautiful views of the Ausangate mountain.

Stay: Two nights at the Belmond Monasterio – bed & breakfast

On day 9 you will board South America’s only luxury overnight sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer. Over the next two days you will travel from Cusco to the Colca Canyon, stopping for a full day visit to the floating reed islands of Uros and Taquile at Lake Titicaca.

Whilst on the train you will be looked after by a highly skilled and exceptionally talented team of staff, including a specialist Belmond guide who will accompany you on daily activities.

Your cabin is beautifully decorated and comes with its own en suite and large window to enjoy the passing scenery. All meals are served on board and are beautifully prepared by Belmond’s wonderfully trained chefs. There is an open-bar, live music, an open-air viewing carriage and also a spa carriage too.

The two-day journey takes you through the Andes and into the Altiplano, passing mountains, local villages and Inca ruins en route. It really is a spectacular way to see this part of Peru.

Two nights on the Belmond Andean Explorer – all-inclusive

On day 11 you will disembark the Belmond Andean Explorer and be driven into the vast and remote Colca Canyon. The second deepest canyon in the world, the green valley has the beautiful Colca river running through it and is a popular destination for walking and is home to many Inca terraces.

Belmond Las Casitas is a luxury hideaway amongst the Inca terraces, with wonderful views of the surrounding valley. Your home for the next two nights is one of the hotel’s beautiful casitas, which come with their own private terrace and fire place.

The hotel has an outdoor heated pool and is the perfect base for hiking or riding in the canyon. One morning your guide will also take you to a lookout spot, where you’re almost guaranteed to see the majestic Andean Condor, which glide on the warm air from the canyon.

Stay: Two nights at Belmond Las Casitas – half-board

Today you will be driven to the colonial town of Arequipa and board a direct flight to Lima for your final night in Peru.

Stay: One night at the Belmond Miraflores Park – bed & breakfast

Your final day in Peru is free for you to relax and pick-up any souvenirs before you are driven to Lima airport in the evening for your overnight international flight home, arriving on day 15.