Journey Through Peru

(15 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Lima, Colca Canyon, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco

This is the ultimate journey through Peru, visiting destinations known for their unique natural beauty, history, and cultural traditions.

Begin in cosmopolitan Lima, home to Peru’s best museums, art, shopping and restaurants. Experience Lima as an insider—our tours offer the most sophisticated and in-depth Lima touring available. Enjoy access to private collections and homes of some of Lima’s leading antiques, contemporary folk art, and colonial and pre-Colombian art collectors. Your guide will introduce you to the culinary delights of the city and give you an introduction to Peru’s history and culture with a visit to the country’s leading museums, including an appointment-only museum specializing in ceramics and textiles, if desired. Our expert guides bring Lima’s rich history alive with a private tour of Centro—the old colonial quarter with its narrow streets, grand tree-lined plazas, elegant mansions, and some of the city’s best examples of Baroque and colonial-style architecture. In addition to visiting highlights such as the Convent de San Francisco and catacombs, La Catedral, and the Plaza des Armas, enjoy a private insider’s tour of one the oldest colonial mansions in the Americas. Spend time exploring some of Lima’s most exclusive and interesting neighborhoods such as Miraflores and San Isidro. Browse high-quality craft shops and art galleries, and explore quaint side streets in the colorful seaside district of Barranco.

One day, enjoy a fascinating tasting tour of Lima, considered the top culinary destination in Latin America. Tour markets and renowned food and specialty shops. Learn about the wide array of Peruvian ingredients used in traditional dishes, as well as in novoandino (new Andean) and comida criolla (coastal) cuisine. Enjoy a ceviche lesson, a lunch of regional specialties and a tasting of the finest Piscos. Alternatively, opt for an excursion to a private hacienda for lunch and an insider’s tour of the home and grounds, followed by a performance by elegant Peruvian Paso horses.

Next, you will be driven to Colca Canyon—one of the world’s deepest gorges. Along the way see wild vicuna, herds of alpaca and llama, and snow-capped peaks in the distance. Observe the local pastoral lifestyle and cross the high point of Patapampa (16,000 ft). All details have been arranged to make sure your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible (for example, oxygen will be provided in your vehicle to help with acclimatization to the high altitude). Spend two nights at a luxury lodge on the edge of the canyon. Enjoy a private early morning excursion to Cruz de Condor for a thrilling, up-close view of Andean condors in their natural habitat. Explore villages throughout the canyon and learn about the Cabanas and Collagua ethnic groups, descendants of pre-Inca communities. Enjoy outdoor activities, if desired, such as hiking, biking, horseback riding or fishing, or simply relax and take in the dramatic canyon landscape including some of the most impressive ancient agricultural terraces in Peru

Next, fly to the colonial city of Arequipa. Set among three snow-capped volcanoes, Arequipa is considered one of Peru’s most picturesque cities. It has a sophisticated European feel, a lively historic center, excellent restaurants and perfect weather. Enjoy a private walking tour, and visit highlights such as the Museo Santuarios Andinos and Monasterio de Santa Catalina. Also, shop for high-quality local products, sample famous Arequipa chocolate, and visit important religious and colonial sites.

Next, fly to Puno (Juliaca). The next two days will be spent exploring the Lake Titicaca region, the highest navigable lake in the world. Board a private boat with your guide to visit some of the local communities living around the lake, each with their distinctive traditional dress and customs. Enjoy some gentle hiking or opt to ride bicycles through a local village that is off the beaten path, and stop for lunch at the home of a family to learn about their lifestyle.

Next, fly to Cusco, and transfer directly to the lower elevation of the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Urubamba Valley) for a two night stay. Experience the local culture and people with visits to indigenous markets and atmospheric villages, gentle hikes to important Inca and pre-Inca sites, a private demonstration by one of Peru’s leading weavers. Opt to visit a Quechua village for a traditional pachamanca barbecue or have lunch at a colonial hacienda. More active pursuits can also be arranged such as day treks, rafting, hot air ballooning and horseback riding.

Board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train for the journey to the magnificent Machu Picchu—one of the most important archeological sites in South America. Spend one night near the ruins. Your private guide will teach you about the fascinating history of the “Lost City of the Incas” and ensure that you have the opportunity to wander around the site after most tourists have left. Spend the following day at leisure at the ruins with the option to hike trails to stunning viewpoints around the site before returning to Cusco by luxury train. Upon request, arrangements can be made to meet a local archeologist to learn more about the restoration of Machu Picchu.

In Cusco, explore narrow cobblestone streets, markets, galleries, boutiques and the best artisan workshops. Learn about the fascinating blend of Inca and Spanish cultures evident throughout the city. Private touring also includes a visit to nearby Inca ruins, a private tour of Hotel Monasterio’s art collection with an expert, and a Peruvian dance performance. 

On the final day, a flight back to Lima in the morning provides ample time for a final exploration of the city’s shops, galleries and neighborhoods before an evening private transfer to the airport for your return flight.

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.
Call us at (800) 214-8144 for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.