Peru is a bucket list destination for many travelers, known for its spectacular archaeological sites, stunning landscapes, rich history, vibrant traditional crafts, and incredible cuisine.

Artisans of Leisure travelers recently returned from a private Peru tour and have shared their photos of top cultural, scenic and culinary highlights of the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Lima and more. 

This private Peru tour began in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Urubamba Valley), an agricultural region in the Andean highlands known for its impressive Incan ruins, vibrant traditional textiles and colorful markets.

Highlights of private touring in the Sacred Valley include exploring the incredible Incan ruins at Pisac…

…and Ollantaytambo.

The village of Pisac is also known for its colorful market.

Ollantaytambo has outstanding Incan ruins, the remains of an impressive hilltop citadel that was an important ceremonial, agricultural and military center of the Inca Empire.

Spectacular views from Ollantaytambo ruins take in the mountainous landscape, surrounding farmlands, and Inca agricultural terraces.

We took our travelers to explore the atmospheric streets of the village of Ollantaytambo…

…and arranged for them to visit a Quechua home in Ollantaytambo to learn about local life.

The brilliantly colored and intricately woven handmade textiles from the Sacred Valley are an iconic part of the local heritage. 

These ancient textile traditions have been passed down for centuries.

We took our travelers to meet with renowned local weavers in the picturesque town of Chinchero for a private demonstration of textile dyeing and weaving. 

Nearby are the terraced Maras Salt Mines, which have been used for salt evaporation since pre-Incan times.

Thousands of salt wells create a picturesque mosaic of whites and browns against the Andean landscape.

The unusual circular Moray Terraces are another example of the Inca’s sophisticated agricultural methods. Each terrace has its own microclimate, leading experts to believe Moray functioned as an experimental laboratory to determine the best growing conditions for different crops.

We made reservations for our travelers to enjoy lunch at an upscale restaurant overlooking the Moray terraces.

The gastronomic tasting menu showcases local ingredients and traditional Andean cooking techniques.

One of our favorite luxury lodges in the Sacred Valley is Hotel Sol y Luna, a luxurious retreat with individual adobe bungalows set in landscaped gardens. 

High in the Andes mountains, breathtaking Machu Picchu is an iconic bucket-list destination for many travelers. 

Known as the “Lost City of the Incas,” this UNESCO World Heritage Site shrouded in mystery has captivated visitors with its spectacular setting and dramatic beauty since its discovery by explorer Hiram Bingham over a century ago. 

Our travelers privately toured the ruins with an expert guide, learning about the intricate stone ruins, which include the remains of temples, palaces, and terraces. 

The Intihuatana stone in the Sacred Plaza hints at the site’s enigmatic ceremonial purposes and astronomical functions—the carved boulder, whose name in Quechua translates to “The Hitching Post of the Sun,” is believed to have been used in religious ceremonies to mark the equinoxes.

Accommodation at Machu Picchu is at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, a luxury lodge adjacent to the site’s entrance.

We arrange for transfers between Cusco and Machu Picchu area on the luxurious Hiram Bingham, a Belmond Train. 

The historic center of Cusco, the former capital of the Incas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has beautiful Spanish colonial architecture…

…cobblestone backstreets…

…and a vibrant local market.

The market is a great place to sample Peruvian cuisine and catch a glimpse of daily local life.

In the hills above Cusco are the Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman, an impressive Inca fortress, as well as Qenqo and Tambomachay. 

One of our favorite hotels in Cusco is Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, located in a 16th-century palace and 18th-century convent built on top of Incan foundations. 

Atmospheric details include elegant, whitewashed cloisters, water channels flowing through landscaped terraces, colonial frescoes and original Incan stonework.

The heated outdoor pool is an ideal place for relaxing after city touring.

Traveling on the renowned, luxurious Andean Explorer, a Belmond Train, was a highlight for our travelers, who described it as “beyond anything we have experienced.” 

Travelers on the Andean Explorer enjoy stylish train cars and warm hospitality, world-class Peruvian cuisine…

…while observing remote, spectacular landscapes of the altiplano gliding past.

Our travelers journeyed overnight to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable body of water in the world.

Our private cultural touring around Lake Titicaca includes visiting the floating Uros Islands to meet local artisans and learn about traditional Uros culture.

Made of water-resistant totora reeds, the islands are an incredible example of engineering devised by the indigenous Uros people as a mean of protection again the Incas. The Uros community still uses the reeds to construct homes, boats and crafts.

Farther out in Lake Titicaca, picturesque Taquile Island has an incredible heritage of textile art inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

We arranged for our travelers to meet a local weaver and his family to learn about the community’s deeply traditional culture and colorful textiles, such as the intricate chumpi (calendar waistband) that depicts agricultural cycles, rituals and important milestones in the wearer’s life.

Accommodation at Lake Titicaca is at Titilaka, a favorite luxury lodge on the banks of the lake.

Brilliant local textiles and large windows overlooking the turquoise waters enliven the modern, minimalist style.

 We arranged for our travelers to take the Andean Explorer again from Lake Titicaca to Colca Canyon.

Colca Canyon in southern Peru, one of the world’s deepest chasms, is known for being one of the best places to observe wild Andean condors in flight.

Traditionally sacred to the Incas, the condors are one of the largest flying birds in the world.

Traditional mountain villages around Colca offer travelers insight into the local history and culture. 

Las Casitas, a Belmond Hotel, is a luxurious mountain retreat with stunning views and standalone bungalows.

En route to the colonial city of Arequipa, there are breathtaking views of dramatic mountain landscapes..

…wetlands and a glimpse of daily life for local farmers.

We arrange private city touring in Arequipa historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beautiful Spanish colonial architecture.

A highlight is the Santa Catalina Monastery, a large, impressive Spanish colonial complex founded in 1579. 

Colorful red and blue walls surround a village-like compound with streets named for Spanish cities, courtyards, cells, kitchens and chapels. 

This private luxury Peru tour concluded in Lima, the historic Peruvian capital known for its rich history, abundance of beautiful architecture and incredible culinary scene.

We arrange for our travelers to see the highlights of the UNESCO-listed historic center, including Plaza de Armas (the main square), Museo Larco, which houses an impressive collection of pre-Hispanic ceramics… 

…and Convento de San Francesco, a large Franciscan monastic complex known for its art and Spanish colonial architecture, including beautiful courtyards and tiled cloisters, an incredible library and fascinating catacombs lined with bones.

A favorite is the 16th-century Santo Domingo Church and Convent, with its beautiful cloisters adorned with murals and Spanish tiles.

Artisans of Leisure can incorporate all of these experiences and destinations in our private Peru tours, along with special interest culinary touring, family activities, outdoor and soft adventure experiences, hands-on crafts lessons, private cooking lessons and more.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a private luxury Peru tour customized to your interests.