Luxury travel in Peru
Ancient empires, high Andes and one of the world’s great food cities.
Peru at a glance
Peru rewards travellers who give it time. In a single journey you can move from Lima’s Pacific clifftops to the Inca heartland around Cusco, then down into the Amazon rainforest, and each region feels like a country of its own. We plan the pace carefully, particularly around altitude, so the experience remains a pleasure rather than an endurance test.
Why visit
- Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, explored slowly with a private guide who knows the history beyond the headlines.
- Lima’s restaurants, which draw on ingredients from the coast, the Andes and the Amazon.
- Remarkable range in one country: desert coast, Andean highlands, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon basin.
Journeys including Peru
Andes, Altiplano & Atacama
Inca heritage, Lake Titicaca and the salt flats of Uyuni, ending in Chile’s Atacama Desert.
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Peru & Ecuador with the Galápagos
Machu Picchu and Cusco, colonial Quito and four nights among the wildlife of the Galápagos.
View JourneyPeru, Chile & Argentina
Machu Picchu, the Atacama Desert, Santiago, Mendoza’s vineyards and Buenos Aires.
View JourneyColombia, Ecuador & Peru
Bogotá, coffee country and Cartagena, Quito’s cloud forests, then Machu Picchu.
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The Grand Tour of South America
Four weeks from Rio and Iguazú to Patagonia, the Atacama and Machu Picchu.
View JourneyPrivate moments in Peru
- A private guided visit to Machu Picchu, with time for a second circuit
- A tasting-menu evening in Lima, or a market visit with a local chef
- Textile and weaving visits with Sacred Valley community cooperatives
- Luxury rail journeys to Machu Picchu or across the altiplano to Puno
When to go, month by month
The Andes are driest from May to September, with clear skies and cold nights. December to March is the rainy season, and the Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. Lima’s coast is often overcast from June to October, while the Amazon can be visited all year.
- Ideal
- Good
- Variable
- Off season
A general guide to typical conditions; weather varies from year to year.
Good to know
- Cusco sits at around 3,400 metres. We usually suggest starting in the lower Sacred Valley and keeping the first day gentle.
- Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket with daily limits, so early planning matters for peak months.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; check your government’s current travel advice before booking.
Peru: your questions
How many days do I need in Peru?
Ten to fourteen days allows Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu at a comfortable pace. Add three or four days for Lake Titicaca or the Amazon.
Will the altitude affect me?
Most travellers adapt well with a sensible itinerary that ascends gradually. Anyone with heart or respiratory conditions should speak to their doctor before travelling.
Can I hike the Inca Trail in comfort?
The classic four-day trail is camping-based. A one-day route arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate is a popular alternative. Permits for both are limited and must be secured in advance.
Further inspiration
Luxury Lodges in the Amazon: How to Choose
Peru, Ecuador or Brazil? A lodge or a river cruise? How to find the Amazon experience that suits you.
Private Travel in South America: What It Means
Private guides, private transfers and the freedom to change plans. Here is what a private journey includes, and when sharing makes sense.
The Best South American Multi-country Holidays
Some countries combine effortlessly, others less so. These are the pairings that work best, and why.
Design your Peru journey
Tell us when you would like to travel and what matters most to you.