Peru
Day Zero: Arrive and Acclimatise
You’ll arrive in Cusco, ready for your private hotel transfer. Then it’s time to acclimatise to this seductive city, 3,399m above sea level. Packed with ancient temples, colonial mansions and grand cathedrals, the former Incan capital is the perfect place to start an adventure.
Overnight in Cusco
Premium - El Mercado Hotel by Mountains Lodges
Meals included: None
Day One: Welcome to Cusco
Time for a morning foray into Cusco’s fascinating history, on a guided walk that takes in its most famous monuments. You’ll wander the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cusco with your private guide. You’ll take in the Coricancha Temple, the Inca’s most important place of worship, before moving on to the grand, colonial Plaza de Armas. Finally, you’ll head for the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, with its fantastic views over Cusco. Later, you’ll take in the city’s vast history and stunning setting, with snacks and sparkling wine at a secret viewpoint overlooking its photogenic sprawl. In the evening, there’s the optional chance to join a culinary safari with renowned chef and Peruvian foodie, Marcelo Batata. Over the course of four hours, you’ll discover Peruvian produce, before learning how to make ceviche, Pisco Sours and Lomo Saltado (quick-fried spicy steak). Then you’ll settle down to a slap-up Peruvian meal (Please see the Extras tab for details on cost.)
Overnight in Cusco
Premium - El Mercado Hotel by Mountains Lodges
Meals included: Breakfast
Day Two: Onto the Inca Trail
After breakfast, you’ll leave your hotel in a private car bound for San Pedro railway station. From here, you’ll board the Vistadome train to the start of the Kilometre 104 Inca Trail hike. The train has panoramic windows, affording you incredible views of the landscape as it wends its way past fast-flowing rivers, ancient ruins and remote villages. When you arrive, it’s time to join the Inca Trail. Within a few minutes, you’ll be among the eerie ruins of Chachabamba, surrounded by mist-hugged mountains. After a packed lunch, you’ll continue on to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), where you’ll catch your first incredible glimpse of Machu Picchu, from 2,650 metres above sea level. From here, a bus will take you to the nearby town of Aguas Calientes, your home for the night. You may like to ease aching muscles with a soak in its steamy hot springs.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Premium - El Mapi by Inkaterra
Meals included: Breakfast; packed lunch; dinner
Day Three: Magnificent Machu Picchu
After your first encounter with Machu Picchu, it’s time to explore in more detail with your private guide. You’ll spend the morning soaking up the mysterious atmosphere of its temples, tombs and trails, before returning to the train station to journey through lush countryside to the Sacred Valley town of Ollantaytambo, then onwards to Cusco for the night.
Overnight in Cusco
Premium - El Mercado Hotel by Mountains Lodges
Meals included: Breakfast
Day Four: Aboard the Belmond Explorer
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the train station, ready to board one of the world’s most luxurious trains, the Belmond Andean Explorer. Onboard, you’ll sleep in an ensuite bunk bed cabin complete with a vast window from which to watch Peru’s incredible scenery go by, and you’ll eat in one of two grand dining cars. Your journey from Cusco to Arequipa includes stops at some of the country’s must-see sights too. Today, you’ll disembark to see the 2,000-year-old Inca ruins at Raqchi, with their gigantic temple walls. Then you’ll return to the train for afternoon tea followed by a scarlet sunset over the mountains of La Raya, as the Belmond Express continues towards Lake Titicaca station at Puno, where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight on the Belmond Explorer
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch; afternoon tea; dinner
Day Five: Towards Lake Titicaca
Awaken to sunrise on Lake Titicaca: You’ll be leaving the train for a boat trip to the islands of Uros and Taquile, where you’ll watch dance and craft displays and have lunch. On these unique islands, life continues as it has done for hundreds of years and you’ll glean a fascinating insight into Peruvian customs and culture. You’ll return to the train for afternoon tea, and enjoy dinner onboard as you travel towards Arequipa.
Overnight on the Belmond Explorer
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch; afternoon tea; dinner
Day Six: Onwards to Arequipa
During your third day aboard the Belmond Explorer, you’ll head towards Arequipa, the lively regional capital that’s surrounded by some equally lively volcanoes. You’ll break to see the entrancing cave paintings at Sumbay, believed to be between 6,000 and 8,000 years old. Then you’ll continue on your journey, arriving at Arequipa in the mid-afternoon. After checking in to your hotel, the rest of the day is free to explore this pretty city, filled with fountains, leafy plazas and wide, tree-lined boulevards.
Overnight in Arequipa
Premium - Hotel Katari
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch
Day Seven: In the Shadow of Volcanoes
You’ll spend the morning discovering more about Arequipa with your private guide. Wandering through its barrios, you’ll see the vast convent complex of Santa Catalina, with its red walls and cobbled alleys, before heading to the districts of Carmen Alto and Yanahuara, which both have viewpoints offering dramatic vistas of the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes. Later in the day, you’ll be transferred to the airport to begin your journey home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overall meals included: 7 Breakfasts; 4 lunches; 2 afternoon teas; 3 dinners
Accommodation
Your hotel category for the duration of your experience is:
Premium ★★★★
Premium hotels are typically upper mid range (usually four star), with more amenities than our classic choices. They all have comfortable rooms with private facilities and have received good client feedback.
What's included:
- Private English-speaking guides unless stated otherwise
- Private transfers and train tickets, unless stated otherwise
- Meals as listed
- Mandatory taxes and service fees
- Entrance tickets and permits unless stated otherwise
- Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Boat excursion on Lake Titicaca
What's not included:
- International flights to/from the start/end point of our experiences
- Optional extras listed
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff
- Any visa, customs, airport taxes or similar charges before or after the tour
- We cannot guarantee the included hotel breakfast for early departures
- Drinks during meals unless stated otherwise
- Personal expenses, such as laundry
- Visit to hot springs in Aguas Calientes
For Home Office travel advice to this country, read more here
If you intend to travel solo, click here
Children: This experience is not recommended for children.
If you would like to extend your experience and spend 3 days relaxing in the Colca Canyon, check out our Thrill & Chill Peru by Belmond Explorer experience here!
GETTING THERE
Typical return Economy flights from London cost around £1000 per person and take 20 hours.
For this particular experience, we have found that the best option is to book a multi-stop flight from London - Cusco - Arequipa - London.
Experience start point: Cusco (CUZ). Arrive any time.
End point: Arequipa (AQP). Suggested departure time: after 4pm.
All tour departures up to 31st December 2018 are part of our Pioneers Club promotion. Click here for more information about the Pioneers Club.