My article is dedicated to all travelers who are planning a luxury travel to Peru but still cannot decide with which agency to travel, what places to visit or which hotels to book and finally why choose Peru and not another travel destination.
I would like to give you some recommendations and tips about Peru in order you could plan everything more easily.
Let’s start from the top visits you should make during your luxury private tour to Peru.
Top visits and hotels
Machu Picchu
The first place is certainly awarded to Machu Picchu, the architectural masterpiece of Inca civilization. During your visit with a private guide you will learn about the Incas, their beliefs and traditions and of course your guide will reveal the best kept secrets of Machu Picchu. There are 2 points that luxury travelers need to consider when they plan to visit Machu Picchu. First thing is how to get to Machu Picchu and the second thing where to stay for the overnight or maybe just make a day round trip.
How to get there?
There are different trains departing from Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which can take you to the city of Aguas Calientes from where you will reach Machu Picchu by bus. For more adventurous travelers there is another option instead of the bus, to follow the Inca Trail that the Incas were using to get to the site.
However, if you want to live a luxury travel experience, Hiram Bingham train with bus option would be the best choice.
The second point is to decide whether you want to make a day round trip or you prefer to admire the lost city of the Incas from your room. Not far from Machu Picchu, there is only one option of hotel which can allow you to be very close to the site and admire it from your room. Please note that the time of visit of Machu Picchu is not unlimited (4h max). So if you prefer to enjoy your visit longer maybe it would be good to spend the overnight on the spot. However, I recommend you not to plan your overnight in Aguas Calientes, as it will be just a waste of time. The only option worth for the overnight is the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge located just in front of Machu Picchu.
Cusco
The city of Cusco is another top visit in Peru. This is an amazing city you need to explore. As it was the capital of the Incas, you will find there many Inca foundations and archeological sites from the time of the Incas. The San Blas district of Cusco is one of the most attractive places in Cusco that you should not to miss. For your luxury stay in Cusco, I recommend you to choose the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas hotel. This authentic hotel will be a nice conclusion of your beautiful sightseeing days.
Lake Titicaca
The Lake Titicaca is certainly one of the most famous lakes in the world, another good reason to visit Peru and admire this mystical lake sitting at around 4000m above the sea level. The hotel Titilaka in Puno located just in front of the lake will give you the possibility to admire its beauty at sunrise and at sunset right from your room. Here you will explore the beautiful islands of Titicaca and discover the local lifestyle. Please note, that most of the travelers have altitude sickness during their stay in Puno. So as the atmospheric pressure changes with the altitude you need to consider that and plan your itinerary carefully to rise in altitude progressively.
Canyon del Colca
Canyon del Colca, you have never heard about it? It’s an amazing place where you can admire the majestic Andean condors. For nature lovers there are different options of organized trekkings. The Belmond Las Casitas hotel is a cozy luxury property situated in the heart of Colca Valley offering a perfect relaxing retreat.
Nazca Lines
One of the most enigmatic sites in Peru are the Nazca Lines. These are huge geoglyphs which were created between II century BC and V century AD. The only way to observe these immense lines is to do it by plane. The classic flight duration is 30 minutes. There are different hypotheses about their creation, your guide will give you the correspondent explanations during your flight.
Rainbow Mountain
The Rainbow Mountain has become one of the main attractions of the Cusco region. It’s an incredible place to admire the colors of the rainbow on a mountain. Please just note that the Rainbow Mountain rises to an altitude of 5000m, so it is very important to take 1 or 2 days of adaptation to the altitude in Cusco before making the excursion.
Maras and Moray
Maras and Moray are another must-do during your luxury tour in Peru. The site of Maras has been used since Inca times to extract salt by evaporation from a natural source of very salty water. Today, there are more than 3,000 pools used by 800 families of the region. Located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, it’s an excellent spot for taking pictures!
Just 7 km away, Moray was an agricultural research center. With the help of this terrace system, the Incas managed to create 20 microclimates in one place. They were thus able to cultivate plants from different regions of the Andes and the jungle! During your luxury travel to Peru, your private guide will give you all necessary explanations. For your overnight stay, you can choose Cusco or Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The hotel Casa Andina Perium Valle Sagrado could be a nice option for your overnight.
Santa Catalina
The convent of Santa Catalina is in Arequipa is the largest Peruvian religious building and a must-see in Peru! It is now open to the public and you can walk there to discover its charming narrow streets and squares in red and blue colors. Santa Catalina is a real small city in the heart of Arequipa. The CIRQA hotel in Arequipa is the best choice in this city. It offers an authentic colonial atmosphere.
Paracas
The National Reserve of Paracas is a protected area of 335,000 hectares that covers the desert, the sea and islands. It is home to dolphins, Humbolt penguins, sea lion colonies and around 60 species of birds. You can take a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands to discover the wildlife heaven of Paracas, as well as the famous Candelabra of Paracas, a 120m geoglyph traced in the sand.
One of the greatest luxury accommodations in Paracas is the DoubleTree by Hilton Resort. Perfect option to relax and enjoy the private beach.
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Located in the Iquitos region in the Amazon, the Pacaya Samiria reserve is the second largest protected natural area in Peru. This destination is still relatively uncrowded by tourists. Ideally you will need 4 to 5 days to fully enjoy it. There is an incredible wildlife diversity here including the famous pink Amazonian dolphins, sloths, monkeys, caimans, giant turtles, jaguars, snakes and a multitude of exotic birds!
Travel agency
I made an amazing trip with Peru Exclusive in 2018. I recommend you to get in touch with them if you decide to make a luxury private tour to Peru. You will enjoy with them all above described places and much more. It is a serious agency that cares about the details. They provide professional private guide/driver for the entire trip who cares about you throughout your luxury tour in Peru.
