LUXURY HOLIDAYS & TAILOR-MADE TOURS IN PERU
Peru combines remarkable scenery with rich Andean culture and a fascinating history.
A land of contrasts, it is a culinary powerhouse with textured terrains, puzzling geoglyphs, sacred sites and the world’s most biodiverse forest.
The trick with a luxury trip to Peru is to combine the must-sees with a few fabulously off-piste experiences, staying in intimate, characterful properties along the way. We like to think we have the knowledge and contacts to get that balance just right.
WHAT TO SEE & DO IN PERU
Sail on a riverboat along the Amazon, one of the last true frontiers on Earth, then head to the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu; at its gateway, the resplendent Cusco.
Hike in blissful solitude through the Choquequirao to be greeted by a surprise picnic and enjoy pisco sours with views over the immense Colca Canyon, twice as deep as its American counterpart, or soar over the Nazca Lines in a private plane.
We can organise private recitals from local musicians, dinners at Peru’s top tables, access to prized art collections, and visits to remote communities to learn the art of weaving.
Our journeys to Peru are tailor-made from the ground up to suit your personal travel priorities, passions and pace, and can be as comfortable or as rustic as you wish – from luxurious Orient Express-style train journeys to high-altitude treks and remote tented camps.
HIGHLIGHTS OF PERUVIAN CULTURE
Select a Sense
A tantalizing fusion of indigenous, Spanish, African, and Asian influences. Ceviche, a dish of marinated raw fish, epitomizes its coastal flavours. Other iconic dishes include lomo saltado, a stir-fry blending Chinese & Andean ingredients, and anticuchos, grilled skewers. All should be washed down with at least a couple of pisco sours.
GET A TASTEThe marinera & huayno showcase indigenous and Spanish influences, while Afro-Peruvian rhythms like festejo add a dynamic beat. Listen out for local instruments like the charango and cajón, which feature prominently.
LISTEN INPeru is a haven for artisanal goods, shaped by Andean, Amazonian, and coastal traditions. In the highlands, Quechua and Aymara weavers produce exquisite alpaca textiles, hand-dyed with natural pigments – best found in small workshops and collectives like the weavers of Chinchero.
Silversmiths in Cusco and Arequipa work both delicate filigree jewellery and bold, Inca-inspired designs.
When it comes to ceramics, look out for Ayacucho’s black pottery and the vibrant, hand-painted toritos de Pucará.
In the Amazon, indigenous artisans weave striking shicras (bags) and baskets from palm fibres, and the Shipibo-Conibo people are known for their geometric textiles and pottery.
From the colonial-era works of Garcilaso de la Vega to contemporary authors like Mario Vargas Llosa, themes of identity, social justice, & indigenous heritage dominate.
Check out our bespoke reading list courtesy of the great John Sandoe.
- The White Rock – Hugh Thomson
- The Bedlam Stacks – Natasha Pulley
- The Last Days of the Incas – Kim MacQuarrie
- Death in the Andes – Mario Vargas Llosa
- Mother of God: One man’s journey to the uncharted depths of the Amazon Rainforest – Paul Rosolie
PLACES TO VISIT IN PERU
Discover our favourite locations in Peru…
LUXURY ACCOMMODATION IN PERU
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What is the best time of year to visit Peru?
The best time to travel to Peru varies depending on what you want to see and do. For the Andes and Machu Picchu, the dry season from May to September is the sweet spot, with clear skies and crisp mountain air – ideal for trekking the Inca Trail or exploring Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Throughout June, there are myriad festivals in Cusco, with the most important – and fascinating to see – being Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun.
On the coast, Lima is at its best from December to April, when the city shakes off its winter garúa (coastal mist) and the Pacific is at its warmest. Further north, Peru’s beaches Máncora and Punta Sal also come into their own in these months, with long, sunny days and world-class surf.
For the Amazon, the dry season (June to November) brings lower water levels, making trails more accessible and wildlife easier to spot along riverbanks.
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Is Peru safe to visit?
We plan all of our journeys with our travellers’ safety as a top priority. Our local guides know areas to avoid, where crime can be an issue, and will make precautions regarding natural hazards and wildlife. You will given up-to-date advice and specific safety notes related to your trip and activities in Peru.
In the capital, Lima, and Cusco, petty thieves do operate, so it is prudent not to have expensive jewellery on show, and be careful with bags, wallets and phones. Your guides will advise on this.
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Which other countries pair well with Peru?
Combine Peru with Chile, traversing the Andes to explore Torres del Paine’s craggy majesty or Santiago’s thriving food scene. Cross into Bolivia for the surreal Salar de Uyuni, or follow the high-altitude wine trail to Chile’s Atacama Desert.
CONTACT US
Get in touch to start planning your journey to Peru.
Conde Nast Traveler Specialists every year since 2017
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL – PERU
“We’re back in London and missing Peru terribly, longing for ceviche and one of Hernan’s special pisco sours. You organised a true tour de force. We’ll be boring everyone for months with tales of train journeys through the Andes & boats down the Amazon. You were brilliant!”
