Discover Southern Peru A Tailored Luxury Peru Itinerary

Fly to Arequipa and relish a private tour of Peru’s second-largest city.

In the morning, you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. Often called “The White City,” Arequipa is famous for its dreamy colonial-era buildings, crafted from a pearly volcanic rock known as sillar. One of our hosts will help you travel to your hotel to settle in.

During the afternoon, venture out on a private city tour of Arequipa’s most intriguing sights. Capture enviable pictures of the beautiful colonial architecture, and learn about the mummy of Juanita, the preserved body of a young Inca girl found atop a glacier who was sacrificed in an ancient ritual. You will also explore a 16th-century convent before concluding your tour in the main square, Yanahuara, which boasts stunning panoramas of the city and the volcanic peak of El Misti.

Drive to the deepest Canyon in the world, spying some adorable new friends on the way!

Set off with your guide to the small town of Chivay. En route, you’ll stop at Pampa Cañahuas – a reserve inhabited by llamas and other South American camelids. Say hello before wandering to the volcano overlook, Patapampa, where you can gaze over the mighty line-up of snow-capped volcanic peaks.

After checking into your luxury hotel, it’s time to relax and enjoy the beautiful and serene surroundings. Travelers staying at Colca Lodge will be able to unwind in the restorative waters of the lodge’s natural spring pools.

Indulge in a day of wellness in Colca Canyon.

Every traveler deserves the luxury of leisure, and Colca Canyon is the best destination to take advantage of slow, relaxing experiences. Visit one of the many hot springs in the region, soaking in the banks of the River Colca. These warm pools are fed by natural springs that produce water at temperatures of up to 80ºC.  They are rich in minerals known to promote calmness and relaxation.

Explore the wild side of Colca Canyon; then take a private drive to Puno and Lake Titicaca.

Following breakfast at your luxury hotel, head for Condor’s Cross to peer down into the seemingly endless depths of Colca Canyon. This giant Andean fissure is one of the world’s deepest canyons, plummeting deep toward the Earth’s core. While here, see if you can spot some majestic Andean condors. This bird is frequently spotted soaring above the canyon’s abyss. After your morning in the wild, we’ll visit some of the settlements in and around Colca Valley to learn about local customs.

During the afternoon, you will enjoy views of the picturesque countryside during the five-hour journey to Puno. This private car ride is an excellent time to sit back and relax. When you arrive in Puno, your Kuoda host will check you into your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Explore a private tour learning about life on Lake Titicaca.

Today, you’ll enjoy a guided private tour – which can be customized to suit those on family tours to Peru – around Lake Titicaca. Travel by boat to the floating islands of Uros, home to an ancient community whose lineage stretches back to pre-Inca times. Learn how the Uros people have managed to preserve their unique way of life through innovative and artistic daily routines that help sustain this one-of-a-kind community.

Next, sail out to Taquile Island, whose residents are honored by UNESCO for their artisanal weaving skills. Eat a lunch prepared by the hospitable islanders, before returning to your hotel in Puno.

Take the scenic route from Puno to Cusco for some unique sightseeing.

After breakfast, settle in on a guided private transfer and tour that will take you from Puno to Cusco. Along the way, you will stop at several intriguing destinations that make the drive even more exciting. The first stop comes at the Pre-Inca Pukara archaeological site. Next up: La Raya, which is at around 14,220 feet, will be the literal high point of your travels. A stunning panoramic sight full of glorious glacier-capped peaks looms in the background. In the foreground, local craftsmen sell their wares in roadside stalls.

After a peaceful lunch en route, you’ll stretch your legs once more at Raqchi. The Inca ruins here stand apart from all the rest. This town once provided rest along the Inca trail and possesses unusual stone-and-mud-brick walls, designed to ward off invaders from the south.

The penultimate destination on your guided bus tour will be the church of Andahuaylillas. Whitewashed on the outside, this church’s seemingly humble exterior veils the extravagance that lies inside. The interior’s lavish frescoes, dazzling gold leaf, and eye-popping wood sculpture have earned it the title of the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas.”

Upon arrival in Cusco, we will bring you straight to your hotel where you can rest and relax after your long journey.

Uncover the secrets of Cusco past and present.

After breakfast your private guide will proceed to illuminate Cusco’s rich tapestry woven by its inviting cobblestone streets, charming neighborhoods, and astounding landmarks.

You’ll begin with vehicle, chauffered to the Sacsayhuaman Incan ruins above the city, then you’ll set off on foot to experience the lay of the land just outside of Cusco’s city center with a light hike to the Inkilltambo archaeological site and Temple of the Moon.

On this hike of just a couple hours, you will walk through lush and fragrant eucalyptus forests, until reaching the Inkilltambo ruins with views of the Ausangate mountain in the distance.

Then, you will continue on this original Inca pathway to Temple of the Moon and enjoy a delicious outdoor lunch of local flavors in this beautiful setting before making your way back into the city through the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, known for its whitewashed adobe buildings and quaint blue balconies, home to generations of renowned Cusco artisans.

From there you’ll stop in at the colonial Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, then down to the Santo Domingo monastery, perched atop the most sacred of Incan sites, the Qoricancha temple of the sun. Once bathed in 24-karat gold long-since pilfered by Spanish conquistadors, this temple is now an astounding blend of Incan stonemasonry and colonial architecture.

Make sure to pause along the way to marvel at the incomparable Incan foundations supporting each building in the area, especially the 12-angled stone nestled in a wall that has withstood the test of time (as well as a couple of earth-shattering earthquakes!).

Before leaving you at your hotel, your guide will provide suggestions for fantastic dining in the city.

Exploring the Agricultural Diversity of the Sacred Valley

Today you will weave through the Sacred Valley’s most fertile agricultural lands and experience an unforgettable blend of the past, present, and future. We will take you to visit our friends in a small village and glimpse the promising future that awaits the rural Sacred Valley.

Surrounded by towering mountains and hugging the shore of the breathtakingly blue Lake Piuray, agriculture dominates life in this close-knit place. The women of the village are weaving masters that use Incan techniques, materials, and patterns, and have formed a weaving association providing community development through sales and teachings.

Next, you’ll embark on a unique culinary adventure with Manuel Choqque, a visionary farmer who has revolutionized the cultivation of Andean potatoes. On his farm, you will not only see potatoes in surprising colors and shapes, but you will learn about their ancestral value and how Manuel has reinvented these tubers to turn them into superfoods of the future. From potato tastings to innovative liquors, this experience is a feast of Andean flavors and knowledge that will make you see the potato like never before. Come and discover the taste of innovation in the Andes!

At the end of your delicious farm-to-table lunch, we will bring you to your hotel in the Sacred Valley for an afternoon at leisure.

Relax with a morning train through the cloud forest on your way to visit Machu Picchu!

This is the moment all Peruvian explorers wait for. Board the train in Ollantaytambo to begin your Machu Picchu journey. Watch the cloud jungle pass by through the large glass windows, and see if you can spot some alpacas grazing in the valley! When you arrive in Aguas Calientes, enjoy an early lunch before ascending to the lost Incan citadel.

After a bus ride to the gates of South America’s most notable wonder, you will finally emerge at the top of the world – Machu Picchu. The incredible Inca stone citadel will reveal itself to you as you enter the main gates, a city intertwined with the clouds. Your expert guide will give you a private tour of the ancient city.

Upon conclusion of your tour, return for an evening in Aguas Calientes. Enjoy an excellent dinner on-site at your hotel and fall into bed, lulled to sleep by the sound of the cloud forest around you.

Embark on an exclusive trek up the highly coveted Huayna Picchu!

Today you have the option to hike two different trails – Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, so it’s completely up to you! This will be the culmination of your Machu Picchu luxury tour, so enjoy it however you want. Adventurous travelers who desire something off-the-beaten path should hike the steep slope of Huayna Picchu, offering unrivaled views of Machu Picchu. Please note that only a limited amount of hikers are allowed to climb Huayna Picchu each day and tickets will need to be purchased in advance along with your Machu Picchu entrance.

In the afternoon, reconvene in Aguas Calientes and board the return train to Ollantaytambo. Your Kuoda host will meet you at the station and bring you to your hotel in the Sacred Valley for a well-earned evening of rest.

Learn to make Chicha before Exploring Maras and Moray on Horseback

Today we enjoy a special day, visiting several treasures of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, off-the beaten path, and away from the crowds.

Surrounded by colourful mountains, hummingbirds, and horses, you will learn and participate hands on how to make chicha de jora, the traditional drink of the Incas – a type of delicious and refreshing corn beer. You will also experience the ritual ceremonies that take place when drinking chicha.

You will then enjoy a lunch of tasty and colorful Peruvian flavors, descending from diverse cultures.

This afternoon, you will enjoy a day of easy horseback riding along the footsteps of the Incas atop the famous Peruvian Paso horses. We will spend approximately 3 ½ hours riding through the mountains, visiting the Maras salt mines, the quaint, colonial village of Maras, and the archeological site of Moray, an agricultural experimentation and development center of the Incas.

From here we begin our return to the ranch, descending through large expanses of farmland, with spectacular views of the mountains and fields. This part of the ride is a beautiful mix of peaceful landscapes and adventurous riding, perfect for all experience levels.

Upon completion of your tour, your private transport will bring you to your hotel in Cusco.

Tour the bohemian streets of Barranco and bid farewell to Peru

Going home is the worst part of any private Peru vacation, but at Kuoda, we’ll do our best to make it as smooth and hassle-free as possible. First, we’ll take you to Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima. In Lima, a Kuoda host will meet you and take you to the seaside bohemian district of Barranco. See the streets of Barranco come alive as you visit a number of local art galleries and shops that support local artisans.

Finally, enjoy a first-class gourmet meal featuring world-renowned Peruvian flavors in a restaurant of your choice before returning to the airport for your journey home! Buen Viaje!