Classic Peru

Duration 9 days
Ideal time to visit May - October
Price guide
From
  PP
Discover the incredible highlights of Peru on this luxury private adventure. Starting off in the capital city of Lima, enjoy this cosmopolitan city and the fantastic selection of gourmet restaurants, museums and markets. Continue to the Sacred Valley, the mighty Machu Picchu and the charming city of Cusco to learn about ancient Incan history.

Trip highlights

  • Gourmet exploration of Lima
  • Explore the magical Sacred Valley of the Incas
  • A private tour of the wondrous Machu Picchu
  • Stunning train ride through the Urubamba Valley
  • Discover the stunning colonial archaeology of Cusco

Bespoke trips with Jacada

We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:

  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Private transfers
  • Private tours and experiences
  • Full support from your travel designer and concierge
  • Help with restaurant recommendations and reservations
Black and white illustration of two guides pointing to a building in the distance
  • Days 1–3 Lima
  • Days 3–6 Sacred Valley
  • Days 6–7 Machu Picchu
  • Days 7–9 Cusco
Classic Peru
Price guide
  PP
  • Days 1–3 Lima
  • Days 3–6 Sacred Valley
  • Days 6–7 Machu Picchu
  • Days 7–9 Cusco

Itinerary in detail

Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.

Days 1–3

Start in Peru's capital

Enjoy Lima, the Capital of Peru, known for its excellent cuisine, museums and architecture. Your travel designer can arrange a tour created specifically to your interests, letting you know their expert recommendations for the best things to see and do in the city, to make the very most of your stay.

Make it mine

Into the city

On the table

Back in time

Private Lima city tour

Visit the historical centre of Lima where the Government Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace are located. Stop at the San Francisco Monastery and step inside Casa Aliaga, a well preserved colonial mansions that’s still inhabited by the Aliaga family. Continue to the district of Pueblo Libre to visit the Larco Herrera Museum and its extensive collection of pre-Columbian art.

Culinary tour

Visit Lima’s bustling produce markets and taste fruits, vegetables and ceviche. Then, enjoy lunch at La Picanteria, a restaurant owned by famous chef Hector Solís. The restaurant reproduces the traditional atmosphere of a picanteria, and the menu varies according to what’s best in the market that day.

Larco Museum

Enjoy a guided tour of one the most impressive collections of Pre-Columbian art and artefacts in the world. Privately owned and housed in a pretty 18th century building, this museum showcases chronological galleries that overview 4,000 years of Peruvian history with a fascinating array of pieces. 

Days 3–6

Three nights in the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley is one of the most beautiful and historically important parts of Peru. The Valley was a base of Inca civilization and the river that winds through is believed to be aligned with the cosmos and several of the Inca’s finest works were built here. Explore the fortress town of Ollantaytambo, the ancient Inca terraces at Moray and the salt terraces at Maras. The valley is also home to many indigenous people living the same way they have been for centuries and it’s possible to visit local markets and communities.

The Andes Mountains of the Sacred Valley, Peru, drenched in the light of golden hour

Explore the valley

Terrace hiking

High-end lunch

Traditional dining

A private half day tour to Maras and Moray

Enjoy an excursion to the Maras Salt terraces and the Moray Inca terraces for some soft hiking in these spectacular landscapes.

Lunch at Mil Centro

Mil Centro is Virgilio Martínez’s new restaurant located 11,500 feet above sea level at the on the edge of the ruins at Moray in Peru’s Sacred Valley. Housed within a former vicuña breeding centre, Mil Centro is a beautiful space where you can enjoy traditional Peruvian ingredients elevated to new heights.

Pachamanca ceremony

More than a meal, the Pachamanca is a traditional Andean ceremony to celebrate Mother Earth. Declared a Cultural Patrimony in 2003, this culinary ritual follows ancestral roots that are still very much alive today in everyday Andean life. Its name comes from the words “pacha” (earth) and “manka” (pot), which refer to the cooking method used, an underground oven made with hot stones. Today, you will be part of this feast, by watching and learning all about this ancestral cooking process. Afterwards you will enjoy the traditional dish, where you can taste different types of meats, such as chicken, beef, pork, and “cuy” (guinea pig), which are marinated in local herbs and spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked by the heat of the stones.

Make it mine

Village visit

Market and ruins

Charming towns

Steaming pot used in the traditional process of dyeing alpaca fur to make yarn for weaving with two Patacanchan people with their finished weaves out of focus in the background, Sacred Valley, Peru

Visit to the Patacancha Community

Immerse yourself in the Patacancha community, gaining insights into their way of life, customs and heritage that traces back to the Incas.

Pisac Market and ruins

The ruins of Pisac’s citadel are quite spectacularly sited on hilltop above today’s village and its market, on a triangular plateau with a plunging gorge on either side, guarding not only the Urubamba Valley below, but also a pass leading into the jungle to the northeast. The most impressive feature is the agricultural terracing, sweeping around the mountain in graceful curves. Straight from the hands of local craftspeople, you will learn about textiles and the weaving process at the market.

Ollantaytambo and Alqa Museum

Visit Ollantaytambo, an Inca village set below an ancient Inca fortress and temple with stunning views over the valley that will make you feel as if you have stepped back into the 15th century. Admire the magnificence of this site as you stroll through the quaint streets of the present town.
Finally, the day ends with a visit to Alqa Museum. Located in a small and cosy property in the heart of Ollantaytambo, it is the only home in this charming town that still has the ancient structure of its garden or “cancha” intact.

Days 6–7 Machu Picchu

One night at Machu Picchu

Whether you arrive by train, or on foot after a short Inca Trail trek, you’ll get to discover Machu Picchu citadel, marvelling at the fascinating ancient ruins and jaw-dropping scenery of misty cloud forests, granite peaks and dramatic viewpoints. Climb mountains, find hidden corners and let your guide bring Incan history to life.

Make it mine

Explore the ruins

On your own

A llama walks around the ruins of Machu Picchu

Private Tour of Machu Picchu with overnight

Your private guide will take you on a comprehensive tour of Machu Picchu, bringing to life the history, myths and legend. After your tour you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before an afternoon at your leisure. In the evening you’ll stay at your chosen hotel in the Machu Picchu area.

Traveller standing on a rock overlooking Machu Picchu, Peru

Morning free to explore Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain

Spend your free time climbing either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for incredible sweeping views. Huanya Picchu is a steeper route for confident hikers and Machu Picchu Mountain is a more climb, taking 3 hours in total to ascend and descend.

Days 7–9

Explore Cusco

Ready for the final leg of your journey, you’ll board the train once more and head to Cusco from Machu Picchu. Enjoy the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site of Cusco with our list of recommendations, as well as private guides on hand to lead you on personalised adventures through the city.

Morning sun rising over the mountains at Plaza de Armas, Cusco, City

Make it mine

Walking

Eating

Making

Cusco walking tour

Today you will explore Cusco on foot, visiting the Plaza de Armas and Cusco cathedral with its carved woodwork and ornate altar. You’ll also visit San Blas with its beautiful colonial church, housing an impressive pulpit and a filigree wood carving celebrating the fruits of the region.

Marcelo Batata hands-on cooking class

Today you will become an honorary Peruvian chef. You’ll make three courses, pisco sours and enjoy Pisco tasting. You’ll then eat the delectable meal you’ve created in this cosy restaurant with beautiful rooftop views.

Traditional ceramic painting workshop

Meet with a renowned pottery artist and learn the pre-Columbian techniques used to create colourful, decorative pottery. You’ll be able to create your own piece of art and take it back home as a souvenir.

“Jacada helped us to plan ideal gateway…‌”

Jacada helped us to plan ideal gateway to Peru and Bolivia and it was amazing. The planning was done on very professional level, with some small personal touches what made this trip memorable! Thank you Delfina, Melanie and the team!

Published 20th October 2024 on Trustpilot
Darja Smelova