Highlights of Peru Tour: 8-Day Peruvian Adventure

The early morning clamor will stream out of local cafes and in breezy public parks as city dwellers awake to a warm sunrise. Shop owners will set up outdoor booths for the day, and cafe workers will advertise daily specials on chalkboards. With each passing hour, the pace of city life quickens as taxis, cyclists, cars, and pedestrians all convene on Lima's central boulevards.

On your first full day in Lima, you will partake in a customized tour of the city's major highlights. In the morning, you will meet your expert guide in front of your hotel. To begin, your guide will lead you to Lima's iconic district to witness the fascinating contrast between prehistoric, indigenous designs and the postcolonial aesthetic of the Spanish conquistadors. Ornate, wrought-iron balconies flank vibrant facades, and cobblestone streets weave past quaint cafes, monumental churches, and enchanting open-air plazas. Under the shady palm streets of Plaza de Armas, your guide will give you a brief history of pre- and post-colonial influences of the city. Then, you will step inside the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco to witness traditional Spanish designs and to explore the subterranean catacombs.

In the afternoon, you will venture to the vibrant Barranco District where electric hues of blue, yellow, and orange pop against a muted backdrop. You will cross the famed Puente de los Suspiros for a panoramic view of the impressive facades before street art bursts around every corner. Here, colonial mansions have been transformed into eclectic restaurants and cafes. You can choose from one of these sites as you indulge in a lovely dinner outdoors or opt for a cafe along the moonlit bridge. In the evening, you will return to Lima to rest as you will continue your exploration toward the Andes mountains tomorrow.

Taxi cabs round the bend of Plaza de Armas, locals cool off around a central fountain, and native Quechua women sell vibrant handicrafts beside the Cusco Cathedral. Travelers with large backpacks set out for their trek along the Inca Trail to the famed ruins of Machu Picchu.

Today, you will arrive at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco and be met by your private guide who will transfer you to your luxury hotel in the esteemed neighborhood of San Blas. Here, white stucco buildings line narrow streets, and charming miradors provide idyllic views of the city. Your hotel staff will welcome to what has been deemed, since ancient Inca times, the navel of the world and the birthplace of the Inca Empire. You can enjoy a refreshing cup of mate de coca tea, which is a regional delicacy said to offset the effects of altitude.

In the afternoon, you and your family can venture into the city for an exciting day of both guided and self-exploration. First, you will discover the open-air markets that are nestled into Cusco's hillsides and pop with vibrant hues of nearly every shade of produce. Vendors will smile wide as they cajole you into to trying local fruits like the maracuya or chirimoya. Then, in the evening, you will amble down the buzzing street of Avenida del Sol, where daily activities will be in full swing. Your expert guide will meet you in front of Qorikancha, which is Cusco's exquisite Inca Sun Temple that is adorned in gold leaf and outfitted with a flourishing garden and terrace area. At night, you can choose from a plethora of traditional dining options in the Plaza de Armas or nearby, which is where adventurous eaters can sample the Andean region's delicacy of cuy, which is guinea pig.

Train cars chug along the winding train tracks that line the Urubamba River. Here, in the mystical Sacred Valley, Andean condors swoop overhead with their massive wingspan, and swift rivers churn quickly. Today, you and your family will indulge in a breathtaking train ride through the Sacred Valley en route to Machu Picchu's UNESCO World Heritage site. Onboard your luxurious train, you will enjoy delightful views of the luscious landscapes and will travel for approximately three and a half hours before arriving in the base city of Aguas Calientes, which was named "hot waters" for its renowned hot springs. Here, you will meet your ground transportation who will escort you to your luxury hotel. As you settle in, you will appreciate the vast scenery at the foothills of the looming Andes mountains from your private balcony that overlooks the river below.

By late morning, your expert guide will meet you in front of your hotel for an invigorating first day at the ruins. Together, you will travel via private ground transportation up steep switchback roads until reaching the summit. You do not need to worry about this being physically taxing as it takes only about 30 minutes to reach. As you look out on the ruins and low-hanging clouds, you will truly feel as if you are standing on top of the world. In the moments to come, your guide will lead you to some of the most revered features of the ancient Inca citadel, including the Royal Tombs, Intimachay, and the House of the Nobles. Your guide will also point you to some of the best photo ops that can found at the site. You may even get a surprise guest in your photos as vicunas, which are native to the lands and is a close cousin of the alpaca and llama, roam the ruins.

Indigenous birds will serenade you with their early morning songs, and the clamor of this sleepy village will begin to stir as locals and travelers gather at open-air cafes. You will enjoy an all-inclusive, locally-sourced breakfast at your hotel before exploring the city's downtown.

Then, by mid-morning, you will again meet your private guide in front of your hotel for your second day of exploring the ruins. For those interested, your second day will include an adventurous hike to the top of Huayna Picchu, which is the famous mountain peak that is often photographed as the background of Machu Picchu. While the hour-long hike is steep and somewhat strenuous, at the summit, your family will indulge in awe-inspiring views of the ruins below and a seemingly endless array of undulating peaks of the Andes mountains. Afterward, you will follow your guide through the verdant pastures of Machu Picchu for additional insight into the site's key features, including the Old City Gates, the Temple of Three Windows, and Sacred Rock.

Later, in the evening, you will return to Aguas Calientes, where you can experience firsthand the town's revered namesake. Luscious trails will lead you from the city's downtown to the hidden thermal baths that are nestled into the foliage and shady treetops. Over the next few hours, you can bask in these steamy waters that are said to contain medicinal healing powers. You will breathe in the fresh, mountain air as your body relaxes from an enduring day at the ruins. As the sky turns to dusk and the stars shimmer bright, you will return to your hotel to freshen up before enjoying a lovely, moonlit dinner around the town's central plaza.

In the morning, you will leave the wonders of Machu Picchu behind as you trade the illustrious mountain peaks of the Andes for the captivating greenery and unparalleled diversity of the Amazonian Jungle. As the sun begins to rise, you will depart the city of Aguas Calientes once again on the luxurious train ride along the Urubamba River.

In Cusco, you will board a short, regional flight to Puerto Maldonado, which is a gorgeous port city and entryway into the depths of the Peruvian Amazon. As you step off the plane in Puerto Maldonado, churning river waters and the high-pitched coos of exotic birds will welcome you to one of the most remote corners of the world. Aromas of sweet-smelling foliage will waft in your direction. At the airport, you will be met by your ground transportation and expert guide. From there, you will then board a riverboat and glide along the swift current to your jungle oasis accommodation, which will be situated at the center of the rainforest's dense foliage. You will spend the early afternoon settling into your private luxury lodge that will be outfitted with a charming, second-story balcony and net hammocks that are perfect for relaxation.

Later this afternoon, you will meet your expert guide in the front of your hotel for unparalleled exploration and adrenaline-pumping fun in the Amazon. First, you will embark on a moderate-level hike through the jungle's rich foliage as your guide points out endemic plant and animal species. You will learn about animals' habits in addition to plants that are used locally for medicinal purposes. Then, you will soar to new heights as you partake in a thrilling zipline ride through the jungle's stunning canopy layer. You will whiz past native bird species and indulge in beautiful views of the winding river before boarding your private riverboat for a nighttime exploration as the jungle's nocturnal wildlife begins to stir.

As the sun begins to rise, you can lounge on your private balcony’s hammock with a book and cup of hot tea. You can look out toward the water's edge as the Madre de Dios river teems with its lively inhabitants. By mid-morning, your expert guide will meet you at your accommodation, and today you will be provided with a more in-depth perspective on the rainforest's inhabitants and the people who are working vehemently to protect them. First, you and your guide will once again board your riverboat as you set out for the Tambopata Research Center. Here, you will meet researchers, scientists, students, and volunteers who work to protect indigenous plant and animal life and educate the public about how best to preserve the Amazon Rainforest. You will see several animals up close, including toucans, anacondas, and choro monkeys who all call the center home during their rehabilitation. Researchers will also lead you on a short hike around the nature preserve where you will learn about the surrounding flora.

After a short rest at your lodge in the afternoon, you meet your guide at the water's edge. After a brief ride down the river, you will learn about the Amazon's other revered inhabitants: native tribal groups who have called the jungle home for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Even among Peruvians, this group of people remains largely unknown and isolated. While these groups do not routinely participate in the area's tourism, you will get a flavor of local culture when you try juane de pollo, which is a native delicacy that consists of rice and chicken that is wrapped in massive banana leaves.

The following day, you can enjoy one final morning on your private balcony before indulging in a light breakfast with your family. You will surely want to snap a few photos to capture your remarkable experience, and you can listen one last time for the coos and chirps of energetic birdlife. Soon, your guide will greet you at your lodge accommodation to guide you into your private riverboat for a final cruise down the Madre de Dios River. As you cruise down the river, you can look out at the swinging treetops and the sparkling waters.

Shortly, your riverboat will dock on the shoreline, and you will meet your private ground transport and transfer to the Puerto Maldonado airport for your departing flight.