Luxury Journey Through Peru With Belmond: An Eight-Day Itinerary

Arriving in Lima was easy-breezy for one key reason: we came from the East Coast and we didn’t change time zones! Avoiding jet lag meant we were ready to dive right into exploring Lima, indulging in the world-renowned Peruvian cuisine and enjoying the exceptional hospitality at our Belmond hotel.

What to do

• Lima is one of the best food cities on the planet, and when you’re here, you’ve gotta eat! Join a food tour, or make a reservation at one of world-class restaurants around the city.

• Go on a private tour to see the highlights of the city. This could include places like Plaza Mayor and the Santo Domingo Convent. You could also allow me to secure your exclusive access to the Lima Art Museum or a coveted invitation to visit the oldest private home in Lima, Casa Aliaga.

• Walk around the beautiful neighborhood of Miraflores Park and stop for a coffee at H’elarte.

• Admire the colorful street art and pop into local art galleries while strolling through the Barranco neighborhood.

Where to stay

Miraflores Park is both warm and chic. The lobby and bar area feel like stepping into an elegant home library, while the rooms are light, airy and beautifully styled. Enjoy thoughtful touches, like bath salts and a bath bomb for the soaking tub, as well as scented pillow spray to elevate your stay. The hotel rooftop is a true highlight, featuring a heated pool and a restaurant offering sweeping views of the city and the Pacific Ocean. Don’t miss Tragaluz, the ground-floor restaurant and cocktail bar that has a creative and artistic flair.

From Lima, catch a one-hour flight to Cusco and take a private transfer to Sacred Valley. The elevation in Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco, so starting here will give your body a bit more time to adjust.

What to do

• Visit Manos de Comunidad to feed llamas, alpacas and mountain goats, and to watch the traditional Andean weaving process. You can also shop for high-quality alpaca sweaters, scarves and more.

• If you’re on the hunt for more traditional souvenirs, you’ll find them at Pisac Market. It’s easy to stop there on your way to Sacred Valley.

• Take a guided day tour of the incredible historical sites in the area. Ollantaytambo is not to be missed, and Moray is absolutely fascinating to learn about.

• Work with me to arrange a private lunch in the chef’s home, so you can have an incredible meal while exploring the area.

• Add in an outdoor activity, like whitewater rafting or horseback riding.

• Leave plenty of free time to relax and enjoy the beauty of your hotel.

Where to stay

Rio Sagrado is truly a natural paradise. Each room has its own lush patio, offering the perfect spot to take in mountain views while listening to the sound of the Urubamba River flowing past. Don’t miss the chance to bottle-feed the young alpacas, which happens daily at 8 am and 4 pm. Enjoy a spa treatment or just soak in the outdoor hot tub for a true moment of relaxation. Indulge in the farm-to-table cuisine at Rio Sagrado’s restaurant, where many ingredients are sourced from the hotel’s own gardens or nearby community farms.

You could have a beautiful Machu Picchu experience in one day, and when I work with Belmond to plan it, your day will be absolutely seamless.

What to do

• Board the Hiram Bingham train right in front of Rio Sagrado in the morning. Enjoy lively music, the open-air observation car and delicious food and drinks as you travel.

• Allow your Belmond representative to escort you straight to a private bus for the 20-minute journey to Machu Picchu’s entrance.

• Meet your guide for a private tour through Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your guide will help you understand the incredible history and innovation of the Inca people, and they’re also willing to snap all the pictures you’d like!

• When your tour concludes, your guide will ensure you make it back to the bus and down to the beautiful private waiting area at the Aguas Calientes train station.

• The Hiram Bingham train will take you on another luxury journey back toward Sacred Valley, where you’ll again enjoy incredible food, drinks and music.

Where to stay

You could choose to go straight to your hotel in Cusco after arriving back on the Hiram Bingham, but my personal recommendation is to stay one more night at Rio Sagrado. The train will bring you right back to the hotel, so this allows you to go straight to bed after a long and exciting day!

You may feel like the heart of Incan culture was in the Sacred Valley, but Cusco was once the capital of the Inca Empire. You’ll see it reflected at all the main sites in the city, even those that have been turned into Catholic churches.

What to do

• Explore the main sites in and around the Plaza de Armas: the Cusco Cathedral, the Church of the Society of Jesus and the incredible Qurikancha (Temple of the Sun), which showcases a blend of Inca and Spanish colonial architecture.

• Take a guided tour of the nearby Inca ruins — including Sacsayhuamán, Tambomachay and Q’enqo — for insight into the region’s ancient history.

• Learn to prepare Peruvian classic dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado with a local chef.

• If cocktails are more your thing, allow me to arrange a private Pisco tasting experience for you.

• Spend time at leisure enjoying the luxury amenities of your hotel — perhaps with a spa treatment or a glass of wine in the gardens.

Where to stay

Belmond has two great hotels in Cusco, Palacio Nazarenas and Monasterio. We stayed at Palacio Nazarenas, but we had the chance to dine at and explore the neighboring Monasterio hotel as well.

Choose Palacio Nazarenas if you’re looking for a relaxing luxury experience. Palacio Nazarenas is home to Cusco’s only heated outdoor pool. lt is conveniently located near the restaurant and bar, and thoughtful touches like complimentary sunscreen, wet bags for your swimwear and a poolside hot chocolate and cookie stand make your experience extra special. The guest rooms are equally exceptional, with oxygen-enriched air to help with altitude adjustment, a wet bar stocked with everything you need to make your own Pisco Sour and luxurious bathrooms with stand-alone showers, soaking tubs and bath salts for an added touch of relaxation.

Choose Monasterio if you’re drawn to history and unique design. This former monastery has been transformed into a luxury hotel. The aesthetic here is darker and more formal than Palacio Nazarenas, and it is quite elegant. In the main courtyard, you’ll find Peru’s oldest cedar tree, which has stood proudly for over 300 years. If you visit on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening, you can enjoy the unique experience of dining at El Tupay Restaurant while being serenaded by local opera singers.

If you’re not ready to conclude your journey in Peru, consider extending your trip aboard the Belmond Andean Explorer, South America’s first luxury sleeper train. The train travels through the Andes, taking you from Cusco to Lake Titicaca to Arequipa. At night, the train stops so you can sleep peacefully in your luxurious cabin. During the day, you’ll enjoy gourmet food and wine, breathtaking scenery and curated excursions at each stop along route.

What stood out most was the perfect balance of luxury, culture and adventure. We were looking for a little bit of everything on this special anniversary trip, and we certainly found it in Peru with Belmond.

If this itinerary has you dreaming of your own Peruvian adventure, I’d love to help make it happen. I can add special Bellini perks at each accommodation like a complimentary upgrade if available, early check-in/late check-out if available and property credit to use at the restaurants or the spas.

Ready to plan your own journey to Peru? Let’s make it unforgettable — get in touch today!