Peru : Lima & Machu Picchu

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Panoramic view of Machu Picchu with terraced stone structures, green mountainsides, and clouds drifting around the peaks.

Lima & Machu Picchu

EXPLORE

The Incan Trail through jungle, over bridges, past historic sites, surrounded by towering mountains en route to Machu Picchu

CONNECT

With local chefs and artists in hip Lima neighborhoods, with Incan culture and traditions on ancient, revered trails

LEARN

Why the incredible flavors of Peruvian cuisine are so buzzworthy, from Michelin-star restaurants to traditional stone-baked pachamanca

Ancient circular agricultural terraces in the Andes.

Why Peru

At the top of a misty Andean peak stands a 15-century city hemmed in forest-clad mountains. Peru may be known for the iconic Machu Picchu, but that’s only scratching the surface. The country is a rich bastion of ancient Incan culture, rugged hiking terrain, stellar scenery, Michelin-starred restaurants and humbling connection to the spiritual world. Peru is a shining South American beacon of joy, adventure and culture.

ONLY WITH MO/AD

Our Peru retreats mean biking through hip Lima neighborhoods, tasting modern Peruvian cuisine at some of Lima's most acclaimed kitchens, hiking the Inca Trail, and witnessing an unforgettable sunrise over Machu Picchu. Our Peru connects you with indigenous communities and age-old traditions, with all the modern trappings of a stylish coastal capital.

Your Private Experience

Who It’s For

For the lovers of urban bustle and outdoor adventures. Lima is home to some of the highest-rated restaurants in the world, as well as astounding traditional Andean culture. This is the culinary adventure of a lifetime.

When to Travel

Peru’s dry season (May thru Oct) is the ideal time, especially for outdoorsy trekkers. Look out for sunny days and bright blue backdrops to historic sites.

Make It Yours

Our Peru retreats highlight some of the best city features and their rugged counterparts, all adaptable to suit your interests: more Michelin-star cuisines, more hiking, more cultural connection.

Possibilities

For the foodie and culturalista, there’s plenty to see in Cusco and Lima; if your group is more adventurous, they’ll jump at the chance to visit the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Here’s how we like to see it all:

Coastal city skyline with cliffs and Pacific Ocean.

Days 1 - 2

Welcome to Lima! Get a lay of the land and streets by bike on a guided tour, followed by a hands-on cooking class and walking tour of the hip laid-back Barranco neighborhood, Lima’s cultural epicenter. Explore the art and artistry of the city on street art tour led by local artists. And dinner? We’ll book your table at Astrid y Gastón, one of the world’s Top 50 restaurants and a reflection of Peru’s natural bounty.

  • Bike tour of Miraflores & San Isidro
  • Lima street art tour
  • Peruvian cooking class
  • Dinner at Astrid y Gastón
Traditional outdoor cooking pit experience by a lake.

Day 3

Explore more of Lima if you wish, or move into the Andes! We’ll fly your group seamlessly to Cusco, where you’ll ride into Sacred Valley to visit the indigenous Huayllafara community. Here, you’ll be invited to harvest your own Andean ingredients to use in this afternoon’s traditional meal, pachamanca, where you’re the guest of honor to feast and celebrate—casual, fun, authentic, delicious.

  • Flight to Cusco, transfer to Sacred Valley
  • Visit indigenous Huayllafara community
  • Traditional pachamanca lunch
Terraced salt evaporation ponds with a worker collecting salt in one of the shallow pools.

Day 4

Today gets you deeper into Peru’s Incan roots. Start at Maras salt flats and the Moray terraces, hosted by a local expert from MIL Centro restaurant, owned by rockstar Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez. Then, experience the surrounding agriculture first-hand with an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind meal at MIL Centro representing an ecosystem of elevation and Peruvian authenticity.

  • Explore Maras salt flats and terraces of Moray 
  • Lunch at chef Virgilio Martínez's MIL Centro

Day 5

Ride the scenic, comfortable train all the way to Aguas Calientes. Or venture there on an awe-inspiring, 11-kilometer (6.8-mile) hike on the Inca Trail. If you opt for the hike, you’ll pass over suspension bridges, through jungle, and by amazing archaeological sites like Chachabamba and Winaywayna before reaching the last climb: up steep, narrow stone steps that lead to our first look at Machu Picchu, spilling down almost impossibly over a mountainside. Walking through the Sun Gate, Intipunku, is the absolute best way to see this marvel for the first time. Either way you go, you’ll be able to put your feet up and relax in luxury this evening.

  • Train from Ollaytaytambo to Aguas Calientes
  • Optional Inca Trail hike, up to Machu Picchu
  • Hotel spa and relaxation time

Day 6

If you opted to train, don’t feel like you missed out on Machu Picchu! After breakfast and a leisurely morning, you’ll head back to Machu Picchu to see the clouds lift, revealing the scale and sheer audacity of a ridge-top site built between towering peaks. Spend the next few hours diving deeper on an expert-led walk through terraces and ancient terrain. In the afternoon, head back to Aguas Calientes to shop or relax back at the hotel—whether that’s enjoying the spa, soaking in the pools or wandering the well-kept gardens and cozy reading rooms to relax with a drink.

  • Expert-led tour of Machu Picchu
  • Explore Aguas Calientes
Close-up of a gourmet plated dessert featuring thin crisp pastry layers filled with a creamy quinoa mixture, served with a scoop of sorbet and small orange berries on a white plate

Day 7

Cusco is the ancient capital of the Incan empire. Here, sleek and modern eateries fit neatly into weathered Spanish-colonial buildings, while locals in indigenous clothing sell traditional crafts and produce. It’s a lively place, where past and present lives in harmony (except for when a llama holds up traffic). After a traditional lunch, walk the streets of the San Blas neighborhood and down the famed Hatunrumiyoc, lined in stone and draped in vibrant textiles. Then it’s a walk through Incan history right in the city: Coricancha, spiritual center of the Inca Empire, and Cusco Cathedral.

  • Traditional lunch at Pachapapa
  • Guided walking exploration of Cusco sites
Luxury lodge interior overlooking the Sacred Valley of Peru, with panoramic views of the Andes Mountains near Cusco, blending refined design with dramatic highland landscapes.

Where We Sleep

Our accommodations reflect the beauty and grace of Peru, setting the tone for inspired exploration from mountain to jungle to sea.

Sicily and Naples 2020_White colonial-era mansion framed by tropical palm trees, reflecting historic architecture commonly found in heritage districts across Southeast Asian cities.

Lima

A meticulously preserved, 1920s mansion retreat on a quiet Lima street. Order up a round of pisco sours at sunset, then take in the views of the beautiful bohemian sprawl that is Lima’s Barranco neighborhood.

Ollantaytambo

A home in a true Inca village: Ollantaytambo’s narrow cobbled streets are just outside your door, set in the shadow of Andean peaks of the Sacred Valley. After a day exploring nearby ruins, you can sit back in lushly landscaped gardens or enjoy reading by the fireplace with a hot tea.

Aguas Calientes

Step into a different world just a stone’s throw from Machu Picchu. This hacienda-style hotel is set in lush rainforest vegetation, with brightly colored birds hovering over pools and through the winding nature trails you can explore. After a hard day’s walk, the spa and eucalyptus-infused steam hut will restore all your powers.

Cusco

It's a joy to set up at this one-time colonial-era Cusco market turned boutique B&B. Overlook the central terrace, filled with artesanías (handicrafts) and comfy lounges around pit fires.

People Love MO/AD’s Peru

“
I formed bonds in unexpected ways with so many different people.
Brianna S.
“
I would do exactly the same trip again!
Julia C.
“
I loved having so many opportunities to explore Peruvian culture and the landscape.
Sue S.
Peru 2020_The ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, partially covered in mist, highlighting its mystical and historic charm.
Peru 2020_A close-up of vibrant Andean corn in shades of red, purple, and orange, showcasing Peru's rich agricultural heritage.
Peru 2020_Local woman roasting coffee beans over fire in a rural Peruvian village, showcasing traditional methods and cultural heritage.
Peru 2020_Traveler climbing stone steps along the Inca Trail with ancient ruins in view, an iconic trek through the Andes Mountains of Peru.
Peru 2020_Colorful dragon fruit (pitahaya amarilla y roja) displayed at a traditional market stall in Lima, Peru, with fresh bananas, pineapples, and other tropical produce in the background.
Peru 2020_Travelers and locals gather by a lake in Cusco, Peru, to participate in a traditional Andean cooking ritual, preparing an earth oven lined with fresh grasses for pachamanca.
Peru 2020_Hands preparing lomo saltado, a traditional Peruvian stir-fry with onions, tomatoes, and beef, during a cooking class experience in Lima, Peru.
Peru 2020_Traditional Andean handicrafts, colorful handwoven textiles, and artisan goods displayed outside a rustic market stall in Cusco, Peru’s Sacred Valley.
Peru 2020_Local men in the Sacred Valley of Peru prepare a traditional pachamanca earth oven by heating stones and arranging vegetables and potatoes by the lakeside.
Peru 2020_Scenic view of Cusco, Peru, from a narrow cobblestone street lined with vibrant yellow and orange colonial houses, overlooking the Andes mountains.
Peru 2020_Panoramic view of the Moray archaeological site in the Sacred Valley of Peru, showcasing the circular Inca agricultural terraces with the Andes mountains in the background.
A high-angle panoramic view of the Machu Picchu ruins near Cusco, Peru, featuring stone terraces and ancient structures set against the dramatic peak of Huayna Picchu and the lush green mountains of the Sacred Valley.
Peru 2020_Close-up of an Indigenous woman in traditional clothing demonstrating Andean weaving techniques on a loom in the Sacred Valley of Peru, with a traveler observing the process.
Peru 2020_Three llamas standing close together at a traditional Andean village near Cusco, Peru, surrounded by rustic adobe walls and mountain scenery.
Peru 2020_Scenic view of Miraflores cliffs and the Pacific Ocean in Lima, Peru, with paragliders over the coastline and the iconic Larcomar area.
Peru 2020_Close-up of an indigenous woman in Peru wearing vibrant traditional Andean textiles, reflecting the rich culture of the Sacred Valley and Cusco region.
Peru 2020_Llama grazing on the terraces of Machu Picchu in the Andes Mountains of Peru, with dramatic peaks and ancient Inca scenery in the background.
Peru 2020_Terraced salt evaporation ponds at the Maras Salt Mines in Peru’s Sacred Valley, a historic Inca site surrounded by Andean mountains.
Peru 2020_Fog drifting over the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in the Andes Mountains of Peru, with the dramatic Huayna Picchu peak towering above the terraces.
Peru 2020_Rustic boutique hotel lounge in Cusco, Peru, with warm wooden beams, artisan decor, and a welcoming bar showcasing Andean hospitality.
Peru 2020_Stylish restaurant interior in Peru’s Sacred Valley, blending contemporary design with rustic Andean elements and views of the surrounding mountains.
Peru 2020_Close-up view of the Maras Salt Mines in the Sacred Valley of Peru, showcasing terraced salt ponds used since Inca times against a dramatic mountain backdrop.