The Best Peru Itinerary: A Bespoke Luxury Journey with Kuoda

November 03, 2025 | by: Kuoda Authors

When travelers begin planning their dream trip, one question always arises: what is the best Peru itinerary? The answer is not one fixed route, but rather, the journey that reflects your passions, pace, and style.

For some, the best Peru itinerary means tracing the footsteps of the Incas to Machu Picchu. For others, it’s savoring Lima’s world-class cuisine, sailing across Lake Titicaca, or drifting down the Amazon in the comfort of a luxury river cruise. At Kuoda, recognized with the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2025 as one of the top 10% of travel experiences worldwide, we believe the best itinerary is the one designed exclusively for you.

Here, we share an inspired 12-day framework that captures Peru’s highlights, and show how Kuoda elevates it into a private, seamless, and meaningful experience.

Days 1–2: Arrival in Lima

Your journey begins in Lima, perched dramatically above the Pacific Ocean. Too often treated as a layover, Lima is a destination in itself. The historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals baroque churches, colonial mansions, and stately plazas. In Barranco, Lima’s bohemian heart, colorful murals, artisan shops, and boutique cafés pulse with creativity. Miraflores offers cliffside parks and the Malecón, where paragliders soar above the waves.

With Kuoda, your Lima experience goes far beyond sightseeing. We secure exclusive dining at the city’s acclaimed restaurants — Central (#1 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023) and Maido, newly #1 in 2025, pllus classics like Astrid y Gastón. To connect cuisine with culture, we arrange private market tours, ceviche-making classes, or pisco tastings with local experts. Boutique accommodations like the Belmond Miraflores Park or Hotel B (a Relais & Châteaux property) ensure your stay blends elegance with comfort.

Days 3–5: The Sacred Valley of the Incas

Fly into Cusco, then descend privately into the Sacred Valley, a gentler altitude that allows your body to adjust. Nestled among mountains and fertile plains, the valley is a tapestry of traditional villages, vibrant markets, and ancient Inca sites.

Stay at serene retreats like Sol y Luna Lodge, with its lush gardens and Relais & Châteaux service, or Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, where contemporary luxury meets Andean heritage. Days in the Sacred Valley might include exploring Pisac’s artisan stalls, climbing the fortress of Ollantaytambo, or sharing in a pachamanca feast, where food is cooked beneath hot stones in a time-honored ritual.

For those seeking immersion, Kuoda curates weaving workshops with master artisans, private hikes through terraced landscapes, or biking routes that reveal the valley’s rural charm. Here, culture and comfort harmonize, setting the stage for Machu Picchu.

Days 6–7: Machu Picchu, The Inca Citadel

No best Peru itinerary is complete without Machu Picchu. Arrive in style aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham train, where gourmet dining and live music accompany your journey through the Andes. With Kuoda, your entry is timed to avoid crowds, and your private guide ensures that every stone tells a story, from the Temple of the Sun to the Intihuatana, the “Hitching Post of the Sun.”

For adventurous travelers, we secure permits for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, where breathtaking vistas reward the climb. For others, photography at dawn captures the citadel in ethereal morning mist. Overnight in Aguas Calientes or return to the Sacred Valley; with Kuoda, the choice is always yours.

Days 8–9: Cusco, The Heart of the Andes

Return to Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire. The city’s cobblestone streets weave together Inca foundations and Spanish colonial elegance. Kuoda’s private tours reveal hidden courtyards, vibrant markets, and the San Blas district, where artists craft contemporary works in historic ateliers.

Stay at Inkaterra La Casona, a restored colonial mansion with just eleven suites, or the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, where spa indulgence meets old-world charm. Experiences may include a cooking class with local chefs, an evening of Andean music, or curated visits to museums and galleries that showcase Cusco’s evolving cultural identity.

Days 10–12: Lake Titicaca or the Amazon Rainforest

To complete the best Peru itinerary, extend your journey to either Lake Titicaca or the Amazon, depending on your style.

At Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, Kuoda arranges private boat journeys to the floating Uros islands and Taquile, known for its textile traditions. Stay at the Titilaka Lodge, where every suite offers panoramic views of the sacred waters. Evenings here are serene, filled with starlight and silence.

In the Amazon, board a luxury river vessel like Aqua Nera or Delfin Amazon Cruises, or choose an eco-luxury lodge in Tambopata. By day, naturalists guide you through wildlife-rich ecosystems; by night, you dine on Amazon-inspired cuisine in suites with floor-to-ceiling views of the river.

Both options add depth and contrast, ensuring your journey embraces Peru’s extraordinary diversity.

Why This Is the Best Peru Itinerary

The best Peru itinerary is not simply about covering ground; it’s about how you experience each destination. With Kuoda, every transfer is private, every guide is carefully selected, and every hotel reflects authenticity and luxury. From the first ceviche in Lima to the last sunrise over the Andes, your journey is designed to feel seamless, safe, and profoundly enriching.

Our philosophy of Responsible Travel ensures your itinerary leaves a positive footprint. As a carbon-positive company, Kuoda offsets more than we emit. Through our Kaypi Kunan foundation, we support education, culture, and community projects across Peru, so your journey uplifts the very people and places you encounter.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Peru Itinerary

How many days should I plan for Peru?
We recommend 10 to 12 days for a balanced journey, though Kuoda designs shorter or longer trips based on your preferences.

Can this itinerary include trekking?
Yes. Kuoda customizes itineraries with options like the Inca Trail, Salkantay, or Lares, with luxury lodge-to-lodge alternatives.

Is Peru family-friendly?
Absolutely. Kuoda creates itineraries with interactive activities for children, ensuring comfort and engagement for all ages.

What makes Kuoda’s itineraries different?
Every journey is private, personalized, carbon-positive, and designed by a Cusco-based team with unmatched local expertise.

Begin Your Best Peru Itinerary with Kuoda

From Lima’s cliffside coastline to the Sacred Valley’s serene landscapes, from the majesty of Machu Picchu to the cultural pulse of Cusco and the wild beauty of Lake Titicaca or the Amazon, this is the best Peru itinerary, a journey that captures the essence of Peru in comfort and style.

With Kuoda, no two itineraries are alike. Each is a story written around your passions, with luxury woven into every detail. Let us design your bespoke Peru itinerary, where every moment is curated, every connection is authentic, and every experience becomes a memory to cherish forever.