The Best of Both Worlds: Luxury & Adventure Travel in Peru

The Best of Both Worlds_ Luxury & Adventure Travel in Peru

One of the questions our customers most frequently ask us is how to combine luxury and adventure travel in Peru. The answer is that you’ll find these two travel styles often complement one another more than you might think, particularly on a personalized overseas adventure to Peru.

The South American country is a natural playground that consists of highlands, coast and jungle— but Peru also offers extensive upscale facilities that make it possible to pamper yourself at the end of an active day. From Amazon luxury cruises to “sky lodges” perched on top of mountains, Peru offers endless opportunities to mix elegance with exploration. Let’s take a look at a few sample itinerary suggestions to give you a better idea of how you can experience authentic, glamorous adventures on your private luxury Peru tour.

1. Lima

Lima Adventure Travel in Peru

– Dine Like Royalty

Known as the City of Kings, Lima is Peru’s cosmopolitan capital. Take a tour of the city’s colorful historic district (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), visit magnificent and ancient pre-Columbian archeological sites, browse boutiques and art galleries for high-quality handicrafts, or explore exotic food markets. We can arrange private cooking classes, ceviche-making classes, or tastings of local specialties. Treat yourself to a meal at one of the city’s world-renowned restaurants, such as Central, Astrid y Gaston, or Maido.

– Adventure in a Concrete Jungle

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, Lima is an unexpected, albeit excellent, base for adventure tourism. Test the waters as you surf the action-packed Pacific Ocean; cycle along the picturesque Malecón (coastal pathway), or paraglide above the coastline and city parks. Just outside the city limits, in towns such as Lunahuana or Huancaya, are rafting opportunities. Huancaya also offers excellent opportunities for rainbow trout fishing.

However you choose to spend your days in Lima, you’ll appreciate finishing them at one of the city’s high-end hotels, such as the Miraflores Park Hotel or Hotel B, Lima’s first luxury boutique hotel.

2. Sacred Valley

Sacred Valley Adventure Travel in Peru

– Walk in the footsteps of the Incas

The Sacred Valley (Valle Sagrado) was selected by the Incas to be at the heart of their Empire, particularly because it was guarded by powerful apus (mountains) and boasted incredibly rich soil at varying altitudes. These days the apus continue to lure travelers to the Valley with their enigmatic energies and challenging summits.

Embark on a four-day trek along the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Your private guide and porters will escort you on this spectacular hike through the Andes. Walk in the footsteps of the Incas, exploring their fascinating structures and taking in stunning views of the surrounding mountains and jungle along the way.

– Tuck into a Sanctuary of Comfort

While your Inca Trail trek experience with Kuoda will incorporate soothing comforts— think superb cuisine, massage treatments performed by a private masseuse, and accommodation in deluxe tents— you will want to savor the restful moments when you have arrived to Machu Picchu. After exploring  the Machu Picchu ruins with your private guide, spend the night at the nearby Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. The exclusive location makes it possible to gaze upon the famed mountain from the comfort of your private suite by day and gaze upon twinkling stars at night, just as the Incas did.

Return to Cusco in style via the opulent Hiram Bingham train. Named after the explorer who brought Machu Picchu to the world in the early 20th Century, this enchanting luxury train is decorated in a way that transports passengers back in time, when wonder and discovery predicted our travels.

– Sky-high, Mountainside Suites

If looking to spend more time in the Sacred Valley, consider spending an unforgettable night at the spectacular Skylodge Adventure Suites. The Skylodge is accessed by an exciting 1,312-foot (400-meter) climb via ferrata or zipline. Touted as the world’s first hanging lodge, the Skylodge is a transparent hanging bedroom that offers a 300-degree view over the Sacred Valley. Suites feature solar-powered lighting, high-quality mattresses, and down pillows. Gourmet meals with wine pairings are included in the package price.

3. Cusco

Cusco Adventure Travel in Peru

– Tour the Inca Capital

Now that you’ve acclimated to the region’s high altitude, it’s time to explore the city of Cusco! As part of your personalized luxury trip to Peru, your guide will lead you through Cusco and its narrow city  streets, providing insight into the city’s eclectic Inca and Spanish heritage. You can visit local markets, art galleries, boutiques, and artisan workshops. If time allows, you can also include trips to important archaeological sites found on the outskirts of the city, such as Sacsayhuaman. Your evenings will be spent dining at some of Cusco’s top restaurants.

– Nearby Excursions

Relax in comfort in one of the Cusco’s ultra-luxe hotels before embarking on thrilling excursions horseback riding, mountain biking, or hiking in the nearby valleys and mountain sides. Go paddle boarding at Piuray Lake, which sits over 9,842 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level.

For hikers, there are many more trekking options in this region apart from the Inca Trail. Consider taking on the Salkantay Trek around the mountain of Salkantay (20,574 feet). There’s also Ausangate (20,944 feet), another sacred snow-covered peak, which offers a convenient looping trail. Last but not least, ask our travel specialists about the lesser-known route to Rainbow Mountain.

4. Amazon

Amazon Adventure Travel in Peru

– Cruise Down the River

If you’ve always dreamed of an Amazon luxury tour, consider a voyage on a luxury yacht expedition: The MV Aqua or the MV Aria. These river tour expeditions are high-end and start in Iquitos, the largest city in the world accessible only by boat or airplane.

These five-star yachts will redefine your expectations of traveling by boat. All feature deluxe suites with eco-sensitive stone bathrooms and air-conditioning. Huge picture windows allow guests to admire the river scenery outside while relaxing on their California King-Size beds. Meals served onboard are designed by some of Peru’s top chefs and incorporate local ingredients.

Smaller launch boats transport you on wildlife-viewing excursions to see pink river dolphins, caiman, and colorful birdlife. Of course, flora and fauna can be admired from the observation deck as well. In the case of MV Aria, you will have the option to soak in an outdoor Jacuzzi.

– Tree Houses for Luxury Travelers

Another remarkable base for luxury tours of the Amazon is Iquitos’ Treehouse Lodge. This lodge offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the magic of sleeping in a tree, without sacrificing comfort.

These unusual tree house accommodations offer cozy beds with crisp white linens, as well as cool water showers and eco-friendly bathrooms. The tree houses are surrounded by a transparent layer of mosquito netting, which allows for unobstructed views of the surrounding natural scenery and wildlife. Fantastic meals, which emphasize local ingredients, are served in the main lodge.

Luxury Adventure Travel in Peru

These are just a few examples of the ways to combine life-changing adventures and swish amenities in Peru. Contact Kuoda Travel today to learn more about these itineraries and other options for luxury travel in Peru.

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