Peru's Luxury Train Tour to Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca - 10 Days

Highlights

• Discover the distinct flavors of Peru during a culinary tour of Lima
• Ride on two luxury trains to the southern highlands and Lake Titicaca
• Walk the cobbled streets of Cusco and visit Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley
• Take your time hiking around Machu Picchu with two separate visits

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Evening Food Tour

Welcome to Peru! This bucket-list travel destination is famous for its many awe-inspiring wonders, both natural and humanmade. Each region offers its own highlights and opportunities for adventure, be it the Amazon Basin or the southern highlands, once the epicenter of the formidable Inca Empire. You'll arrive on Peru's central coast, in the capital of Lima. A driver will pick you up at the airport for the 1.5-hour ride into the city and Belmond Miraflores Park.

Located in the upscale coastal suburb of Miraflores, this 5-star hotel is set amid verdant gardens and is known for its exceptional service and dazzling sea views. Many of the Belmond's well-appointed rooms and suites feature private balconies overlooking the Pacific. Other welcome features include a spa/wellness center and a rooftop pool where you can relax after the long flight in a sun lounger. There are many dining options at the hotel, including the acclaimed Tragaluz restaurant, serving innovative Peruvian/international cuisine.

Later, around 4 pm, you're off to discover the best of Peru's world-famous cuisine on a half-day foodie tour. Meet your guide on the waterfront and kick things off with some seaside snacks paired with a pisco sour (Peru's national cocktail) as you enjoy the fine coastal views. Then, head over to the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, which dates to around 500 CE, to sample a variety of foods, including Peru's famous ceviche. The tour ends in the romantic Barranco neighborhood in a trendy restaurant, where you'll dine al fresco at a garden table as you enjoy a curated selection of the chef's signature dishes. 

Day 2: Fly to the Sacred Valley, Lunch at Hacienda Sarapampa

This morning, board the hour-long flight from Lima to the southern highlands and Cusco. Upon arrival, you'll transfer about 9 miles (15 km) north of the city to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Extending along the Urubamba River, the valley encompasses picturesque villages, archaeological sites, and gorgeous highland scenery.

It's also the location of your hotel, Tambo del Inka. This 5-star resort features elegant rooms with regional fabrics and balconies overlooking the river. There's an infinity pool, spa, and gardens on site, plus Hawa Restaurant, which serves gourmet New Andean cuisine prepared with local, organic products.

You should arrive at your hotel around midday, meaning it's time to eat. Your driver will take you to Hacienda Sarapampa, a country estate near the town of Pisac. Here, you'll sit down with Maria del Pilar and Jussef, your friendly hosts, for a private lunch followed by a guided tour of the hacienda grounds. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel and will have the rest of the rest of the day free.

Day 3: Sacred Valley Tour, Lunch at Wayra Ranch

Embark early on a full-day tour of the most legendary sites in the Sacred Valley. The first you'll visit is the Maras Salt Pans, a massive patchwork of salt pans perched on a hillside. These saline pools are fed by natural springs at the top of the valley and have been used for salt production since Inca times. Afterward, you'll visit Moray, an incredible complex of stone amphitheaters developed by the Inca. While the exact reason for the construction of this site remains unknown, historians believe the Inca constructed it in order to experiment with crop production in different micro-climates.

Afterward, continue with your driver to the eastern end of the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo. This highland town and archaeological site is one of the few remaining places in the Sacred Valley that has retained its original Inca urban planning. These include agricultural terraces that are still in use today. There are also plenty of ruins here of stone structures, ancient ceremonial centers, and more. After hiking around the ruins, you can stroll the town's cobbled streets and browse artisanal handicrafts.

For lunch, transfer to nearby Urubamba and Wayra, a gem of a restaurant set in a historic estate. The dining room features local terra cotta tiles and original stonework, as well as murals and woodcarvings by renowned Peruvian artists. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal of local and international favorites, like the Peruvian classic lomo saltado (beef tenderloin sauteéd with onion and tomatoes). Everything is made using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and cooked in a wood-fired oven.

Day 4: Luxury Train to Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Tour

All aboard the exclusive Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu! This luxury Belmond train departs from the station in the Sacred Valley and is decked out with Art Deco cars with gleaming wood-panel interiors and brass finishes, evoking the 1920s Orient Express. During the 3.5-hour relaxing ride, you'll enjoy first-class service as you marvel at views of the Urubamba River and Andes peaks through the windows. You can spend the journey in the train's observatory bar car, sipping a smart cocktail like a pisco sour before sitting down to a gourmet three-course lunch.

Your destination is the town of Aguas Calientes. This is the main hub for excursions up the mountain to the UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Upon arrival, you'll transfer over to the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel located right at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Overnighting at this stylish retreat lets you beat the citadel's mass crowds. This 5-star hotel also offers a range of welcome amenities for the weary traveler, such as Inca spa rituals to nourish your spirit and soothe your weary muscles after a day hiking around the citadel.

It will come in handy because, after check-in, you'll board a bus for the 25-minute ride up the mountain to Machu Picchu at 7,970 feet (2,430 m), which dates to around 1450 CE. During a tour led by an expert guide, you'll hike around the complex and visit its famous landmarks, including astronomical/ritual stone structures like the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. Many landmarks, like the Sacred Plaza and Inca Bridge, showcase the Incas' architectural prowess. The agricultural terraces are also impressive, demonstrating the Incas' skill at cultivating crops on steep hillsides.

Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu, Luxury Train to Cusco

One day at Machu Picchu simply isn't enough, which is why this morning, you'll return to the citadel a second time. It's a great opportunity to walk amid more well-preserved ruins plus embark on one of the additional hikes in the area. The most famous are the routes up the tallest peaks rising above the citadel: Huayna Picchu at 8,920 feet (2,720 m) and Montaña Machu Picchu at 10,111 feet (3,082 m). Both involve rigorous uphill (at times almost vertical) hikes, and both reward your effort with great views over the citadel and the Andes below.

You'll no doubt be sore after all that hiking, which is fine because, after this half-day excursion, you'll board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train once again for the relaxing three-hour ride southeast to Cusco. Located in the highlands, this area has been settled for thousands of years. However, it wasn't until 1200 CE that Cusco was officially founded as a center for Inca rule. It was the capital of the Inca Kingdom until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Today, the city features an incredible mix of Spanish-colonial architecture and ancient Inca archaeological sites.

Your accommodation is a part of Cusco's rich history too. Palacio del Inka is a 500-year-old manor estate converted into a 5-star luxury hotel. It's right in the historic center, a short walk from landmarks like the Plaza de Armas, Cusco's main square. As for amenities, its elegant guest suites are appointed with luxurious furnishings, modern amenities, and many feature views looking out over the hotel courtyard and gardens to the city skyline beyond. After settling in, you can indulge in a range of luxurious amenities, including a full-service spa and fine dining restaurant serving gourmet Peruvian cuisine.

Day 6: Cusco Walking Tour, Visit San Pedro Market

You'll have most of the morning free to relax at the hotel or explore Cusco on your own. Save your energy, however, because, after lunch, you'll meet your expert local guide for a half-day walking tour of the city. Explore Cusco's historic center, visiting iconic landmarks like the Plaza de Armas and Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun). During Inca reign in the 15th century, this was Cusco's religious and political center.

From there, walk down Hatunrumiyoc Street and admire the ancient Inca walls, particularly the 12-Angle Stone, so named because its dozen angles fit perfectly in the surrounding stones. It's a shining example of the ancient Incas' stonemasonry prowess.

Then, continue on to San Pedro, Cusco's most famous municipal market. There's no better way to know the soul of this city than by browsing its kiosks and marveling at the abundance of fresh produce, which includes many of Peru's thousands of varieties of potatoes. You can also sit down at one of the food stalls for fresh fruit juice and to snack on street food. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 7: Andean Explorer Luxury Train to Puno

Say goodbye to Cusco, as in the afternoon, you'll return to the train station and hop aboard the Andean Explorer. This luxury rail line offers various routes around the Andes, including today's journey from Cusco to Puno. A large and colorful city in southeastern Peru, Puno sits on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America by volume.

The ride to Puno takes around 10-12 hours, and during the trip, you'll enjoy onboard entertainment, live music, and gourmet dining. Throughout the journey, you'll be treated to views of the passing Andean landscapes, including snowcapped peaks, terraced hillsides, and picturesque villages. As for sleep, you'll have your own luxurious, well-appointed cabin.

Day 8: Transfer to Titilaka Lodge, Optional Activities

Welcome to Puno! You'll arrive in this lakeside city early and transfer to your hotel, Titilaka Lodge. This 5-star luxury ecolodge enjoys a prime location on the waterfront, offering jaw-dropping views of Titicaca and the surrounding landscapes. Each of the 18 rooms offers the utmost comfort and luxury, featuring modern amenities, plush bedding, heated floors, and panoramic windows with heated floors. There's a gourmet fusion restaurant on site celebrating seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, plus a spa and wellness center where you can relax with a treatment after a day of excursions.

In fact, over the next couple of days, your itinerary will be packed with adventures in and around the lake. Each excursion will be arranged by the lodge and tailored to your specific interests. And it starts right away. After check-in, opt for an activity ranging from a kayak trip across Titicaca's azure waters or a boat tour around the islands dotting the lake.

Day 9: Lake Titicaca Optional Activities

Today you'll visit the famous Uros Islands—human-made floating islets constructed out of the abundant reeds that grow around the lake. The Uros were one of the first groups to populate this region thousands of years even before the Incas. They'll welcome you to the island to learn about their culture and traditions. The residents are happy to share, as they supplement their hunting/fishing economy by offering tours and selling handicrafts.

After the floating islands, you'll continue by boat farther east to Taquilie Island. This terra firma islet isn't only beautiful, but it's also renowned for its rich cultural heritage. The island is Inhabited by the Taquileños, a Quechua-speaking community comprised of artisans who weave colorful textiles using traditional techniques passed down through generations. When you arrive, you'll sit down at a restaurant for a traditional lunch of local favorites, including quinoa soup and fresh-caught lake trout. At the end of the afternoon, you'll return to Puno and your hotel.

Day 10: Visit the Sillustani Funerary Towers, Depart Peru

Just because it's your last morning in Peru doesn't mean the fun is over. After breakfast, meet a guide/driver for the ride west of Puno to another lake, Umayo. Though much smaller than Titicaca, it features prominently in regional Indigenous history. You'll see this history firsthand when you visit the Sillustani Funerary Towers. Sitting on the lakeshore, this archaeological site is renowned for its impressive cylindrical tombs, known as chullpas. These were built by the pre-Inca and Inca civilizations over many years between 1000 and 1400 CE.

After exploring the ancient tombs, you'll transfer to the airport. There, you'll board a plane to Cusco in time to make your connecting flight home. Until next time!

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