Luxury Cusco essentials

Arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel, located in the city’s exclusive residential district of Miraflores. Founded in 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, this “City of Kings” is a blend of colonial structures, pre-Colombian sites and modern conveniences.

PERUVIAN CUISINE

Today, learn why Lima is considered one of the world’s premier culinary cities by discovering its history and flavors with top local chefs who introduce you to the unique food products of the Land of the Incas. Begin with a walking food tour of the bohemian Barranco neighborhood and discover the essence of the Limeño lifestyle. Meet a local chef who takes you to his or her favorite places, where you are invited to sample some of the iconic dishes and spirits of Peru — an experience exclusive to PVT. After lunch, discover Peru’s capital, visiting Plaza de Armas, birthplace of the city, and the beautiful Cathedral, built in the 16th century. Then, take part in a Peruvian Chef ’s Table experience, savoring the delicious dishes you have cooked for dinner.

SACRED VALLEY

Fly to Cusco, located more than 11,000 feet above sea level. Stop for lunch in the central square, and then take part in a photography workshop, learning pointers from a professional, before proceeding to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En route, visit Manos de la Comunidad to interact with the South American camelids living there — such as llamas and alpacas — and learn about the valuable fibers created from their coats. Continue to your awe-inspiring resort, designed to fit in with the Sacred Valley’s landscapes.

TRADITION AYNI

Visit a remote village where the local residents provide a hands-on introduction to the customs and crafts that make up their way of life, including weaving and cooking, for an PVT-exclusive experience. Then, participate in one of Peru’s oldest and most sacred rituals when you join a local shaman in a traditional offering to Mother Earth (Pachamama).

After this spiritual ceremony, visit the Sol & Luna Center to meet the children, a project supported by PVT Philanthropy, which provides education, nutrition, medical care and hope to children in the Sacred Valley. Eat lunch on site before returning to your hotel, where you prepare for your visit to Machu Picchu with a private lecture from a renowned scholar and certified expert on the Incas. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure, gazing upon the soaring Andes and savoring a refreshing Scenic Sundowner.

OLLANTAYTAMBO

Today, explore Ollantaytambo, a fortress of massive stone terraces clinging to the mountainside and the site where the Incas achieved their greatest victory over the Spanish invaders. Next, travel like a local aboard the Hiram Bingham train, winding through the Andes toward Machu Picchu while taking in the spectacular Peruvian scenery.

In the early afternoon, explore the ruins with your expert guide, and as you wander among the ancient stone walls, imagine what life must have been like in this majestic citadel, situated some 2,400 meters above sea level. Alternatively, on select departures, you can choose to begin by boarding the Vistadome train, with its numerous windows, to enjoy the same scenic route, and spend the night at the Inkaterra Pueblo hotel, located in the town of Machu Picchu. Overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century, at the height of the Inca Empire. Although this “lost city” was revealed to the rest of the world by the American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, its location had long been known to the locals. However, its original purpose remains a matter of conjecture, as the Incas left no written records.

MACHUPICCHU

Wake up at dawn to stroll through Machu Picchu shrouded in the morning mist, before the crowds arrive—an experience many consider the most spiritual moment of the trip. After exploring the “Lost City of the Incas,” board the Hiram Bigham train back to Ollantaytambo. Continue on to Cusco, where you’ll check into your hotel, a former 16th-century monastery now designated a national monument that offers a refuge from the hustle and bustle of Cusco, despite being located right next to the city’s main square.

MASSAGES DAY

This morning, discover Cusco on a city tour that includes the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and the Santo Domingo Temple, a Dominican church built on the foundations of the Koricancha, the Incas’ principal religious building. Listen as a local expert explains how the historic clashes between the Incas and the Spanish played a role in forming today’s Peruvian culture. Later, visit the well-preserved ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a testament to Incan architectural skill. This imposing fortress, which witnessed the greatest battle between the Spanish and the Incas, is compiled from colossal stones and overlooks the red-tiled roofs of Cusco. This afternoon enjoy a enjoy a session of massages and aromatherapy with hot stones to renew yourself energetically and spiritually before returning home.

After a morning at leisure to sleep in, visit shops or simply relax, fly back to Lima. Later, board your departing flight.

Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport (dayroom)