From Cuzco to the Sacred Valley: Find the living heart of the Peruvian Andes carved into stone and spirit
This is Peru’s story: footsteps echoing through Inca ruins, artisans preserving ancestral skills, and the mighty Andes watching over it all. Led by your handpicked Signature Guide, journey from the temples and cobbled streets of Cuzco to the fertile folds of the Sacred Valley, and onward to the once-lost citadel of Machu Picchu. Each step draws you deeper into the heart of the Andes, each encounter shaped by the storytellers who call it home.
Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.
Signature Experiences:
Pay tribute to the earth in Llaullipata, taking part in an ancestral Andean ritual and offering coca leaves, grains, and chicha to Pachamama in a serene forest setting
Weave stories in Misminay, joining artisans for a hands-on workshop before a community walk to the terraced rings of Moray
Board The First Class train by Inca Rail for a luxurious journey through the Sacred Valley, before exploring the once-lost city of Machu Picchu
Join guardians of Inca culture and heritage to hike a historic section of the Inca road system (Qhapaq Ñan), listening to ancestral legends over a locally prepared lunch
End with Andean storytelling, as myths and mountain spirits are brought to life in an intimate evening of oral tradition, reflection, and quiet wonder
Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between included activities such as exploring Pisac’s artisan heritage, a master ceramic workshop, or serene paddleboarding on Huaypo Lake
Signature Stay: Find peace in the Sacred Valley, settling into Peruvian casitas in a Relais & Châteaux retreat wrapped by the Andes
Signature Guide: Let your handpicked Signature guide lead you to the country’s soul – sharing their home, heritage, and heart
Elegant, hand-picked hotels and a Signature Stay in a Relais & Châteaux retreat wrapped by the Andes
All breakfasts, six lunches and four dinners, featuring restaurants that capture the authentic cuisine of Peru
Named Signature Guide with outstanding knowledge and guest satisfaction
Your preferred Signature Day experience, selected and prebooked ahead of travel
Gratuities for local support staff so every detail of your journey feels effortless
Comfortable transport, including private vehicle transfers and elegant train rides
Complimentary transfers on arrival and departure, ensuring a smooth journey
Itinerary
First Destination:
Cuzco
Next Destination:
Cuzco
Meals included:Dinner
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner
Meals included:Breakfast
First Destination:
Cuzco
Next Destination:
Cuzco
Our journey begins in Cuzco, cradle of Inca civilisation and heart of Andean artistry.
Complimentary arrival transfers are provided today. Those arriving early may join a private creative session to paint the Torito de Pucará, the symbolic guardian bull of the Andes, guided by local artisans over a coffee-based cocktail (available to prebook on request).
As evening falls, gather for a refined welcome reception at MAP Café, inside the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Beneath glass and stone, a five-course tasting reimagines Peru’s ancestral flavours – a bold, beautiful start to your highland adventure.
Overnight at Palacio del Inka
Meals included:Dinner
Travel into the Sacred Valley for an unforgettable introduction to Andean culture. At historic Hacienda Sarapampa, learn about the origins of corn, a sacred crop in these highland communities, before a gourmet, farm-to-table lunch in the hacienda gardens, framed by the snow-dusted peaks of the Urubamba range.
Signature Experience: In the eucalyptus forests of Llaullipata, take part in an ancient pago a la tierra, an offering to Pachamama, Mother Earth. Guided by Andean priests who carry glowing embers, coca leaves, and coloured yarns as symbols of thanks, you’ll share in this important ceremony.
After, we check into our Signature Stay, Sol y Luna, where adobe casitas nestle among wildflower gardens. Wood-burning fireplaces, artisan textiles and sweeping valley views make this a soulful retreat for the following days ahead.
Overnight at Sol y Luna
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
Between Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, agronomist Manuel Choqque opens the gates to his family farm in Chinchero, where he shares his pioneering work in preserving Peru’s potato varieties and Andean tubers. Taste his vivid creations and discover how science and heritage shape the future of Andean farming through over 380 preserved potato varieties.
Signature Experience: In the Misminay community, join families for a hands-on weaving session, learning how meaning is embedded in every thread. A scenic trail leads to the terraced rings of Moray – a centuries-old laboratory carved into the highlands to test microclimates and grow resilient crops. After, a picnic lunch is served in a tranquil spot.
Second night at Sol y Luna Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
Today is your Signature Day, an invitation to discover the living traditions and landscapes of the Sacred Valley. You could:
Stroll through Pisac’s morning market, where families trade handwoven textiles and silverwork, then walk to the ruins above, tracing paths once cut into the mountain by stone tools.
Join a ceramics masterclass at Casa Taller Seminario, in the studio home of Pablo Seminario and Marilú Behar, where every piece reflects the geometry and spirit of pre-Columbian design.
Glide across Huaypo Lake by kayak or paddleboard, drifting past mirrored peaks and reed-fringed banks before pausing for a quiet picnic of native grains, roots, and valley-grown superfoods.
Third night at Sol y Luna Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner
Begin at Ollantaytambo, walking among the sun-tempered terraces and ceremonial sites that once guarded the Inca Empire.
Continue to the remote hillside ruins of Pumamarka, where old canals still trace patterns through the grass. From here, follow quiet forest paths into the Choquechaka Conservation Area to learn how native trees and plants are being reintroduced to restore balance to the highland ecosystem.
A traditional pachamanca lunch awaits at El Albergue Farm, where meats and tubers are slow-cooked beneath hot stones and buried under the earth to absorb a deep, smoky flavour.
End the day with a visit to the estate’s artisanal distillery and the coffee roastery, where small-batch spirits and hand-roasted beans are crafted just steps from the fields.
Fourth night at Sol y Luna Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
Signature Experience: Board The First Class train by Inca Rail for a luxurious journey through the Sacred Valley, following the Urubamba River toward the cloud forest. As the landscape unfolds, sip local wines and enjoy a gourmet three-course lunch. After, step onto the open-air balcony to feel the Andean breeze before arriving in Aguas Calientes.
This afternoon, ascend to Machu Picchu by bus for your first glimpse of this once-lost Inca citadel, now one of the New Wonders of the World. Join your expert guide to explore terraces and temples backdropped by magnificent Andean peaks, taking time to pause and soak up the energy of this incredible site.
Back in Aguas Calientes, dinner is a private tasting on the terrace of your hotel, as the chef shares the origins behind each Andean-inspired dish. A memorable end to an unforgettable day.
Overnight at Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return at dawn to explore Machu Picchu when the mist lifts from the citadel and silence still holds the terraces.
Enhance your journey with an optional hiking trail up Machu Picchu Mountain, with extraordinary views of the Machu Picchu site and the Urubamba Valley below (available on request).
After a relaxed lunch at Café Inkaterra in Aguas Calientes, board the Inca Rail Prime Service for a smooth journey back to Cuzco, complete with live Andean music and locally inspired snacks.
Overnight at Palacio del Inka
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, journey through the Southern Valley, pausing in Andahuaylillas to visit its jewel-box church – an Andean baroque masterpiece of painted ceilings, gilded altars, and blended traditions.
Signature Experience: Join members of the Inka Roots Association – stewards of language, land, and living memory – to hike a section of the historic Qhapaq Ñan, a network of trails that once unified the Inca Empire. After, gather for a traditional lunch prepared by local families, where Andean ingredients and centuries-old recipes come together in a shared expression of hospitality and heritage.
Second night at Palacio del Inka
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch
Follow your Signature Guide through San Blas, Cuzco’s artistic heart, where time-honoured craft still sings. Step inside a luthier’s studio to watch Andean heritage take shape in wood and string — as musical instruments are shaped by hand.
In San Blas Square, visit the Mendívil Art Workshop Museum to discover the story of the family whose distinctive long-necked figures helped define Cuzco’s artistic identity. Pause at the Twelve-Angled Stone, a marvel of Inca precision, before relaxing over coffee in a quiet courtyard. As evening falls, gather for a farewell dinner at El Cubo, where contemporary Peruvian cuisine meets live instrumental music.
Signature Experience: The evening closes with a private storytelling performance by a Quechua narrator, who brings ancestral myths, sacred landscapes and celestial beliefs to life, revealing how the Quechua cosmovision still shapes the soul of the Andes.
Third night at Palacio del Inka
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, take a final moment in the stone courtyards of Palacio del Inka. The journey winds to a close, but the echoes of Peru remain in the weight of carved stone, the warmth of shared tables, and the stories carried through Andean skies.
Alternatively, open a new chapter of discovery by speaking to your Signature Collection travel expert about extending your stay.
Meals included:Breakfast
Dates & Prices
Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Optional Single Supplement
+£ 3795
£ 7995 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 1998 deposit
Monday 07 Sep 2026 to Wednesday 16 Sep 2026
Mondayto
Wednesday
Availability
Guaranteed (Available)
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Optional Single Supplement
+£ 3795
£ 7995 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 1998 deposit
Monday 21 Sep 2026 to Wednesday 30 Sep 2026
Mondayto
Wednesday
Availability
Guaranteed (Available)
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Optional Single Supplement
+£ 3795
£ 7995 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 1998 deposit
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Your Group, Your Adventure
Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.
Every aspect of the Signature Collection is meticulously planned to take you deeper into the destination. That means your accommodation is a refined showcase of local hospitality, whether you’re staying in a pioneering luxury hotel or enjoying privileged access to a characterful stay designed to fully immerse you in the local culture.
Below are the accommodations we use on this adventure:
Cuzco: Palacio del Inka (nights 1 and 7-9)
In a restored 16th-century mansion opposite the Koricancha Temple, this iconic hotel blends Inca foundations with colonial grandeur. Rooms feature handcrafted décor and marble bathrooms. Courtyards, a luxury spa, and fine dining beneath gilded ceilings offer a refined retreat in the heart of historic Cuzco.
Sacred Valley: Sol y Luna Hotel (nights 2-5)
Your Signature Stay is an elegant Relais & Châteaux retreat surrounded by wildflower gardens and Andean peaks. The casitas in which you stay are built from local stone and wood, featuring fireplaces, private terraces, and handcrafted Peruvian art. Enjoy seasonal fine dining at Wayra Restaurant, a spa inspired by natural elements, and a meaningful connection to Sacred Valley traditions through the hotel’s deep ties to the land and community.
Aguas Calientes: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (night 6)
Near Machu Picchu, this upscale retreat offers panoramic views of the Vilcanota River and rooms that pair Andean textures with modern comfort. It also offers an immersive six-course tasting menu, a tranquil spa, and warm, personalised service, all inspired by the flavours, landscapes, and spirit of the Inca citadel.
Enhance your stay: Personalise your experience with curated room upgrades and additional nights tailored to your travel plans.
Essential Information
We have graded this trip Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.
Driving times: The longest travel days take place on Day 6, when we journey to Machu Picchu (approximately three hours, including rail), and Day 7 returning to Cuzco (around three hours). All other journeys are under two hours.
Prebooking activities: An immersive adventure of your choice awaits on the Signature Day. This activity is included – all you need to do is prebook your chosen experience at least 60 days before departure through our Signature Collection travel experts. Additionally, those arriving early on Day 1 can prebook an optional creative workshop in Cuzco, priced from US$147, or enhance your journey with an optional hike up Machu Picchu Mountain on Day 7, priced from US$291.
Walking: Cuzco and many of the Inca sites (including Machu Picchu) are built on hillsides and sightseeing often involves walking up and down steep streets or on uneven steps or terraces. As such, you should have a good level of mobility and a reasonable level of fitness.
Altitude: The altitude can make physical activity feel more tiring than at sea level. As this trip spends considerable time at altitude, we ask you to refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for more information and advice on how to limit the effects of altitude sickness. The maximum altitude visited on this trip is on Day 8 at Racqhi (11,420 ft/3,480m), and we also spend time in Cuzco (11,155ft/3,400m). Please ensure your travel insurance covers you for being at altitude. It can be cold at these altitudes, particularly from May to August (although these months benefit from lower rainfall). You should bring appropriate clothing.
Please note, it is essential you read the Machu Picchu regulations in the Important Information section of the Trip Notes before you book this trip.
As with all adventures in the Signature Collection, we take care of your arrival and departure transfers, allowing you to fully relax and immerse yourself in the local culture.
Arrival airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
Your adventure begins with a welcome reception at 7pm on Day 1 at our first accommodation.
Departure airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
Your adventure concludes after breakfast on the final day.
Peru
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Peru. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
This journey is designed to deepen your connection to the country through its food and drink. Savour a five-course tasting at MAP Café, a pachamanca lunch slow-cooked beneath the soil, and potato vodka crafted in the highlands. From superfood picnics and refined coffee cocktails to elegant chef-led dinners, Peru’s bold dishes and culinary innovation are celebrated at every turn.
The Andes experience two distinct seasons: dry (May-October) and wet (November-April). The dry season offers crisp air, cool nights and clear light, ideal for walking, photography and archaeological visits. During the wet season, short afternoon rains bring the Sacred Valley to life with green terraces, wildflowers and rushing rivers. Both seasons reveal Peru at its most atmospheric.
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
We also weave Signature Legacy moments into your itinerary, so the positive impact of your trip lasts long after your stay. These are moments to remember which help people and nature thrive, ensuring you build a harmonious, positive connection with the places you visit.
On this journey, you can:
Participate in a traditional offering to Pachamama, guided by Andean priests in the forests of Llaullipata. By engaging in this ancestral ceremony, you help preserve Indigenous belief systems and support local practitioners who sustain these spiritual and ecological traditions.
Join a hands-on weaving session in Misminay, where artisans share ancestral techniques passed through generations. Through this exchange, you support the preservation of Indigenous knowledge and community livelihoods in the Sacred Valley.
Support local craftsmanship through traditional workshops, from making your own zampoña instrument with a luthier in Cuzco to shaping pottery using pre-Columbian techniques at Casa Taller Seminario. These encounters empower artisans and celebrate cultural continuity.
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