Journey through Historic Peru

Peru is one the most flexible destinations in the world. The variety of activities, sights, and journeys is endless, and your only limit is your imagination. One of your many options is outlined below. Two companies I work with are Aqua Expeditions, which focuses on green, eco-friendly vacations, and the renowned Orient Express.

In fact, I work jointly with both companies to create a seamless vacation in Peru where you can travel from the mountains to the river in one trip. To experience Peru properly, you need to be there for at least two weeks, with three to four of those days on the cruise. 

Starting in Lima, tour the bustling downtown are and take in its majestic architecture and charming town squares. Enjoy the Larco Herrera Museum for an afternoon, and explore the nightlife before retiring to an ocean-view room in a hotel such as the Miraflores Park Hotel.

Travel on to Cuzco, and walk the city at your leisure. Cuzco is a marvelous combination of modern architecture and art fused with Inca ruins and museums, such as the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, full of ancient treasures. Some of Cuzco’s hotels, such as the Hotel Monasterio, feature unusual extras such as deluxe oxygen-enriched rooms.

Perhaps you’d like to hop a train to Machu Picchu and tour its regal citadel, or explore the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sanctuary is considered by many to be one of the foremost archaeological sites in the world, and the Sanctuary Lodge sits next to the ruins.

If you enjoy the ruins at the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, you would also enjoy Ollantaytambo, which is the last Peruvian town to retain the original Incan architecture. Later, in the Sacred Valley, discover the village of Maras and its renowned salt mine, or venture to the village of Moray, a large grouping of terraced ruins. The town of Chincheros was built over Incan ruins, and its people still practice traditional arts and crafts.

Now it’s time for the Amazon River cruise and excitement around every bend. This four-day cruise will take you along several Amazon tributaries to places only a handful of people have seen. On board, Peruvian cuisine is flavorful, fresh, and unique, especially paired with fine South American wine. Your cabins are spacious and beautifully appointed, with breathtaking river views and attentive staff anticipates your needs.  

The first day, you might cruise the Yanallpa River, a black water stream of the flooded rainforest. You’ll see colorful birds and scampering monkeys during the day, and caimans and fishing bats at night. Bird lovers will see terns, herons, hawks, and horned screamers at Hatum Posa Lake, and if you choose to take a jungle walk, you’ll meet natives who earn their living by growing plants and trees. Venture deeper into the forest to see medicinal herbs and fruit trees.

Your cruise might follow the Pacaya River early one morning to a dolphin feeding area, or you might fish for piranha at Carocurahuayte Lake. Even if you don’t catch piranha, you’re certain to hook into some of the 3,000 species of tropical fish.

As you start on your return trip to Iquitos, your guides might focus on showing you how people live, work, and play along the Amazon in a village like Belen. You’ll enjoy watching the hustle of the food market there and marvel at the number of people who trade there. Finally, spend an afternoon in Iquitos exploring the Manatee Rescue Center or the San Juan Amazonian Indian Market.

No matter which route you take to explore Peru, don’t miss Colca Canyon, a crevice twice as deep as the Grand Canyon—more than two miles at its deepest point.

Which areas of Peru do you look forward to visiting and why?