Peru luxury travel rewards travelers who arrive with genuine curiosity — and the destination repays preparation in proportion to what you bring to it. Everyone wants to see Machu Picchu, and they should — the 15th-century Inca citadel set against cloud-forested peaks at 7,972 feet is genuinely as significant as its reputation. What many travelers don't know is that the Sacred Valley leading to it — Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray — is equally compelling. Or that Lima has quietly become one of the great food cities in the world, with three restaurants in the current World's 50 Best and a culinary culture rooted in the intersection of indigenous Andean, Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish traditions. Or that Lake Titicaca at 12,507 feet above sea level — the highest navigable lake in the world — contains floating reed islands inhabited for centuries.
Peru is a destination for travelers with genuine curiosity. It rewards preparation and attention in proportion to what you bring to it.
Getting Started
Begin planning your customized trip today. Call Breakout Travel Co. or schedule a consultation.
Peru Luxury Travel at a Glance
Peru is the third-largest country in South America. Three distinct geographic zones define it: the Pacific coast (Lima, Paracas, Nazca), the Andes highlands (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon), and the Amazon basin (Iquitos, Manu National Park). Altitude is the central planning consideration — Cusco sits at 11,152 feet and many trekking routes exceed 14,000 feet. Acclimatization requires 48–72 hours in Cusco before any serious exertion.
Travel Offerings
- Custom Private Travel
- Cultural & Archaeological Travel
- Trekking & Adventure Expeditions
- Culinary Experiences
- Amazon & Wildlife Expeditions
- Small Group Travel
- LGBTQ+ Travel
Travel Guide
- U.S. citizens need a valid passport; no visa required for stays up to 183 days.
- Currency is PEN (Peruvian Sol).
- Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) is the primary gateway.
- Altitude sickness (soroche) is common in Cusco — allow 48 hours minimum before trekking.
- Coca leaf tea is widely available and helps.
- The Inca Trail requires permits booked months in advance; daily entry to Machu Picchu is capped and timed — book through the Peruvian government portal well in advance.
- Machu Picchu: arrive by the first bus from Aguas Calientes (5:30 a.m.) for the sunrise experience before tour groups arrive from the 10:30 a.m. trains. Huayna Picchu (the steep peak above the citadel) requires a separate permit, limited to 400 people per day.
- Pisac market in the Sacred Valley (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) — the largest traditional market in the Andes.
- Ollantaytambo: an Inca fortress-temple built before Machu Picchu that was never conquered by the Spanish.
- The Colca Canyon (outside Arequipa) — twice as deep as the Grand Canyon; condors rise on thermal currents at 8–10 a.m. most mornings.
- Lima's Miraflores and Barranco neighborhoods for the food and art scenes.
Peru decriminalized same-sex relationships in 1980. But there are some important items to note:
- Same-sex unions are not recognized and the political environment remains socially conservative.
- Lima has a visible LGBTQ+ community in Miraflores and Barranco, and Lima Pride (July) draws significant attendance.
- Cusco has a more limited but functional LGBTQ+-friendly tourist infrastructure.
- Rural Andean communities reflect more traditional social values.
Dry season (May–October) is the optimal window for the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and trekking. June–August is peak season; May and September–October offer the best balance of dry weather and manageable crowds.
The Inca Trail must be booked 6+ months in advance for peak season. Lima's coastal climate is mild year-round.
7-Day Itinerary
Lima, Cusco & Sacred Valley — 7 Days
Day 1 — Arrive Lima
Fly into LIM. Miraflores neighborhood. The clifftop walk above the Pacific. Dinner in Barranco.
Day 2 — Lima Cultural Day
Huaca Pucllana: an adobe pyramid built by the Lima culture (400–700 AD) in the middle of the modern Miraflores neighborhood. Larco Museum — one of the finest pre-Columbian art collections in South America. Central Market for ceviche at lunch.
Day 3 — Fly to Cusco / Acclimatize
Morning flight to Cusco (1 hour 20 minutes). Do not do anything demanding today. Walk slowly through the Plaza de Armas. Qoricancha (the Temple of the Sun) — the Spanish built the Church of Santo Domingo directly on top of it; both are visible in the same visit.
Day 4 — Sacred Valley
Full day in the Sacred Valley. Pisac ruins above the market — the agricultural terracing is as impressive as any in Peru, and the site is less crowded than Machu Picchu. Drive to Ollantaytambo: the fortress-temple built into the mountainside, still partially intact. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Day 5 — Machu Picchu
First bus from Aguas Calientes at 5:30 a.m. The cloud below the citadel burns off by 7–8 a.m. on clear days. Walk the classic circuit with a guide for the first two hours, then explore independently. Return to Cusco by train via the Vistadome observation car.
Day 6 — Cusco & Sacsayhuamán
Sacsayhuamán: the Inca fortress above Cusco constructed of 200-ton limestone blocks fitted without mortar. San Blas neighborhood for artisan workshops. The San Pedro Market for a local lunch.
Day 7 — Return Lima / Depart
Morning flight to Lima. Connect home from LIM.
