Wonders of the world and Indians!
The enormous variety of nature, colorful Indian markets, the driest desert in the world, the mysterious Machu Picchu and ancient cultures make Peru a unique destination. Did you know that Peru is the culinary destination of Latin America? When you travel to Peru, you will be exploring past and present. You will be enchanted by the mystical Inca and pre-Inca world, but will also get to know a modern country that has much to offer in terms of art and architecture.
Lima is the wonderful capital of Peru. A large bustling city with more than nine million inhabitants. From ultramodern neighborhoods to poorer districts, from small cozy restaurants to trendy lounge bars. From beautiful sandy beaches to green colorful parks. In Lima everything is possible! Barranco is a hip and upcoming neighborhood with many nice restaurants and galleries.
As is often the case with capital cities, all culinary expertise comes together in Lima. Eating out is a celebration. The city has a great selection of top restaurants and culinary hotspots, and is therefore considered by enthusiasts to be the gastronomic capital of South America. This is partly thanks to top chefs like Gastón Acurio of Astrid y Gastón and Virgilio Martinez of Restaurant Central. These chefs put Peruvian cuisine on the international map by giving classic dishes a contemporary twist.
After your stay in Lima, you will fly to Cusco and then travel to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. Along the way you will enjoy a beautiful route with breathtaking scenery! Your special stay in the Sacred Valley of the Incas is dyllically hidden between the green fields, mountains and the Urubamba River. The hotel beautifully combines the stylish local architecture with European influences. In the sacred valley lies the town of Chinchero, at an altitude of 3762m, where you will be virtually the only tourist. Here every day the locals come to a very colorful market and you will be amazed. The people are beautiful! Colorful ponchos and slings brightening up the street scene is a familiar street scene in Peru.
After your stay in the Sacred Valley, you will then travel aboard the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu. The Hiram Bingham train is the most luxurious way to travel to Machu Picchu. The train guarantees a magical journey that you will not soon forget. The exterior of the train is painted in bright blue colors and the interior is richly decorated in the style of Pullman trains from the 1920s.
Machu Picchu is the symbol of Peru. The Inca city from the fifteenth century lies in the middle of the Andes and is surrounded by cloud forests, there were never any roads. This is how the city was able to remain hidden from the world until 1911. Why was Machu Picchu created here? And why was it abandoned? To this day, it remains a mystery. By restoring the hundreds of stairs, terraces and temples, researchers did get a good idea of the function of this Inca city. The guide is an Inca expert, who will bring Machu Picchu to life for you.
And then it’s time for Cusco! A very popular city and you will be short of time for all the beautiful churches and monasteries, colorful markets, Inca streets, cozy terraces and restaurants. In Cusco you will spend the night in one of the most special hotels of Belmond! The colonial Belmond Palacio Nazarenas is located in the center of Cusco, near the Plaza de Armas, but also near the trendy neighborhood of San Blas. Behind the huge wooden doors you will find a very comfortable and stylish decor. The beautiful Palacio Nazarenas is an old monastery dating from 1715. Of course you will visit the colorful local market in Cusco. A wonderful place to look around and enjoy the local life! You will end the trip in Lima from where you will fly back directly to Amsterdam with KLM.
Please contact me for more details about this wonderful trip! From my own experience I can tell you everything about it and give you excellent advice!
A little something to get us started… Please let me know your wishes!