A Peruvian Adventure

Explore Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Paracas with The Luxury Collection


Peru’s vastness–across eons and environments, alike–is utterly remarkable. Along the country’s 1,500-mile coastline, the capital city Lima thrums with a world-renowned culinary scene and some of the best surfing spots in South America. Head inward and you will find yet more variety: the vertiginous spikes of the Andes, the breathtaking beauty of Machu Picchu, and the lush Peruvian Amazon rainforest. Peru has cloud forests, deserts, beaches, wetlands, and a complex and rich history woven throughout these myriad environments to boot. To maximize your Peruvian adventure, we’ve curated a wandering arc that brings you from the spectacular highlands of Cusco and the Sacred Valley to the boundless Pacific in Paracas (be sure, as well, to make at least one pitstop in Lima proper–it’s a thriving, highly memorable city). 

Centuries of Splendor in Cusco

From the 13th to the 16th centuries, Cusco stood as the spectacular and sun-swept capital of the Incan empire (in fact, Incan people still live in the area today, sustaining their culture and language Quechua–and ensuring it lives on). From a bird’s eye view, many point out that the city was developed in the shape of a puma–an Incan effigy. Cusco also abounds with Spanish architectural influences, and, worth noting, the city is one of the highest in the world at approximately 11,500 feet above sea level. (Make sure you hydrate before arrival to help mitigate the effects of altitude sickness.)
While many know of Cusco as the gateway to Machu Picchu, there is plenty to explore–and to learn–in the city itself. Let your homebase be Opens in a new windowPalacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco,located in the heart of downtown. Housed in a mansion that’s over 500 years old, Palacio del Inka is just a short distance from Cusco’s famed sites such as Plaza de Armas, the city’s central gathering place that dates back to the Incan Empire; the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, which holds pieces dating from 1250 BC to AD 1532; and Coricancha, an extraordinary palace whose name translates to “golden courtyard” (its walls were once lined in solid gold). 
On property, Palacio del Inka holds distinct guest rooms, each decorated with traditional flare and color. The restaurant–Opens in a new windowInti Raymi–is beloved for its Novoandina cuisine (a modern cooking style from Peru and the Andes) and its beautiful courtyard with stone archways. The hotel’s Andes Spirit Spa is the most robust and dynamic wellness center in the city. It features a unique natural thermal circuit, and an array of treatments designed to restore your bones after a long day exploring (not to mention upping your blood flow to help with that altitude sickness). But this is only the beginning, as anyone who visits Cusco must continue onward into the Sacred Valley…

The Sacred Valley: Adventure and Serenity

Considered sacred by the Incas because of its fertile land, the Sacred Valley is a scenic stretch of Andean highlands dotted with small villages and Inca archeological sites. The Urubamba River winds through the verdant valley offering scenic vistas and opportunities for hiking, biking, white-water rafting or kayaking. Explore the picturesque towns of the Sacred Valley like Pisac, famous for its handicraft market with hand-woven clothing, local ceramics, and other crafts. The crown jewel, eventually, is a trip to the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu itself, but don’t miss lesser-known ruins, such as Ollantaytambo, a well-preserved Inca temple and fortress.
Set yourself up for Sacred Valley excursions from Opens in a new windowTambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado. Tambo del Inka features Hawa Restaurant and Kiri Bar, both of which lean heavily into local ingredients and materials. The former creates dishes made with produce from nearby farms (as well as the hotel’s 2,000 square-meter garden), while the latter is designed with sleek endemic wood and Peruvian onyx. Tambo del Inka is also home to another lauded spa, called Kallpa, which features a thermal circuit, underwater beds, and innovative muscle-rejuvenating treatments. The resort can arrange area activities and has a private train station complete with 1920s-style carriages, which will whisk you away in style to Machu Picchu.
 
After immersing yourself in Peru’s Andean highlands, it’s time to head west to recover–and discover the country’s dazzling coast.

Picturesque and Extraordinary Paracas

From beach days to boat tours, the air is salty, the sun is strong, and the setting utterly unique; Paracas is a perfect place to recharge by the sea. Yet it’s also a spot to discover new stories, too–it’s not your typical beach resort. Located about a three-hour drive south of Lima, Paracas stands at the junction of arid, tawny desert and the big, blue Pacific. This place, too, is rich in history–it’s partially famous for the discovery of mummies buried there by the Nazca people (an ancient group who flourished along coastal Peru until about 1,400 years ago), and for its well-recognized “Paracas Candelabra,” a mysterious gargantuan glyph carved into the dunes back in 200 BE (be sure to see this –the feeling you get when seeing it is nothing short of spectral).
Opens in a new windowHotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, Paracas, is the ideal coastal retreat, offering myriad amenities and activities both on site and afield. It is home to a trio of restaurants: Ballestas, which offers an “ancestral” tasting menu that examines important indigenous ingredients over the centuries, the Italian Trattoria and seafood outpost Chalana. There’s also a luxe spa and even a unique seashell harvesting excursion. This will not be your typical beach vacation–but it will be immensely memorable, all the same. 
 
A Peruvian adventure–no matter the route–will be memorable not only for its bounty of natural beauty but also, for the thousands of years of history and tradition behind it.

Experience This Itinerary

Cusco, Peru

Palacio del Inka

Considered a historic landmark, Palacio del Inka is a five-centuries-old mansion located in the heart of downtown Cusco. The hotel’s design embraces historical aspects of Peruvian culture while maintaining world-class luxury and modern conveniences.

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Sacred Valley, Peru

Tambo del Inka

Escape to a luxurious and mystical journey like no other at Tambo del Inka. Nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the hotel stands as a contemporary doorway to the vast cultural richness of this region. Savor the refined dining options available at our hotel or indulge in self-care at our therapeutic spa.

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Paracas, Peru

Hotel Paracas

Located three hours south from Lima and facing the Paracas National Reserve, Hotel Paracas offers world-class facilities, a private dock, the city’s only luxury spa, exquisite local and international cuisine. This beach resort has 120 rooms and suites are prepared to ensure the greatest comfort and the best rest. Each of them has a furnished terrace and a view of the sea or of the wonderful gardens.
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