Best of Peru: Lima, Sacred Valley of the Inca, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, and the Amazon Featuring the Aria Amazon Riverboat

Fly to Lima and transfer to your hotel. Most flights arrive in the evening, so check in and enjoy dinner on your own. 

Overnight: The Westin Lima Hotel

Start your day in Lima with the first lecture of the program and a brief welcome orientation. Then, visit the iconic Museo Larco, an 18th-century vice-royal mansion showcasing an extraordinary collection of pre-Columbian artifacts. From intricately crafted ceramics and textiles to dazzling gold treasures, each piece narrates Peru’s rich ancient history. 

Enjoy lunch at Café del Museo before heading to Lima’s Main Square to admire colonial landmarks like the Government Palace and City Hall. These sites are complemented by visits to the Cathedral, Casa Aliaga, and San Pedro Church for a deeper appreciation of the city’s architectural legacy. Take a scenic drive through the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, featuring stunning Pacific views, before returning to the hotel to relax and refresh. 

This evening, indulge in contemporary Peruvian cuisine at Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores. This renowned restaurant is uniquely set beside an ancient adobe pyramid, offering breathtaking views that juxtapose Peru’s ancient heritage with its vibrant modernity; a lovely ending to a day of cultural discovery in the capital. 

Overnight: The Westin Lima Hotel

Meals: B, L, D

Fly to Cuzco this morning and transfer to the Sacred Valley. Along the scenic journey, stop for lunch at Hacienda Sarapampa. Immerse yourself in a unique culinary experience featuring traditional cooking with locally sourced organic products, a testament to the farmers' profound connection to their land.

Delve into the rich legacy spanning three generations of one of the Sacred Valley's most esteemed families. Gain insight into the generational experiences and dedicated work behind the production of Cuzco's giant white corn, a unique crop exclusive to this region. 

Conclude the day with an insightful lecture followed by a dinner served at the hotel. 

Overnight: Tambo Del Inka, A Luxury Collection Resort

Meals: B, L, D

Begin the day with an exploration of Ollantaytambo, one of the last living Inca towns, celebrated for its extraordinary archaeological complex and rich history. Visit its fortress, an iconic site that showcases advanced engineering, religious significance, and strategic importance. Once a ceremonial center and royal estate, it also served as a stronghold for Inca resistance against the Spanish. Its terraces, temples, and urban layout offer a fascinating glimpse into Inca ingenuity and daily life. Continuously inhabited since the Inca period, the town seamlessly blends ancient traditions with modern culture, making it a must-visit destination in the Sacred Valley.

Complement your exploration of the town with a visit to the Alqa Museum, an engaging space that highlights Andean artistry through an interactive, sensory experience.

After lunch at Las Manos Restaurant, enjoy a hands-on ceramics workshop at the studio of master artist Pablo Seminario, where you’ll craft your own piece inspired by Andean traditions. This evening, enjoy a delightful dinner at the hotel.  

Overnight: Tambo Del Inka, A Luxury Collection Resort

Meals: B, L, D

Enjoy spectacular vistas as you travel aboard the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu. Travel in 1920s Pullman-style carriages, dining on gourmet meals, and savoring breathtaking views along the way. Upon arrival, embark on a guided tour of the legendary Machu Picchu archaeological site. Discover the brilliance of its architecture, from its intricately carved stone temples to its agricultural terraces, while delving into the history and mysteries of this Inca masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

After a day of exploration and wonder, check into your hotel for a restful evening in Aguas Calientes.

Overnight: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Meals: B, L, D 

Early this morning, choose between revisiting Machu Picchu along an alternate route for a fresh perspective or embarking on the exhilarating Huayna Picchu hike, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Board the Vistadome train for the scenic journey back to Ollantaytambo. 

Continue by motorcoach to Cuzco, stopping en route in Chinchero for a captivating Andean weaving demonstration led by Nilda Callañaupa, founder of the Center for Traditional Textiles. Gain insight into the intricate techniques and cultural significance behind these timeless creations. 

Upon arrival in Cuzco, check into your hotel that is a protected national monument. Dinner is served at the hotel. 

Overnight: Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel

Meals: B, L, D 

Start the day with a visit to the Cuzco Cathedral, renowned for its stunning chapels and its exceptional collection of colonial art from the Cuzco School, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich cultural and religious history. Next, head to Koricancha, the “Enclosure of Gold,” a sacred Inca temple once dedicated to the Sun God. Marvel at the intricate stonework and learn about its significance as a spiritual and ceremonial center. Continue to Sacsayhuamán Fortress, a striking example of Inca military architecture, perched on the mountainside with panoramic views of Cuzco below.

Then, enjoy a serene picnic lunch in the idyllic countryside near Q’enqo, surrounded by the region’s breathtaking natural beauty.

In the evening, take a short walk from our hotel to the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, home to a remarkable collection that celebrates ancient Peruvian art as timeless masterpieces and highlights their influence on artists through the ages. End the day with dinner in the museum’s elegant restaurant. 

Overnight: Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel

Meals: B, L, D 

After breakfast, transfer to the Cuzco airport for onward flights to Iquitos. Upon arrival at Iquitos International Airport, you will be greeted by Aria Amazon’s crew and transferred to downtown Iquitos for a panoramic city tour and lunch. Then, transfer to Nauta port for embarkation. Settle into your suite and begin one of life’s greatest adventures. Following an introduction to the onboard naturalist guides and a routine safety drill, gather at the restaurant for the first of many Amazonian cuisine experiences created by Aria Amazon’s renowned consulting chef, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose restaurants in Lima have been on several Latin American top 50 lists. 

Overnight: Aria Amazon

Meals: B, L, D 

Start the day searching for wildlife along the Ucayali River, including parrots, egrets, hawks, and monkeys. After breakfast, choose from a range of engaging activities - fishing for notoriously ferocious piranhas, canoeing, kayaking, swimming in the black water Clavero Lake, or visiting an Amazonian village to engage with native riberenos (people of the river). After dinner, take a leisurely walk in the floodplain forest of San Jose de Paranapura. 

Overnight: Aria Amazon

Meals: B, L, D 

Embark on an early morning wildlife excursion on the extraordinary Amazon River. After breakfast, explore the Tahuayo River, a black water tributary of the Amazon River, while naturalist guides share stories of Amazonia. After lunch, take a jungle walk at San Pedro or Puerto Prado’s Forest to learn about the Amazonian flora and fauna. At dusk, explore the Amazon River in search of exotic nocturnal wildlife. 

Overnight: Aria Amazon

Meals: B, L, D 

This morning, enjoy a guided visit to the local market to learn about the region’s produce. Return to the ship for breakfast and disembarkation. En route to the Iquitos airport, visit the Manatee Rescue Center, where orphaned Amazonian manatees rehabilitate before they are released back into the wild.

Fly to Lima for overnight flights to the U.S. 

Meals: B, L

Arrive U.S.