Destinations / Latin America / Peru / Tailor-Made Peru: Path of the IncasLUXURY TAILOR MADE TRAVELTailor-Made Peru: Path of the Incas8 days, 5-star from $6,595A hotbed of natural, urban and cultural diversity is the South American nation of Peru, where mysterious ruins shed light on 5,000 years of pre-Colombian history, unique festivals frequently take over city streets, and chiselled peaks, giant sand dunes and Pacific breaks decorate breath-taking landscapes. From the historic sites of Cusco to the remains of Machu Picchu in the Sacred Valley, Peru’s highlights tell tales of bygone civilisations. Cities like Lima, the capital, are innovation-fuelled vanguards that reflect indigenous, Spanish, Asian and African influences – all of which are deliciously present in Peru’s tasty cuisine.On an eight-day trip in Peru, you can discover the last remnants of the Incan and Andean cultures, attend festivals that mark ancient rites, feast on slow-simmered stews followed by velvety Amazonian chocolate, and soak up the fusion of cultures that have made Peru what it is today. By following our itinerary, you’ll do all that – plus a bunch of sightseeing, adventure activities, and meeting friendly camelids.Peru at a GlanceTravellers flock to Peru for all sorts of reasons – abundance of UNESCO sites, diverse landscapes, and festivals like Fiesta de la Candelaria, to name a few. But Peru’s biggest draw is perhaps its friendly locals that have created a true melting pot of cultures in cities like Lima and Cusco, where museums and restaurants are abound and gay scenes thrive. Lima’s gay district was, sadly, hit hard by covid, though gay venues are scattered throughout Barranco, Miraflores and Centro, though sticking to cabs at night in Centro is recommended. The former Inca Empire capital of Cusco is also quite progressive and very popular with tourists thanks to being on the doorstep of Machu Picchu and the Sacsayhuamán walled complex. Besides its ancient landmarks, Cusco is home to restaurants, a few queer-exclusive venues, and museums such as the Chocolate Museum.You should be aware, however, that Peru is still a broadly Catholic conservative country, and attitudes towards the gay community often reflect Catholic teachings. Even though same-sex activity has been legal since 1924 and discrimination against the LGBQT+ community was banned in 2017, gay people can and do face prejudice. Sadly, two-thirds of lawmakers in Parliament recently voted in favour of removing anti-discrimination laws, though this hasn’t come into effect. The key message is to be discrete and aware of local customs. Public displays of affection are often frowned upon, particularly in rural areas. Also, many LGBTQ+ people in Peru prefer to wear gender-neutral clothing and accept twin beds at hotels. When visiting Cusco, remember that the city flag is almost identical to the Pride flag – don’t assume gay rights are being celebrated throughout town. CurrencyNuevo sol (PEN) LanguageSpanish, Quechua, Aymara VisasNot needed for travellers from the US, Canada and Europe Best Time To VisitMay – October TimezonePeru Standard Time (GMT-5) Homosexual ActivityLegal Photo: Alex Azabache Photo: Adli Wahid8-day travel itineraryThis itinerary will take you through Lima, the Sacred Valley and Cusco, stopping at destinations such as Moray, Sacsayhuaman and Machu Picchu along the way.DAY 1 Arrive in LimaOn the first day, you’ll check into your hotel before spending the rest of the day doing as you please in Lima, a city brimming with pre-Colombian sites and colonial architecture through to modernist structures. DAY 2 Explore Lima in the afternoonAfter taking the morning to yourself, spend the afternoon exploring Peru’s capital. Highlights include the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, and the UNESCO-listed Church of San Francisco, which is famous for its historic library, distinctive frescoes and paintings. You should also browse the thousands of pre-Columbian artefacts that include mummies, ceramics and feather textiles at the Larco Museum. DAY 3 Sacred Valley and CamelidsEarly in the morning, fly to Cusco so that you can spend as much time as possible exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After, consider visiting attractions such as a nature reserve that’s home to camelids such as alpacas and llamas. You might also want to visit a local workshop to peruse handmade textiles such as gloves and hats. DAY 4 More Sacred ValleyUse day four to get to know the seemingly frozen-in-time villages and Inca archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley. After, head to Moray to learn about the agricultural experiments and practices of the Inca Empire. In the afternoon, you can gain cultural insights while interacting with the Niños del Arco Iris (Children of the Rainbow) at the Kuychi Center, which is a charitable project supported by Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy. DAY 5 Sacred Valley and Machu PicchuWhile travelling through the Sacred Valley on day five, you’ll visit the sloped terraces and stone fortress of Ollantaytambo before riding the train into the Andes towards Machu Picchu, taking in views of Peruvian countryside vistas along the way. When you arrive at Machu Picchu, enjoy lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon discovering the mysterious ruins of this incredible mountain-top city. After the sun goes down, retreat to the only hotel available at the site. DAY 6 Machu PicchuEarly in the morning on day six, you’ll have the chance to explore Machu Picchu in time for sunrise, before the crowds arrive. Then, hike to either the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) or up to Huayna Picchu. After lunch at a local restaurant such as Tampu, take the Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo. You can spend the evening relaxing at your hotel or discovering more sights of Cusco. DAY 7 Cusco and SacsayhuamanOn day seven, visit Cusco landmarks such as the Santo Domingo Temple, the Cathedral and the Plaza de Armas. Then, head over to the incredible ruins of Sacsayhuaman, one of the best examples of ancient Incan architecture. Some of the site’s huge stone blocks weigh upwards of 100 tonnes, and not a drop of mortar was used during its construction. DAY 8 Depart from LimaTake the morning of your final day to relax before boarding a flight back to Lima, where you can fly home from the international airport. Let Us Book Your Luxury Peru VacationGet in touch if you would like us to arrange your Peru trip. Did you have a different Peru itinerary in mind? No problem. We tailor every trip to your individual travel style and budget so just let us know what you’re looking for. A private itinerary designed for you Hand-selected luxury accommodation Exclusive insider-access opportunities and inspiring sightseeing English-speaking local guides Airport meet and greet with private transfers