Current as of: August 23, 2026 - 10:07
Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group
- Destination: Peru
- Programmes: Culture
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Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
- Ages: 18+
- Trip Code: LPH
- Carbon Footprint: 44.6kg CO2e
Trip Overview
From Lima to the Sacred Valley: Find the living heart of the Peruvian Andes carved into stone and spirit
This is the story of Peru: footsteps echoing through Inca ruins, artisans preserving ancestral skills, and the mighty Andes watching over it all. Led by your hand-picked Signature Guide, travel from Lima’s pre-Inca past into the Sacred Valley, then by First Class rail to Machu Picchu. Along the way, meet farming communities, artisans and storytellers whose knowledge gives each place deeper meaning. This is a journey into the living culture of the Andes, where ancient knowledge continues to shape the present.
Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.
Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between optional activities such as walking through farming communities to the Raqaypata ruins and Perolniyoc Waterfall, joining ceramicists Pablo Seminario and Marilú Behar for a hands-on masterclass, or paddleboarding across the calm waters of Piuray Lagoon
Signature Stay: Unwind in the heart of the Sacred Valley, where elegant Andean-inspired rooms, landscaped gardens, and mountain views create a peaceful retreat between Peru’s greatest discoveries
Signature Guide: Let your handpicked Signature Guide lead you to the country’s soul – sharing their home, heritage, and heart
Is This Trip for You?
We have graded this trip Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.
Driving times: The longest transfers are on Day 6, when we journey to Machu Picchu (approximately three hours, including rail), and Day 7, when we return to Cuzco (around three hours). All other journeys are under two hours.
Signature Day: Select from a curated menu of optional experiences to create a day that is personal to you or choose to slow the pace and enjoy the facilities of your accommodation. Simply prebook your chosen experience at least 60 days before departure through your Signature Collection travel expert. Additionally, those arriving early on Day 1 can prebook an optional bohemian walking tour in Lima. If you’re extending your stay in Cuzco at the end of the journey, you could prebook a market tour and cooking class.
Walking: Cuzco and many of the Inca sites (including Machu Picchu) are built on hillsides and sightseeing often involves walking up and down steep streets or on uneven steps or terraces. As such, you should have a good level of mobility and a reasonable level of fitness.
Altitude: The altitude can make physical activity feel more tiring than at sea level. As this trip spends considerable time at altitude, we ask you to refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for more information and advice on how to limit the effects of altitude sickness. Please ensure your travel insurance covers you for being at altitude.
- Maximum altitude: 12,140ft (3,700m) in Misminay (Day 4)
On your Signature Day, you could choose to visit Raqaypata Archaeological Site at 11,646ft (3,550m), while Cuzco sits at 11,155ft (3,400m). It can be cold at these altitudes, particularly from May to August (although these months benefit from lower rainfall). You should bring appropriate clothing.
Please note, it is essential you read the Machu Picchu regulations in the Important Information section of the Trip Notes before you book this trip.
Group
When it comes to unlocking a destination, your Signature Guide is the key holder. Hand-selected for their extensive experience and unrivalled local knowledge, they ensure your experience runs effortlessly thanks to their exceptional organisational skills. Our Signature Guides are named on our website, so you can begin your journey with complete confidence and anticipation of the wonders each day will bring.
Adult min age: 18
Min group size: 4
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Lima
- End City: Cuzco
Land Only Itinerary
Settle into Lima’s rhythm | Welcome reception at Huaca Pucllana
Arrive in Lima, Peru’s coastal capital, set between the Pacific Ocean and the foothills of the Andes. Complimentary arrival transfers are provided. If you arrive early, you may choose to join an optional walking tour through Barranco, known for its galleries, street art and creative character.
This evening, meet your Signature Guide and fellow travellers for a welcome reception and dinner at acclaimed Huaca Pucllana Restaurante. Set beside the illuminated remains of a fifth-century ceremonial and administrative centre, it is a memorable first taste of Peru, bringing together history, place and cuisine from the very start.
Accommodation: Hotel B
Honour the land’s spirit | Experience the ceremony and flavours of the Sacred Valley
Fly to Cuzco this morning before descending into the Sacred Valley, where Andean landscapes, farming communities and traditions have long shaped daily life. Pause at the Taray viewpoint for views across the Urubamba River and cultivated valley below.
Signature Experience: Enjoy an exclusive visit to Hacienda Sarapampa, a family-run estate renowned for cultivating the prized giant white corn of Cuzco. Guided through the fields and working farm, discover the agricultural heritage that continues to shape the region before sitting down to a seasonal farm-to-table lunch showcasing ingredients grown on the estate.
After, settle into our Signature Stay, surrounded by landscaped gardens beneath the Andes. The evening is yours to unwind in the spa, with its Andean-inspired treatments, sauna and steam bath, or look skywards from the hotel’s planetarium and observatory.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel y Villas
Along Inca lines | Taste traditions rooted in the earth
Begin at Ollantaytambo, walking among Inca terraces and ceremonial sites before continuing to the hillside ruins of Pumamarka. From here, follow forest paths into the Choquechaka Conservation Area, where native trees and plants are being reintroduced to the highland ecosystem.
At El Albergue Farm, sit down to a traditional pachamanca lunch, with meats and tubers slow cooked beneath hot stones in the earth. End the day at the estate’s artisanal distillery and coffee roastery, learning how small-batch spirits and hand-roasted beans are produced close to the fields.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel y Villas
Trace ancestral knowledge | Meet the guardians of Andean crops
Signature Experience: Spend the day with the Quechua community of Misminay, high in the Sacred Valley at 12,140ft (3,700m). After a welcome with traditional music and dance, join community members in activities such as farming, cooking and traditional building techniques, and learn about textile skills passed down through generations.
A guided walk reveals the surrounding mountain landscape before a home-style lunch prepared with local ingredients. It is a meaningful introduction to the knowledge, customs and traditions that continue to shape life in the Andes.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel y Villas
Signature Day | Choose your path through the Sacred Valley
Today is your Signature Day, an invitation to discover the living traditions and landscapes of the Sacred Valley. You could:
- Follow a gentle trail through traditional farming communities and spectacular Andean landscapes to the little-visited ruins of Raqaypata, an ancient Inca settlement overlooking the Sacred Valley. Continue to the sacred Perolniyoc Waterfall, cascading from the mountainside amid lush vegetation, before enjoying lunch and returning to our hotel (7.30am-4.30pm)
- Join a ceramics masterclass at Casa Taller Seminario, in the studio-home of Pablo Seminario and Marilú Behar, where every piece reflects the geometry and spirit of pre-Columbian design (8am-12pm)
- Glide across tranquil waters of Piuray Lagoonby paddleboard, surrounded by snow-capped Andean peaks and sweeping mountain scenery. Guided at a relaxed pace, this peaceful experience offers a unique perspective on the Sacred Valley before lunch overlooking one of the region’s most beautiful natural settings (8.30am-4.30pm)
Accommodation: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel y Villas
Ride in elegance through the Sacred Valley | Discover Machu Picchu, a New World Wonder
Signature Experience: Board The First Class train by Inca Rail for a luxurious journey through the Sacred Valley, following the Urubamba River toward the cloud forest. As the landscape unfolds, sip local wines and enjoy a gourmet three-course lunch. After, step onto the open-air balcony to feel the Andean breeze before arriving in Aguas Calientes.
This afternoon, ascend to Machu Picchu by bus for your first glimpse of one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Join your expert guide to explore terraces and temples backdropped by magnificent Andean peaks, taking time to pause and soak up the energy of this incredible site.
Back in Aguas Calientes, dinner is a private tasting on the terrace of your hotel, as the chef shares the origins behind each Andean-inspired dish. A memorable end to an unforgettable day.
Accommodation: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel
Enjoy more time at Machu Picchu | Celebrate Andean culture in Cuzco
Return at dawn to explore Machu Picchu when the mist lifts from the citadel and silence still holds the terraces.
After a relaxed lunch in Aguas Calientes, board the Inca Rail Prime Service for a smooth journey back to Cuzco, complete with live Andean music and locally inspired snacks.
Dine at Tunupa Restaurant this evening, overlooking Cuzco’s historic Plaza de Armas, where traditional Peruvian flavours are paired with vibrant music and dance performances celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Andes.
Accommodation: Antigua Casona San Blas
Celebrate Cuzco’s artisans | Share stories over a farewell dinner
Follow your Signature Guide through San Blas, Cuzco’s artistic quarter, stepping inside a luthier’s studio to see Andean instruments shaped by hand. Continue to the Mendívil Art Workshop Museum, then pause at the Twelve-Angled Stone before coffee in a courtyard.
Signature Experience: Gather at La Mesa del Marqués for a multi-course farewell dinner inspired by Cuzco’s colonial heritage, accompanied by a cellar tasting and Iberian cured meats. A local storyteller joins you throughout dinner, revealing the history behind the ingredients, Andean culinary traditions and legends associated with the historic palace.
Accommodation: Palacio del Inka
Say a fond farewell to Peru
After breakfast, linger for a final moment in the stone courtyard of Antigua Casona San Blas before your journey comes to an end. Peru stays with you in the precision of Inca stonework, the generosity of shared tables and the stories carried through the Andes.
Alternatively, begin a new chapter by speaking to your Signature Collection travel expert about extending your stay.
Altitude warning: This trip includes one or more nights over 9,845ft (3,000m) above sea level, where there is a genuine risk of being affected by acute altitude illnesses; if left untreated, this can be life-threatening. Most should expect to experience some mild symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, shortness of breath or sleeplessness. The Exodus Altitude Safety Guide describes how we will keep you safe on your holiday, but we do need your participation. Our leaders are trained to identify symptoms of severe altitude illnesses and, if a customer requires extra care, arrangements such as a rapid descent will be made.
Exodus itineraries are informed by the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) Guidelines for the Prevention of Altitude Illnesses and designed to allow for adequate acclimatisation. Due to terrain and/or logistical factors, there may be nights where the sleeping altitude gain is more than 1,640ft (500m), increasing the risk. The WMS highlight that because the rates of acclimatisation and physiologic responses to high altitude vary considerably between individuals, the recommendations given, although generally effective, do not guarantee successful prevention. Participants should be aware of the inherent risk posed by altitude.
Several medical conditions or medications can affect a person’s ability to acclimatise, making them more susceptible to acute altitude illnesses. Those with pre-existing conditions, such as heart or lung conditions, those who have suffered with altitude sickness before, or those with concerns about overall physical ability, should consult their doctor before booking. The drug Diamox (acetazolamide) may aid acclimatisation in some individuals. Those considering using Diamox should speak to their doctor about the drug, its suitability, side-effects, and a prescription. Please note, while we endeavour to assist all our customers in achieving their goals, there may be times when a leader decides to delay or stop someone’s ascent based on their condition.
If you are not taking out the Exodus Travel Insurance policy from our partner Campbell Irvine, please make sure your policy covers you up to the maximum altitude on this trip (if trekking in the Himalayas, your policy should also cover the use of a helicopter for emergency medical evacuation).
Accommodation
Experience the best of Peruvian hospitality
Every aspect of the Signature Collection is meticulously planned to take you deeper into the destination. That means your accommodation is a refined showcase of local hospitality, whether you’re staying in a pioneering luxury hotel or enjoying privileged access to a characterful stay designed to fully immerse you in the local culture.
Below are the accommodations we use on this adventure:
Lima: Hotel B (night 1)
Begin your journey in Lima’s only Relais & Châteaux hotel, a restored 1914 Belle Époque mansion in the artistic Barranco district. Art is woven throughout the stay, with more than 300 original works displayed across the property and an on-site gallery showcasing Peruvian and Latin American artists. After arriving, you may wish to raise a glass to the journey at the bar with one of Hotel B’s inventive cocktails, surrounded by the creative spirit that defines the neighbourhood.
Sacred Valley: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel y Villas (nights 2-5)
Your Signature Stay spreads across extensive gardens in the Sacred Valley, with the Andes visible beyond the grounds. After days exploring the region, unwind with an Andean-inspired treatment in the spa or step inside the hotel’s domed planetarium and observatory to study the Southern Hemisphere sky. With four nights here, there is time to enjoy the gardens, meet the resident alpacas and settle into the slower rhythm of the valley.
Aguas Calientes: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (night 6)
Set beside the Vilcanota River near Machu Picchu, Sumaq combines contemporary comfort with Andean design, including woven textiles and pre-Columbian-inspired art. Unwind in the Aqlla Spa, enjoy cocktails made with native ingredients at the riverside bar, or discover Andean flavours created with produce sourced from highland communities.
Cuzco: Antigua Casona San Blas (nights 7-8)
Stay in a restored colonial house in San Blas, where Cuzco’s artisan heritage sits just beyond the door. Inside, candlelit courtyards with fireplaces create a quiet place to unwind, while Piedra & Sal serves contemporary interpretations of Peruvian dishes. The private spa is particularly distinctive, with a steam bath, jacuzzi, locally sourced salt treatments and a hyperbaric chamber designed to help guests adjust to Cuzco’s altitude.
- Enhance your stay: Personalise your experience with curated room upgrades and additional nights tailored to your travel plans.
Food & Drink
This journey brings Peru’s culinary traditions into focus, from ingredients grown in the Sacred Valley to recipes shaped by generations. Savour a traditional pachamanca lunch cooked beneath hot stones, taste produce at a family-run estate, and enjoy considered dining experiences that draw on the country’s regional flavours. Coffee, local spirits and wine add further depth along the way. Where meals are not included, your Signature Guide will be on hand with considered recommendations, whether you choose to dine together or enjoy the evening at your own pace.
Transport
From the moment you land to the moment you depart, all transport is taken care of for you. On this adventure, travel by private vehicle through the Andes and board Inca Rail’s elegant First Class and Prime Service trains.
Weather & Seasonality
The Andes experience two distinct seasons: dry (May-October) and wet (November-April). The dry season offers crisp air, cool nights and clear light, ideal for walking, photography and archaeological visits. During the wet season, short afternoon rains bring the Sacred Valley to life with green terraces, wildflowers and rushing rivers. Both seasons reveal Peru at its most atmospheric.
Joining Instructions
As with all adventures in the Signature Collection, we take care of your arrival and departure transfers, allowing you to fully relax and immerse yourself in the local culture.
- Arrival airport: Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM)
- Your adventure begins with a welcome reception at 6pm on Day 1 at our first accommodation.
- Departure airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
- Your adventure concludes after breakfast on the final day.
Complimentary arrival and departure transfers are included between the airport and the tour’s designated start and end hotels on the first and last day of your tour. If you book additional pre-tour or post-tour nights at the designated start or end hotel through Exodus, your complimentary transfer will also be valid for those arrival and departure dates.
Additional charges may apply for transfers on different dates or to and from alternative hotels within the same city. To ensure arrangements can be made, complimentary transfers must be requested through your Signature Collection Travel Expert at least two weeks before your tour departure date.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Lima
Location end: Cuzco
What To Take
Essential Equipment
There’s no specialist equipment you need for this trip. For more information on what you might need to pack, please see our packing guide.
Practical Info & Visa
Visa
Peru
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Peru. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/peru
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/peru
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Peru.html
Vaccinations and Health
Peru
There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, tuberculosis and yellow fever. Additionally, Zika fever, a mosquito‐borne viral disease, is a known risk in Peru. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so you should take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
Amazon: If you are travelling to the Tambopata reserve in the Amazon rainforest, the risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice. We also strongly recommend that you obtain a yellow fever vaccination. Additionally, dengue fever and chikungunya are known risks in the Amazon region. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Methanol: The FCDO warns travellers to be cautious of methanol poisoning when travelling in destinations visited on the trip.
Local Time
Peru's time zone: America/Lima (UTC -05:00)
Electricity
Peru's electricity:
Plug types A (two flat pins), B (three pins: two flat, one round) and C (two round pins)– 220V, 60Hz.
Please note, on camping treks, spare batteries or a solar charger may come in handy. If staying in an Amazon lodge, there is no mains electricity; a generator will provide power for a few hours a day only in the main lodge/dining area, while lanterns, torches or candles will be provided in the bedrooms. Additionally, if you stay at the Inkaterra Hacienda Conception Amazon Lodge, there is limited electricity in the cabanas; however, all cabanas have reading lights and a ceiling ventilator.
Money
Peru's currency: Peruvian nuevo sol (PEN)
Tipping
On this adventure, tipping for any local support staff is included and will be taken care of locally by your Signature Guide. Tips for your Signature Guide are not included. We recommend a starting point of US$60 to US$70 per group member, to be given at the end. This is discretionary and you may wish to tip a different amount, depending on the service you have received.
Sustainability and Impact
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
We also weave Signature Legacy moments into your itinerary, so the positive impact of your trip lasts long after your stay. These are moments to remember which help people and nature thrive, ensuring you build a harmonious, positive connection with the places you visit.
On this journey, you can:
- Visit the Choquechaka Conservation Area to discover the unique ecosystems of the Andean forests and learn how community-led conservation initiatives are protecting this fragile landscape, supporting local livelihoods and preserving traditional ways of life, before enjoying a traditional Pachamanca lunch.
- Join a hands-on weaving session in Misminay, where artisans share ancestral techniques passed through generations. Through this exchange, you support the preservation of Indigenous knowledge and community livelihoods in the Sacred Valley.
- Support local craftsmanship through traditional workshops, from making your own zampoña instrument with a luthier in Cuzco to shaping pottery using pre-Columbian techniques at Casa Taller Seminario. These encounters empower artisans and celebrate cultural continuity.
Important Information
Machu Picchu regulations
- Tickets are valid for one entry, and all visitors must follow one of the pre-determined routes
- We spend approximately three hours at Machu Picchu and our guided tour lasts about two hours
- Upon finishing our one-way Machu Picchu guided tour, we must exit the site (re-entry is not permitted)
- Tickets are linked to your passport, details of which we take at the time of booking. It is essential that you inform us of any passport updates before departure. Passport numbers can be updated free of charge. However, only the passport number can be changed, and this update can only be made once. If a second change is required, or if any other details such as your name need to be changed, a new ticket must be purchased at the full cost. Failure to inform us of any update can result in refused entry to the site. If entry is still possible, our local operator will charge you an administration fee locally to update your details. Failure to inform us of any update can result in refused entry to the site. If entry is still possible, our local operator will charge you an administration fee locally to update your details.
Please note, we visit Machu Picchu in the morning or afternoon to avoid the peak entry time (10am to midday).
Your Safe Participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
Travel Safety
For additional information please have a look at the travel safety advice page on our website.
How To Book
Speak to our friendly team of experts to plan your adventure:
- Check availability: our website shows real-time availability of our guided group tours, or contact our team by phone, email or live chat.
- Hold a space: You can provisionally hold a space on any guided group tour to give you time to finalise your travel plans.
- Confirm your booking: Payment of a deposit will complete your booking and secure your place on the trip.
After booking
You will receive a confirmation document and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements. Our dedicated Customer Operations team will help you with any pre-travel questions or arrangements and can easily add extensions or extra accommodation to your booking. Final Joining Instructions will usually be sent out two to three weeks prior to departure.
Adding transfers to your booking
If you have arranged your own flights and would like to add transfers to your booking, please provide your arrival and departure details to our Customer Operations team around four to six weeks before departure.
- Where complimentary transfers are included, they are available for any flight but can only be added to your booking once we have received your flight schedule.
- Where group arrival and departure transfers are available, these operate at fixed times. You will need to arrive in time to meet the scheduled transfer. If the timings don’t align with your travel plans, our team can arrange private transfers once they receive your flight schedule.
Trip Note validity
Trip notes may be updated after booking; if any updates significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary you will be advised in writing. A link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes will be sent out with your Final Joining Instructions before departure.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes, and occasionally it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
