Current as of: November 14, 2025 - 06:34

Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes

Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Guided Group
  • Programmes: Culture
  • Activity Level:

    2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate

  • 10 Days: Land Only
  • Ages: 18+
  • Trip Code: LPH
  • Carbon Footprint: 45.3kg CO2e

Trip Overview

From Cuzco to the Sacred Valley: Find the living heart of the Peruvian Andes carved into stone and spirit

This is Peru’s story: footsteps echoing through Inca ruins, artisans preserving ancestral skills, and the mighty Andes watching over it all. Led by your handpicked Signature Guide, journey from the temples and cobbled streets of Cuzco to the fertile folds of the Sacred Valley, and onward to the once-lost citadel of Machu Picchu. Each step draws you deeper into the heart of the Andes, each encounter shaped by the storytellers who call it home.

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 Experiences:

  • Pay tribute to the earth in Llaullipata, taking part in an ancestral Andean ritual and offering coca leaves, grains, and chicha to Pachamama in a serene forest setting
  • Weave stories in Misminay, joining artisans for a hands-on workshop before a community walk to the terraced rings of Moray
  • Board The First Class train by Inca Rail for a luxurious journey through the Sacred Valley, before exploring the once-lost city of Machu Picchu
  • Join guardians of Inca culture and heritage to hike a historic section of the Inca road system (Qhapaq Ñan), listening to ancestral legends over a locally prepared lunch
  • End with Andean storytelling, as myths and mountain spirits are brought to life in an intimate evening of oral tradition, reflection, and quiet wonder

Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between exploring Pisac’s artisan heritage, a master ceramic workshop, or serene paddleboarding on Huaypo Lake

Signature Stay: Find peace in the Sacred Valley, settling into Peruvian casitas in a Relais & Châteaux retreat wrapped by the Andes

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 travel days take place on Day 6, when we journey to Machu Picchu (approximately three hours, including rail), and Day 7 returning to Cuzco (around three hours). All other journeys are under two hours.

Prebooking activities: An immersive adventure of your choice awaits on the Signature Day. Simply prebook your preferred activity at least 60 days before departure through our Signature Collection travel experts. Additionally, those arriving early on Day 1 can pre-book an optional creative workshop in Cuzco, priced from US$147, or enhance your journey with an optional hike up Machu Picchu Mountain on Day 7, priced from US$291.

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. The maximum altitude visited on this trip is on Day 8 at Racqhi (11,420 ft/3,480m), and we also spend time in Cuzco (11,155ft/3,400m). Please ensure your travel insurance covers you for being at altitude. 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: Cuzco
  • End City: Cuzco

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
Settle into Cuzco’s rhythm | Welcome reception at MAP Café

Our journey begins in Cuzco, cradle of Inca civilisation and heart of Andean artistry.

Complimentary arrival transfers are provided today. Those arriving early may join a private creative session to paint the Torito de Pucará, the symbolic guardian bull of the Andes, guided by local artisans over a coffee-based cocktail (available on request).

As evening falls, gather for a refined welcome reception at MAP Café, inside the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Beneath glass and stone, a five-course tasting reimagines Peru’s ancestral flavours – a bold, beautiful start to your highland adventure.

Overnight at Palacio del Inka

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2
Honour the land’s spirit | Experience ceremony and flavours of the Sacred Valley
Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes

Travel into the Sacred Valley for an unforgettable introduction to Andean culture. At historic Hacienda Sarapampa, learn about the origins of corn, a sacred crop in these highland communities, before a gourmet, farm-to-table lunch in the hacienda gardens, framed by the snow-dusted peaks of the Urubamba range.

Signature Experience: In the eucalyptus forests of Llaullipata, take part in an ancient pago a la tierra, an offering to Pachamama, Mother Earth. Guided by Andean priests who carry glowing embers, coca leaves, and coloured yarns as symbols of thanks, you’ll share in this important ceremony.

After, we check into our Signature Stay, Sol y Luna, where adobe casitas nestle among wildflower gardens. Wood-burning fireplaces, artisan textiles and sweeping valley views make this a soulful retreat for the following days ahead.

Overnight at Sol y Luna

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3
Trace ancestral knowledge | Meet the guardians of Andean crops
Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes

Between Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, agronomist Manuel Choqque opens the gates to his family farm in Chinchero, where he shares his pioneering work in preserving Peru’s potato varieties and Andean tubers. Taste his vivid creations and discover how science and heritage shape the future of Andean farming through over 380 preserved potato varieties.

Signature Experience: In the Misminay community, join families for a hands-on weaving session, learning how meaning is embedded in every thread. A scenic trail leads to the terraced rings of Moray – a centuries-old laboratory carved into the highlands to test microclimates and grow resilient crops. After, a picnic lunch is served in a tranquil spot.

Second night at Sol y Luna Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4
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:

  • Stroll through Pisac’s morning market, where families trade handwoven textiles and silverwork, then walk to the ruins above, tracing paths once cut into the mountain by stone tools.
  • 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.
  • Glide across Huaypo Lake by kayak or paddleboard, drifting past mirrored peaks and reed-fringed banks before pausing for a quiet picnic of native grains, roots, and valley-grown superfoods.

Third night at Sol y Luna Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5
Along Inca lines | Follow canals, plant roots, and unearth flavours
Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes

Begin at Ollantaytambo, walking among the sun-tempered terraces and ceremonial sites that once guarded the Inca Empire.

Continue to the remote hillside ruins of Pumamarka, where old canals still trace patterns through the grass. From here, follow quiet forest paths into the Choquechaka Conservation Area to learn how native trees and plants are being reintroduced to restore balance to the highland ecosystem.

A traditional pachamanca lunch awaits at El Albergue Farm, where meats and tubers are slow-cooked beneath hot stones and buried under the earth to absorb a deep, smoky flavour.

End the day with a visit to the estate’s artisanal distillery and the coffee roastery, where small-batch spirits and hand-roasted beans are crafted just steps from the fields.

Fourth night at Sol y Luna Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6
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 this once-lost Inca citadel, now one of the 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.

Overnight at Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7
A second awakening at Machu Picchu | Climb higher into history
Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes

Return at dawn to explore Machu Picchu when the mist lifts from the citadel and silence still holds the terraces.

Enhance your journey with an optional hiking trail up Machu Picchu Mountain, with extraordinary views of the Machu Picchu site and the Urubamba Valley below (available on request).

After a relaxed lunch at Café Inkaterra 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.

Overnight at Palacio del Inka

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8
Step into Inca culture and landscapes | Hike a section of the historic Qhapaq Ñan

In the morning, journey through the Southern Valley, pausing in Andahuaylillas to visit its jewel-box church – an Andean baroque masterpiece of painted ceilings, gilded altars, and blended traditions.

Signature Experience: Join members of the Inka Roots Association – stewards of language, land, and living memory – to hike a section of the historic Qhapaq Ñan, a network of trails that once unified the Inca Empire. After, gather for a traditional lunch prepared by local families, where Andean ingredients and centuries-old recipes come together in a shared expression of hospitality and heritage.

Second night at Palacio del Inka

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9
Celebrate Cuzco’s artisans | Enjoy a farewell dinner and Andean storytelling
Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes

Follow your Signature Guide through San Blas, Cuzco’s artistic heart, where time-honoured craft still sings. Step inside a luthier’s studio to watch Andean heritage take shape in wood and string — as musical instruments are shaped by hand.

In San Blas Square, visit the Mendívil Art Workshop Museum to discover the story of the family whose distinctive long-necked figures helped define Cuzco’s artistic identity. Pause at the Twelve-Angled Stone, a marvel of Inca precision, before relaxing over coffee in a quiet courtyard. As evening falls, gather for a farewell dinner at El Cubo, where contemporary Peruvian cuisine meets live instrumental music.

Signature Experience: The evening closes with a private storytelling performance by a Quechua narrator, who brings ancestral myths, sacred landscapes and celestial beliefs to life, revealing how the Quechua cosmovision still shapes the soul of the Andes.

Third night at Palacio del Inka

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10
Say a fond farewell to Peru

After breakfast, take a final moment in the stone courtyards of Palacio del Inka. The journey winds to a close, but the echoes of Peru remain in the weight of carved stone, the warmth of shared tables, and the stories carried through Andean skies.

Alternatively, open a new chapter of discovery by speaking to your Signature Collection travel expert about extending your stay.

Meals included: Breakfast

Altitude Warning

This trip includes one or more overnight stays above 9,850ft (3,000m) where there is a genuine risk of being affected by acute mountain sickness (AMS). If left untreated, AMS can be life-threatening. Our itineraries are designed to allow most people to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected by AMS.

Several medical conditions or medications can reduce your body’s ability to acclimatise, and thus will affect your performance at altitude and make you more susceptible to AMS. If you are worried about any pre-existing condition (eg heart problems), or unsure of your physical ability, you must seek medical advice prior to booking.

Accommodation

Experience the best of Peruvian hospitality

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:

Cuzco: Palacio del Inka (nights 1 and 7-9)

Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes

In a restored 16th-century mansion opposite the Koricancha Temple, this iconic hotel blends Inca foundations with colonial grandeur. Rooms feature handcrafted décor and marble bathrooms. Courtyards, a luxury spa, and fine dining beneath gilded ceilings offer a refined retreat in the heart of historic Cuzco.

Sacred Valley: Sol y Luna Hotel (nights 2-5)

Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes

Your Signature Stay is an elegant Relais & Châteaux retreat surrounded by wildflower gardens and Andean peaks. The casitas in which you stay are built from local stone and wood, featuring fireplaces, private terraces, and handcrafted Peruvian art. Enjoy seasonal fine dining at Wayra Restaurant, a spa inspired by natural elements, and a meaningful connection to Sacred Valley traditions through the hotel’s deep ties to the land and community.

Aguas Calientes: Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (night 6)

Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes

Near Machu Picchu, this upscale retreat offers panoramic views of the Vilcanota River and rooms that pair Andean textures with modern comfort. It also offers an immersive six-course tasting menu, a tranquil spa, and warm, personalised service, all inspired by the flavours, landscapes, and spirit of the Inca citadel.

  • Enhance your stay: Personalise your experience with curated room upgrades and additional nights tailored to your travel plans.

Food & Drink

This journey is designed to deepen your connection to the country through its food and drink. Savour a five-course tasting at MAP Café, a pachamanca lunch slow-cooked beneath the soil, and potato vodka crafted in the highlands. From superfood picnics and refined coffee cocktails to elegant chef-led dinners, Peru’s bold dishes and culinary innovation are celebrated at every turn.

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: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
    • Your adventure begins with a welcome reception at 7pm on Day 1 at our first accommodation.
  • Departure airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
    • Your adventure concludes after breakfast on the final day.

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: Cuzco
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 Information

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.

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.

Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes

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:

  • Participate in a traditional offering to Pachamama, guided by Andean priests in the forests of Llaullipata. By engaging in this ancestral ceremony, you help preserve Indigenous belief systems and support local practitioners who sustain these spiritual and ecological traditions.
  • 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.

Signature Peru | Threads of the Andes

Important Information

Machu Picchu regulations

  1. Tickets are valid for one entry
  2. We spend approximately three hours at Machu Picchu and our guided tour lasts about two hours
  3. Upon finishing our one-way Machu Picchu guided tour, we must exit the site
  4. 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 and pay the administration fee of £31 (US$50/CA$60/AU$70/€40). 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.

How To Book

Speak to our Signature Collection travel experts to plan your adventure:

  1. Check availability: our website shows real-time availability or contact our team by phone, email or live chat.
  2. Hold a space: You can provisionally hold a space to give you time to finalise your travel plans.
  3. 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.

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.