Peru as a destination is of course famed for the magical citadel of Machu Picchu but luxury vacation seekers in Peru in 2019 will be seeking so much more than Machu Picchu. So, what are the must dos and must sees of luxury Peru vacations in 2019? The options for travel continually evolve here and I decided to create an up to date picture of the highlights of the best possible luxury Peru vacations on offer and what they can include in this enchanting and mystical land.

Machu Picchu – Totally Latin America

#5. 10 Days of the Amazon Jungle and Machu Picchu.

This trip begins by a flight from Lima across the Andes; destination Puerto Maldonado in the Amazon Jungle basin. From here you are brought by road and boat to your jungle lodge aside the famed Tambopata National Reserve. This reserve is a vast diverse eco system within the Amazon Jungle. To gain deep insights to the flora and fauna of the surrounding lands you are offered both day and night guided excursions from your lodge.

Typically, you have options of 3, 4 or 5 day stays and they are at a selection of lodges from equivalent three-star lodging to more luxurious offerings ranging from the excellent Lake Sandoval Lodge to the best luxury Peru vacation at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica. An enticing and unique prospect for a jungle visit is now also the Tambopata Research Center for a truly wonderful insight to life deep in the Peruvian jungle.

A flight from Puerto Maldonado brings you to fabled Cusco the navel of the Inca world and you will meander down to the Sacred Valley of the Incas for a 2-night stay at a luxuryhotel such as the Sol y Luna, the Tambo del Inka or the Belmond Rio Sagrado. Tours of the valley include fascinating ruins at Ollantaytambo, Moray and Pisac or a cultural excursion to a typical Andean Community at Misminay. For the more adventurous souls there are mountain bike rides for all levels and even Zipling or a via Ferrata climb at Skylodge.

The next day is your journey to Machu Picchu and this is via the Vistadome train which will carry you down to Aguas Calientes station, near Machu Picchu. You will be greeted by a private guide and taken to the famous citadel of Machu Picchu and no photographs ever replace witnessing the first glimpses of this Inca masterpiece.  A night close by to Machu Picchu can be had by a stay at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge or a little further away at Inkaterra Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes. Next day you will get to re visit the site and take the Huayna Picchu trek in the footsteps of the Inca and some amazing views over the fortress. To conclude a perfect day, board the luxury Hiram Bingham train to watch the evening blue skies roll to amber over the Andes. This journey alone makes this a top five best luxury Peru vacation for 2019. On the journey to Poroy, near Cusco, you savour a 4-course meal and evening entertainment of Andean folk dance for a quintessential ending to a quintessential tour.

Luxury Hiram Bingham Train © Belmond

#4. 8 Days of The Sacred Valley, Cusco, One Day Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Lima. 

This route begins with a short flight over the Andes Mountains from Lima on the coast to Cusco in the highlands. A drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas is a must on any Peru trip. This journey of eight days allows you to see the jewels which Peru has to offer and so it make the five best luxury Peru vacations 2019, by including so many attractions in a short time frame.

A great luxury retreat in the valley is the Sol y Luna Hotel which offers luxury stays with a difference in beautifully appointed casitas set in fabulous gardens and a superb backdrop vista across the valley. A hike on the One Day Inca Trail offers the traveller a journey in the footsteps of the Inca on routes once plied by the chasqui Inca runners to deliver messages across the empire. These are now pathways for visitors to discover of an ancient and beguiling past. Six hours of hiking leads to the Sun Gate for that magical moment, and there it is, a feast upon your eyes of Machu Picchu in all its glory. You can relax overnight in the Sanctuary Lodge or Inkaterra Machu Picchu hotel and re visit next day. You then journey by the resplendent Hiram Bingham train as it meanders to Poroy Cusco. The city of Cusco is the heartland of the Andean Inca people. It offers a wealth of archaeological treasures such as the nonpareil Inca walls of Sacsayhuaman fortress. Your stay in Cusco is assured to be etched in your memory as you dwell within the hallowed halls of the luxurious Belmond Monasterio, Palacio Nazarenas or the Palacio del Inka Hotels.

Luxury Inca Trail – Totally Latin America

#3. 10 Days of Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu. 

This makes the top five best luxury Peru vacation for 2019 by combining the two most popular attractions in Peru of Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. A 10-day luxury Peru vacation with a stay at the splendid Inkaterra Hacienda Hotel Sacred Valley; a perfect base for a series of day tours to ancient ruins. These private tours will take you to the treasures of the valley including ruins at Ollantaytambo, Pisac and Moray. The town of Chinchero can also be visited to witness the wonderful vibrant loom spinning craft of the Andean people; a tradition carried over many centuries.

The visit to Machu Picchu can be done via the Vistadome train which allows one capture the truly expansive views as the train winds through the mountain valley. Machu Picchu is the number one attraction in Peru but this trip offers more in the guise of Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca can be reached by the journey aboard the Andean Explorer luxury trainwhich departs each Tuesday from Cusco. Travel in style along the spine of the Andes and overnight aboard the train to awaken to a view aside the highest navigable lake in the world. The trip includes a two night stay at the luxurious Relais y Chateau acclaimed Titilaka Hotel. From this exclusive location you can choose your own personalized lake tours or choose to spend some time soaking up the wonderous views. This alone makes it qualify for the top five best luxury Peru vacations for 2019.

Titilaka Hotel – Totally Latin America

#2. 12 Days – Luxury Amazon Cruise, Machu Picchu and the Colca Canyon

This luxury Peru tour encompasses three wonderful destinations. Firstly, you will enjoy a 3-night stay aboard a luxurious river cruise boat as you discover the mighty Amazon river and Pacaya Samiria National Reserve near Iquitos in Peru. Experienced guides will escort you on bio diverse outings to native villages, see the pink river dolphins, river fishing, kayaking and day and night journeys on the river shores. This ensures you bring home unforgettable memories of your Amazon luxury Peru cruise.

Following on from the jungle you visit Cusco and the region of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. The wonder of the world in Machu Picchu is followed on by a journey south to include Lake Titicaca but this time you continue to venture further to see the Colca Canyon. This canyon, an immense 10,730 feet deep, is an awe-inspiring site as you see the patch work of Inca terraces which contour the landscape in their earthy multi-coloured tones. It is a land of big skies and adventure from hiking, to river rafting and more. The luxurious Belmond Las Casitas accommodations are sure to satisfy the most discerning guests after a long days outing in this immense landscape of natural creation.  A world class canyon visit must make any list of the top five best luxury Peru vacations for 2019.

Luxury Deck Amazon Cruise © Delfin Cruises

Belmond Las Casitas Colca Totally Latin America© Belmond

#1. 8 Days Lares Mountain Lodges Trek to Machu Picchu

The options for traveling to Machu Picchu are primarily by day trip by train or a one-day Inca trail. The longer options include the 4-day Inca trail which is often busy. As an alternative why not try the spectacular Sacred Valley and Lares trek to Machu Picchu Hike. The 8-day tour first allows some time in Lima and Cusco to see the finest attractions. Following on, this high latitude trek takes you across stunning landscapes, remote Andean villages and is a cultural living trek as opposed to a historical one. You will see the real lives of Andean villagers on this fascinating journey across the Andes at elevations up to 14,650 feet or 4,464 meters.

The trek includes two mountain lodges of Lamay Lodge and Huacahuasi Lodge in addition to a night at Tambo del Inka Sacred Valley and a night at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel. The trip allows your days to be filled with adventure in the open air and yet at night you can enjoy splendid food and warm comfortable beds, what more could one ask for? If you wish to enjoy the countryside and avoid the crowds on the way to Machu Picchu this trip is for you. The option of escaping the crowds make this a top five best luxury Peru vacation for 2019.

Inkaterra Machu Picchu © Inkaterra

For further information on the best luxury Peru tours contact the experts in creating memorable experiences in Peru at Totally Latin America.

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