There are a handful of destinations in this world – from the Great Wall of China to the Banaue Rice Terraces of the Philippines – that evoke a profound sense of wonder, inquiry and euphoria. Surpassing perhaps even these, are the intricate and ancient trails left by the Inca Empire. With astounding, larger-than-life geoglyphs engraved in the Nazca Desert, the power and mysteries surrounding the dramatic Machu Picchu to the archaeologically significant cities of Cusco and Lima, these Peru landmarks make the entire land a natural wonder to behold. Within these treks lie private and traditional festivities fused with luxury travel tropes of the Belmond Andean Explorer, that promise exceptional indulgences and spellbinding memories from the most intimate and exclusive Peruvian experiences.

Luxury Hotels in Peru

Immediately upon arrival, a private driver and a personal guide arrive to convey travellers to a selection of the Belmond’s luxury hotels in Peru’s ancient cities of Lima, Cusco and then Machu Picchu. As the international leaders in luxury, Belmond hotels guarantee the elegance, sleek and attentive service coupled with immaculate designs expected of top-tier hotels. Setting themselves apart, however, from other deluxe accommodations is their championing of local history and culture.

A royal retreat can be had at Belmond’s Miraflores Park in Lima, otherwise known as “the City of the Kings” for its historical centre, numerous religious museums, catacombs and governmental palaces. Towering tall on the Malecón clifftop and overlooking the glistening South Pacific Ocean, Miraflores Park is a wellness sanctuary infused with organic products indigenous to the Peruvian Amazon. The Zest Spa houses a plethora of nourishing therapies and treatments that epitomise the concepts of self-indulgence and leisure. Its rooftop pool, likewise, radiates with the warmth of the sunsets while its chic suites are perfect for slowing down, unwinding and reconnecting with the soul.

Originally built as a monastery in 1592 on the site of the Inca Amaru Kuala Palace, their Hotel Monasterio equally exudes a royal ambience while retaining the essence of peace, healing, and devotion often found in monasteries of the Middle Ages. The two-tiered cloistered courtyard resembles Florence’s exquisite Medici Palace while its colourful flowerbeds guard a 300-year-old cedar tree. With such connections to the natural world, it has become an oasis from the whirl of Cusco city and its ancient ruin site of Tambomachay, Plaza de Armas and numerous temples. The hotel epitomises the definition of heaven by its refined Peruvian cuisine set against the backdrop of live operatic music, tranquil sanctuaries of spacious suites and comforting hand-woven alpaca blankets.

But it is the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge that transports guests to the heart of calmness and the Inca empire. Set directly adjacent to the citadel of Machu Picchu, Sanctuary Lodge is hidden away by vibrant orchids, dense foliage, and picturesque waterfalls. Here, partaking in traditional shaman ceremonies that ask Mother Earth for health and prosperity, allowing an Andean priest to read Coca leaves to determine one’s future or trekking one’s way to Machu Picchu, are but a few true Peruvian cultural adventures on offer at Sanctuary Lodge.

Intimate Access to Peru’s Ancient Terrain

Seeing the world from the perspective of an artist – where the land sparkles, iridescent colours shift and mirror the dominating mood of the day, and where resident animals spend their days presenting idyllic versions of life – is rare when travelling to popular destinations. But Peru’s geography is nothing short of a great landscape painting, where beauty and inspiration are captured by every onlooker. This destination makes the ideal destination for solo traveler, romantic couples or Peru group tours.  To be in the heart of this is to find oneself among the features that sparked Peru’s long history and cultural traditions.

One such terrain is Peru’s Machu Picchu. Hidden among lush vegetation, staggering escarpments and royal blue sky, Machu Picchu has been globally recognised as one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites; up there with the pyramids and the Terracotta Army. Starting in the village at the base of the mountain, travellers depart from the Hiram Bingham train; traversing the breath-taking views of the Andes – while reclining in a high-end environment – means never missing a single minute detail that comprises Peru’s alluring landscape.

For a more intimate introduction to the earth, stone and elements of this scenery guests are guided around the remarkable collection of temples, ceremonial baths and the Sacred Plaza that drove the Inca Empire. The staggering scenery here rivals that found during private climbs across the finest trails of Peru’s Rainbow Mountain; an equally necessary excursion in perceiving the rich and varying beauty that Peru boasts.

Rare Views of Peru Landmarks

Peru has many unusual sites, but the Moray ruins are among its finest. Its alien appearance compels travellers to visit, while the pink salt ponds of Maras offer expansive, glistening views down into the Sacred Valley. For something equally historic and rare, the Sumbay Caves provide close-up evidence of cave paintings, allowing visitors to marvel at depictions of life from the prehistoric period of Arequipa. Then guests can travel to ‘the Rome of the Andes’, Pachacamac citadel. Here, they are introduced to an ancient tradition, first practised by the Tawantinsuyo Empire, of individuals visiting the citadel to learn their fates.

But for even more of an extensive experience of Peru’s ancient life, exclusive flights in a small aircraft across the Nazca Lines of Peru means never having to compromise the privacy and visibility one often lacks in larger tour groups. Drawn by ancient inhabitants, the bewildering etchings – with dimensions from 50ft to 985 ft – of a spider, monkey, condor, hummingbird, etc. can be fully appreciated in all their splendour and mystery from on high. Guests can then personally ride buggies across and sandboard down dunes that lead to the hidden desert village of Huacachina. Often overlooked by travellers, this settlement – with only 100 inhabitants – was built around a small lake commonly known as ‘the oasis of America’, offering those who visit a glimpse behind the definition of ‘hidden gem’.

Peru’s Natural World & Local Lifestyles

Similar to Peru landmarks and staggering terrain, Peru’s natural world is something of a marvel. Taking a private yacht across the Ballestas Islands, their diverse marine fauna and a large collection of Peruvian Humboldt penguins transfix and delight the senses. For many, the scarlet reds and golden yellows of Lake Titicaca sunrise is the crown jewel of serene moments, as their boats simultaneously sway towards the traditional and community-orientated islands of the Uros and Taquile.

Built solely out of reeds, experiencing the living arrangements of these indigenous people now delights the mind, as it takes one in a series of time travel trips. At Uros, locals embrace the traditional hunter-gatherer techniques as they use totora reed for medicine while fishing and domesticated birds are their main source of nourishment. A historic lifestyle can also be experienced at Taquile Island, where visitors revel in the opportunity to learn how to make traditional shampoo or witness the tradition of knitting men. Similarly, the villagers of Amaru welcome travellers with traditional folk music and Incan flowers. Here, guests satisfy their curiosity and learn how to authentically weave clothing in the florescent, geometric patterned style made from natural dyes, extracted from indigenous and organic plants.

A Luxury Peru Often Unseen

For something exclusively-yours, and in touch with a luxury Peru, the private Hacienda ranch devotes their time to breeding elite Peruvian Paso horses. Here, guests are privileged to learn about the many types of horses, admire the new-born, watch horses being trained while feeling for themselves the ‘paso’ walk atop the finest horses. Continue in style by also taking a personalised tour of the oldest distillery in America, La Caravedo. Here, travellers enjoy cocktail-making classes and horseback riding through romantic vineyards, before spending some much-needed indulgence in La Caravedo’s private pool.

What’s more is, with the launch of the Belmond Andean Explorer, even the most stylish traveller no longer has to question how they might manage to see it all without surrendering their creature comforts. A train journey from Cusco to Arequipa is transformed into an unforgettably stylish and culturally immersive excursion. Belmond Andean Explorer fuses luxury-hotel accents of fine dining, luxuriously contemporary cabins and a sumptuous Spa Car with Peruvian signatures such as earthen tones, vibrantly coloured alpaca wool blankets and treatments that frame and reflect the tranquillity of the Andean landscape.

All the experiences depicted thus far – from staying in one of the luxury hotels in Peru, sumptuous spa treatments on the Belmond Andean Explorer to discovering all Peru landmarks – are only attainable with specialist company Peru Full Adventure. Their aim is to offer all these traditional and exclusive adventures in their bespoke 13-day itinerary, starting in Lima, then Cusco and ending in Arequipa. With their speciality in the ‘best luxury private travel’, travellers are guaranteed that exploring in Peru will never be so effortless, hassle-free or intriguing. Peru Full Adventure treasures the fine arts, archaeology, history and overall beauty of the country, providing their guests with a refined, often unseen, aspect of Peruvian culture.