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Take Me To 05.05.2025

Take Me To: Peru, Reinvented

Intro Stay Highlights itinerary

Discover Peru through a thoughtful eight-day journey designed for travelers who want to go deeper. This itinerary begins in the cosmopolitan capital of Lima, weaves through the colonial beauty of Arequipa, ventures into the vast Colca Valley, and winds down on the shores of majestic Lake Titicaca.

Contributed By

SmartFlyer

Photography by

Teal Thomsen

Duration

9 days, 8 nights

Trip Style

This trip is for the intrepid traveler who seeks a more nuanced Peruvian experience. There is also a fair bit of driving involved!

We Love It For

With luxury accommodations, seamless transfers, and immersive cultural experiences, this journey is built for honeymooners, couples, and adventurous families with older children seeking something truly special.

Scouting Notes

Peru is so much more than Machu Picchu! This itinerary is ideal for second time Peru visitors, or anyone who really wants to dig deeper into the country.

Stay

Peru Picks

Atemporal

Atemporal is a stylish boutique hotel housed in a 1940s mansion in Lima’s Miraflores district, offering a blend of vintage character and contemporary design. With just a handful of well-appointed rooms, the experience feels intimate and personal—more like staying in a friend’s chic urban home than a traditional hotel. Guests are treated to thoughtful touches like a house car with driver, an honesty bar, and a leafy garden perfect for quiet mornings or evening cocktails. Atemporal’s curated interiors, relaxed atmosphere, and impeccable service make it a favorite for travelers seeking a refined yet low-key base while exploring Peru’s vibrant capital.

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Cirqa by Andean

Set in the remains of the back patio of a 1583 monastery, this eleven-room refuge offers the warmest hospitality. The old historic property, previously linked to the San Agustín Church, was redesigned by the same creative design team behind Titilaka, Hotel B and Atemporal. Located one block away from Arequipa’s main square, Cirqa is the perfect sanctuary to unwind and the perfect bridge between this Unesco-protected city and Lake Titicaca.

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Puqio by Andean

Nestled deep in the heart of the Colca Valley in Southern Peruvian Andes, Puqio offers light, spacious guest rooms and unique tents. Each space is elegantly decorated with comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and terraces. The on-site restaurant features delicious meals prepared using clay ovens, highlighting Andean flavors and traditions. Additional amenities include wellness activities, private transport, and an exploration concierge, ensuring a delightful stay in the heart of nature.

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Titilaka

Titilaka is a remote, design-forward lodge perched on a private peninsula on the shores of Lake Titicaca, offering sweeping views of the lake’s deep blue waters and the Andes beyond. With just eighteen lake-facing rooms, the hotel blends contemporary Peruvian architecture with warm, minimalist interiors that highlight the natural surroundings. Full board service includes locally inspired meals, curated excursions led by expert guides, and seamless access to cultural experiences with the indigenous communities of the Altiplano. From sunrise kayaking to stargazing under crystal-clear skies, Titilaka is an immersive retreat for travelers seeking both serenity and soulful connection in one of the world’s most storied landscapes.

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Highlights

  • Dig into Lima's renowned food scene between your visits of the bohemian neighborhood of Barranco and checking out colonial architecture Day 2
  • Explore colorful Arequipa though it's food markets before seeing the sunset over the surrounding volcanoes Day 3
  • Explore the Colca Valley on horseback before having a traditional pachamanca lunch Day 5
  • Take a private boat along Lake Titicaca to Taquile Island Day 7

ItineraryItinerary

1 Lima, Peru
Welcome to Lima

Upon arrival in Peru’s capital, you’ll be met at the airport by a local host for a private transfer to your hotel, Atemporal. The rest of the evening is yours to unwind. Whether you’re craving ceviche at a stylish spot in Miraflores or just a room service moment with a view, tonight is all about easing into your journey.

2 Lima, Peru
Explore Lima

Spend the day diving into the flavors and culture of Lima with a private guide. Begin with a visit to the historic district, where colonial architecture and grand cathedrals speak to the city’s layered history. Then head to the bohemian neighborhood of Barranco for art galleries and colorful street murals. In the afternoon, join a chef-led market visit and cooking experience to learn how to make classic Peruvian dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado. Wrap the evening with dinner at one of Lima’s celebrated restaurants—think Central or Maido—ranked among the best in the world.

3 Arequipa, Peru
Arequipa Bound

This morning, a private transfer will escort you to the Lima airport for your domestic flight to Arequipa. Known as the “White City,” Arequipa is beloved for its colonial architecture carved from volcanic stone and its laid-back pace. Upon arrival, enjoy a private transfer to Cirqua, your boutique hotel, and settle in with a welcome cocktail. As the sun sets over the surrounding volcanoes, enjoy dinner in one of the city’s most romantic courtyards or hidden rooftops.

4 Arequipa, Peru
Discover Arequipa and Journey to the Colca Valley

Start your day with a guided exploration of Arequipa’s UNESCO-listed historic center, including the Santa Catalina Monastery and picturesque sillar-built mansions. After a relaxed lunch, you’ll depart for the Colca Valley—a spectacular drive through the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve. Along the way, you’ll pass herds of wild vicuñas and surreal altiplano landscapes.

Your final destination is Puqio, a luxury tented retreat tucked into the hills, where you’ll be welcomed with a locally harvested dinner prepared over open flame. As the sun dips below the horizon, settle into your tent—outfitted with plush linens and wood-burning stoves—and take in the stillness of the valley. With limited WiFi and nothing but stars overhead, Puqio invites you to reconnect with nature, with others, and with yourself.

5 Colca Valley, Peru
Explore the Colca Valley

Rise early to explore Alto Pinchollo on horseback, a rugged, high-altitude region known for its geysers and dramatic scenery. This adventure offers close encounters with local wildlife and the chance to see the elusive Andean Condor in flight. Return to Puqio for a traditional pachamanca lunch—slow-roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground. Spend the afternoon at your leisure enjoying a spa treatment, archaeological hike, a soak in the outdoor hot tub, or simply relaxing under the Andean sky.

6 Lake Titicaca, Peru
Scenic Route to Lake Titicaca

After breakfast, set out toward Lake Titicaca via a scenic drive along the Andean Highlands. You’ll stop at Tinajani Canyon, a surreal red-rock landscape perfect for a gourmet picnic lunch. A spiritual blessing from a local shaman adds cultural richness to the journey. Arrive at your lakeside lodge in time for cocktails overlooking the shimmering waters of Lake Titicaca, followed by a chef-led dinner showcasing local ingredients.

7 Lake Titicaca, Peru
The Islands of Lake Titicaca

Set out on a full-day private boat journey across Lake Titicaca. Visit the Uros floating islands, where you’ll meet families who’ve lived for generations on these handwoven reed islands. Continue to Taquile Island, home to a UNESCO-recognized weaving tradition and panoramic views across the lake to Bolivia’s Cordillera Real. Enjoy a picnic lunch and return to your lodge by late afternoon for dinner and stargazing over the lake.

8 Lake Titicaca, Peru
Leisure and Lake Adventures

Your final full day is yours to customize. Take to the water with your choice of paddle boarding, canoeing, or sailing from the property’s boathouse, or visit the mysterious Sillustani tombs en route to Juliaca airport. This pre-Inca burial site, perched on the edge of a quiet lake, offers insight into ancient cultures and stunning highland vistas. Return to Lima in the evening and transfer to your hotel for one last night in the capital.

9 Lima, Peru
Departure

At your scheduled time, your private transfer will take you to the airport for your international flight home. You leave Peru with memories of rich traditions, remote landscapes, and moments of true connection to land and culture.

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