Signature Peru - Threads of the Andes

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 to prebook 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.