Birthplace of the great Incan civilization and setting of archeological wonders.
Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge
Machu Picchu, Peru
A world heritage site of majestic crumbling ruins and towering mountain peaks. Staying here lets you enjoy the ruins in the morning before the daily tourist trains and buses arrive. Ask for a room with a view.
Tour buses depart daily from the tourist town of Acqua Caliente to Macchu Picchu. Here at the Inketerra, cozy one- or two-story whitewashed cottages constructed with local materials line the stone pathways, giving this 85-room hotel the feel of a lovely Andean village. Trails lace the 12 acres of grounds, winding past waterfalls and trees.
Capital of imperial Inca, founded in the 12 century. A world heritage city, Cuzco is the oldest inhabited city in the Americas. Che Guevara in his motorcycle diaries wrote “The entire city is one immense showcase.”
Hotel Monasterio del Cuzco
Cuzco, Peru
This former monastery of San Antonio Abad, recently restored as a hotel, is just a short walk from the Plaza des Armas.
An hour and half train ride from Macchu Picchu you’ll find the tall mountains and dramatic gorges—deeper than any in the world and some where no man has yet explored the depths of—of this Incan sacred valley. Many villagers still speak the old Indian dialect. The Sacred Valley is the former heart of the Inca Empire, starting just 10 miles outside of Cusco. The area is jewelled by incomparable Inca ruins, stunning Andean mountain vistas and charming towns. On one end of the 60 mile long valley are the ruins of Pisac, complete with ancient sun temple carved from pink granite; on the other the famed 15th century citadel Machu Picchu.
Sol y Luna Lodge
Urubamba, Sacred Valley, Peru
Located in a fertile valley surrounded by mountains, the secluded stone & adobe lodge offers good food, tennis courts, riding stables and spa amenities.
Km. 75.8, Carretera Urubamba-Ollantaytambo, Valle Sagrado, Cusco, Peru
Nestled in terraced gardens along the banks of the Urubamba River, towering mountains outside. Horseback riding and guided archeological tours provided.
Known as the White City, Arequipa’s historical center was named a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s well preserved colonial architecture, dating from 1540, glows with white sillar from the surrounding volcanoes. Peru’s second-largest city sits in the shadow of three volcanoes Chachani, El Misti and Picchu Picchu.
To get there, it is a winding drive north through the lush Colca Valley. Twice the depth of America’s Grand Canyon and bordered by snowcapped peaks, it is one of the deepest canyons in the world. The Colca Canyon is made even more remarkable as it sits high in the Andes, 3260 metres above sea level.
Las Casitas del Colca
Parque Curiña s/n Yanque Arequipa, Peru
Located on the banks of the Colca River, 100 miles north of Arequipa. Each casita has a fireplace and plunge pool.
Originally built in 1540 as a guesthouse for those visiting the Church of St. Augustin next door, the inn today safeguards the unique character of its traditional Arequipean architecture. Cirqa’s powerful walls, arches and columns, are all made of volcanic sillar rock.
One of Peru’s capital city’s most vibrant neighborhoods is the neo-Bohemian Barranco district. During the glory days of Peru’s Republican area, wealthy Peruvians built Belle Epoque mansions here for seaside weekend retreats. Later the wealthy abandoned these mansions and squatters took up residence. In recent years well-known artists, designers and writers have migrated here, revitalizing the district.
Arts Boutique Hotel B
San Martin 301 Barranco, Lima, Peru
A stylishly renovated Belle Epoque mansion close to museums and galleries. Located in the quirky historic Barranco district, two blocks from the sea.
Macaws, tapirs, giant sea otters, capuchins and red howler monkeys flourish in the most bio-dense rainforest in the world. Take a small plane from Cuzco to enter the Peruvian Amazon. Manu National Park is a world heritage listed site; Tambopata-Candamo Reserve is located to the south of it.
Posada Amazonas
Nr. Tambopata-Candamo Reserve, Peru
Adjacent to the 4,000 acre Tambopata-Candamo Reserve, this thatched roofed ecolodge is jointly owned by the native tribe, Ese’eja, and Rainforests Expeditions. A biological research station is also onsite.
T: +51 1421 8347, 5 lodges, with 6 rooms each. US$ 95-, per person, inclusive. www.perunature.com
Northern Peru
Deserts and pristine beaches. The northern Peruvian coast includes the village of Mancora, first discovered by surfers and artists in the 1970’s and now attracting well-off jet-setters looking for the perfect sun and waves combo.
Kichic
Las Pocitas beach, Mancora
Created by the grand-daughter of a Polish count who moved to Peru after WW2, Kichic was transformed from her home into a stylish luxury beach hotel.