Peru Honeymoon: Andean Adventure

Touch down in the capital city of Lima, where sleek skyscrapers stand alongside storied monuments, to begin your Peru honeymoon. A private driver takes you from the airport to Atemporal, a dreamy 1940s mansion in the quiet Miraflores neighborhood. Get settled in and take the rest of the afternoon to catch up on rest or start exploring. This is one of the world’s most illustrious food cities, so, come dinner, take your pick of buzzy eateries. 

Head down to the Costa Verde shore to dip your toes into the Peruvian surf scene with a private surf lesson. Led by an expert instructor, learn the basics on the beach before putting your newfound skills to the test on gentle waves. Then, step into the workshop of Maximo Laura, a renowned master of tapestries and wall art. Tour his private workspace for exclusive looks at his process and pick out a honeymoon souvenir to take home. 

Fly from Lima to Cusco, the ancient Incan capital and gateway to the Sacred Valley. The journey continues onward by car as you drive into this epic landscape of terrace-carved hillsides and rugged peaks. Pauses at traditional villages to browse handicraft markets break up the trip. Come afternoon, roll in Sol y Luna, a charming estate of standalone casitas dotting verdant gardens. End the day with a couple’s massage, lounging on the lawn, or nestling next to wood-burning fireplaces. 

Today, embark on an unrushed adventure unearthing the Sacred Valley’s enduring artistic traditions and architectural remnants; a slow day perfect for acclimating to the altitude. In Maras, learn how heritage carries down through generations in the family workshops of felt hatmakers. Pause at the Moray terraces and Maras salt ponds, two marvels of Incan engineering, before lunch at Mil Centro. Taste through time in this culinary outpost, where chef Virgilio Martínez celebrates the flavors and ingredients of the Sacred Valley.  

With your bodies attuned to the altitude, today calls for horseback riding along the shores of the sacred Urubamba River. Saddle up and start off weaving through a fragrant eucalyptus grove before emerging on the riverbank. Trot over hanging bridges and past historic terraces and colonial farmhouses, listening to the sounds of the rushing river and your guide sharing each place’s stories. A skyward trek for a sweeping from-above vista creates an unforgettable ending tableau. 

Board the Hiram Bingham train for a journey out of travel's golden age, ferrying you in high fashion to the foot of Machu Picchu. Sit down to a railroad brunch, watching Andean forests fly by outside picture windows. Alighting in Aguas Calientes, a guide drives you up into the clouds for a personal tour of Machu Picchu. Head full of stories of ancient ceremonies and Incan ingenuity, descend to the Sumaq Hotel for a romantic riverside dinner. 

Following the rising sun, return to Machu Picchu. With the whole morning set aside, there’s enough time to climb up Huayna Picchu and see the citadel from above. Tackle the trek together, feeling the thrill of ascending steps carved out hundreds of years ago. Then, enjoy the views sans effort as the glass-roofed Vistadome train whisks you back to the Sacred Valley. A car carries you on to Cusco where plush beds await at the elegant Monasterio by Belmond. 

Today, you explore Cusco, curated just for you on a private city tour. Chat with your guide about what catches your interest, and the day unfolds exactly as you envision. Your guide’s network of connections opens any door, be it an artisan atelier or an Andean chocolate tasting. Visit the city’s greatest monuments or stray from the path more-traveled to quiet neighborhoods and winding alleys. Under a close-enough-to-touch night sky, share a dreamy meal together at the buzzy Mauka. 

Today, it’s all aboard the Andean Explorer, South America’s first luxury sleeper train. Settle into cabins decked out in rainbow-hued textiles before lunch in the dining car. Come afternoon, disembark at Raqch’i, site of a former Incan stronghold. Back on board, sip tea then cocktails as evening glides into night. Watching these ancient lands descend into darkness over a gourmet feast is sure to be a honeymoon highlight before a deep sleep as the train rocks beneath. 

Wake up on the shores of Lake Titicaca. After breakfast, trade trains for boats as a traditional sailing vessel ferries you across this lofty lake to the floating islands of Uros. Glimpse the century-spanning weaving traditions of island inhabitants, shared with outsiders in reed huts. Then, sail to Taquile to walk on terraced hillsides and gaze across the lake’s immensity. As night falls, the train chugs on to its final stop. 

You’ve now entered a part of Peru seen by very few. In the early morning light, hike through the grassy hills around Lake Lagunillas before wending through an otherworldly canyon to the Sumbay Caves, home to 8,000-year-old cave art. At Canahaus, a driver escorts you to Puqio. This tented glamping lodge overlooks Colca Canyon, a colossal gorge where pre-Incan cultures endure. Stroll the still countryside before an Andean terroir feast and a quiet night under the stars. 

Devote a full day to uncovering the wild corners and rich cultures of this overlooked part of Peru. An array of activities is on offer to fit your interests. Venture to a narrow gorge where geysers belch or scan the skies for soaring condors at Cruz del Condor lookout. Trace the same routes as ancient peoples on valley trails or ramble across terraced hillside on horseback. Evening is another ethereal affair, with dazzling dark skies and serene moments together. 

A morning hike brings you an alien landscape in the highlands of Colca Canyon: the Alto Puqio geothermal field. Wander this extraterrestrial terrain where the power of the earth fills the air with steam and pools bubble at your feet. Later on, soothe sore muscles in the mineral-rich waters of the Uyo Uyo thermal baths. Picture it: relaxing together in natural hot springs, gazing at the wide valley before you. 

Drive across valleys dotted with vicunas and “Apachetas” rock cairns to reach Arequipa, a dazzling city of colonial buildings crafted from white volcanic stone. Drop your bags at Cirqa, a chic desert oasis in the city center, before striking out to explore. Wander sun-baked boulevards, step inside vaulted cathedrals, and gaze in awe at the city’s neighboring volcanoes. The adventure ends on a culinary high with dinner at Salon, celebrated seat of Arequipenean gastronomy. 

Your last morning is a relaxed one, with enough time for a final breakfast or city stroll. When the time comes, a drive fetches you from the hotel and drives you to the Arequipa airport for your flight. Your Peru honeymoon may be over, but you’re returning home closer than ever, with new memories to reflect on for a lifetime.