Peru’s Rainbow Mountain

Welcome to Lima, Peru’s sprawling coastal capital and the heart of the country’s foodie scene. Having checked into your central hotel and met your group of soon-to-be friends, you’ll be taken to the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco for an immersive culinary tour that will see you hopping between this eclectic suburb’s top eateries. You’ll visit three revered haunts, including one of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, tasting several dishes at each spot. Expect anything from home-style criollo (spicy Peruvian fare with Spanish and African influences) to Barranco’s best churros. This will be a flavour journey across the traditions that have shaped the country’s cuisine and so the perfect introduction to Peru (and each other).

Today the foodie theme continues (you’re in Lima, after all). After a leisurely morning exploring the city, it’ll be time to return to Barranco for a Peruvian cookery class. Hosted on a rooftop with views out to the Pacific Ocean, here you’ll learn how to make a traditional recipe and, of course, the infamous Pisco Sour. This will all be followed by a three-course lunch which you’ll get to walk off on a true local tour of Barranco.  The stomping ground of the city’s artists and musicians, it made sense that your expert guide knows the artistic side of Lima like the back of their hand. You’ll be led to the workshop of Victor Delfin – one of the leading sculptors and painters in Peru, best known for his sculpture El Beso (The Kiss) – and get to appreciate the abundance of colonial architecture. After all of that walking, your authentic Peruvian coffee at one of the city’s best cafes, Bodega Verde, will go down a treat.

Today you’ll all catch a 90-minute flight from built-up Lima to off-grid Puerto Maldonado, then step aboard a traditional Amazonian boat to cruise your way to your hidden jungle lodge. With just enough time to freshen up in your classic stilted cabana, prepare to sweat all over again with an immersive rainforest trek. Hike through the steamy foliage, following huge butterflies through this lush, world-famous habitat. In the evening, another special experience awaits: exploring the rainforest under the cover of darkness with an atmospheric night-time boat ride down the river. With the stars of the southern hemisphere twinkling above you and caiman silently watching you from the riverbanks, witness the transformation of the jungle as it comes to life in a cacophony of sound.

This morning will see you trek through the Tambopata Reserve to Lake Sandoval. Boasting a rich abundance of flora, fauna and wildlife, this sun-dappled route proves why this is regarded as the biodiversity capital of Peru. In the afternoon, take a canoe to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway – a labyrinth of hanging bridges and observation decks towering 98 feet over the jungle canopy. Traverse the treetops from up high, with toucans, sloths and curious monkeys to accompany you on your strolls. As night falls, be ready to channel your inner Attenborough, observing how the jungle changes once more as nocturnal animals emerge from hidden corners.

Savour your last morning waking up to the sounds of the jungle; after breakfast it’ll be time to hop back into the wooden boat you arrived on for your journey back to the airport. Your next stop? The Sacred Valley, where you’ll check in to your glorious Casa Andina hotel. Expect a chalet-style retreat surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. You’ll have a free afternoon and evening here, so make use of the full-service spa, grab some dinner and drinks and then spend the night stargazing at the hotel’s planetarium. 

The Sacred Valley is breathtaking from any angle, but there’s something really special about experiencing these dramatic landscapes on a mountain bike. Kitted out and ready to fly between iconic ruins, you’ll start by cycling to the famed site of Moray with its abundance of terraces and platforms, built by the Incas for agricultural research. Afterwards, you’ll pedal right on to the salt mines of Maras, where thousands of salt pans fan out across the land. As you turn back for the day, you’ll make time to stop at the ruins of Pichingoto, where you’ll find tiny stone houses burrowed into the face of the cliff, before crossing the Urubamba River and meeting your driver, who will transfer you back to your beautiful hotel.

It’s time for your pilgrimage to world-famous Machu Picchu. Your transport? A train with panoramic windows and glass ceilings that allow you to capture every glimpse of the phenomenal scenery. Having enjoyed a stop at Aguas Calientes for a pinch-me Machu Picchu moment high up in the Andes and some lunch, you’ll embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a Vistadome train. Hurtle through the Andes in a window covered carriage with traditional music playing while you raise several drinks with your fellow travellers. This incredible day will end in Cusco, where you’ll check into your new hotel and exchange stories around the fire pit.

Start your morning the local way: in San Pedro Market, perusing stalls lined with fresh produce and traditional textiles. Then, you’ll dive straight into Cusco’s rich heritage. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this imperial city was the historic capital of the Inca Empire until the Spanish Conquest in the 16th century. Begin at Koricancha Temple, built in honour of the Sun God, before weaving through the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the Qenqo Temple. After lunch, you’ll gather with your group for an exclusive chocolate-making workshop in the heart of Cusco. This is a hands-on experience, roasting the cacao beans, peeling and grinding them, turning them into chocolate, and best of all, eating it. 

You’ll spend this morning making the journey towards Rainbow Mountain base camp, located at a staggering 4,000 metres. On arrival in Quesiuno, you’ll be greeted by a herd of mountain mules and muleteers, and from here it’s about six kilometres of high-altitude trekking to base camp, with glaciers and snow-capped peaks rising in every direction. It’s not an easy hike by any standards, and you’ll require a good level of fitness to tackle this ascent, especially given the high-altitude air. The support of your group will be invaluable, too, as you each cheer one another on. Arrive at camp in time for dinner (served up by your own private chef) as the night sky comes to life with stars – a stark reminder of why this challenge is so worth it. Then, make the most of a short sleep in mountain tents, with thermal sleeping bags for added warmth. It’ll be pretty basic in terms of amenities tonight, but the location will more than make up for it.

You’re off to an early start this morning as together you begin your ascent. Admire the spectacular beauty of the mountains as you go, with streaks of turquoise, maroon and gold painting the landscape in rainbow hues. From Vinicunca Pass, located at 5,020 metres, it’s a short hike to the summit. At the top, savour a quiet moment of triumph with your group, surrounded by breathtaking views of the sierra. You did it, you’re a mountaineer. Then, begin the long descent to Llamachipampa, where a private bus will be waiting to take you back to Cusco in time for some well-earned drinks.

Enjoy a relaxed morning as you recover from yesterday’s achievements. With a few hours to spare, we recommend exploring charming Cusco. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, this beguiling city is the gateway to ancient citadels and ruins, scattered across a vast mountainscape. Wander the picturesque stone streets lined with Inca architecture and baroque cathedrals. Tonight will be your final meal, and what an adventure you’ll be able to toast to.

After conquering Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu, your Peruvian adventure has come to an end. Depending on what time your flight is, you can explore Cusco a little more, before making your own way to your next destination. What an adventure, what an achievement and what a group to do it all with.