Off The Beaten Trail In Peru

Compared to magazine writers, filmmakers have it easy. (Yes, I realize how biased that probably sounds. But let me explain.)In order to properly capture a region’s essence, writers have to suffer. We slave away in front of our keyboards, desperately clamouring for the right combination of words to describe not just what a place looks like, but how it feels—its vibe, its milieu, its ineffable je ne sais quoi. (To wit: I scoured the thesaurus for 20 minutes before settling on “milieu.”)Filmmakers, on the other hand, know no such struggles. In order to inform the audience they’re in Paris, Rome, New York or Sydney, all they need to do is drop in a quick establishing shot of the Eiffel Tower, Coliseum, Statue of Liberty or Opera House, respectively. Landmarks of this calibre are so famously unmistakable, that they come to not just identify a place, but emblematize it.For more than a century now, Machu Picchu has been an icon. Since Hiram Bingham’s first fateful trip to the Incan site in 1911 – and especially after the publishing of his 1948 memoir The Lost City of the Inca, which propelled his journey into the popular conscience – Machu Picchu has been Peru’s most trafficked attraction.

At its peak, Machu Picchu attracted more than one million tourists each year. Even with restrictions encouraged by UNESCO and imposed by the Peruvian government, upwards of 900,000 still visit annually, taking the Hiram Bingham Train from Cusco to stare at the sun gate, or hike the nearby (and nearly as famous) Inca Trail. And to be fair, Machu Picchu’s appeal is obvious – I don’t think I’ve ever had an experience as transcendent as seeing it at sundown, after all the tourists had cleared out (working for B&amp;R has its perks).But I sometimes pity those who hop a flight out of the country as soon as they’ve checked the spectacle off of their bucket list. I’ve spent a decade globetrotting for both work and pleasure, and I’ve found few countries that boast as wide a breadth of natural wonders, or as rich a reservoir of cultural heritage. That so few people take the time to savour all that Peru has to offer is one of travel’s greatest travesties—and one that I'm determined to correct.With all due respect to The Lost City, I think it’s high time that people found out about Peru’s myriad other unforgettable adventures. There are enough off-the-grid, little known and overlooked experiences here to fill an entire magazine, but I think my editor would kill me if I took up that much space. (Editor’s Note: That’s true.) So in the interest of brevity, here are five of my absolute favourite parts of Peru that most people never get to experience.

The Amazon

When was the last time you fished for piranhas and swam with pink dolphins? That's what I thought.The Peruvian Amazon is a treasure that's somehow remained hidden from the vast majority of the travel industry. The lush natural rainforest plays host to a slew of incredible creatures, from alligators and anacondas to jaguars and spider monkeys, and even its human inhabitants have embraced the idea of being off the grid—the region's main urban hub is Iquitos, the biggest city in the world that you can’t actually drive to. The best way to experience it is to quite literally go with the flow by floating down the Amazon River. Using a luxe cruise ship like the Aria Amazon as your home base, you can take skiffs that venture deeper into the heart of the jungle for wildlife viewing, and dock in remote villages to meet the locals and explore on foot.Opportunities for water-based adventure abound, including kayaking, canoeing and swimming in the Amazon River by day. By night, you can break out a telescope and awe as constellations come to life in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere.

The aptly named Sacred Valley is a visually stunning, incredibly rich playground for adventure. Some of the best hiking trails in the world intersect the valley, passing through ancient ruins, agricultural enclaves and sweeping valleys, all of them lined by the Andes mountains. Here you can truly disconnect and commune with the natural world; hiking through the valley feels like stepping back into a simpler, more peaceful era. The few people you encounter along the way are locals who live off the land, the way their ancestors have for generations. On one hike, our group passed by a local woman who kindly offered us fresh, hot potatoes from her huatia (a sort of underground earth oven, shaped like a pyramid).But the Sacred Valley isn't solely for serenity—adrenaline junkies will find plenty of adventures, too.Mountain bikers flock to this part of Peru, but those who prefer four wheels to two can take it all in on ATVs, while those who prefer four legs to four wheels can ride horseback on gorgeous Peruvian Paso horses. Want to get on the water?Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and white water rafting are all on offer here. And if you're looking for a little elevation, you can rock-climb up a mountainside and zip-line back down, or paraglide above to explore it from the perspective of the Incan gods.

The Sacred Valley

Arequipa & Colca Canyon

Your Instagram feed will love <a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/a-new-side-of-peru-arequipa-the-colca-canyon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Arequipa</a>.A colonial-era gem awash in white buildings made from hand-cut silar stone, Arequipa is a gorgeous city in an even more stunning setting. Three volcanoes frame the city, towering (safely) in the distance and providing the city with some stunning views, which few visitors to Peru ever get to drink in.But there's much more to take in than the views—the food scene in Arequipa is incredible. A historical trade hub that connected Cusco and Lake Titicaca with countries such as Bolivia and Chile, today Arequipa is a melting pot where a mix of cultures, flavours, ingredients and spices come together in the local picanterias (lunch spots), creating a unique culinary experience.You've got to try some rocoto relleno, Peru's version of stuffed pepper, and chupe de camarones, a shrimp chowder. Then wash it all down with chicha morada, a delicious drink made from purple Peruvian corn.Culture and history abound in Arequipa too, including the Santa Catalina Monastery, an architectural stunner that recounts the scandalous tenure of the nuns who once lived there, and Juanita, a mummy only discovered when a glacier melted and revealed her tomb.

As if the city itself weren’t enough of a draw, Arequipa also provides a gateway to the stunning Colca Canyon, whose terraced valleys are even less trafficked than those in the Sacred Valley, despite the fact that some points of Colca reach greater depths than the Grand Canyon. Both the hiking and the horseback riding here is incredible, offering postcard-perfect views at every turn, and adventure junkies will love the river rafting.

Few people realize that the best archaeology experience in Peru has nothing to do with Machu Picchu.Best known as the home of Peru's traditional marinera dance, Trujillo is a coastal town in northwestern Peru that not only boasts beautiful and colourful colonial architecture but acts as a gateway to pre-Incan archaeological sites that bring ancient history to life.Nearby marvels include the Huaca de la Luna ("the moon temple"), one of the most important spiritual sites for the Moche culture, who populated the area from 100 to 700 AD, and El Brujo, the temples of which are adorned with polychrome reliefs depicting wars, gods and an ancient way of life.But the best part is what—or maybe I should say who—isn't there. Because so many people forego Trujillo, savvy travellers are treated to a raw and relatively tourist-free experience that puts them directly in touch with ancient history—sometimes literally, in fact. With so few tourists, there’s little need for ropes and barriers, meaning there's nothing stopping you from reaching out to literally touch ancient history.

Trujillo & the North

Often overlooked or skipped by those flocking to Machu Picchu and Cusco, Lima is arguably the culinary capital of the world right now, boasting three coveted spots on the list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants.Lima's restaurant scene has garnered a ton of attention from the press, but few editorials (and, thankfully, not many tourists) seem to appreciate just how cool the rest of the city is. Perched on the coast of the Pacific, the city offers sea, surf, sand and some incredible ocean views.Further inland, Lima's myriad unique neighbourhoods make it the perfect place to meander on foot. In posh Miraflores, upscale shops, stunning sea views and great restaurants are complemented by huacas, the pre-Incan ruins scattered throughout the neighbourhood that add a bit of culture to all that class. In boho-chic Barranco, boutique shops and local artists dot a unique and colourful neighbourhood just begging to be snapped for social media. And in the city centre, fabulous architecture denotes the legacy of the conquistadors who once reigned over the city—be sure to check out Aliaga House, where consecutive generations of the Aliaga family have lived since the land was first granted to Jerónimo de Aliaga in 1535!

Lima

Let the masses flock to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. As B&R’s resident Peru expert Veronika Macas explains, this is the perfect place to ditch the guidebook and discover the depths of a country that many visit, but few truly see

Peru

With its unparalleled diversity and stunning landscapes, Peru is an adventure waiting to be embraced. From the Amazon's unique biodiversity to the towering Andes Mountains, the region promises both natural wonders and vibrant cultural experiences. In Lima, indulge in world-class cuisine and its lively nightlife. Explore the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and walk through Peru's rich history at Batán Grande, where ancient ruins tell tales of past civilizations.&nbsp;

Nature's playground, history's treasure

From the incredible diversity of the Amazon to Machu Picchu to the second largest mountain range on earth, welcome to Peru.

Peru | Butterfield & Robinson

Explore Lima, the food capital of South America, sampling everything from cutting-edge restaurants to traditional tastes of Peru’s culinary legacy. Bring on the ceviche!  Barranco is a historic areathat is a home to poets, writers, musicians and artists - galleries and folk art shops - Many food connoisseurs believe that Peru is home to the best Japanese food found outside of Japan. Tonight, we will have the opportunity to experience a tasting menu dinner at Maido restaurant,where Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura, or Micha, takes Peruvian-Japanese fusion to a whole new level!

fish market -f ish traders and chefs looking for the best catch for their restaurants - experince vibrant daily life in the peruvian capital -fresh fruit and veg market

cusco & sacred valley of the incas

Hike, horseback ride and mountain bike your way through Peru’s Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Venture beyond Machu Picchu and deep into Peru's untouched nature, history and cuisine.

Insider Access

Regional Expertise

Unforgettable Experiences

Peru is a place of staggering contrasts and vivid moments. Trace ancient footsteps to Machu Picchu at sunset, wander colonial streets in Cusco and find out why Lima is a global food capital. Cruise through the Amazon’s tangled beauty, watch macaws cut through the jungle sky and meet tradition head-on at Lake Titicaca. This is Peru—layered, living and endlessly compelling.

Bespoke travel lets you to take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

Peru Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson

Experience Peru on a holistic level and leave feeling empowered, renewed and—most importantly—connected.

Want to see Machu Picchu after the tourists have gone? We find the best way is to sleep next door at the stunning Sanctuary Lodge. During waking hours you’ll explore the ruins of the Sacred Valley and hike the cloud forests of the Inca Trail before hopping the Hiram Bingham Train back to Cusco for a final night dinner in an ancient Incan palace.While this is a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list activity, the Inca Trail itself is a challenging hike without any options for easy-outs or modifications. There is no road or helicopter support, making rescues challenging and reserved for emergencies.

Authentic Food

Great Walks

Welcome to the Sacred Valley, where llamas have the right of way and ancient Incan echoes still bounce off the ruins. Hike past soaring peaks to Machu Picchu the proper way—on foot—then toast your triumph at the Sanctuary Lodge. Cap it off with a ride on the Hiram Bingham train. Epic? Absolutely. Otherworldly? You’ll see.

Discover the Lost City

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details.