Whether this is the beginning of your Peruvian adventure or the second chapter following Peru: Inca Trails, Culinary Masters & Andean Rituals, your exploration starts today in Arequipa. From here, head into the Colca Valley—a sweeping overland ascent through volcanic landscapes, vast altiplano plains and ancient Andean communities where vicuñas and alpacas roam freely. A privately hosted lunch on the terraces of a traditional family home in Coporaque and an afternoon hike through pre-Inca terraces to Yanque make for an immersive arrival into one of Peru's most spectacular valleys.

An early rise brings you to Cruz del Cóndor—one of the most iconic viewpoints in the Andes, suspended above the immense depths of the Colca Canyon—just in time to watch Andean condors catch the morning thermals and soar overhead. A hike and local canyon-side tasting, a convivial outdoor lunch back at the hotel, and a private sunset soak in a secluded natural hot spring round out a day that captures the very soul of the Colca Valley.

Bid farewell to the Colca Valley with an intimate stop at a traditional alpaca farm, where a local family shares 5,000 years of ancestral herding knowledge—including the ancient water conservation practice of siembra de agua. A relaxed picnic lunch in the Andean highlands leads into Arequipa, where rooftop cocktails and sweeping views over the city's volcanic skyline offer a spectacular first welcome to the White City.

Arequipa is a city that earns its reputation many times over—and today is proof. From an intimate private visit to the Mario Vargas Llosa House Museum to a revelatory lunch at one of the city's most cherished traditional picanterías, the day builds toward an unforgettable finale: exclusive after-hours access and a private candlelit dinner within the ancient cloisters of the Monastery of Santa Catalina.

Today the journey takes a dramatic turn—from the high volcanic peaks of the Andes to the vast expanse of the Peruvian Amazon. Arrive in Iquitos, one of the world's largest cities unreachable by road, before boarding Aqua Nera, an elegant river expedition ship where renowned chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino's Amazon-inspired cuisine sets the tone for the extraordinary days ahead on the water.

The Amazon reveals itself in full today. From a private skiff exploration of the remote Yanayacu Yacapana River system, where sloths, black-collared hawks, and colourful birdlife fill the canopy, to piranha fishing on the river and an afternoon cruise along the serene black waters of the Yarapa River. After dark, the jungle transforms completely—a stargazing session and nocturnal wildlife excursion close out an utterly unforgettable day.

A misty morning skiff to the serene waters of Clavero Lake offers a rare and unhurried encounter with Amazonian community life—where dugout canoes remain the transport of choice and traditions run deep. An afternoon wildlife cruise along the majestic Marañón River brings sightings of monkeys, exotic birds, and reptiles in the golden late afternoon light, before an intimate evening getting to know the remarkable crew behind the Aqua Nera experience.