7 Reasons to Travel to Peru with Llama Travel

1. Build the holiday you want

Everyone has different priorities for their holiday to Peru, and at Llama Travel, we let you mix and match extensions, excursions and accommodation to create the holiday you want. Visit Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, and Lima, the modern capital on the Pacific coast. Visit Machu Picchu your way, and then choose what else to see. We have extensions to the Amazon rainforest, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa & the Colca Canyon, Paracas & the Nazca Lines, Chiclayo & Trujillo, and the beaches of northern Peru.

You can also extend your trip to other South American countries, combining Peru with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Galapagos & Ecuador, and Bolivia.

2.  See Machu Picchu your way

There are many ways you can visit Machu Picchu. At Llama Travel, we make sure your visit to Machu Picchu is exactly what you want, which makes all the difference to your Machu Picchu experience. Because of its popularity, entrance tickets are limited and can sell out quickly, and the logistics can be complicated, so we take care of all the hassle so you don’t need to worry this.

Our Machu Picchu excursion by train uses the comfortable Vistadome train, which offers excellent views of the snowy Andean peaks as the train descends the beautiful Urubamba Valley. On arrival, you have a buffet lunch before enjoying an excellent guided tour of the site.

Spend the night at Machu Picchu and return the next day for another chance to explore the ruins, or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for something a bit more adventurous.

Take the Hiram Bingham luxury train for an opulent experience, with an incredible onboard experience of gourmet food, an open bar with some of Peru’s finest Pisco sours, and an open-air observation car. Then tour Machu Picchu to make this the perfect day.

If you want a real adventure, choose the four-day Inca Trail. The trail follows original Inca paths through cloud forest, mountain passes and lesser-visited ruins. On the final morning, you arrive at the Sun Gate at first light for your first glimpse of Machu Picchu, a memorable way to end the journey. You can also hike the five-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu for something even more adventurous.

If you like the idea of arriving on foot without committing to a long trek, our Short Inca Trail excursion is perfect. This one-day, nine-mile hike climbs from the Urubamba River Valley to the Inca site of Winay Wayna, before reaching the Sun Gate in the late afternoon for your first view of Machu Picchu. You then have a night’s accommodation in a comfortable hotel before exploring the ruins the next day.

 Inca Trail

3. Unique Experiences to make your holiday extra special

The must-sees in Peru are incredible highlights. From exploring Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley to spotting wildlife in the Amazon. But often, it’s the experiences that go beyond the usual that really stay in the memory. At Llama Travel, we offer unique excursions that give you a deeper insight into Peruvian culture, food and landscapes.

a) Two Nights in the Sacred Valley

Staying in the heart of the Sacred Valley, you explore the salt terraces of Maras and the Inca crop circles of Moray before visiting the traditional Andean community of Misminay. Here, locals prepare lunch for you and demonstrate farming techniques passed down from the Incas. Depending on the time of year, you can even help with their crops.

b) Peru on a Plate

Lima is one of the world’s culinary capitals, and is home to the world’s best restaurant. Our Peru on a Plate excursion starts at a local food market to see colourful produce from the Andes, Amazon and coast. Afterwards, take a cooking class to learn how to traditional Peruvian dishes, with everything you need to recreate the recipes back home.

c) Kayaking on Lake Titicaca

Most visitors explore the world’s highest lake by boat, but our kayaking excursion lets you paddle through the reeds in the early morning light, accompanied by your guide and the sounds of nature. After meeting your group at the floating Uros Islands, continue together by speedboat across the lake to Taquile Island, combining adventure with scenic views.

 Kayaking, Lake Titicaca

 4. Take a Special Rail Journey

For those who love scenic train rides, Peru offers two of the most memorable rail journeys in the world. The train journey to Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most beautiful rail journeys, following a tributary of the Amazon River to Machu Picchu, not accessible by road. The train ride to Lake Titicaca is equally beautiful, crossing the high altiplano, before arriving at South America’s largest lake.

Hiram Bingham Train to Machu Picchu

There is no more special way to reach Machu Picchu than in the comfort of the Hiran Bingham train. Named after the explorer who rediscovered the site in 1911, the train has 1920s-style carriages with wood-panelled interiors, brass décor, gourmet dining and an open bar. Enjoy traditional music and dancing as you travel through the Andean highlands. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you avoid the queues by taking the private Belmond shuttle for a guided visit to Machu Picchu. Drinks and canapés are served before your return journey, which includes cocktails, live music and a four-course dinner with wine, the perfect way to end your day.

Train from Cusco to Lake Titicaca

The journey to Lake Titicaca is special in itself, and travelling by the Titicaca train makes it even more memorable. Sit back in your first-class carriage and watch the scenery shift from rugged mountain ranges to winding rivers and vast plains through the glass-walled observation car. A three-course meal is served on board as you enjoy the views, creating a relaxing and scenic way to reach the lake before exploring its famous islands by boat.

Titicaca Train 

 5. Adding a relaxing stay on the Pacific

After days of adventure, culture and wildlife, why not end your holiday with some well-deserved relaxation on a palm-fringed beach? Stay in a beautiful hotel on the sandy beaches near Mancora, a laid-back beach town.

Spend four days swimming, enjoying fresh seafood at seaside restaurants, or simply soaking up the sun. For those wanting more activity, there’s surfing, horse riding along the beach and plenty of lively spots in town. It’s the perfect way to end your Peruvian adventure.

Mancora Beach

 6. Visit possibly the finest archaeological sites in the Americas in north of Peru.

When most people think of Peru, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and other destinations in southern Peru come to mind. Whilst these are incredible, the north of the country is just as amazing, and far less visited. A visit here offers an entirely different side of Peru’s history and is home to some of the richest archaeological treasures in the Americas. A trip to Trujillo and Chiclayo is a must for anyone interested in ancient cultures.

The area was once home to the Moche and Chimu cultures, two of the most important in Peru’s history. Explore the Huaca de la Luna, an impressive Moche temple still decorated with bright friezes that have survived for nearly 2,000 years. The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is home to the incredible treasures of the Lord of Sipan tomb, one of the great archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century.

Trujillo

 7. Speak to an Expert

Peru was the very first destination Llama Travel offered, and 23 years later, we can honestly say we know it better than anyone. From the Amazon to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley to the Pacific coast, we’ve spent years perfecting our itineraries to cover the very best of Peru.

Our travel experts have experienced Peru first-hand, so when you speak to us, you’re getting advice from people who’ve actually been there. With our knowledge and experience, we’ll help you create a holiday that’s planned perfectly for you, and filled with memories to last a lifetime.

Inspired by this and want to experience the best of  Peru for yourself? Order a free brochure to find out more about our Peru itineraries, or contact us to speak to one of our Peru Travel Consultants today.

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