Ancient Wisdom, Wonder and Awakening in Peru
A Soulful Journey Through Peru’s Sacred Landscapes and Living Traditions
14
DAYS
8
DESTINATIONS
5
BIOMES
The Spirit of Peru
A Journey of Culture, Connection and Transformation Through the Andes and Amazon
This 14-day journey unfolds across Peru’s deserts, rainforests and mountain landscapes, tracing a path through the country’s cultural, spiritual and natural heartlands. From the Pacific coast to the Sacred Valley and the Amazon Basin, it is an immersive exploration of identity, connection and renewal, experienced through encounters with the people preserving Peru’s living traditions.
Begin in Lima, where contemporary creativity, gastronomy and history converge, before travelling south through the coastal deserts of Paracas and Nazca. Along the way, engage with artists, historians and women-led initiatives, discover Afro-Peruvian cultural heritage, and explore ancient ceremonial sites shaped by some of South America’s earliest civilisations.
Continue into the Amazon rainforest near Puerto Maldonado, where time slows beneath the forest canopy. Through yoga, meditation and meaningful exchanges with Indigenous communities, gain a deeper connection to both the natural world and the ancestral knowledge systems that continue to shape life in the region.
The journey concludes in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, where mist-covered peaks, Incan history and moments of reflection come together in one of the world’s most extraordinary settings. Travelling onward through the Andes to Cusco, the experience leaves space not only for discovery, but for perspective, restoration and transformation long after returning home.
Trip Highlights
Ancient Sacred Sites and Desert Mysteries
Journey through some of Peru’s most compelling archaeological landscapes, from the coastal sanctuary of Pachacamac to the ceremonial centre of Cahuachi. Explore the enigmatic Nazca Lines from both land and air, gaining deeper insight into the civilizations, cosmologies and individuals who helped preserve these extraordinary sites.
Encounters with Peru’s Living Cultural Traditions
Experience Peru through the people who continue to shape and protect its cultural identity today. From private performances with the Ballumbrosio Family to intimate workshops with Yine and Shipibo artisans, each encounter offers meaningful connection through music, storytelling, craftsmanship and ancestral knowledge.
The Spirit of the Peruvian Amazon
Immerse yourself in the biodiversity and wisdom of the Amazon rainforest at Casa Amazonas. Through yoga, meditation, Indigenous art practices and Amazonian cooking traditions, discover a slower rhythm shaped by nature, wellness and cultural exchange deep within one of the world’s most extraordinary ecosystems.
The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Travel into the heart of the Andes, where cloud forest landscapes, ancient Incan heritage and contemporary Andean culture intertwine. Stay within the lush gardens of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel and experience the atmosphere surrounding Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most iconic and spiritually resonant archaeological sites.
Peruvian Gastronomy and Creative Expression
Throughout the journey, discover Peru through its cuisine, artistry and craftsmanship. From women-led pisco production and farm-to-table dining to ceramic workshops and intimate dinners hosted by celebrated chefs, these experiences reveal the creativity, diversity and cultural richness woven into daily life across the country.
Activities tailored for all experiences
Immersive Cultural Encounters
Meet artists, musicians, anthropologists, historians and Indigenous community members through intimate experiences designed around conversation, creativity and exchange. These moments offer deeper insight into Peru’s layered cultural identity and living traditions.
Wellness and Reflective Experiences
Yoga, meditation and mindful creative practices provide moments of pause and restoration throughout the journey, particularly within the Amazon and Sacred Valley, where the surrounding landscapes naturally invite reflection and reconnection.
Archaeological and Historical Exploration
Explore sacred temples, ceremonial centres, ancient aqueducts and world-renowned archaeological sites with expert guidance, uncovering the stories, symbolism and enduring legacy of Peru’s pre-Columbian civilisations.
Extraordinary Landscapes Across Peru
From Pacific coastline and desert dunes to Amazon rainforest and Andean cloud forest, the journey traverses an exceptional range of ecosystems and scenery, each shaping a different perspective on Peru’s nature, spirituality and cultural life.
Cuisine Rooted in Place
Experience Peru’s celebrated culinary culture through curated dining experiences, regional cooking traditions and encounters with chefs, producers and local hosts whose work reflects the diversity of Peru’s landscapes and heritage.
Your Journey Overview
Explore Peru
A transformative journey through Peru that moves between ancient civilisations, living cultural traditions and some of South America’s most extraordinary natural landscapes. From the Pacific coast and the Nazca Desert to the Amazon rainforest and the high Andes, this experience is designed as an exploration of wonder, human connection and personal renewal.
This is not simply a journey through Peru’s iconic landmarks, but an immersion into the stories, rituals and creative traditions that continue to shape the country today. Along the way, you will meet artists, historians, spiritual practitioners and female cultural leaders who open a more intimate window into Peru’s identity, from Afro-Peruvian heritage in Chincha to ancestral painting traditions in the Amazon.
Across desert sanctuaries, rainforest lodges and sacred mountain valleys, moments of reflection sit alongside adventure and discovery. Ancient archaeological sites, yoga and meditation beneath the jungle canopy, shared meals, music and ceremony all become part of a wider narrative, one that explores how culture, spirituality and landscape intertwine to shape both collective memory and personal transformation.
From the mystery of the Nazca Lines to the stillness of Machu Picchu at dawn, the journey invites a slower and more meaningful engagement with Peru, leaving space not only to explore, but to reconnect, reflect and return home with renewed perspective.
Arrival in Lima & Peru’s Cultural Heartbeat
Arrive in Lima, Peru’s dynamic coastal capital, where Pacific light, colonial history and contemporary creativity converge. Set between the ocean and the foothills of the Andes, Lima offers a compelling introduction to the country’s layered identity, one shaped by ancient civilisations, Indigenous traditions and centuries of cultural exchange. Across its neighbourhoods, crumbling mansions sit beside cutting-edge galleries and celebrated restaurants, while the rhythms of daily life unfold against a backdrop of sea mist and desert cliffs.
Following a warm meet and greet at the airport, a private transfer brings you to Hotel B in the bohemian district of Barranco. Housed within a beautifully restored Belle Époque mansion, the hotel combines historic elegance with contemporary Peruvian art and understated refinement. Beyond its white stucco façade, quiet courtyards, curated interiors and one of Lima’s most atmospheric dining rooms create a calm and characterful base for the night ahead.
This evening, gather for a welcome dinner at Matria, one of Lima’s most acclaimed culinary destinations. Led by chef Arlette Eulert Checa, the experience offers more than exceptional cuisine, serving as an introduction to Peru through flavour, storytelling and shared conversation. Each dish reflects a deep connection to local ingredients and culinary heritage, setting the tone for a journey shaped by culture, creativity and meaningful human connection.
Exceptional Stay at Hotel B
Sacred Landscapes, Living Traditions & the Pisco Valley
Leaving the energy of Lima behind, today’s journey moves deeper into Peru’s cultural and spiritual landscapes. Begin with a visit to Pachacamac, an ancient sanctuary overlooking the Pacific coast that served as one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the pre-Columbian world. For centuries, people travelled here seeking guidance from the revered oracle of Pachacamac, and even now, the vast adobe temples and ceremonial pathways carry a palpable sense of stillness and reverence. As you explore the site and its museum, layers of Peru’s spiritual and archaeological history begin to unfold.
The afternoon offers a choice between two deeply personal cultural experiences. You may step into the world of the Peruvian Paso horse at a private hacienda in Mamacona, where generations of tradition are expressed through horsemanship, ritual and graceful movement. Alternatively, travel into the fertile landscapes of Azpitia to visit a women-owned pisco distillery, where craft, hospitality and storytelling come together through a guided tasting and shared lunch overlooking the valley below.
Later, continue south into the Pisco Valley and arrive at Enigma Private Home, your retreat for the next two nights. Surrounded by desert landscapes, cultivated gardens and expansive open skies, the property offers a quieter rhythm and a strong sense of place. Thoughtfully restored following the 2007 earthquake, the house feels intimate and deeply personal, designed as a space for gathering, reflection and rest as the journey gradually unfolds.
Afro-Peruvian Heritage & the Mysteries of the Desert
Today offers a deeper immersion into Peru’s cultural identity, where music, storytelling and ancient landscapes reveal the richness and complexity of the country’s heritage. Begin in El Carmen, the spiritual heart of Afro-Peruvian culture, where you are welcomed by the celebrated Ballumbrosio Family for a private performance of music, dance and zapateo. Through rhythm and movement, generations of history, resilience and celebration are brought vividly to life, creating an experience that feels both deeply personal and profoundly rooted in place.
Returning to your private home for a relaxed lunch, the afternoon shifts from performance to reflection with an intimate talk led by Nazca expert Ana María Cogorno. Through her insight and storytelling, the mysteries of the Nazca Lines begin to unfold, alongside the remarkable legacy of her mentor, María Reiche, whose lifelong dedication helped preserve one of Peru’s most enigmatic archaeological treasures.
As evening approaches, venture into the vast landscapes of the Paracas Desert by 4×4, crossing sweeping dunes and wind-shaped terrain as the light softens across the sand. The experience culminates beneath a star-filled sky with a beautifully arranged desert picnic, where the stillness, scale and silence of the landscape create a moment of rare calm and connection in one of Peru’s most striking natural settings.
Exceptional Stay at Enigma Private Home
Desert Civilisations and Sacred Histories
Today’s journey continues south into the desert landscapes of Nazca, where archaeology, spirituality and human perseverance converge. Begin with a visit to the former home of María Reiche, the mathematician and researcher whose lifelong dedication helped preserve and bring international recognition to the Nazca Lines. Preserved as a small museum, her modest home offers a deeply personal insight into the life of a woman driven by curiosity, discipline and profound respect for the desert landscape she devoted herself to understanding.
Continue into the heart of the ancient Nazca civilisation with a visit to Cahuachi, once a vast ceremonial and pilgrimage centre rising from the desert sands. Surrounded by adobe pyramids and sacred structures, the site reveals the scale and spiritual significance of a culture that flourished here more than a thousand years ago. Later, explore the remarkable Cantalloc Aqueducts, where spiral wells and underground channels demonstrate the ingenuity with which the Nazca people sustained life in one of the world’s driest environments.
This evening, arrive at Majoro Hotel, a historic hacienda set amidst gardens and open desert landscapes just beyond the town. Originally founded in the 16th century, the property blends colonial character with quiet comfort, offering a peaceful retreat shaped by history, expansive skies and the stillness of the surrounding desert.
Exceptional Stay at Majoro Hotel
Flight Over the Nazca Lines
This morning, take to the skies for an unforgettable aerial journey above the Nazca Lines, one of the world’s greatest archaeological mysteries. From the window of a small aircraft, immense geometric forms, spirals and ancient figures gradually emerge across the desert floor with remarkable clarity. Visible only from above, the sheer scale and precision of these geoglyphs continue to inspire fascination, inviting both wonder and reflection on the civilisation that created them centuries ago.
Seen from the air, the desert itself becomes part of the experience, vast, silent and seemingly endless beneath the shifting light. As the flight traces across the landscape, the encounter offers not only a sense of exhilaration, but also a rare opportunity to witness these sacred markings from the perspective for which they were seemingly intended.
Later, journey back into the Pisco Valley and return to Enigma Private Home for the next two nights. Surrounded by dunes, gardens and expansive desert skies, the property once again offers a grounding sense of calm and restoration, an inviting space to slow down, gather and absorb the experiences of the days before.
Artistry, Amazonian Wisdom and an Evening in Lima
Returning to Lima today, the journey continues through experiences shaped by creativity, cultural exchange and shared reflection. Begin with a visit to Jallpa Nina, a ceramics workshop where ancestral techniques are reinterpreted through contemporary craftsmanship. Guided by local artisans, discover the process behind hand-moulding, burnishing and natural firing, while gaining deeper insight into the role ceramics continue to play in preserving cultural identity and artistic tradition in Peru.
Later, a deeply personal encounter introduces the artistic and spiritual traditions of Amazonian communities. Through storytelling, discussion and hands-on creative practice, explore the symbolism and meaning behind kené, the sacred geometric patterns of the Shipibo people. Led by an anthropologist and master artisan, the experience becomes not only an introduction to Amazonian culture, but a meaningful exchange centred on memory, artistry and connection.
As evening falls, gather for a special dinner at Frina, hosted by chef Francesca Ferreyros. Joined by several of the experts and cultural figures encountered throughout the journey so far, the evening offers space for conversation, reflection and celebration over beautifully crafted dishes rooted in Peruvian ingredients and global influences.
After dinner, return to Hotel B in Barranco for the evening, where the quiet elegance of the restored mansion provides a familiar and restful pause before the next chapter of the journey begins.
Into the Peruvian Amazon
This morning, depart Lima and fly east toward Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Peruvian Amazon and one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. As the Andes give way to dense rainforest and winding river systems, the landscape transforms dramatically, marking the beginning of a slower, more introspective chapter of the journey.
On arrival, continue deep into the Tambopata region to Casa Amazonas, your home for the next three nights. Set within a private rainforest reserve, the lodge combines understated comfort with a strong commitment to wellness, conservation and meaningful connection to place. Surrounded by jungle canopy and alive with birdsong, the atmosphere here encourages a natural shift in pace, inviting rest, reflection and immersion in the rhythms of the forest.
As evening approaches, gather for a gentle Hatha yoga and meditation session overlooking the river at sunset. Guided through mindful movement and breathwork, the experience offers a grounding introduction to the Amazon, creating space to slow down, reconnect and settle into the stillness of this extraordinary environment.
Ancestral Art and Stories of the Amazon
Today offers a deeper connection to the cultural traditions and living knowledge systems of the Peruvian Amazon through an intimate encounter with the Yine community of Monte Salvado. Guided by Yine artist Yeni Alvarado, discover the ancestral art form known as yonga, a symbolic style of painting rooted in storytelling, identity and the spiritual relationship between people and the forest. Through demonstration and hands-on practice, you are invited to create your own work, engaging in a mindful creative process that encourages both reflection and cultural exchange.
Set against the sounds and rhythms of the rainforest, the experience becomes more than an artistic workshop, offering insight into how Indigenous traditions continue to preserve memory, connection and belonging across generations. Your participation also directly supports the continuation of these practices and the communities who safeguard them.
As evening falls, gather for dinner at Casa Amazonas, where conversation and storytelling continue around the table. Joined by a special guest, gain personal insight into the experiences of Yine women and the evolving realities of life in the Amazon today. Later, beneath the rainforest night sky, the experience concludes around a bonfire, where the sounds of the jungle and flickering firelight create a powerful atmosphere of stillness, warmth and connection.
Wellness and Flavours of the Amazon
Exceptional Stay at Casa Amazonas
Into the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Leaving the Amazon behind, today’s journey continues into the heart of the Peruvian Andes and the legendary Sacred Valley. Surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes, fertile valleys and centuries of living history, this region was once the spiritual and agricultural centre of the Incan empire, a place where ancient traditions and contemporary Andean life remain deeply intertwined.
Your home for the evening is Sol y Luna, a beautifully designed retreat set amongst native gardens beneath the slopes of the Andes. Family owned and rooted in a strong sense of community purpose, the lodge was originally created to support the Sol y Luna Foundation and local school, an ethos that continues to shape the experience today.
Scattered throughout the gardens, individual casitas blend rustic elegance with vibrant Peruvian craftsmanship, creating a warm and deeply characterful atmosphere. With mountain views, exceptional cuisine and the quiet energy of the Sacred Valley all around, the property offers an inviting space to pause, restore and prepare for the next stage of the journey toward Machu Picchu.
Exceptional Stay at Sol y Luna
misty moments within the cloud forest
Today, continue deeper into the Sacred Valley toward the mist-covered landscapes surrounding Machu Picchu. Travelling through dramatic Andean scenery by rail and road, the journey gradually descends into lush cloud forest, where subtropical vegetation, orchids and rushing rivers replace the high mountain terrain.
Your home for the next two nights is Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, an enchanting retreat hidden within 12 acres of private forest. Designed to resemble an intimate Andean village, the property is woven together by stone pathways, waterfalls, terraced gardens and secluded casitas tucked amongst the greenery. Hummingbirds dart through the gardens, the calls of Peru’s iconic cock-of-the-rock echo through the trees, and an extraordinary collection of native orchids flourishes throughout the grounds.
With its deep connection to nature and atmosphere of quiet seclusion, the hotel invites you to slow down and fully absorb the unique energy of this remarkable region before your visit to Machu Picchu.
calm beneath machu picchu
With the ancient citadel still waiting above the mountains, today is an opportunity to fully embrace the serenity and natural beauty of the cloud forest surrounding Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Spend time wandering through the property’s lush gardens and hidden pathways, where hundreds of bird species and one of the world’s largest collections of native orchids thrive within this protected ecosystem.
Whether relaxing in the privacy of your casita, unwinding beneath an outdoor shower surrounded by forest sounds, or simply pausing to take in the stillness of the landscape, the experience here is designed to restore and reconnect. Often described as a “Garden of Eden”, the setting feels both immersive and deeply peaceful, offering a rare chance to slow the pace before the unforgettable experience of Machu Picchu itself.
Exceptional Stay at Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel
Journey to Cusco on board the Vistadome Observatory Train & Arrival in the City
Begin the day aboard the PeruRail Vistadome Train, travelling towards the vibrant Andean city of Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire. As the journey unfolds, enjoy sweeping views of the Urubamba River as it winds through fertile valleys, framed by dramatic mountain ranges and the distant, snow-capped peaks of the Andes.
Designed for immersive travel, the Vistadome offers panoramic windows above and beside the seats, bringing the landscape into constant focus. Guests can move freely between carriages, including the Observatory Car, where live music and traditional Andean dance create a lively cultural atmosphere that reflects the spirit of the region.
On arrival in Cusco, the city reveals its layered history through cobblestone streets, colonial façades and ancient Inca stonework, offering an immediate sense of place and heritage.
Settle into Casa Clara, a boutique property in Plaza Nazarenas that blends heritage character with contemporary comfort. With just eight suites and a relaxed, home-like atmosphere, it offers an intimate base from which to explore Cusco’s historic centre, with its galleries, museums and restaurants all within easy walking distance.
Exceptional Stay at Casa Clara
Return to Lima
Begin the day with a private transfer from Casa Clara to Puerto Maldonado Airport, where you will be assisted with check-in and onward arrangements. This marks a final transition from the Andes towards the Amazon and onwards connection through Lima, with all logistics handled seamlessly.
Upon arrival in Lima, a JWP representative will meet you at the exit of the Domestic Arrivals Terminal, holding a sign with your name. You will be escorted through the airport and supported with all procedures for your international departure flight, ensuring a smooth and well-coordinated end to your journey.
Our purpose
Journeys With Purpose engage guests with the world’s most ambitious and exciting conservation projects across our seven continents. We believe travel can be a powerful force for learning, for expanding horizons and shifting perspectives on the magic and wonder of our natural world.
Our journeys invite you to step outside of your daily ecosystem and engage with new cultures, environments and people in the world’s wildest corners. At this moment in history, we are placing unprecedented pressure on the planet and wildlife, communities and nature is under threat. True wilderness is increasingly rare, yet there are remarkable examples of nature rebounding, and flourishing.
These conservation successes showcase the resilience of our natural world, and our journeys serve to spotlight, and support, these projects. Whether on a safari, diving trip or mountain expedition, by travelling with JWP you contribute to our mission: to conserve and restore 30 million acres of land and 30 million acres of seas by 2030. We are proud members of 1% for the Planet, through which we donate 1% of our annual revenue to grass-root initiatives.
Journeys With Purpose is also a member of The Long Run, a Conde Nast Traveller specialist travel agency, and a Certified B Corp, awarded “Best for the World: Environment 2022”.
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