The Peru Perspective

When it comes to bucket-list trips, few destinations live up to the mythology. Peru does. And for the first of five Exclusive Resorts Journeys to the land of the Incas, the bar is now set sky-high — literally.

It all began with a smooth touchdown in Lima, where Members were met with diplomat lounge service and breezed through customs like royalty. While some seasoned travelers arrived early to acclimate (and explore the charming bohemian district of Barranco), the official experience began with an immersion into Lima’s colonial heart — think elegant cathedrals, ancient catacombs, and an unforgettable private opera performance inside Casa Aliaga, cava in hand.

By day two, the tone was clear: this was no ordinary tour. Over lunch at the Larco Museum, Members sipped their first (but not last) pisco sours under a flower-laden pergola, before diving into pre-Incan artifacts and indulging in a five-course feast at Astrid y Gastón — complete with a personal hello from Astrid herself.

Then, it was off to higher altitudes. The group flew to Cusco, perched at 11,152 feet, and lunched at LIMO overlooking the main square. Coca tea was sipped. Spirits remained high. In the Sacred Valley, Members watched skilled Quechua artisans at the Cusco Textile Center spin soft alpaca wool using traditional dyeing methods. The scenery? Straight out of a postcard. Sol y Luna became their base — lush gardens, mountain views, and that deep-breath-of-relief kind of calm.

On Friday, the group delved into Incan ingenuity. First stop: Moray’s crop circles, where ancient farmers experimented with microclimates. Next: a salt-studded hike through Maras, ending with a family-style Andean picnic that tasted as good as the backdrop looked. That afternoon, shamans welcomed Members into a moving Pachamama ceremony where each guest received a blessing rooted in centuries-old reverence for Mother Earth.

Later that evening, things kicked up a notch. With Paso horses prancing and criollo music filling the air, Members donned aprons and chef hats for a hands-on cooking class. Tiradito, quinoa soup, Lomo Saltado — it was a culinary celebration of Peru’s bold flavors and even bolder spirit.

By Saturday, it was time to tackle Ollantaytambo’s terraced Sun Temple. With Machu Picchu on the horizon, Members took it easy in anticipation of the next day’s big adventure. On Sunday, the group split paths. Four Members braved KM 104 of the Inca Trail, ascending toward the Sun Gate in what can only be described as a spiritual triumph. The rest boarded the Vista Dome train, sipping coffee under glass ceilings with the Andes unfolding outside. No matter the route, the destination was the same: Machu Picchu was every bit as breathtaking as imagined.

The journey didn’t stop there. On day seven, eight adventurers scaled Huayna Picchu for jaw-dropping aerial views. Later, the entire group boarded the Hiram Bingham train — a throwback to old-world glamour where cocktails flowed, music played, and spontaneous dancing ensued. Somewhere between the bar cart and the dining car, it became clear: this wasn’t just a trip — it was a celebration.

Cusco was the final chapter. Members wandered through cobblestone streets, shopped for genuine alpaca scarves, and decompressed with massages at the Palacio Nazarenas. Their farewell evening began with a pisco tasting and ended with a heartfelt toast at Hanz, where friendships forged over hikes, history, and shared amazement took center stage.

As the sun rose on departure day, one thing was certain: the magic of Peru stayed with them. Not just in the photos, but in the stories, the laughter, and the bonds made stronger by every step of this extraordinary journey.