Ultimate Peru by River and Rail

The capital of Peru and world-renowned culinary epicenter, Lima is a mix of indigenous and colonial history, natural beauty and a Pacific-Coast vibe that’s laidback by day and electric by night.

Huallamarca Pucllana is an ancient clay-and-adobe pyramid sprawled in the midst of Lima. View its ongoing excavation before joining a local chef on a visit to a popular food market. Afterward, stop for a coffee tasting before strolling the city’s colorful Barranco district and visiting the Osma Museum. Later, help the chef prepare your dinner.

The Amazon Basin is one of the greatest remaining wildernesses on earth, and the best way to explore it is aboard A&K Sanctuary’s boutique riverboat, Pure Amazon. Starting at remote Nauta, on the banks of the Marañón River, embark on a three-night river adventure in state-of-the-art comfort.

In the first light of dawn, on an expert-led birding excursion by skiff, navigate Nauta Caño, a creek known for its wildlife, dense vegetation and mirror-like blackwater, watching for species such as black-collared hawks and flamboyantly colored tanagers. Ply a tributary in the 8,000-square-mile Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, searching for squirrel monkeys, tamarins, iguanas and more, or fish for piranhas on a catch-and-release basis. A night safari reveals hidden nocturnal life before a fun stargazing session.

Visit Nueva Arica, a welcoming riverside village where you meet locals and learn how they adapt to life in the low- and high-water seasons. Discover their innovative use of forest resources to derive a sustainable income, an initiative supported by A&K Philanthropy. Kayak or swim before taking a guided walk to the Samiria River, known as “the jungle mirror,” because of its smooth, reflective water. In addition to sloths, monkeys and birds, watch for tiny flora and fauna such as frogs, ants and spiders. Back aboard Pure Amazon, gather for a celebratory farewell dinner.

Disembark and make your way to Iquitos. Visit a local market before flying to Lima.

The former capital of the Inca empire, Cusco is often considered the most beautiful city in Peru. Venture from here into the Sacred Valley to visit the village of Lamay and learn about the daily life of its inhabitants.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas carves through the Peruvian Andes near Cusco. Deemed a spiritual epicenter by the Inca people, the valley is home to remote Quechua-speaking communities whose traditional way of life endures. Begin with a light trek — escorted by llamas — on a trail that overlooks a lake, and then proceed to the Village of the Flowers to meet with members of the local community and learn about projects there sponsored by A&K Philanthropy .

Explore the massive stone fortress of Ollantaytambo before boarding the Inca Rail First-Class Train for a journey to Machu Picchu. Overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century at the height of the Inca Empire. Explore it in depth with your expert guide. Return to Cusco via the luxurious Hiram Bingham train.

Discover Cusco on a city tour that includes the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and the Santo Domingo Temple. Marvel at Sacsayhuamán, a testament to Incan architectural skill, with a stop at Sulca workshop en route. Explore the Bohemian San Blas Neighborhood and visit Sapantiana, a preserved example of Incan hydraulic architecture. Eat dinner at an elegant Cusco restaurant, where the chef’s recipes carry on Peru’s culinary traditions.

Step aboard Andean Explorer, the first luxury sleeping train in South America, to begin a relaxing trek across the Andean plains past Peru’s lofty landscapes. Disembark to discover Raqch’i, an Incan archaeological site. Back on board, view the La Raya mountain range en route to Lake Titicaca.

Absorb the eclectic beauty and rich biodiversity of Lake Titicaca. Ride by traditional boat to the islands of the Uros to view extraordinary manmade floating isles created from woven reeds. Eat lunch on Taquille Island, where many locals are Quechuan, followed by a visit to the sparkling sands of Collata Beach.

Step inside the Sumbay caves, home to fascinating paintings estimated to be over 8,000 years old. Journey to Arequipa by train before flying to Lima.

Enjoy breakfast before your short walk to the airport to board your departing flight.