Backroads | Peru Insider

Peru Insider

Weaving together stunning Andean landscapes, fascinating Inca history and captivating Quechua culture, our trip wraps you in the essence of Peru. Witness a blend of Pre-Columbian, Colonial and 21st-century cultures in Cusco, where trendy galleries rest on foundations of ancient Inca stonework and young locals clad in jeans pass rural women dressed in rainbow-colored pollera skirts and ponchos. Marvel at the folk music that keeps ancestral traditions alive. Feel the energy of the apukuna (mountain spirits) as you explore the mysterious citadel of Machu Picchu. Journey to a remote village in the Ollantaytambo region for a look at exquisite hand-loomed textiles. Put your artistic flair to the test at a ceramics studio dedicated to preserving ancient techniques. And delight in the company of our Peruvian guides, who offer personal insights into the region’s deep mythological and religious roots.

Monumental Mysteries

Wander in awe through Q’oricancha and Sacsayhuamán, home to some of Peru’s finest examples of Inca architecture. Though they may not have invented it, the Incas mastered the art of monumental stone masonry. The question is: how did these ancient engineers integrate enormous boulders with such precision that not even a needle can fit between them?

"Navel of the World"

A walking tour in Cusco provides a rich and fascinating context for the places we’ll discover and the people we’ll meet during these seven unforgettable days. Our local Peruvian guide and good friend gives us a close-up look at this vivacious and colorful city caught in an intriguing tug-of-war between its ancient heritage and thriving contemporary culture.

¿Como se dice "Baker's Dozen?"

Dive into the vibrant local market with your Trip Leaders and bargain with vendors selling every manner of wares, from brilliantly colored textiles to local produce. It’s your chance to shop for ceramics, woven goods, jewelry and alpaca sweaters. We’ll teach you a few Spanish bartering phrases - little English is spoken here!

Lost City of the Incas

Suspended between two Andean peaks at 7,700 feet is one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the ancient world: Machu Picchu. Certain to be an experience that surpasses your imagination, explore this enigmatic citadel and marvel at the magical play of sunlight, shadows and fog against perfectly constructed temples, baths and aqueducts.

The Amazing Salineras

Savor stunning views of mountains and glaciers while descending on foot through the famous Inca Salineras, a beautiful honeycomb of pools rising tier upon tier in the Sacred Valley. Fed by an underground river, these salt-encrusted basins have been raked and scraped clean for centuries, with families passing on their tiny plots of land from generation to generation.

A Gem of Quechua Culture

Journey back in time to the isolated village of Huilloc, where you’ll learn traditional techniques from women in the community who are skilled master weavers. You’ll also have the unique opportunity visit with a local family, who invite us into their home for an intimate look at the traditional Andean way of life.

Mountain Menu

In Cusco, get creative as you prepare an array of traditional Peruvian dishes—perhaps ají de gallina (shredded chicken in a spicy cheese sauce), camote (sweet potato), traditional cuy (yes, guinea pig) and pisco sours (the citrusy “national drink”)—during a cooking lesson with our longtime local friends.

Heavenly Havens: Premiere Inns

Hotel Monasterio del Cusco (3 nights): Delight in a unique encounter with Inca and Spanish traditions at this elegant museum-hotel, a favorite among readers of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure.

Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa (2 nights): Located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, the Sol y Luna is surrounded by beautiful gardens and features comfortable and tastefully appointed bungalows.

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge (1 night): Named one of the world’s top 500 hotels by Travel+Leisure, the Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel located within the Machu Picchu citadel. Don’t miss the sunset view from the hotel’s orchid-filled garden and be sure to join the sunrise excursion to the ruins.

2009 DATES

CLASSIC TRIPS

2010 DATES

CLASSIC TRIPS

Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Guest Trip Reviews

One of the highlights on my Insider Trip was the Orient Express Train ride from Machu Picchu to Cusco; we dined like kings and queens while listening to live music on the famous, authentically decorated Hiram Bingham train.

Michelle Muench - Trip Development Coordinator, South America

I liked how this Insider Trip kept the max number of people to l8. This gave people a chance to get to know each other and was more intimate than having the large number of people we've had in the past on two of our biking tours. Backroads does a wonderful job of planning hotels, restaurants and taking you to places you wouldn't think to see on your own. I would highly recommend this Peru Insider Trip. There were six family members on the trip and everyone thought it was the best vacation they had ever been on. We would all highly recommend it.

Shelly Gray - Reno, NV