The experts in boutique travel To Peru and South America
A Peru honeymoon is a dream trip for many couples thanks to the mystical archeological site of Machu Picchu. Combined with Peru’s fascinating history, tranquil landscapes, and uniquely flavorful cuisine, it is one of the most romantic honeymoon destinations in the world. There are many adventures to be had in this beautiful South American country through its colonial city streets, Incan ruins, and winding mountain roads. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to recharge amidst the romantic scenery, too. Below you will find one example of how our expert Travel Advisors can customize a honeymoon itinerary that visits the top destinations in Peru in one week.
*Cover photo by neverything on Flickr.
Typically, flights to Peru will depart during the day and arrive in the capital Lima late at night. This does take away from your overall vacation time. However, you’ll soon find that your honeymoon through Peru will be well worth the full travel day.
You can make the most of this first night by staying in a luxurious Lima hotel. To be central to shops and restaurants, we recommend sticking to the Miraflores district. Some top Miraflores hotels include Belmond Miraflores Park and the JW Marriott. Both have rooms with romantic ocean views and rooftop pools. Alternatively, stay in the bohemian district of Barranco. Here you will find artsy, boutique hotels, like the luxurious Hotel B or Villa Barranco.
Once checked into your hotel, go ahead and throw yourself on the bed for a deeply restful night. Tomorrow the real adventure begins!
With almost 10 million inhabitants, Lima is the epitome of a bustling South American metropolis. Although Lima is a gargantuan city, there are three main districts that are worth visiting: Miraflores, Barranco, and the Historic Center.
Being the cosmopolitan capital of Peru, there are of course many fabulous things to do in Lima. For newlyweds, we recommend starting out by exploring the picturesque Historic Center of Lima. Then head to one of South America’s best museums, the Larco Museum. Not only does it have an impressive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts from all around Peru but also a top-notch restaurant. You can have a sumptuous lunch while enjoying the museum’s brightly colored garden. Lovebirds will feel completely secluded from Lima’s city soundscape.
In the evening, if staying in Barranco, be sure to check out the various museums, art galleries and artisan shops, such as Dedalo. If your hotel is in Miraflores, we recommend taking a relaxing stroll hand in hand along the Malecón to the colorfully eye-catching Parque del Amor, or Love Park. Here you can admire the love poems inlaid in the mosaic tiles, the statue of kissing campesinos, and the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Top off the night by having a gourmet dinner at one of Lima’s world ranking restaurants. Peru has a tasty culinary tradition, so why not treat your tastebuds by getting a few plates for the two of you to share?
In the morning, drive back to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Try to get a window and middle seat on the plane so you can watch the scenery turn from desert cliffs to lavish green peaks.
Since you’ll probably be feeling a bit tired with the altitude, why not take the opportunity on this first day in the ancient Incan capital to treat yourself to some spa time while you acclimate? Cusco has a number of luxury hotels equipped with decadent spas. Hang out in the jacuzzi or sauna, or indulge in a couple’s massage. This is your honeymoon after all!
If you’re feeling up to it in the afternoon, you can venture out to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas to get a feel for the city’s rich Inca and colonial history. The Plaza is also the perfect place for an evening walk. The buildings and houses will be lit up, and you can see city lights climbing up the mountainsides.
By your second day in Cusco, you should be mostly acclimated to the altitude and ready for more intense exploring! Start off by wandering through the quaint cobblestone streets of the historic center. Standing watch over the Plaza de Armas is Cusco’s Cathedral, which has an impressively ornate interior. Even if you’re not particularly religious, you can take advantage of the serene silence inside to reflect on your current Peru adventure, as well as your future adventures as a married couple.
Afterward, go exploring outside the city to the surrounding Incan ruins, most notably Sacsayhuaman. Typical of Incan architecture, you will notice how the perfectly cut stones fit flawlessly together to build walls so sturdy that they can withhold earthquakes.
In the afternoon, take a moment to slow down from your honeymoon adventures. Spend some time checking out the galleries and artisan shops of the bohemian San Blas neighborhood. Once the sun has set, sip an Andean cocktail at a San Blas bar, such as Limbus Resto Bar, for a romantic view over the city at night.
Escape the city and venture out into the Sacred Valley on your way to the culmination of your Peruvian honeymoon, Machu Picchu. Connecting to nature in this rural, mountainous landscape is sure to create a romantic atmosphere for you and your partner.
There are a number of Incan ruins worth visiting in the Sacred Valley, including Pisac, Moray, and the Ollantaytambo Fortress. For living culture, you can visit the Maras salt pans where locals have been harvesting salt for thousands of years. Nearby, there is also the famous weaving town of Chinchero. Be sure to stop at one or more of these sites on your way to your hotel.
As impressive as these ancient sites are, the best part of spending time in the Sacred Valley during your honeymoon in Peru is the tranquility and beautiful mountain landscapes. Many Sacred Valley hotels have an incredibly picturesque setting, surrounded on all sides by gardens, trees, and nearby mountains. At the end of the day, the two of you can enjoy couples spa treatments or a romantic bonfire. Or starry-eyed lovers can simply enjoy the night sky full of stars carving out the meandering stream of the Milky Way.
In the morning, head to the charming town of Ollantaytambo to take the train to Machu Picchu. Along the winding route, you will be able to marvel at the progressively changing landscape through the panoramic windows as it goes from snow-capped mountain peaks to lush, hilly jungle.
After arriving in Aguas Calientes, take the bus up to the entrance of the Machu Picchu citadel. This is sure to be a magical experience for you and your loved one. This Incan sanctuary, built sometime in the 15th century, has stood the test of time. With your guide, admire the architecture and the rich history of the site.
Back in Aguas Calientes, there are several great Machu Picchu hotels to choose from. But the luxury Inkaterra El Pueblo hotel is the best place to stay in Aguas Calientes for that truly special Machu Picchu honeymoon experience. The hotel sits on 12 acres of a stunning cloud forest. You can tour the ground’s tea plantation and visit the spectacled bear rehabilitation center. You can also amble hand in hand through the serene gardens with one of the largest collections of orchids in the world. Your room will be situated in its own idyllic cabaña, giving you and your partner some privacy and quiet after a long day of crowds.
Wake up early to spend a second day in the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu. Depending on your energy or mobility, you can use this time to get a closer look at you and your partner’s favorite Incan structures or set out on a thrilling adventure together.
Challenge yourselves with a hike up Huayna Picchu, the famous peak within the Machu Picchu ruins. The climb will be tough, but the aerial views of Machu Picchu are well worth it. Another option, if Huayna Picchu tickets are sold out or if you suffer from vertigo, is Machu Picchu Mountain. This is a taller mountain, and thus a longer hike. But there are several lookout points along the way that afford equally fantastic views.
After your hike, treat yourself to a delectable buffet lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge’s Tinkuy Restaurant. Or head back to your hotel in Aguas Calientes to rest before taking the train back to Cusco.
After such a packed, adventurous week traveling through Peru, take this final day to sleep in and go at an easy pace. Perhaps take a little bit longer at breakfast to savor the unique flavors of Peruvian fruits, cheeses, and grains.
Then spend the rest of the day wandering around Cusco’s cobblestone streets one last time. There are many artisan markets throughout the historic center to shop for gifts and souvenirs. Remember that souvenir is French for “memory,” so try to find something that will always recall moments of your Peru honeymoon to both your minds. This can be a soft baby alpaca scarf, a piece of homemade jewelry or art, or simply a favorite photo from your journey together.
With all these souvenirs (whether they be memories or trinkets) packed away in your suitcase, prepare to make your way back home. And remember that home now is a shared place for you and your loved one.
If you are only able to spend one week in Peru for your honeymoon and are looking to see the highlights of the country, the above itinerary is a perfect way for newlyweds to visit. There are, of course, various Peru itineraries that you can modify to create a truly special and romantic honeymoon that can include everything from colorful and lush Amazon rainforests to desert beaches. Peru has something beautiful, and truly romantic, to offer in any setting.
Let our expert Travel Advisors plan the perfect honeymoon trip to Peru!
Family trips abroad gave Rachel an insatiable taste for foreign languages and cultures.
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