Few countries capture the imagination quite like Peru. It’s a land where history and nature collide — where you can walk among the ruins of a 15th-century Inca citadel one day and drift down a river teeming with pink dolphins the next.
This journey through Machu Picchu and the Amazon brings together the very best of Peru: Lima’s buzzing culinary scene, the high-altitude beauty of the Sacred Valley, the mystery of Machu Picchu, the cultural heart of Cusco, and the staggering biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that weaves together food, history, culture and wild, raw landscapes.
If you’re short on time and want the highlights, check out our guide to the Top 5 Experiences in Peru — from Machu Picchu to the Amazon.
Lima: Coastal Capital of Flavour and Flair
Peru’s capital, Lima, is a city of contrasts — a mix of colonial plazas, edgy neighbourhoods and a coastline beloved by surfers. With its near-constant sunshine and salty breeze, it’s a city that feels alive with energy.
If there’s one thing Lima does better than anywhere else in South America, it’s food. This is the culinary capital of Latin America, with world-famous restaurants like Central and Maido leading the charge. But you don’t have to dine at the top tables to eat well — the city has more than 16,000 cevicherias, and tucking into ceviche fresh from the ocean, washed down with a frothy pisco sour, is a rite of passage.
Take time to wander through Barranco, the city’s bohemian neighbourhood where street art, music and colonial mansions collide. Or dive into the past at the Larco Museum, which showcases Peru’s pre-Columbian treasures. Lima sets the stage perfectly: a city where history, food and culture mingle with the ocean breeze.
The Sacred Valley: A Spiritual Landscape
From the coast, your journey heads inland and upward into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here, snow-capped peaks loom over green fields and terraced hillsides, with villages where Quechua-speaking communities still live much as their ancestors did.
For the Incas, the Sacred Valley was more than just farmland — it was a spiritual centre aligned with the solar system. Today, the valley remains rich in culture and tradition. You can feed llamas and alpacas at local farms, wander salt mines shimmering like a patchwork quilt, or simply sit and take in the sweeping Andean views.
Everywhere you look, there’s a sense of continuity: ancient agricultural terraces still in use, vibrant markets selling handwoven textiles, and communities who carry forward centuries-old traditions.
Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas
Then comes the moment travellers dream of — Machu Picchu. Perched high in the Andes, this 15th-century citadel is Peru’s crown jewel, and no matter how many photos you’ve seen, nothing compares to standing among its terraces and temples with the mist curling around the peaks.
Getting there is an adventure in itself. Some opt for the Inca Trail, a multi-day hike that traces stone pathways through cloud forests and mountain passes, rewarding you with the Sun Gate view at dawn. Others take the train from Cusco, gazing out at rivers and mountains as they roll past, before winding up into the cloud forest.
However you arrive, the first glimpse is unforgettable. The scale of the ruins, the precision of the stonework, and the sheer drama of the setting all combine to make this one of the world’s most extraordinary sites. Watching the sunrise over Machu Picchu, as the light hits the peaks and the citadel slowly emerges from shadow, is a memory you’ll carry forever.
Cusco: A City in the Clouds
No journey to Machu Picchu is complete without time in Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire and now a vibrant city that blends Inca and Spanish colonial heritage.
Cusco is often described as being built in the shape of a puma, its streets stretching across the Huatanay Valley like a great feline. Today, its cobbled alleys and colourful plazas are filled with a mix of lively markets, historic churches and reminders of its Inca past.
Wander the Plaza de Armas, where colonial arcades meet baroque facades. Explore San Blas, a hillside neighbourhood known for its artisans. And don’t miss the chance to sample Andean cuisine — from quinoa soups to roast cuy (guinea pig, a local delicacy).
Cusco is more than just a gateway to Machu Picchu. It’s a cultural heartland, where history and modern life blend seamlessly, and where the altitude (11,200ft) takes your breath away in more ways than one.
Cusco is one of Peru’s must-sees, and it also features in our list of the Top 5 Experiences in Peru.
The Amazon: A World of Biodiversity
From the heights of the Andes, the journey descends into one of the most biodiverse places on Earth: the Amazon rainforest. Here, the landscape shifts dramatically — lush greenery, tangled waterways, and a chorus of birds and insects that never seems to stop.
The Peruvian Amazon is wild and remote, especially in areas like the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Known as the “jungle of mirrors” for the way its still waters reflect the trees and sky, this is a place where nature feels endless.
Exploring the Amazon often means taking to the river. On small boats or luxury river cruises, you can drift along winding tributaries, keeping an eye out for pink river dolphins, caimans basking on the banks, and monkeys leaping between branches. Birdwatchers will be in heaven, with everything from macaws to kingfishers flashing their colours above the canopy.
On land, guided jungle walks reveal medicinal plants, tiny frogs with vivid markings, and towering ceiba trees. The Amazon is a place of constant discovery — every step, every bend in the river brings something new.
Why This Journey is So Special
What makes the combination of Machu Picchu and the Amazon so powerful is the contrast. One moment you’re standing on a high Andean ridge, gazing at the legacy of the Inca Empire; the next, you’re floating down a jungle river, surrounded by creatures that feel prehistoric.
Together, they showcase Peru’s two greatest treasures: its cultural heritage and its natural wonders. Add in Lima’s food scene, Cusco’s charm and the Sacred Valley’s timeless traditions, and you have a journey that feels complete — a true “greatest hits” of Peru.
Tips for Your Peru Adventure
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Timing matters: The dry season (May–October) is best for trekking in the Andes, while the Amazon is incredible year-round.
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Altitude awareness: Cusco and Machu Picchu are high — take it slow to acclimatise.
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Pack for variety: You’ll need warm layers for the Andes and lightweight clothing for the jungle.
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Stay curious: Whether it’s chatting with locals in a market or tasting new flavours, the small moments often become the most memorable.
Final Thoughts
A journey through Machu Picchu and the Amazon is the kind of trip that lingers in your memory long after you’ve returned home. It’s not just the sights — though they’re spectacular — but the feeling of connection: to history, to nature, and to a country that wears its heart proudly on its sleeve.
At Journeys Made, we believe these once-in-a-lifetime moments should be remembered. That’s why we handcraft personalised travel keyrings with engraved tokens for each destination. Whether it’s the ruins of Machu Picchu, the colours of Cusco, or the waterways of the Amazon, you can carry a little piece of Peru with you wherever life takes you.
