Next Jaunt: Peru

Lima’s got layers—and we’re not just talking about the purple corn pudding.
We kick things off in Peru’s capital with a warm welcome and a breezy downtown wander. From grand colonial plazas to cryptic catacombs, we ease into the city's rhythm with a guide who knows just where to duck off the tourist track. Expect street snacks, local color, and a little sweet tooth satisfaction (yes, that’s a purple porridge). Come evening, we dress things up with dinner at a top-tier restaurant tucked beside ancient ruins—where the views are as elevated as the flavors.

Into the jungle we go.
This morning, we trade city buzz for the rustle and roar of the Amazon. A short flight drops us in Puerto Maldonado, where we glide upriver by motorized canoe—eyes peeled for capybaras, macaws, and maybe a caiman or two. Our home base? A dreamy eco-lodge tucked deep in the rainforest, where hammocks swing, trails twist, and the trees do all the talking. After a forest-to-table lunch, we hit the trails with a local guide who reads the jungle like a book. When the sun dips, we head back on the river for a twilight cruise—because the Amazon doesn’t sleep when the sun goes down. Neither do the caimans.

Jungle magic, from canopy to canoe.
This morning, we paddle across Lake Sandoval in a hand-carved canoe—silent, smooth, and perfect for spotting howler monkeys, otters, and the occasional macaw showing off. After lunch, we climb into the treetops (safely, via suspension bridges) for a canopy walk that feels part jungle gym, part David Attenborough daydream. Later, you can unwind at the lodge spa or grab a flashlight and head out for a night walk to see what the rainforest is up to after dark. Spoiler: it’s not sleeping.

From jungle whispers to high-altitude heartbeats.
Today we trade the canopy for cobblestones and fly into Cusco—the sky-high jewel of the Andes and once the beating heart of the Inca Empire. After touching down, we head straight into the city’s rich tapestry of colonial churches, sacred temples, and stonework that’s outlived empires. A local historian joins us to unpack the layers, from cathedral masterpieces to the golden echoes of Coricancha. After that? The night’s yours. Whether you’re into quiet courtyards or late-night street snacks with a side of pan flute, Cusco doesn’t disappoint.

Your day, your vibe, your Cusco.
Today’s wide open, so go where your curiosity pulls you. Wander through San Pedro Market for rainbow textiles and bargaining practice (bonus points for snagging a llama keychain). Revisit the Plaza de Armas or head for the hills—literally—with a half-day hike to Inkilltambo’s ancient ruins or the jaw-dropping fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Want something slower? There’s an optional cooking class that blends local flavors and fair trade flair. However you spend the day, Cusco’s got layers to peel back—and plenty of magic tucked between them.

Mountains, maize, and meaning.
Today we roll through the Sacred Valley, where the mountains do their majestic thing and the fields are lined with storybook terraces. We’ll stop for a bite and a deeper purpose at AMA—a cozy café uplifting single mothers through food, training, and heart. Then it’s on to Willoq, a highland community where weaving isn’t just tradition—it’s language. You’ll try your hand at making a bracelet (brace yourself for compliments) before gathering for a celebratory pachamanca lunch cooked in the earth itself. We end the day in Ollantaytambo, where ancient aqueducts and massive stone walls whisper tales of Pachamama and precision-built empires. Machu Picchu’s getting close—you can feel it.

All aboard the wow train.
This morning, we ride in style on the 360° Machu Picchu Train—think panoramic windows, an open-air carriage, and nonstop Andes eye candy. After rolling into the little mountain town of Aguas Calientes, we make our way up the winding road to the main event: Machu Picchu. With a local guide in the know, we wander through this cloud-kissed citadel, piecing together what we can about its mystery and might. Was it a royal retreat? A sacred site? The Inca’s best-kept secret? No one really knows—and that’s part of the magic.

One more look—because once is never enough.
We’re up with the sun for another chance to wander Machu Picchu’s stone secrets. This time, we dive deeper—temples, terraces, and those impossibly perfect stone joints that have outlasted centuries (and would shame your jigsaw puzzle). Framed by misty mountains and jungle green, the place still manages to leave us speechless. After soaking it all in, we ride the rails and roads back to Cusco—grateful, amazed, and maybe a little dusty in the best way.

Just like that—it’s goodbye for now.
After one last breakfast in Cusco, it’s time to part ways (unless, of course, you’re not quite ready). If the cobblestones are calling you to stay a little longer, let your booking agent know—we’re happy to help stretch out the magic.