Exploring Peru: A View From Around the World

In the previous edition of my travelog, I shared my journey to the wonderful Land Down Under – Australia. Today, we will explore the allure of South America along with the “Lost City of the Incas – Machu Picchu” (pictured above).

In my many years of planning incentive group travel events, some of my fondest memories come from destinations I had discounted as not having enough allure for me to recommend, only to go there and discover how incredibly wrong I was. In this installment of my travel series, I’d like to share the magic of South America, focusing specifically on the captivating allure of Peru.

When most people think of Peru, they often picture Machu Picchu and its breathtaking ruins. You might also envision a llama or a local Peruvian wearing one of those odd-looking hats (it’s called chullo by the way). However, there is so much more to this enchanting land that might not immediately come to mind. Let me start with some of the basics to help you consider Peru for your future group travel rewards event.

To begin, I recommend three principal areas for group visits: Lima (the big city), Cusco (the colonial city), and Machu Picchu (the ancient city). Since flights from the U.S. arrive in Lima in mid-evening, most groups will need to stay overnight before heading to Cusco. This is a bonus, as Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning architecture and excellent places to explore.

Upon arrival in Lima, the group would take a short transfer to the Miraflores district, which features stunning coastal views. After a simple group check-in and light reception, everyone will head off to bed. The next morning, the group will explore museums and colonial palaces, with a special visit to the catacombs of the San Francisco Monastery. For those who are more energetic, we can arrange a guided electric bike tour of charming Miraflores, with its many art galleries, shops, and sidewalk cafes. Everyone will then meet for lunch where they will enjoy a majestic equestrian show featuring the renowned Paso horses, known for their grace and elegance. Afterward, the group will head to the airport for a quick one-hour flight to Cusco.

 A scenic square of colonial Cusco

Cusco is an amazing city and attendees will immediately experience its uniqueness upon landing. At an elevation of 11,152 feet, it’s easy to spot the tourists from the locals on the plane – the locals quickly jump out of their seats, while the tourists are carefully wobbling about as they acclimate themselves to the thinner air. One of the wonderful things about Cusco is its colonial charm, which is not confined to specific areas but present throughout the city. Although there are several great group-friendly hotels, two of my absolute favorites are Belmond’s Monasterio and Palacio Nazarenas, which sit side-by-side in the best area to visit.

Here’s my recommendation for an agenda for an incentive group program in Cusco:

Day One

After checking into the hotel, offer an orientation tour where guests can learn about the history and architecture of the beautiful city. When night falls, I recommend an organized dine-around at some of the many amazing restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. This way guests can easily head back if they get tired after dinner, or stop for a nightcap in the energetic town square if they desire.

Day Two

Today is the day the group visits the ancient city of Machu Picchu. It begins with a motorcoach ride just outside of town to the historic and elegant train station, where guests will board the Vista Dome train for the scenic three-and-a-half-hour train ride through the lush Andes countryside. Upon arrival in Machu Picchu, guests will then board smaller coaches that wind their way through the many “switchbacks” on the ascent to the famed city.

Once at the top, guests will be assigned to smaller groups for guided walking tours through the stunning ruins, where many, many photos will be taken! After the walking tour, the group will reassemble and take the coach back down to the base of the mountain. There will be time to grab a snack and explore the many craft and clothing shops in the vibrant village that surrounds the train station.

The day will reach its peak when guests board the historic Orient Express Train for the return to Cusco. During the journey back, guests will enjoy cocktails and entertainment in the lounge car and will be treated to a sumptuous meal impeccably served in the dining car, arriving back in Cusco at approximately 10PM. This is a day that guests will be telling their friends about forever!

 A view from the Hiram Bingham Orient Express Train

Day Three

Today travelers will explore the area known as the “Sacred Valley,” which offers a variety of activity options. They can visit several archaeological sites, such as the temples of Pisac, the fortress of Ollantaytambo, and the church of Chinchero. They will also see the unique circular agricultural terraces of Moray and discover the Inca salt mines, believed to be an agricultural laboratory.

A group lunch will be held on an authentic working farm, where guests will enjoy meeting a local family and learning about life, both old and present, in the region. For those seeking adventure, the Sacred Valley offers many activities, including horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, zipline canopy tours and ATV rides. Guests will also want to save time for shopping at the Artisan Market, where they can find deals on handcrafted items, including alpaca sweaters, scarves, blankets, jewelry, and pottery. I still break out some sweaters that I purchased there eight years ago (although they’re admittedly a little tighter).

For dinner this evening, I recommend either another organized dine-around or providing guests with a cash stipend to explore and enjoy dining to their tastes.

 A scene from the Sacred Valley

Day Four

This day offers the group the chance to repeat the experiences of the previous day, giving them the opportunity to choose a different tour or activity as they prefer.  A memorable farewell event would be hosting a colorful and fascinating folkloric celebration at the Temple of the Sun, also known as Qorikancha. Once the most important temple in the Inca Empire, it is now a museum renowned for its exquisite stonework, featuring perfectly cut and polished stones that fit together without mortar.

The farewell evening would begin with docent-led tours during cocktails, followed by a private group dinner in one of the ornate galleries. The evening would be capped off by an impressive music and dance show that depicts the vibrant life of the Peruvian culture.

Day Five

Guests can relax and sleep a bit later today as the flight back to Lima will be in the afternoon. This means there will be more time for some last-minute shopping or a casual café lunch in the historic city center. Upon arrival in Lima, guests will be shepherded to the international terminal to connect to their overnight U.S. bound flights home.

 Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, Peru

In my humble opinion…

I fear my writing skills may not do this wonderful destination justice. For instance, for the sake of brevity I haven’t told you about how we can make arrangements for groups to actually hike up to Machu Picchu. I haven’t mentioned the option of soaring over the mysterious Nazca lines in a plane. Nor did I have space to share the thrill of taking the Belmond Andean Explorer train to the adventures that await at Lake Titicaca. Lastly, I spent too little time describing how both Lima and Cusco have become gastronomic cities that rival Paris, Rome and New York.

–  Mike Farmer, Head of Group Travel Services

P.S.

I’d like to give a shout out to our destination management partners at Vivaterra Peru for reviewing my information for accuracy and reminding me of all the truly unique adventures that await in this wonderful part of the world. Thanks team!

If you are intrigued by Peru or are interested in learning more about how other locations can be tailored to your audience and budget, don’t hesitate to reach out to me for a no-obligation chat. Our incentive group travel services will give you access to budget planning, hotel sourcing and contracting, air ticketing, communications, on-site management and everything needed to plan and execute an amazing trip.

I’m passionate about sharing insights gleaned from my travels and do not want anyone to miss out on the journey of a lifetime!