Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and the Amazon, paced for altitude and wonder
Peru is one of the few places where history feels alive: the Inca stonework, the markets of Cusco, the cloud forest of Machu Picchu and the green expanse of the Amazon. We plan Peru for travellers who want history, altitude, food markets and one of the world's great archaeological sites — with the timing, the routing and the rooms decided before you leave, and someone reachable while you are away.
A typical Third Door itinerary here leans on Machu Picchu at sunrise, with a guide who knows the history, the Sacred Valley at a slower pace, with stops at Pisac and Ollantaytambo, Cusco's food scene and colonial architecture. We book direct with the properties we know, hold the details that matter — the room with the view, the table that is hard to get, the driver who knows the road — and keep the plan flexible enough to change once you are in it.
May – October
The best time for the Andes and the Inca Trail. Cold at night, clear skies.
November – April
Afternoon rain in the mountains, greener landscapes, fewer visitors. The Inca Trail is closed in February.
The food capital of South America. Two or three nights to eat your way through the city.
The right altitude to acclimatise, with Inca ruins, markets and excellent lodges.
The citadel, usually reached by train or trek. We plan early entries to avoid the crowds.
The historic capital, now a city of great restaurants, galleries and boutique hotels.
Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos for wildlife lodges, canopy walks and river trips.
Sacred Valley
A hacienda in the heart of the valley, surrounded by Inca history.
Machu Picchu
The only hotel at the citadel gate, for early morning access.
Cusco
A restored colonial manor on the Plaza de las Nazarenas.
Amazon
A canopy tower and guided excursions in the Tambopata rainforest.
Land, unwind, and get your bearings with a private guide who sets the context rather than reading a script. The food capital of South America. Two or three nights to eat your way through the city.
The right altitude to acclimatise, with Inca ruins, markets and excellent lodges. This is where most of the trip's character lives, so we give it the most room.
The citadel, usually reached by train or trek. We plan early entries to avoid the crowds. A deliberate shift in rhythm before you travel home.
Private transfers, late checkout where we can arrange it, and a single point of contact from the day you land to the day you leave.
Lima
Virgilio Martinez's altitude-based tasting menu; one of the world's best restaurants.
Lima
Nikkei cuisine from Mitsuharu Tsumura; another world top-50.
May to September for Machu Picchu; April and October for shoulder value is the window we recommend most often. The best time for the Andes and the Inca Trail. Cold at night, clear skies. We will steer you by what you actually want from the trip rather than by peak season alone.
8–12 nights, usually Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco, plus optional Amazon. Shorter is possible and we plan it regularly, but the pace changes: fewer bases, less driving, one region done properly instead of three done quickly.
Mid-range to high; boutique hotels in the Sacred Valley and Cusco have increased in quality and price. Once we understand your dates, party and the standard of stay you have in mind, we come back with a costed proposal rather than a range.
Most visitors do not need a visa for short stays. We plan acclimatisation carefully, especially for Cusco and the Inca Trail. We flag entry requirements early, arrange ground transport and private transfers, and keep the day-to-day logistics off your plate.
Pet travel here needs more lead time and, in some cases, a different destination. We will tell you honestly what is workable and what is not, and suggest alternatives if the regulations make it unfair on the animal.
No. The train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes is the standard route. The Inca Trail requires permits and is best for fit walkers.
Tell us your dates, party and the feeling you want. We will come back with a first proposal built around this destination.