WONDER ON WHEELS

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, the 15th-century Incan citadel of Machu Picchu is a spectacular site, tucked high on a mountaintop in the Andes and shockingly well-preserved. Tourism is heavily regulated, though there are several ways to access the Lost City, including the ultra-luxurious Hiram Bingham train, a Pullman-style carriage that begins in Cusco and climbs through the Sacred Valley for showstopping views. Inside, the design is all retro glamour: polished wood, brass details, white-linen dining tables, and gourmet fare set the scene, while suited mixologists stir top-shelf drinks and local musicians spin traditional folk melodies on cajóns and tambourines. The journey continues with a guided tour through the 600-year-old citadel, cocktail at the neighboring Sanctuary Lodge, and return journey with live music and Pisco sours back to Cusco. belmond.com/trains/south-america/peru/belmond-hiram-bingham

SAVOR & SPICE

The colorful and irresistibly aromatic Mercado San Pedro is the city’s beating culinary and cultural heart. Just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas, this sprawling market occupies a series of low-slung pavilions where vendors display mountains of vibrant chilies, quinoas, tubers, tropical fruits, and fragrant herbs, while butchers, fishmongers, and spice sellers ply their trades alongside small food stalls. The vibe is convivial and unfiltered: expect friendly calls of “¡Señoraaa!” as you pass by baskets of cherimoya and lúcuma, exchanges over the perfect avocado, and the sight of traditional staples like oca and cancha corn piled high. For a quick local bite, grab a steaming bowl of ceviche or chupe de camarones at one of the modest comedores, or sip freshly squeezed cane juice and fruit smoothies as you wander. 

HAUTE HISTORY

Housed in a UNESCO-protected 16th-century mansion just steps from Cusco’s Coricancha(Temple of the Sun), Palacio del Inka presents like a living archive of Andean history. The former residence of Spanish conquistadors and later a monastery, the property unfolds across 203 richly appointed rooms and suites, many featuring exposed Inca stone walls, hand-carved wooden doors, and colonial-era balconies that overlook the city’s cobbled streets. Interiors blend old-world gravitas with contemporary comforts: think woven Andean textiles, dark woods, brass accents, and museum-worthy artifacts displayed throughout the halls. Dining is a highlight at Inti Raymi, the hotel’s signature restaurant serving punchy but polished Peruvian classics like alpaca tenderloin, quinoa-crusted trout, and slow-braised short ribs, while the Rumi Bar is a cozy refuge for pisco cocktails beside a roaring fire. marriott.com/en-us/ hotels/cuzlc–palacio-del-inka

BACK TO ROOTS

Helmed by the Lima-born Pía León (named the World’s Best Female Chef in 2021 by World’s 50 Best Restaurants), Mauka pairs traditional Andean ingredients with cutting-edge techniques. Tucked down a side street just off the historic center, this intimate restaurant boasts a warm, minimalist interior and a tasting-menu experience that celebrates Peru’s biodiversity with playful precision. Think wild-foraged herbs alongside Amazonian fruits, and dishes such as charred quinoa cakes with smoked trout espuma, lomo saltado reimagined with baby vegetables and native chilies, or cacao-smoked sweet potato with citrus gel each course a thoughtful nod to place and season. Service is polished but unpretentious, with servers happily guiding you through Peruvian wines and artisanal pisco pairings that elevate every bite. belmond.com

PERUVIAN POLISH

Tucked within a restored 17th-century palace and former convent tucked between Cusco’s vibrant San Blas neighborhood and the historic center, Belmond’s Palacio Nazarenas is a masterclass in discreet luxury. The property’s 55 rooms and suites harmonize original Incan and colonial stonework with contemporary design, yielding soaring ceilings, polished wood, hand-woven textiles, private plunge pools fed by an ancient 600-year-old ceremonial water channel, and terraces overlooking the city’s terra-cotta rooftops and soaring Andean peaks. The sumptuous public spaces beckon languid afternoons: a cool stone-floored courtyard pool is framed by bougainvillea, serene lounges double down on ambiance with crackling fireplaces, and the spa features healing treatments and ancestral wellness rituals with indigenous botanicals. belmond.com/hotels/south-america/peru/cusco