Peru & Machu Picchu: Beyond the Ruins

Peru is a country that rewards depth. Too many visitors arrive, tick off Machu Picchu, and leave — missing the extraordinary richness that surrounds it. A well-crafted itinerary here will take you through some of the most dramatically beautiful landscapes on earth, and into a culinary culture that has quietly become one of the world's most exciting.

Begin in Lima. The Miraflores and Barranco districts have evolved into genuinely world-class dining destinations — Central, Maido, and Kjolle consistently rank among the best restaurants on earth, and a reservation at any of them is worth securing months in advance. The Pacific coast views from the clifftop Malecón at sunset are an ideal introduction to the country.

Fly to Cusco and allow two to three days to acclimatize to the altitude before attempting Machu Picchu. Use the time well: the city itself is extraordinary, built on the foundations of the Inca capital and filled with colonial churches constructed from repurposed Inca stonework. The Sacred Valley deserves a full day — the market at Pisac, the fortress at Ollantaytambo, and the weaving communities of Chinchero offer an immersion into Andean culture that no museum can replicate.

The Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes is the finest way to arrive at Machu Picchu — a beautifully restored Pullman service with brass fittings, white tablecloths, and brunch served as the Urubamba gorge unfolds outside the windows. Book the first entry slot to the citadel and arrive before the crowds.

Fifi + Hop arranges private guided access to Machu Picchu, permits for the Inca Trail or the less-traveled Salkantay route, and connections throughout the country — including the remarkable floating islands of Lake Titicaca and the desert oasis of Huacachina.