The Secrets of Luxury in South America Revealed

Located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado is an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation and well-being surrounded by nature. This exclusive hotel, built like a small Andean village, is located on the banks of the Urubamba River, whose bubbling waters offer a serene backdrop for a totally relaxing experience.

The rooms and villas are designed to blend in with the natural surroundings, with large windows offering panoramic views of the mountains and lush gardens. The hotel features a world-class spa, the Mayu Willka Spa, which offers treatments inspired by Andean tradition using local ingredients, such as quinoa, purple corn and cocoa. Wellness options include sunrise yoga sessions, swims in the heated outdoor pool, and guided walks through the hotel gardens, where guests can learn about the local medicinal flora.

Located in the Sacred Valley, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba offers a luxury experience that combines cultural authenticity with well-being. Surrounded by fields of quinoa and corn, this boutique hotel is designed to resemble an old colonial hacienda with high ceilings, adobe walls, and wooden details.

The hotel places a strong emphasis on connection with nature and spiritual well-being. Guests can participate in activities such as guided meditation walks through the hotel gardens, offering ceremonies to Pachamama (Mother Earth) led by a local shaman, or organic cooking workshops using ingredients grown in the hacienda’s gardens.

Inkaterra’s spa offers exclusive treatments with locally sourced natural products, such as Andean mud wraps and relaxing massages with essential oils extracted from native plants. The rooms are decorated with artisanal textiles and hand-made furniture, creating a cozy and authentic atmosphere for total relaxation.

Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, is one of the most luxurious hotels in the Sacred Valley, located in the quiet town of Urubamba. This resort stands out for its impressive architecture, which mixes natural materials such as stone and wood with a modern design that blends perfectly with the mountainous surroundings.

The Tambo del Inka spa is a sanctuary of well-being, where guests can enjoy treatments that combine ancestral techniques with modern therapies, such as massages with hot stones from the Urubamba River, Andean herb wraps, and hydrotherapy treatments in a heated indoor pool with panoramic views of the mountains. The resort also offers personalized wellness programs, ranging from yoga and meditation to nutritional advice with fresh local ingredients.

Private tours in Machu Picchu are designed to meet the specific preferences and needs of each traveler. By choosing this option, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy exclusive access and flexible schedules, allowing them to avoid the crowds and discover the citadel at their own pace. From the moment of arrival at the entrance of Machu Picchu, visitors are greeted by a specialized private guide, who provides a detailed introduction to the history, culture, and mysteries of this emblematic place.

Private guides are not only highly trained in archaeology and Inca history, but are also prepared to adapt the tour to the interests of the group, whether they wish to explore the temples and terraces in depth, focus on the flora and fauna of the surroundings, or simply enjoy the panoramic views from lesser-known vantage points. In addition, private tours can include exclusive experiences, such as Andean ceremonies of gratitude to Pachamama (Mother Earth) performed by a local shaman, or professional photo shoots at iconic locations.

One of the greatest luxuries of private tours is the ability to experience Machu Picchu at the most magical times of the day: sunrise and sunset. Many tourists choose to begin their visit early in the morning, when the first rays of the sun illuminate the stone ruins and create a spectacle of light and shadow that adds a mystical atmosphere to the site. On a private tour, you can secure early entry that allows you to enjoy the citadel almost in solitude, capturing that magical moment in complete tranquility.

Likewise, private tours can extend into the evening, when most visitors have already left. Watching the sun set behind the mountains and shadows fall across the citadel is a deeply moving experience that only a private tour can offer, providing a more intimate connection with the surroundings

For adventurers who want to explore beyond the main citadel, private tours in Machu Picchu can include customized hiking routes that deviate from the traditional paths. One of the most exclusive routes is the climb to Machu Picchu Mountain, which offers stunning panoramic views of the citadel and the Urubamba Valley. This tour is less frequented than the popular Huayna Picchu Mountain, providing a quieter and more serene experience.

Another option is the One-Day Inca Trail, a 13-kilometer trek that begins at kilometer 104 of the railway to Machu Picchu and culminates at the Sun Gate (Intipunku), the ancient access to the citadel. This hike, which can be done as part of a private tour, allows you to experience the excitement of the ancient Inca trails without the commitments of a multi-day tour. During the tour, private guides provide detailed information about the flora, fauna and archaeological sites along the way.

Instead of choosing large hotel chains, consider staying at boutique hotels and exclusive estancias that offer more personalized service and a more intimate connection with the surroundings. For example, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru, Leading Peru Travel can arrange a stay at properties such as the Belmond Rio Sagrado, where you can enjoy suites with views of the Urubamba River, an open-air spa, and private dinners under the stars.

In Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, there are luxury lodges such as Awasi Patagonia or Explora Torres del Paine, which offer a perfect combination of comfort, exclusivity, and direct access to the most spectacular landscapes in the region.

One of the biggest secrets of luxury in South America is the possibility of enjoying totally personalized experiences. With Leading Peru Travel, you can opt for private tours that allow you to explore iconic places such as Machu Picchu, the Salar de Uyuni or the Iguazu Falls, avoiding crowds and adjusting the itinerary to your interests and preferences.

In addition, you can request exclusive activities such as private Andean ceremonies, cooking classes with local chefs, wine tastings in boutique vineyards in Mendoza, or helicopter expeditions over the Patagonian glaciers. These types of unique experiences allow you to enjoy the destination in an authentic and luxurious way.

To enjoy the ultimate luxury in South America, consider traveling outside of peak season. Not only will this allow you to avoid the crowds, but it will also open the doors to a kind of quiet exclusivity, where you can explore majestic landscapes and engage in exclusive activities with more peace of mind.

For example, visiting Machu Picchu during the off-season, between April and May or September through November, allows for a quieter experience and often access to exclusive spaces within the archaeological site. In Patagonia, the spring (October through December) and fall (March through May) months are perfect for enjoying vibrant landscapes and pleasant weather without the crowds of the summer season.

South American gastronomy is a journey in itself. From the vibrant culinary scene of Lima, considered one of the gastronomic capitals of the world, to the fusion cuisine of Buenos Aires and the Andean flavors of Bolivia, each destination offers something unique for the palate.

Leading Peru Travel organizes luxury gastronomic experiences that include private dinners with renowned chefs, market tours with exclusive tastings, and wine tastings at world-class wineries in Mendoza and the Colchagua Valley. You can also enjoy personalized experiences such as gourmet lunches on the shores of Lake Titicaca or dinners under the stars in the middle of the Atacama Desert.