IMAGES: GETTY Why? This grueling four-day trek through the Sacred Valley of the Incas is for adventurous travelers only. It starts gently with a two-hour walk to the Urubamba Canyon, followed by a harder trek on day two ascending the steep-sided Llullucha Valley through woodlands to the Andes at 4,200 meters. On day three, trekkers climb the Inca stairway to the site of Runkuracay before descending to the ruins of Sayacmarca on a rocky spur. On the steep upper fringes of a cloud forest, orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns lead to lofty viewing platforms overlooking the stone towers, fountains and stairways of Phuyupatamarca. On the fi nal day, the stone threshold of Intipunku (Sun Gate) opens up on to the magical ruined city of Machu Picchu, with its wonderful backdrop of twisting gorges and forested peaks. How? Peru Gateway Travel offer a four-day, three-night hike along the Inca Trail, part of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary — a protected area of 32,592 hectares managed by the National Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA), from $360. www.peru-explorer.com What else? Sun God Peru combines some serious mountain biking, rafting, wildlife treks and hikes in the Amazon jungle at around $1,995 per person for eight days, to spot caiman in the swamps on a night safari and track puma on riverside trails. www.sungodperu.comAdventure seeker:Inca Trail hike to Machu PicchuPeru is one of South America’s gems, offering stunning scenery, ancient sites and plenty to do, says Sarah Woods Why? For travelers looking to journey in style will fi nd that Peru isn’t all jungle lodges and bus rides. Top hotels, fi rst-class travel, spa treatments, helicopter tours and gourmet dining can all be arranged for visitors seeking luxury. Peru also has some fi ne golf courses and country clubs for those looking to take a break from cultural excursions. Luxury itineraries usually include plenty of time for optional extras, such as a massage or wine tasting, with fi rst-class air fare and fi ve-star accommodation packaged as one. Cusco is an old colonial settlement that attracts visitors to its world known gastronomy and fi ne dining scene.Culinary highlights include timpo, beef stuffed with lamb, bacon, cabbage leaves, potatoes, chick-peas and rice, served with sweet potatoes, peaches and pears, prepared only on Tuesdays during the carnival season. Chuño Cola is another traditional dish eaten any time of the year — a delicious, fl avorful beef soup with sausages, rice, chick-peas and potatoes all thrown into the pot and eaten using a large wooden spoon called a huislla. How? Peru Gateway Travel offers The Royal Trip from $2,632 per person, taking in Lima, Chiclayo (Lord of Sipan tomb), Puerto Maldonado, Cusco and Machu Picchu. www.peru-explorer.com What else? Other good luxury tailor-made travel packages can be organized through specialist operator, Enjoy Peru. www.enjoyperu.comLuxury:Upscale Peru ASTAnetwork Autumn 2007 87