Peru Tours & Vacations
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Vacations
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Overview
An adventure vacation of this magnitude – walking in the ancient footprints of the mystical Incas to Machu Picchu – demands the best Peru Tour package. Or, a custom-woven vacation that includes a diverse range of the truly amazing things this country offers.
This South American country has it all. Peru is the land of towering peaks in the Andes, lush Amazon jungles and arid plains leading to the Pacific Ocean. In fact, it is home to more than 90 micro-climates! It’ ...
An adventure vacation of this magnitude – walking in the ancient footprints of the mystical Incas to Machu Picchu – demands the best Peru Tour package. Or, a custom-woven vacation that includes a diverse range of the truly amazing things this country offers.
This South American country has it all. Peru is the land of towering peaks in the Andes, lush Amazon jungles and arid plains leading to the Pacific Ocean. In fact, it is home to more than 90 micro-climates! It’s also overflowing with history and culture to beguile and entrance you.
Although one of the continent’s more well trodden tourist trails, its stunning wealth of historical and cultural treasures means that Peru is always worth a second look…and it doesn’t take much to get off the beaten track, in true Wild Frontiers style. Its matchless landscapes encompass the world’s highest navigable lake, the spectacular scenery of the Colca Canyon and Machu Picchu, without doubt the finest and most important archaeological site in South America.
Discovered by Hiram Bingham III in 1911, the World Heritage site of Machu Picchu is the jewel in Peru’s glittering crown of highlights. But the country can also boast the sand dunes of the Paracas Peninsula, the mysterious Nazca Lines and picturesque and historical Sacred Valley of the Incas. Then there are the Inca ruins and colonial elegance of Cusco, the rich wildlife of the Amazonian rainforest and the sheer majesty of Lake Titicaca.
Home to some of South America’s finest cuisine, Peru can also offer up an enviable range of accommodation, from luxury hotel and charming boutique guesthouses, to remote lodges and welcoming homestays.
Start your journey
Group tours
Travel to Peru with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
EXAMPLE ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF PERU
BEST EXPERIENCES
Hike the ancient Inca Trail
A truly spectacular way to visit the ruins is by hiking the royal Inca Trail. The classic route takes four days but, if short on time, the last part of the trail can be completed in a day, entering through the legendary Sun Gate to Machu Picchu.
Walk around old Lima
Visit old Lima, a UNESCO world heritage site, touring its classic colonial monuments and architecture from Lima’s glorious past. An example of the city’s historic architecture includes Casa Aliaga, a 15th century mansion still owned by the same family.
Travel through the Amazon at night
With over 60% of rainforest animals being nocturnal, the nighttime is an opportunity to spot wildlife that are difficult to see during the day. With the help of your native guide you will be led into the dark jungle listening out for movement around you
Hike to secluded Pumamarca ruins
This short hike is great to experience both Inca history and living culture. Follow an old Inca Trail down a steeply terraced valley to the little-explored Pumamarca ruins, passing rural Peruvians along the way most of whom still wear traditional clothing
Get a panorama of Machu Picchu
Take the short but steep two-hour climb up the neighbouring Huayna Picchu peak for a condor’s eye view over Machu Picchu ruins. With exposed steps and a sheer drop, it’s not for the faint-hearted but well worth the effort.
Go rafting on Río Apurímac
Travel through the spectacular 3,000m-deep canyon on this one-day rafting adventure down the mighty Rio Apurimac. The world class rapids are interspersed with gentle patches, amazing scenery and lunch on a deserted beach.
Paddle in tranquil Lake Huaypo
Set amongst fields of corn with fantastic views across to the snow-capped Vilcanota Mountains, Huaypo is the ideal place to enjoy stand up paddleboards or kayaks. It is a truly peaceful experience gliding along with spectacular views of the Andes mountains.
Take a food and culinary tour
Lima has taken its kitchen to world class levels. This tour includes a stop at a local market to peruse local produce before learning how to make a traditional dish such as ceviche at a local restaurant.
Canoe on the Oxbow Lake
With the use of motorised and paddle canoes, you can explore a lake teeming with caimans, bats, waterfowl and home to a family of giant otters. Take binoculars for an added experience whilst your guide navigates in search of the lake’s fauna.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Arequipa
Arequipa lies in an oasis at 2,300 metres surrounded by desert and mountains. The city has been built out of white volcanic rock from the nearby Misti Volcano, the reason for its popular nickname 'the ...
Colca Canyon
The most famous canyon in the region of Arequipa is the Colca Canyon, formed by the Colca River and covered in hundreds of pre-Hispanic terraces, which are still used today. The valley is studded with ...
Cusco
Until the arrival of the Spaniards in 1532, Cusco (also spelt Cuzco or Qosqo) was the centre of the Inca Empire and is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent ...
Lima
After its founding by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima (originally named 'La Ciudad de los Reyes') soon became the commercial and administrative centre of the Spanish empire in South ...
Lake Titicaca Peru
Lake Titicaca is located on the border between Peru and Bolivia between the two mountain ranges of East and West Cordillera. The lake is 8,372 square kilometres wide, including both the deep main basin ...
Machu Picchu
As shrouded in mystery as it is in clouds, a private or small group tour to Machu Picchu is an opportunity to draw your own conclusions as to what ancient Inca life here was like. The current belief ...
Southern Peruvian Amazon
This is the least populated territory in Peru, with only 600,000 people living in its 30,880 sq miles of jungle area. Gold panning on the Tambopata and Madre ...
The Sacred Valley
A mere hour's drive from Cuzco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is home to picturesque communities, impressive terraces and several important archaeological sites. In Inca times, the valley was the ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
No matter how adventurous you are, or how deeply you want to dive into the traditions of the ancient Incas and the glories of the Andes and Amazon, a good night’s sleep is important!
Antigua Casona San Blas, Cusco
The Antigua Casona San Blas is a beautiful boutique hotel, converted from a colonial home in the trendy San Blas neighbourhood of the city, a stone’s throw from Cusco’s main attractions, restaurants…
Belmond Las Casitas, Colca Canyon
Las Casitas is a luxury property in the heart of the Colca Valley, just a few kilometres from the small town of Chivay. The hotel has just 20 casitas (small houses), all beautifully decorated with…
Casa Andina Premium Puno, Puno
This is the premium brand from the well-known and well-loved Peruvian Casa Andina hotels. Their Lake Titicaca hotel sits on the outskirts of the small town of Puno, around 10 minutes from the centre,…
Casa Andina Select, Arequipa
Overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Casa Andina's Select in Arequipa is blessed with an incredible location right next to the massive Cathedral and a short walk from Santa Catalina Monastery and the best…
CIRQA, Arequipa
Cirqa is the latest edition to the list of outstanding Relais & Chateaux properties found in Peru and is set in a building dating back to 1540, the same year the city itself was founded. By far…
Colca Lodge, Colca Canyon
Located at 3,250 above sea level and three-and-a-half hours from Arequipa on the banks of the River Colca, Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs is surrounded by hundreds of pre-Incan terraces declared part of…
El Albergue, Sacred Valley
Widely considered one of the best places to stay in town, the boutique El Albergue Hotel is something of an institution in Ollantaytambo, right in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Fixed on the train…
Inkaterra La Casona, Cusco
La Casona Inkaterra is an exquisite, Relais & Chateaux property set in a 16th-century mansion on a small, exclusive plaza of Cusco’s most high-end hotels, just a block from the city’s main square. With…
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, Puerto Maldonado
Considered to be the most luxurious of all southern Amazonian ecolodges in Peru, the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica is located along the steep banks of the Amazon River tributary of Madre de Dios River…
Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu
The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge was an Orient Express property, now managed by the high-end Belmond group and has a truly privileged location. Just a few metres from the entrance to Machu Picchu,…
Sol y Luna Lodge and Spa, Sacred Valley
The Relais & Châteaux, Sol y Luna property is a rustic yet luxurious hotel with 38 spacious and beautifully decorated suites and bungalows, spread amongst the manicured grounds of the hotel.…
Tambopata Research Center, Tambopata National Reserve
Located on the banks of the Tambopata River, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River, lies the Tambopata Research Center. TRC is one of the most remote jungle lodges in South America and can be…
Titilaka, Puno
Five-star Titilaka is by far the most luxurious way of experiencing Lake Titicaca. This is an exclusive lodge situated on a secluded part of the lake's south-eastern shore, with 18 ‘dusk’ or ‘dawn’…
Casa Republica Barranco, Lima
Casa Republica is housed in a beautifully restored 18th century mansion and renovated to reflect the glory days of Lima’s Republican era. Located in the artistic Barranco neighbourhood, the hotel…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
Peru’s climate has two main reasons- wet and dry- though the weather can vary greatly depending on the geographical region. There are three main geographical climatic regions; the Amazon Jungle, the Arid Coastal Desert and the Andean Mountains and Highlands. Though really an all-year round destination the best time to visit is between May and November during the dry season and the wettest months in the Sacred Valley near Machu Picchu are from December through to March.
Meet the expert, Richard
Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map which highlights regions and countries which are potentially dangerous to LGBTQIA+ people, or Equaldex, which tracks the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Peru, though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present in some parts of Peru, so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments as we are not medical professionals.
Currency
In Peru the official unit of currency is the Nuevo Sol.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours we frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your guides will be able to advise you accordingly.
Language & Religion
In Peru, the three main languages that have official status are Spanish, Quechua and Aymara. Spanish is by far and above the most useful language, although if you can muster a few words of Quechua, you’ll be amongst the few foreigners who take the trouble to do so. Over 90% of the country is Roman Catholic (at least nominally), although many of the indigenous people also hold strong traditional beliefs.
Time
Peru is 5 hours behind GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Peruvian food may not be considered amongst the world’s most famed cuisines but there is much to enjoy here. On the coast any seafood lover should try ceviche, Peru’s version or sushi. Traditional staples include lomo saltado (a beef and vegetable stiry-fry) and palta a la reyna (avocado stuffed with chicken salad). Quinoa, maize and local potatoes are also widely found.
Vegetarians can be catered for, although please be aware that the variety available to you will be limited in certain areas. With regards to alcohol, Cusqueña beer is available pretty much everywhere as is the ubiquitous pisco sour. Coca tea (mate de coca) is made from the coca leaf and can assist with altitude acclimatisation. This is the same leaf from which cocaine is produced but don’t expect to be feeling anything other than refreshed after a cup or two!