Essential Peru

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
4.8 Based on 59 Reviews
  • duration 15 days
  • tour type Small group Request as private
  • age requirement 16-95 yrs
  • max group size 18
  • guiding method Fully guided
  • Tour Code BM-7532
  • Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
  • Operated in English
map
  • Starts Lima, Peru
  • Ends Lima, Peru
HIGHLIGHTS Download trip notes
  • Discover Machu Picchu by train with guided tour
  • Enjoy a homestay on the traditional island of Amantani in Lake Titicaca
  • See Colca Canyon and its soaring condors
  • Wander through the colonial city of Arequipa and the Santa Catalina Convent
  • Drive deep into the Andean highlands and the Apurimac Valley
Start and end in Lima, the "Essential Peru" tour is a guided cultural, religious and historic sites trip that takes 15 days. You will travel through Amantani, Arequipa, Machu Picchu and 7 other destinations in Peru. "Essential Peru" is a small group tour which includes accommodation, transport, meals and others.

Journey through the spectacular landscape of Peru; tackling coastal desert, snow-capped Andean peaks, the altiplano and cloud forest. Along the way you’ll visit world-renowned highlights, including the mysterious Nazca Lines; Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, where you’ll spend the night in an island homestay; and the 9,843ft (3,000m) deep Colca Canyon. We’ll also encounter traditional culture, condors, llamas, and a warm welcome from the Peruvian people.

Please note: the departure on 18 June 2023 coincides with the Inti Raymi Festival in Cuzco. Translating to the Festival of the Sun, it is the most important of all Andean festivals; Cuzco is filled with colourful processions and festivities. For full detail, check out our Essential Peru - Inti Raymi Festival Departure itinerary.
ITINERARY Expand All
  • Day 1: Start Lima
  • Day 2: Drive south along the coast and sail to the Ballestas Islands, home to the highest concentration of marine birds in the world; overnight in Ica
  • Day 3: On to Nazca; see the Nazca Lines; optional scenic flight
  • Day 4: Turn inland from coastal desert, climbing high into the Andes
  • Day 5: Drive to Cuzco, visiting Inca sites on the way
  • Day 6: Free day to explore Cuzco
  • Day 7: Train to Aguas Calientes; tour of Machu Picchu
  • Day 8: Free morning or optional second visit to Machu Picchu; afternoon return to Cuzco by train and by road
  • Day 9: Free day for optional excursions
  • Day 10: Drive to Lake Titicaca, with stops en route; boat to Amantani Island for homestay
  • Day 11: Explore the island; afternoon boat to Puno visiting the floating reed islands
  • Day 12: Drive across the altiplano to Colca Canyon
  • Day 13: Morning condor viewing; afternoon drive past huge volcanoes to the White City of Arequipa (7,710ft/2,350m)
  • Day 14: Morning visit Santa Catalina Convent; afternoon fly to Lima
  • Day 15: End Lima
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Accommodation
  • All accommodation
Meals
  • All breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner
Transport
  • All transport and listed activities
  • Arrival and departure transfers
Guide
  • Tour leader throughout
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Travel insurance
  • Single accommodation (available on request)
  • Visas or vaccinations
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
4.8 - Excellent
Based on 59 reviews
  • Anonymous
  • On Jan 12 2020
5 - Excellent
Essential Peru
We were on the same trip as Neil Thomas and agree with everything that Neil has written in his detailed review. One part of the trip that Neil didn't mention was the Nazca Lines. From ground level these look like very... Read more
  • Anonymous
  • On Aug 19 2019
4 - Very Good
Llamas and Alpacas: Machu Picchu Dreaming
It took me a while to love Peru. It didn't help that our flight from Gatwick was delayed nearly 24 hours, resulting in us missing the first part of the adventure, and then enduring two very long travel days. However, once we... Read more
  • Anonymous
  • On Jul 26 2019
5 - Excellent
Spectacular scenery and costumes
A very well planned and varied itinerary that takes you up to the high altitude gradually. A lot of travelling but the spectacular scenery takes your mind off the long journeys. Good attention to health and safety throughout. ... Read more
  • Anonymous
  • On Jul 20 2019
5 - Excellent
Amazing Peru!!
From start to finish this trip ticked all the boxes. Yes it's full on, Peru is a huge country and this holiday maximises your time to visit all the most interesting places and areas. The scenery whilst travelling around is... Read more
REQUEST A PRIVATE, CUSTOMIZABLE DEPARTURE By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
  • Personal Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
  • Protected Travel within your own bubble.
  • Professional Access our Travel Specialists' insider knowledge.
  • Privacy Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
Request a private and/or personalized departure To design a private tour, we'll ask you some more information in the following steps.
Why Book with Bookmundi
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
Excellent
4.65 Average 527 Reviews
GOOD TO KNOW Download trip notes
CANCELLATION

No additional cancellation fees apply for this Essential Peru tour. You can cancel the tour up to 71 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 70 days of departure.

Payment

For any tour departures within 08 June 2023, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 08 June 2023, a deposit of 15% is required to confirm this tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 70 days before trip departure.

Travel Insurance

Essential Peru tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. We recommend using World Nomads' travel insurance.

Visa

For this Essential Peru tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are traveling to, as part of this itinerary.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:

  • This tour has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, which provides travellers with assurance that COVID-19 health and hygiene protocols have been adhered to.
  • Group sizes are kept small to maintain a low risk ‘small group bubble’, with an average of 10 guests in each group.
  • Hygiene safety measures and distancing will be followed in transportation, accommodation and meal venues.
  • Several COVID-19 distancing measures have been adopted on this package tour to keep travellers safe.
  • All travellers will be required to be fully vaccinated no less than two weeks prior to travel.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about this tour.
  • What is the best month to visit Peru? Can I visit Peru during the off-season?

    The best time to visit Peru is between the months of May and September. Corresponding with the dry season, temperatures in the country at this time hover between 16°C to 22°C. But more importantly, traveling to Peru during this time means that there is little fear of getting caught in the country’s torrential monsoon. Another less popular but still good time to visit Peru is between October and December. A shoulder period between dry and monsoon seasons, the climate during this time of year is generally fine, although skies are cloudier and you might have to dodge the odd shower. The wettest months are January and February. It is still possible to visit destinations such as Lake Titicaca during the rainy season, but the Inca Trail is closed for travelers. Find more information here.

  • What is an ideal time to visit Peru? Is travel possible during the off-season?

    The best time to visit Peru is between the months of May and September. Corresponding with the dry season, temperatures in the country at this time hover between 16°C to 22°C. But more importantly, traveling to Peru during this time means that there is little fear of getting caught in the country’s torrential monsoon. Another less popular but still good time to visit Peru is between October and December. A shoulder period between dry and monsoon seasons, the climate during this time of year is generally fine, although skies are cloudier and you might have to dodge the odd shower. The wettest months are January and February. It is still possible to visit destinations such as Lake Titicaca during the rainy season, but the Inca Trail is closed to travelers. You can find more information here.

  • Is Peru expensive to visit? How do the ATMs work?

    Peru is not expensive for travelers and we recommend it as a top pick for visitors on a budget. Most travelers can get by on USD 30 to USD 40 per day, including transport, accommodation, and food. Tackling the Inca Trail and exploring Machu Picchu are must-do attractions but also relatively costly. ATMs are the quickest way to withdraw neuvos soles, as the country’s currency is called, on the road and visa cards are easily accepted. Many ATMs have an English language option, too. They can be found in some airports, inside banks, and as stand-alone units in major towns and cities. If you are looking for other destinations to visit on a budget, find more information here.

  • How long would I need to visit Peru?

    Given its wealth of attractions, there are many reasons why you should consider Peru trips that last between ten days and two weeks. This will give you enough time to see top-rated sites, such as Manu National Park, while also discovering the country’s history and culture in more far-flung and as-yet-unknown destinations. You can still take in a number of attractions even if you can only spare one week in Peru, however, the time constraint would mean that you will have to limit your exploration to a destination or two. For a more detailed rundown, check out our travel guide on how many days to spend in Peru.

  • How many days do you need in Peru?

    Given its wealth of attractions, there are many reasons why you should consider Peru trips that last between ten days and two weeks. This will give you enough time to see top-rated sites, such as Manu National Park, while also discovering the country’s history and culture in more far-flung and as-yet-unknown destinations. You can still take in a number of attractions even if you can only spare one week in Peru, however, the time constraint would mean that you will have to limit your exploration to a destination or two. For a more detailed rundown, check out our travel guide on how many days to spend in Peru.

NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
Welcome!

Sign-in to unlock instant trip discounts. Create wish lists and save up to USD 1,500.

Facebook
G
More login options here.