Peru wasn't love at first sight, but it became something unforgettable. Lima felt chaotic but I quickly fell into rhythm. Then the Amazon hit me like another world entirely. You don’t just see nature there. You hear it and feel it pressing in around you. The nights were humid and loud, filled with the chorus of life. It was wildly outside my comfort zone but I loved it.
Cusco had colonial charm and a sense of sacredness in every stone. Machu Picchu was, of course, the crown jewel. But what surprised me most? The way the guide told its story, not just facts, but legends, perspectives, reverence.
This trip didn’t feel curated to be “easy.” It was immersive. Real. A little demanding at times but that’s what made it stick. These guys handled everything greatly. I came home with stories I actually want to tell not just photos to post.
Discover sacred Incan sites, colonial wonders, and mysterious Nazca lines with this tour of Peru! Begin your journey in Lima, the Peruvian capital known as the Gastronomic Capital of the Americas where you may taste the exquisite cuisine. Catch a flight to Cusco and enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-capped Andes Mountains. Travel through the Sacred Valley of Peru and visit Awanacancha to see the local llamas and alpacas and discover the traditional weaving and dyeing techniques of the locals. Explore Ollantaytambo, an ancient archaeological complex for the Incas, and travel to Aguas Calientes. Take a bus to Machu Picchu to discover the Lost City of the Incas. Head back to Cusco and fly to Paracas, home to a breathtaking National Reserve and the perfect place from where you can see the Nazca Lines. Take the bus back to Lima where you will end your tour of Peru!
Discover one of the top destinations in Latin America with this small-group tour of Peru! Begin your journey in Lima, the lively capital where you will find colonial attractions and modern splendors. Catch a flight to Cusco as you fly over the snow-capped Andes and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountain range. Travel through the Sacred Valley and discover fascinating ancient sites like Chinchero and Ollantaytambo, one of the most monumental architectural complexes of the Incan Empire. Take the train to Machu Picchu and explore the Lost City of the Incas — one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Make your way back to Cusco, where you will end your tour of Peru and get to see how colonial and Incan cultures melt!
This tour will show you the greatest attractions of Peru. Travelers will begin their journey in the cosmopolitan city of Lima to discover rich colonial treasures along with breathtaking attractions. Discover Love Park in Miraflores and experience traditional Peruvian culture in Huaca Pucllana. The tour will continue to Cusco, the extraordinary center of the Inca world. Explore the rich archaeological sites of this gorgeous city and discover San Cristobal Plaza, Koricancha Temple, and Inca Roca Palace. Bask in the breathtaking beauty and extraordinary remains of the Sacred Valley as you explore one of the most beautiful attractions in South America. From there you will travel to Machu Picchu and see the legendary Lost City of the Incas, one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Head back to Cusco where you will end this fascinating tour of Peru.
This is a Solo Tour
Discover this short trek and visit to the famed, epic Macchu Picchu. This tour is different from what other conventional Salkantay Trek tour operators offer; our style includes staying in proper tents in the wilderness—away from crowds—to ensure that you get a chance to savor experience the natural environment and have a genuine adventure to Machu Picchu.
Witness the great Salkantay Mountain, whose name means “untamed.” Embrace the majestic scenery as you make your way to the sacred city of Machu Picchu. Trek the picturesque routes that go from the highlands to the Amazon jungle, in the shadows of this impressive mountain.
In this "Four-day Hidden Inca Trail to Machu Picchu" trek, you will be able to explore a hidden path that takes you to Machu Picchu in the most original way. These hidden paths were once covered by thick jungle, but the villages that dwell in these areas of Peru have revealed these remnants of this remote trail to Machu Picchu, known as Capac Ñan or the "Royal Road" in Quechua. Along the way, discover the spectacular wildlife and the rich history of the region. Unlike the classic Inca trail, this hidden path is available all-year-round. The adventure ends with an up-close exploration of one of Machu Picchu. Come join us, and get ready to walk through these spectacular trails to the "Lost City of Incas".
This "Two-day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu" is the best option for those who want to taste a bit of the Inca Trail, but are limited on time or not up to the challenge of the full-length trek. Combining beautiful scenery, diverse flora and fauna and a visit to the Inca Trail’s most beautiful site Wiñay Wayna, this trek offers the best sections of the Inca Trail condensed all on a single day trek. On day two, you will visit the amazing Machu Picchu. With a total distance of 10 kilometers, this trek is less challenging and an excellent option for families with children. So, join our group service and meet other hikers that are adventure lovers!
Note: We have daily departures for Short Inca Trail (except in February when the trail is closed due to maintenance).
See the Andes and then some on this incredible Inca extravaganza. Conquer the Lares Valley Trek and the Inca Trail (plus Machu Picchu) in 6 jaw-droppingly splendid days. Visit some of the most isolated communities in Latin America. Absorb yourself in a world of ancient cities, glacial lakes, waterfalls and mountain views. Plus ancient hot springs. And LOTS of llamas.
Initially before booking the trip I thought it was extremely overpriced.
However(our tour guide) was fantastic. He made the trip worth every penny and was extremely organised and knowledgeable. The locations were great, and the activities were really cool.
was a fantastic character, and became a friend by ensuring we all had fun. He looked after and catered for everyone’s needs and requirements, promoting safety above all else, and more than once went the extra mile to ensure we all had a great time (joining myself at CrossFit and his traditional dance moves were personal highlights).
I hope he gets the recognition he deserves, as I would love to book a similar trip with Contiki in future because of this great experience.
I would also recommend that you include huacachina in future - I went there on my own and it was one of the coolest experiences - maybe this could be added as an extra at the beginning of the trip.
Enjoy the best places of the Sacred Valley of the Incas in a Private Tour. Our representative will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 am and drive you through the mountains on the way to Pisac. We will stop along the way at a viewpoint from which you can enjoy great views of the valley.
Once in Pisac, you can wander through its famous artisan market as well as its archaeological centre before it is time to continue to the town of Urubamba, where we will stop for an amazing buffet lunch in a nice tourist restaurant.
Next on the itinerary is the famous archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, known for its ruins of a massive Inca fortress. Learn more about the history of this place from your tour guide before we return back to Cusco with a stopover at Chinchero, a town known for its weavers as well as Inca ruins.
Your trip comes to an end at your hotel in Cusco at 06:30 pm.
An excellent introduction to Peru. While the highlight of the trip was our visit to Machu Picchu this was a well constructed itinerary with so many highlights covering the landscape, wildlife and history of the country.
The accommodation, transport and food were of a high standard, of course with some variations depending on the local environment.
The tour leader, Hector, was exceptional, both professional and personable and did his best to maximise our experience. Our concerns with the effect of altitude were needless since every effort was made to ensure full acclimatisation. We also benefited from a lovely group of fellow travellers from the UK and Australia.
We flew out a day early so that we could look round Lima and would highly recommend. We also took the Amazon extension staying at the Inkaterra Field station which were enjoyed although there were shortcomings in the itinerary against that described in the brochure. It is also worth considering the optional trips on the second day of Machu Picchu: although it says that this needs to be selected at the time of booking some of the group had been able to book this at a later time.
Finally, we have done a number of Explore trips and would rate this one in the highest category.
Arturo was a fantastic leader and guide. Knowledgable, helpful, caring, experienced and amusing. This was my 11th Explore holiday and Arturo is up there with the best guides. The porters and cooks are heroes - we were very happy to tip them generously. The itinerary was perfect, though no one should underestimate the challenge of around ten hours walking on day three. Cusco hotel staff were fine but the layout around a central atrium means the rooms are very noisy. The hotel near Machu Picchu was lovely but the staff were rude, unhelpful and disinterested. Overall I’d fully recommend this trip - but be sure to get into shape beforehand and consider your kit carefully.
The country of the Incas invites you to explore its natural and cultural riches. Join this 6-day tour to explore some of the wonders of Peru. Arrive in Cusco and allow your body to acclimatize to its altitude. Travel to the Sacred Valley, a 60km stretch that, along with Cusco and Machu Picchu, was the centre of the Inca Empire.
Enjoy your journey to Machu Picchu aboard the Vistadome. See the beauty of the region along the way. Visit the salt mines of Maras where salt has been harvested since the time of the Incas. Take a trip to the natural wonder that is Rainbow Mountain (also known as Vinicunca).
Tour Cusco at the end of your trip. We will provide you with a drop-off service to the airport from where you can catch your flight back home.
Discover the best of Colombia with this small-group tour! Begin your journey in Bogota, the breathtaking capital of Colombia. Situated approximately 8,660 feet above sea level, this bustling cosmopolitan is one of the highest capitals in the world. The city is truly one of a kind and offers something for every type of traveler. Discover major highlights with a visit to Plaza de Bolívar, La Candelaria, and Monserrate Hill. From there you will travel to the Coffee Triangle to learn about the rich cultural and natural heritage of the region. This is the perfect way to get acquainted with Colombia’s best-known secret — its delicious coffee. End your tour in Cartagena, a breathtaking coastal city in the Caribbean lowlands bordered by magnificent mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Discover the extraordinary lava beaches loved by locals and tourists!