Peru: Beyond the Sacred Valley with the Lares Adventure
11 days from £4,470
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
Arrive in Lima, the capital of Peru, in the early evening. You’ll be met and escorted to to the Wyndham hotel at the airport. You have an early flight the next morning.
The Wyndham Grand Costa Del Sol Lima Airport Hotel, conveniently located within the airport complex, features 249 comfortable rooms, tastefully decorated and furnished with all the amenities associated with a modern airport hotel.
With an on-site restaurant, bar, terrace, spa, fitness centre and several recreational spaces, as well as easy access to airport and its many facilities, the hotel is ideal for those with early departures or late arrivals in Peru’s dynamic capital city.
It’s a short walk back to the airport for your 1hr flight down to Cusco, set in a mountain bowl in the Andes. You have the rest of the day to relax and acclimatise to the altitude of over 3,000m.
The name Cusco derives from the Quechua word for navel, indicating its location at the centre of the Inca Empire. Today its many impressive original Inca walls display extraordinary craftsmanship, while the busy squares are dotted with ornate baroque colonial churches.
It’s a vivacious city, where shoeshine boys and postcard sellers jostle for your attention in cobbled streets lined with handicraft shops. In the evening, the town centre fills with people flocking to the many restaurants, bars and cafés.
This most attractive, converted colonial house belongs to a chain of locally-run, Peruvian-owned hotels the aim of which is to provide friendly and comfortable accommodation with the emphasis on Peruvian culture and traditions.
It is well positioned in the colonial heart of the city, two blocks from the majestic main square. The 75 spacious rooms – situated on two floors – overlook one of three galleried courtyards, each of which has a central stone fountain. Décor in the guest rooms is simple,contemporary and unobtrusive with whitewashed walls and subdued lighting. In-room facilities include cable TV, free Wifi and private bathroom.
The ground floor has a lobby bar, cosy lounge with log fire, terrace and a good restaurant. Adding to the historical ambiance the public areas are decorated with paintings with a religious theme by Peruvian artists.
Take a short drive from Cusco to the Inca site Tambomachay, featuring aqueducts and ritual bathing facilities, where you will begin your gentle hike along original Inca pathways. The walk passes several other impressive ruins, each with a story to tell about Inca culture and lifestyle. These include the fortress at Puka Pukara, the Temple of the Moon, and Qenqo with its sacrificial stone. You’ll reach the vast Sacsayhuaman archaeological park, which overlooks Cusco from the brow of the highland basin, and take a guided tour of the grand plaza and its adjacent extensive terrace walls, constructed from massive stones.
Walk down to the centre of Cusco for lunch followed by a stroll through the narrow streets of the arty quarter San Blas, well known for its ateliers and handicraft shops. Here you will visit the church of San Blas and a family-run workshop. Continue towards the main Plaza de Armas and visit the cathedral, followed by the Koricancha temple.
This most attractive, converted colonial house belongs to a chain of locally-run, Peruvian-owned hotels the aim of which is to provide friendly and comfortable accommodation with the emphasis on Peruvian culture and traditions.
It is well positioned in the colonial heart of the city, two blocks from the majestic main square. The 75 spacious rooms – situated on two floors – overlook one of three galleried courtyards, each of which has a central stone fountain. Décor in the guest rooms is simple,contemporary and unobtrusive with whitewashed walls and subdued lighting. In-room facilities include cable TV, free Wifi and private bathroom.
The ground floor has a lobby bar, cosy lounge with log fire, terrace and a good restaurant. Adding to the historical ambiance the public areas are decorated with paintings with a religious theme by Peruvian artists.
Following a morning at leisure, the afternoon’s guided excursion takes you to an artisan chocolate factory, a coffee museum and an establishment dedicated to pisco, the grape brandy spirit beloved by Peruvians.
You will learn about the production process and, in the chocolate and coffee establishments, participate in an interactive workshop where you are taught to make your own confectionary and coffee blend. At the bar Republica del Pisco, close to the main square, you have the opportunity to sample each of four varieties of pisco, washing down a plateful of gourmet tapas. If you are enjoying yourself you can stay on in the bar afterwards; they sometimes have live music in the evening.
This most attractive, converted colonial house belongs to a chain of locally-run, Peruvian-owned hotels the aim of which is to provide friendly and comfortable accommodation with the emphasis on Peruvian culture and traditions.
It is well positioned in the colonial heart of the city, two blocks from the majestic main square. The 75 spacious rooms – situated on two floors – overlook one of three galleried courtyards, each of which has a central stone fountain. Décor in the guest rooms is simple,contemporary and unobtrusive with whitewashed walls and subdued lighting. In-room facilities include cable TV, free Wifi and private bathroom.
The ground floor has a lobby bar, cosy lounge with log fire, terrace and a good restaurant. Adding to the historical ambiance the public areas are decorated with paintings with a religious theme by Peruvian artists.
Depart Cusco early by road into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Your first stop is at Pisac, a compact colonial town set in the shadow of magnificent Inca ruins, famous for its artisan market. A perusal of the richly woven textiles, bags and traditional clothing gives you a taste of the cultural delights yet to come. There’s a hiking option in the exquisite countryside of this fertile river valley, hemmed in by rugged, icy peaks.
Peru is the home of the potato and this region is famous for its many varieties. Enjoy exclusive access to the isolated community of Viacha. You can drive or hike for three hours over a mountain pass at 4,328m to get there. Learn about its age-old potato cultivation techniques and be treated to an Inca ‘pachamanca’ meal, a medley of meats cooked under hot stones. Afterwards you will visit the Pisac archaeological complex, with the sun setting behind the peaks.
Spend the night at Lamay Lodge, 2,958m, in the rustic adobe village of the same name, sitting at the foot of rugged cliffs, too steep to bear vegetation. Like the other lodges operated by Peruvian firm Mountain Lodges of Peru, in conjunction with local communities, the cosy lodge is exclusive to you and any other guests on your current adventure. There are currently only 8 rooms – all on the ground floor – accepting visitors at the moment; each has its own terrace overlooking a flowery garden. Your bed is comfy and warm, and the shower hot and powerful: just what you need after a day spent outdoors. The Peruvian-style meals served here as at the other accommodation are nutritious and well presented. Lunches on hikes too are more than just a sandwich: fresh, hot meals are served in little camps set up in scenic locations.
Today you will venture deeper into the heart of the Lares Valley. A scenic drive into the mountains along the celebrated ‘Inca Weaver’s Trail’ allows you to discover the rarely visited archaeological site of Ancasmarca and the market town of Lares.
After lunch, you can visit the traditional Choquecancha, a modest weavers’ village of squat stone and adobe dwellings, typical of the region, where the vivid colours of the intricate textiles, woven by women who themselves wear traditional dress, contrast with the earthy shades of the settlement. Meet the ladies and watch them at work; visit the old colonial church and Inca ruins nearby. Alternatively, you can opt between two hikes of 2-4 hours respectively, over rocky, treeless moorland, a wilderness terrain characterised by a real bleak beauty. There are sweeping views looking down on turquoise-hued lakes glowered over by lofty peaks before you reach Huacahuasi village, where you will spend the night.
This thatched lodge, built of wood and stone into a mountain cliff with large picture windows, is a relatively grand affair, with spacious, bright guest rooms and even floor heating. It is staffed year-round by local people who enjoy interacting with guests. The venture provides an interesting insight into the evolving role of the indigenous Andean people in both the culture and commerce of the modern-day region around Cusco.
If you’d like to stay longer in the region and learn more about the people living here we can arrange a longer Lares Adventure which includes an night in Lamay Lodge and an extra night in Huacahuasi. Highly recommended.
In the morning, learn more about the day-to-day activities of the Huacahuasi community. Then, you may choose to embark on a spectacular hike through varied highland terrain and over a pass leading to the adjacent valley and the little town of Ollantaytambo, a grid of small dwellings with Inca foundations and Spanish colonial dwellings. Above it soar the ruins of the Inca temple fortress which stood at the gateway to the Amazon basin.
If you prefer to see more of the Sacred Valley, you can travel by road to an ethnographic museum featuring the history of Peru’s civilisations, or hop on a mountain bike to explore at a leisurely pace the landscapes scored with fields of cereals and vegetables and studded with tiny adobe hamlets. After, enjoy lunch in a restaurant in the pretty countryside fringing the Urubamba River on your way to Ollantaytambo. For the dedicated trekker, there’s a challenging full-day hiking option crossing a high-altitude pass down to Ollanta. Walk in a landscape dotted with alpacas with breathtaking views of snowy peaks, stopping along the way to interact with children in traditional dress on their way to school or shepherds moving their hardy herds through the rugged landscapes.
This is a modern hotel, but its traditional style blends in with that of the villages and farmhouses of the region. Terracotta walls and tiled roofs give a colonial look to the four buildings housing its cosy guestrooms, all set within attractive gardens with beautiful views of the mountains fringing the Sacred Valley.
Polished eucalyptus floors and beams enhance the hotel’s friendly atmosphere while a welcoming open fire makes the lounge a particularly cosy place to relax. Service is welcoming and there is also a pleasant restaurant, TV room and bar.
Hotel Pakaritampu is conveniently situated a couple of minutes’ walk from the railway station in Ollantaytambo, the point of departure for the scenic railway journey to Machu Picchu. Ollantaytambo is well worth a visit in itself: it’s a rural village whose history is manifested in the Inca walls forming the base of colonial houses, the exposed water channels that run along its cobbled lanes, and a massive Inca fortress perched on the gateway from the Andes to the jungle.
Following a night spent in a hotel close to Ollanta, you can opt to hike up to some Inca granaries perched on a near-vertical cliff opposite the main stepped structure of the vast temple. You get a very different view of this monumental structure than the rest of the visitors at ground level…
Head back down to the ruins for a guided tour along with those who chose not to climb. In the afternoon, you will pick up the train to Machu Picchu, 1.5 hours further down the valley as the river cascades towards the Amazon.
The River Urubamba enters its narrow gorge between thickly-forested granite hills, there is room only for a single track, which hugs the right bank and passes through hamlets that are no more than a collection of shacks beside the railway.
Close to the foot of the mountain on a saddle of which the citadel was built is the modern-day village of Machu Picchu (formerly Aguas Calientes), dedicated to serving the many visitors with artisan markets, bars and restaurants. It’s bursting with pizzerias and happy hours, but your hotel has a lovely peaceful riverside location, set in its own orchid-filled gardens.
The stunning Inkaterra hotel is perched on the banks of the River Urubamba in a private tropical forest reserve framed by Andean peaks, at the foot of iconic Machu Picchu.
Perfectly blending rustic charm with comfort and luxury, the award-winning property consists of a collection of tiled stone cottages set amid lush subtropical foliage and connected by atmospheric walkways. On entering the grounds, you feel you’ve discovered a serene Andean village hidden amongst the sprawling forest greenery. Over 12 acres, the grounds are home to more than 200 species of birds and one of the world’s largest native orchid collections, some 372 species.
Rooms and suites have wide, wood-beamed bedrooms with open fires, alpaca-wool blankets and Andean motifs that give a flavour of Inca culture without overpowering the calm, contemporary feel of the décor. Warm tones and soft light accentuate the welcoming cosiness.
A delightful glass-walled restaurant serves imaginative à la carte food in front of a spectacular river valley panorama. There is also a spa offering natural treatments inspired by regional therapies, including an Andean sauna, and guided bird-watching excursions and jungle walks along the hummingbird and orchid trails are complementary for all guests.
Inkaterra Hotels have Climate Positive certification with initiatives including reforestation of native trees, conservation of spectacled bears, energy efficiency and work with local communities. The group also funds an Amazon Research Station in Peru, staffed by scientists and volunteers.
The majestic ruined city, reclaimed from tropical cloud forest, is reached by a sinuous road, or on foot up a near-vertical rocky path. The American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered it in 1911, by which time it was completely buried beneath jungle vegetation. It is perhaps the ruins’ location, on a ridge spur amid forested peaks and above a roaring river canyon, that most ignites the imagination.
You will have a guided tour of the ruins and there’s time later to take one of the many trails within the site itself, such as the hike to the vertiginous Inca Bridge, carved into a cliff edge; or wander amongst the stone buildings and llama-dotted grassy ledges, soaking up the atmosphere. For those with a good head for heights, there’s the option of climbing the sheer Inca staircase of Huayna Picchu, a steep and vertically quite challenging hike that affords views encompassing Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountain ranges.
Return by train to OIlantaytambo and drive back to Cusco.
This most attractive, converted colonial house belongs to a chain of locally-run, Peruvian-owned hotels the aim of which is to provide friendly and comfortable accommodation with the emphasis on Peruvian culture and traditions.
It is well positioned in the colonial heart of the city, two blocks from the majestic main square. The 75 spacious rooms – situated on two floors – overlook one of three galleried courtyards, each of which has a central stone fountain. Décor in the guest rooms is simple,contemporary and unobtrusive with whitewashed walls and subdued lighting. In-room facilities include cable TV, free Wifi and private bathroom.
The ground floor has a lobby bar, cosy lounge with log fire, terrace and a good restaurant. Adding to the historical ambiance the public areas are decorated with paintings with a religious theme by Peruvian artists.
Cusco is a compact city, easy to explore on foot independently. You are at leisure to discover the many markets, baroque churches and museums which you haven’t already seen, and just to wander the attractive narrow streets.
There are optional excursions in the surrounding region, including a trip to Maras and Moray, about an hour’s drive from Cusco. Moray is a system of ancient agricultural irrigation paths which now form circular depressions in the earth, with wonderful views into the Sacred Valley and in the shadow of the snowy peak of Mount Veronica. From here it is a short walk to the salt pans at Maras, circular pans of glistening white carved into the mountainside. Feeling you’d like to be active? White-water rafting, cycling and horse riding are on offer.
This most attractive, converted colonial house belongs to a chain of locally-run, Peruvian-owned hotels the aim of which is to provide friendly and comfortable accommodation with the emphasis on Peruvian culture and traditions.
It is well positioned in the colonial heart of the city, two blocks from the majestic main square. The 75 spacious rooms – situated on two floors – overlook one of three galleried courtyards, each of which has a central stone fountain. Décor in the guest rooms is simple,contemporary and unobtrusive with whitewashed walls and subdued lighting. In-room facilities include cable TV, free Wifi and private bathroom.
The ground floor has a lobby bar, cosy lounge with log fire, terrace and a good restaurant. Adding to the historical ambiance the public areas are decorated with paintings with a religious theme by Peruvian artists.
Transfer to the airport and fly back to Lima to connect with your international flight home, or take one of many suggested holiday extensions.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Peru - Lima
Peru’s capital doesn’t get the credit it deserves. In Lima, colonial grandeur, world-class gastronomy and Pacific Ocean views combine to make it one of South America’s most exciting cities. Known as the City of Kings, Lima blends rich colonial heritage with contemporary culture, outstanding museums and some of the best food on the continent.
Peru - Cusco
Surrounded by the Andean mountains, the former capital of the Inca Empire boasts intricate temples and golden-hued colonial architecture. Explore rugged landscapes and fascinating architecture with a Cusco holiday from Journey Latin America.
Peru - Sacred Valley of the Incas
We think of the Sacred Valley as the heartland of the Inca Empire – fertile valleys, snow-capped mountains and ancient stone fortresses make it one of Peru’s most captivating landscapes. Stretching between Cusco and Machu Picchu, it’s home to colourful markets, traditional villages, remarkable archaeological sites and some of the country’s most spectacular scenery.
Peru - Machu Picchu
Few archaeological sites in the world compare to Machu Picchu, where ancient Inca stonework clings to a mountain ridge high above a jungle-clad valley. Nestled among cloud-wreathed Andean peaks at 2,430m, this corner of Machu Picchu Peru combines spectacular scenery, remarkable architecture and fascinating history to create one of South America’s most unforgettable travel experiences.
On this holiday you can get under the skin of Peruvian culture and set foot on wild landscapes little trodden by visitors. You won’t miss out on the highlights: you visit imperial Cusco, Machu Picchu and the temple fortresses of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. But between visits to these stars of Inca heritage you’ll be walking along silent, sun-blistered upland trails, usually within sight of snow-dazzled Andean peaks, discovering buzzing village markets and the rustic settlements of weavers and livestock herders, meeting giggling bands of children making their daily rural trek to school, all under the scrutiny of grazing llamas. You don’t have to go far: new community roads are opening up previously little-visited regions not far from the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
You don’t have to rough it either: sleep in cosy purpose-built lodges, nourished with hot meals. You’re accompanied by guides who will lay out a menu of options for you: drives, strolls or more serious hikes; visits to co-operatives, hamlets or archaeological sites: it’s up to you. The idea is that you enjoy an off-road adventure exerting as much physical effort as you feel comfortable with. Travel between the lodges by road if you wish. Or choose the toughest hikes and be rewarded with sight of truly wilderness landscapes.
In addition, a lot has been going on in Peru. Boutique hotels, fusion cuisine and chic shopping opportunities are springing up in all the tourist hotspots.
Hannah Donaldson
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Transport
One internal flight (approx 1hr); various scenic road journeys (time varies according to your choice); 2 rail journeys (1.5hrs each).
- Accommodation
On this tour we use a variety of accommodation. The mountain properties are built sensitive to the environment and blend harmoniously with the landscape in which they are sited. This sympathy to the cultural and traditional style, and the convenience of the locations, is what governs our choice rather than consistency of standard. The hotel in Cusco is a comfortable, good standard property, well located for exploration, those in the Lares Valley are small, purpose built, community run lodges with heating, plenty of hot water and home-cooked cuisine; exclusive to guests on the Lares trail circuit so you will all know each other by the time you stay there. The hotel at Machu Picchu is a well-established property featuring cottages with open fires in riverside gardens.
- Meals
Breakfast daily; lunch days 3,9; full board days 5-8.
- Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by clients on their return.
You will have the same well informed bi-(or tri-)lingual guide guide on the Lares trail (days 5-9), so you will be able to get to know him/her and he/she will be able to advise you on your choice of walks and other activities, including fitness issues and and their compatibility with your interests.
- Summary Of Nights
11 days, 10 nights: Lima 1; Cusco 3; Lamay village 1; Huacahuasi village 1, Ollantaytambo 1; Machu Picchu 1; Cusco 2.
- Currency
The unit of currency in Peru is the sol.
- How To Take It
Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds.
We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency.Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. You can take sterling, but the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available, restricting the number of places where you can change money.
- Daily Spend
It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around US$45 per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and the odd souvenir. Eat at the best restaurants and you will pay considerably more.
- Tipping
Tips are welcomed and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income. Your guide in the Sacred Valley region days 5-9 will be with you for five days, we recommend a tip of $10 per day per person.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
Tipping guidelines can be found in our Briefing Dossier.
- Insurance
Travel insurance is essential.
Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.
- Airport Taxes
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax and taxes on internal flights are usually included in the ticket.
- Trip Suitability
This is rated an active holiday, as there are walks and hiking options of different lengths and required effort most days. However, it is suitable for all able-bodied, reasonably fit visitors, including families, as there is plenty of choice of activity.
Your guide in the Sacred Valley will be able to recommend the best option for you for the day according to your level of fitness. The daily options vary from a challenging walk to a drive to an Inca ruin or local community, which means the holiday is appropriate for couples, groups of friends, or families with differing abilities or interests. During the period in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (days 5-9) your luggage is transported by road to that night’s lodge, meaning you only have to carry your day-pack on the daily activities and hikes.
- Visas
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- Climate
The rainy season in the Andes runs between November and March when there are showers most afternoons. The dry season is in June, July and August when the sun is strong during the day, but at night the temperature drops dramatically (from freezing point to 10°C). May, September and October are less predictable, with both rainy and sunny spells. The a ctual temperature varies with altitude. Out of the sun, it is always chilly above 3,500m, but when the sun shines the temperature rises significantly.
- Altitude
Your stays in the Sacred Valley (2800m to well over 4000m, depending on any hikes you undertake) and Cusco (3400m), are at high altitude. Machu Picchu is lower, as it sits on a mountain saddle where the Andes lose height down to the Amazon basin.Your three days of gentle activity in Cusco at the beginning of the holiday give your body time to acclimatise to the altitude before you undertake any serious walking.
Most people are only mildly affected by altitude and if you drink plenty of water and don’t exert yourself or drink alcohol for the first couple of days, you’ll probably be fine. Symptoms vary: most common are mild headaches, slight nausea and breathlessness. If you don’t recover in a day or two speak to our representatives; in very rare instances it is necessary to descend to lower altitudes.
- Clothing And Special Equipment
For day-to-day wear you should go prepared to encounter all seasons. Both warm clothing and a sun hat are essential at altitude; a light fleece jacket and a waterproof/breathable outer shell makes a good combination. Trousers, skirt or shorts made from light, quick-drying synthetic materials work well. If you plan to eat in smart restaurants, although clothing is not formal (no need for jacket and tie), something quite smart would be appropriate.
Strong, comfortable footwear or walking boots is essential and you should bring insect repellant (mostly for Machu Picchu), sun block and sun glasses. If you pan to do some of the longer hikes, walking poles can be a welcome asset. Owing to luggage restrictions on the train to Machu Picchu, the bulk of your luggage will be transported to your hotel in Cusco or to your onward road transport from Ollantaytambo. You can take up to 10kgs per person on the train and an overnight holdall is recommended.
Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in South America.
- Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
- Travelling Alone
With shared excursions, this trip is suitable for single travellers.
- Do I need a visa to visit Peru?
Holders of a full British passport don’t need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive, and you may be asked to show proof of onward travel. If you’re travelling via the US, you’ll also need an ESTA. For the latest entry requirements, check the FCDO travel pages or contact us.
- How do I get to Peru from the UK?
There are no direct flights from the UK to Peru. Most routes connect through a European or US hub – common connections include Madrid, Amsterdam and Miami. Flights land at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, around 45 minutes from the city centre.
Flight time is typically 12 to 15 hours depending on routing. We’re happy to quote international flights separately based on your dates and preferences.
- How do I get around Peru?
Distances are large, so domestic flights are the most practical way to move between regions. The flight from Lima to Cusco takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.
From Cusco, we arrange private transfers to the Sacred Valley and train connections to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu. Cusco to Puno, for Lake Titicaca, is around six to seven hours by road across the high Altiplano, or you can take the scenic PeruRail Titicaca train.
Reaching the Amazon means a short flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado or from Lima to Iquitos.
- What currency is used in Peru?
Peru uses the Peruvian sol (PEN). ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns, and credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants.
US dollars are accepted in many tourist areas, but you’ll get a better deal paying in sol. Carry cash for markets, smaller restaurants and remote areas. Peru is five hours behind GMT.
- How long should I spend in Peru?
Two weeks is ideal for a full tour covering Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and either Colca Canyon or the Amazon. Ten days comfortably cover the main highlights.
With three weeks, you can add the Amazon, the Nazca Lines, or a crossing into Bolivia. Peru also combines well with Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, or with Argentina and Patagonia as part of a wider trip.
- What’s the best time of year to visit Peru?
The dry season from May to October is best for the Andes, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca – warm days, cold nights and clear skies. The Inca Trail closes in February.
Lima’s coast is warmest from December to April, and the Amazon can be visited year-round, with different advantages in each season. We can advise on the best timing for your itinerary.
- What countries combine well with Peru?
Peru pairs naturally with Bolivia – many of our holidays cross from Lake Titicaca into La Paz and the Uyuni salt flats. Ecuador is a short flight from Lima, and a Peru–Ecuador–Galápagos Islands itinerary is one of our most popular.
For a broader South America trip, you can add Argentina and Buenos Aires, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, Chile or Colombia. Our Travel Experts can design a multi-country tour around you.
- What vaccinations do I need for Peru?
Please check current health recommendations for Peru before you travel. A yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you’re visiting the Amazon, and you may need a certificate if travelling on to certain other countries.
Altitude sickness is a consideration in Cusco (3,400m) and at Lake Titicaca (3,812m) – we build acclimatisation time into all our itineraries. For up-to-date advice, check the FCDO travel pages or contact us.
- Is Peru safe to visit?
The main tourist areas – Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon lodges – are well visited and generally safe.
As anywhere, take sensible precautions, particularly in Lima and Cusco. We plan every itinerary carefully using trusted local partners and established routes. Check the FCDO travel pages for current government advice, and our Travel Experts will flag anything relevant to your trip.
- What is the food like in Peru?
The food is one of the highlights of any trip. Lima ranks among South America’s best places to eat – ceviche made with fresh fish cured in lime juice, lomo saltado (a stir-fried beef dish with Chinese-Peruvian roots), and ají de gallina (shredded chicken in a creamy, mildly spiced sauce).
Try a pisco sour, Peru’s national cocktail, in a rooftop bar overlooking the Pacific. In the Andes, the traditional dishes include hearty soups, roasted guinea pig (cuy), and quinoa; in the Amazon, freshwater fish and tropical fruit. Wherever you go, our local restaurants of choice are ones we’ll happily point you to.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
Welcoming hotel with a traditional, rustic feel, set within attractive gardens with beautiful mountain views.
This captivating first-class hotel resembles a serene Andean village of stone cottages hidden in lush tropical forest, right on the doorstep of Machu Picchu.
Comprehensive airport hotel a few steps from the terminal in Lima.
If there’s somewhere you particularly want to go that isn’t included in this tour, we can add on an extension to take you there.
Nazca Lines + Paracas
Travel to the Paracas Peninsula and explore the bird-smothered Ballestas Islands by boat. Fly over the Nazca Lines for a bird’s eye view of the giant symbols and lines carved into skeletal desert rock by the pre-Columbian Nazca people. Day 1: From Lima, travel by public coach south to Paracas (3.5hrs) on the Panamerican Highway,…
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Papagaio
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
Featured Articles
To round the corner of a mountain and see the lost citadel of Machu Picchu unfold beneath you remains one of the most awe-inspiring experiences in Latin America, one of those dreamlike experiences that makes travelling here truly extraordinary.
The Pantanal wetlands cover an area almost the size of the British Isles and offers better wildlife opportunities than the Amazon. Writer and photographer Alex Bellos discovers them.
Small, breathtakingly beautiful Costa Rica is a treasure trove for the nature lover. Trees laden with orchids are home to quetzals and hummingbirds, while the Caribbean shore hosts volcanic beaches and palm-sheltered coves.
