While many travellers come to visit the country’s most famous site, the ruins of Machu Picchu, the real Peru lies within its warm, proud inhabitants – many of whom can trace their bloodlines back to the Incas. What you might not expect is the foodie bonanza found in Lima or the adventures that await you in the ancient capital of Cusco. Whether you’re exploring the cobbled streets of Arequipa, bobbing on the floating islands of Lake Titicaca or uncovering mummies in Nazca, our Peru tours will have you feeling like a modern-day Indiana Jones. Just don’t forget to pack your fedora.
Travel to Peru to discover the Inca, Peru's ancient civilisation. Trek or train to...
Visit the Sacred Land of the Inca and delight in Peru's culture with 15 days through...
Travel from the heights of the Andes to the exotic Amazon rainforest on this best of...
Travel to Peru and retrace the steps of the Inca, Peru's fascinating ancient...
See the highlights of Peru from Lima to Cusco including the Nazca Lines, Machu Picchu,...
Take two or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
Visit South America and travel to Peru. Visit Lima, Cusco and Lake Titicaca, tour the...
Visit Peru on this Family Adventure, travelling through Lima, Cusco and Aguas Calientes...
Visit South America and travel to the Galapagos Islands, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia....
Visit South America and travel through Peru. Tour through Lima, Pisco, Cusco, the...
Get straight down to business and up the Inca Trail. Set out from Cusco and witness the...
Focus on two of South America's heaviest hitters on this 17-day tour through both the...
Travel from the city sights of Lima through to the vibrant beat of Rio via Machu Picchu...
Explore Peru and Bolivia on this 25-day tour. Travel from Lima to La Paz, tackle the...
From Lima to La Paz this Real Peru and Bolivia trip takes you deep into the Amazon...
See Peru in-depth on a 21-day Lonely Planet Experience from Lima to La Paz. Trek the...
Indulge in mouth-watering cuisine and witness stunning sights on Intrepid's Real Food...
Packed with more highlights than a boyband's hair, this epic South American trip takes...
Travel from the city sights of Lima through to the vibrant beat of Rio via Machu Picchu...
Visit South America and travel through Peru. Tour Lima, the Amazon Jungle, Cusco, the...
Dive deep into the Amazon jungle, trek the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, browse...
Essential to travelling Peru – Lima, the Amazon, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail,...
Travel to Peru and discover it fascinating landscapes and traditions. Spy wildlife in...
Experience the highlights of Peru and the Galapagos Islands on this 30-day tour,...
Begin in Lima, then head to Cusco and tackle one of the world's most famous treks in...
Visit South America and travel to Peru. Visit Lima, Cusco and Lake Titicaca, tour the...
Look up the word epic and you might just get this trip. See all the highlights, and...
Travel from the city sights of Lima through to the vibrant beat of Rio via Machu Picchu...
Get straight down to business and up the Inca Trail. Set out from Cusco and witness the...
Travel to South America, from Lima to Buenos Aires, and Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake...
Take an epic 51-day South American adventure with Lonely Planet and Intrepid to Peru,...
Take an epic 34-day trip through Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, including...
Take in Lima, Arequipa, the Inca Trail, La Paz, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro on this...
Take the historic Inca Quarry hike and be rewarded with spectacular vistas and...
Journey through the Amazon Jungle in Peru and discover stunning wildlife and friendly...
Visit South America and travel through Peru. Tour Cusco, the Sacred Valley,...
Take the historic Inca Trail hike and be rewarded with spectacular vistas and...
Travel from Puno to Lake Titicaca and take a boat ride on the world's highest navigable...
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Spanning 5.5 million square kilometres, the Amazon is the largest rainforest on...
Reading Time: 4 minutes Grab your trekking shoes and trail mix. Inca Trail...
Reading Time: 4 minutes If trekking’s not your bag, you prefer a day walk over a...
Reading Time: 4 minutes Just a few minutes from Cusco’s main square, is one of...
Go *really* off the beaten track, on Peru's incredible Quarry Trail.
My first hike on the Inca Trail in Peru taught me a lot of things. But mostly, it...
Having a knowledgeable guide is a big help in understanding the site of the...
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I know it’s cliché to say that it’s more about the journey than the destination...
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We're a firm believer in the fact that family travel can please both parents and...
Lots of lush greenery, ancient pathways, atmospheric fog... and so much more.
As I found on my 8-day Inca Trail trip with Intrepid Travel, you'll visit for the...
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Get away from the crowds of Machu Picchu on this little-known trek to an ancient...
You definitely want to have a good pair of hiking boots for this one.
The Inca Trail definitely lives up to the hype. Here's why.
Looks like Machu Picchu's got some ancient competition.
Here’s a rundown of the seasons and a few tips on when to hike in Peru.
As I experienced each new scene, I also began to notice that my travel companions...
Training for the Inca Trail is essential. But what you do *after* the trek is just...
Is it safe hiking in Peru? Here’s a rundown of things to consider before trekking...
You'll have a few four-legged friends on your Quarry Trail trek. Here's why.
Trying to decide whether to hike the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail? We’ve done...
Want to hike the Inca Trail? Here’s why you need a permit and how to get one for...
Hiking the Inca Trail is a once in a lifetime experience. We’ve covered all the...
If you're worried that the food on your trek to Machu Picchu will be all soggy...
Lace up your boots and explore some of the lesser known archaeological sites in...
Arequipa, the stunning volcano-ringed colonial-era city in southwestern Peru, is...
What's the difference between a llama and an alpaca? Glad you asked.
Got some time in Cusco before visiting Machu Picchu? Here are some of our...
There are a few theories as to how Machu Picchu was built by the Incas. Here's a...
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Imagine Machu Picchu. Spectacular, historic, utterly iconic. And then magnify the...
Food, waterfalls, epic hikes and camelids, to name a few.
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Proud indigenous tribes, beautiful colonial cities, great surf and fantastic...
Circling condors, challenging trails, volcanoes, waterfalls, and hot springs make...
There are some epic breaks that don’t require a three thousand dollar flight or...
Beat the post-holiday blues by recreating your travels in your own kitchen.
When I was told the Inca Trail was fully booked, I was disappointed. Hiking to...
Machu Picchu is undoubtedly awesome, but there’s a whole lot of stuff about the...
Elevation in Peru pose a big challenge for travellers, but what's less talked...
Rainforest Alliance aims to see people and planet prosper together. We're proud to...
I realized something on my Intrepid trip. I am most comfortable when I am...
When I think of Peruvian cuisine, I think traditional. Juicy lomo saltado spiked...
Whether it’s a Mongolian Nana or a Peruvian Mama, homestay cooking, hospitality ...
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Here we are in a house that now feels like a home, preparing dinner like a family...
Farewell, comfort zone. It was nice knowing you.
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Look at photos, enter competition, win trip to Peru. Easy.
Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.
Depending on which trip you're on while in Peru, you may find yourself travelling by:
Pedal along Lima’s incredible coastline, making your way through local neighbourhoods and go on a cycling adventure to the epic Sacred Valley.
Spot exotic flowers, birds and mammals while enjoying a canoe ride down the mighty Amazon
Everyone gets a window seat while riding on the Vistadome train - the clear roof and windows allow maximum viewing for all.
Travelling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.
When travelling with us in Peru you may find yourself staying in a:
Experience home-grown hospitality and food while staying with a local family who live right on the shores of Lake Titicaca
Stay close to the action in a lodge located within the wilds of the awesome Amazon Jungle.
Camping along the Inca Trail is one of world's most sought-after travel experiences. Bond with fellow travellers over some food and rest up before another day of trekking.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Check the Essential Trip Information section of the itinerary for more information.
While tipping isn't mandatory in Peru, it's customary to add spare change or a small amount to restaurant bills. Although most restaurants and bars may already include a 10% service charge within the bill, feel free to add more if the service was good. Taxi drivers generally don't expect tips.
Internet can be accessed at hotels and internet cafes in large cities, but is quite limited in rural and remote areas.
Mobile phone coverage is generally good in Peru’s cities, but may not be available in more remote and mountainous areas. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.
Peru has a mix of both squat toilets and western-style flushable toilets. It’s a good idea to carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, as they are not always provided. Some public toilets charge a small usage fee. Expect to use squat toilets if travelling on the Inca Trail.
Prices in restaurants and stores are generally listed in Peruvian nuevos soles (PEN).
Short ride on a public city bus = 1 PEN
Bottle of beer = 4 PEN
Street cart snack/lunch = 6 PEN
Lunch in a café = 15 PEN
Dinner at a nice restaurant = 30 PEN
Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Peru. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water. Ask your leader or the hotel where you’re staying where filtered water can be found. It's advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.
Most hotels, large retailers and tourist attractions accept credit cards but will usually charge a fee (about 7%) for using them. Expect to pay cash when dealing with small vendors, family-run restaurants and market vendors.
ATMs can be found in most of Peru's major cities and tourist areas. ATMs are far less common in rural areas and small villages so have enough cash to cover purchases when travelling away from the larger cities.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of your trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
For a current list of public holidays in Peru go to: https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/south-america/Peru/public-holidays/
No vaccines are required in order to enter Peru but some are recommended for protection against disease. Visit your doctor or travel clinic for advice and make sure to schedule vaccinations 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective.
Recommended vaccines:
1. Hepatitis A (transmitted through contaminated water)
2. Typhoid (transmitted through contaminated water)
3. Yellow Fever (transmitted by mosquito): This vaccination is recommended if you’re visiting Puno or the Amazon. Some countries require a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate for entry after visiting Peru. Do your research before leaving home to see if you require this vaccine.
Most people can start to feel the effects of altitude at over 2000 m (6561 ft) regardless of age, gender or fitness level. While our leaders have basic first aid training and are aware of the closest medical facilities, it is very important that you make yourself aware of the cause and effects of travelling at altitude, monitor your health and seek assistance accordingly. It’s important to take it easy, drink plenty of water and speak to your group leader at once if you feel unwell.
We recommend seeing your doctor if you have any health concerns before undertaking the trip. Particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition or take any medication.
While it might be common to see rainbow flags displayed throughout the Andes, this is in fact the flag of the Inca Empire and not a gay pride flag. Peru is a conservative, Catholic country where LGBTQI-rights are still developing. Many members of the LGBTQI community don’t publicly identify themselves and generally Peruvians will tolerate homosexuality on a ‘don’t-ask-don’t-tell’ basis. While Lima may be more tolerant towards LGBTQI-travellers, it’s advised that you should exercise discretion when travelling in country areas.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.
Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.
In Peru, we stay in locally run accommodation including guesthouses, smaller-scale hotels and homestays in an effort to support the local economies. We also visit locally-run restaurants and markets where travellers will have opportunities to support local businesses and purchase handicrafts created by local artisans.
We are proud to have the tick of approval from the Rainforest Alliance indicating that we meet and operate at the highest standards in environmental, social and economic sustainability