A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started
From the best restaurants in Lima, to the most spectacular Inca ruins
16 days, from £4,185 to £5,805
Visit one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu
9 days, from £3,895 to £6,220
Visit Moray's terraces and the Maras salt pans by -bike
9 days, from £5,855 to £9,350
Delve into the artsy side of Lima on a walking tour of up-and-coming Barranco district
16 days, from £3,195 to £5,095
Combine these two countries, from the Inca valleys to the 'enchanted islands' via the Peruvian Amazon
19 days, from £6,435 to £8,840
Visit the lost city of Machu Picchu with a private guide
14 days, from £3,460 to £5,525
Leave tour buses and jostling crowds behind on a tailor-made adventure to Peru. Whether exclusive access to art collections or walks with local Andean farmers (and their llamas) in the Sacred Valley sound more up your street, every detail of your holiday is designed for you. We’ve got your accommodation covered, too, be it listening to the sounds of the jungle from a remote eco-lodge or chatting with locals in a homestay on Lake Titicaca’s shores. And thanks to our experienced in-country team and passionate Concierges (who are just a WhatsApp message away), your trip will run like clockwork from start to finish.
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Discover different ways to explore Peru
Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday
Practical guide
Travel Advice & Information
From the mist-shrouded Andes to cosmopolitan Lima, our talented team of consultants have made it their mission to seek out lesser-known gems across Peru, encouraging travellers to go in the opposite direction to the crowds. On the ground, we only work with partners who practice sustainable travel, involve local people and tread lightly in destinations that have been trampled in the past. Our Concierges keep even the most difficult itineraries running smoothly, anticipating and solving issues behind the scenes, while the experienced in-country team have offices across the country, ensuring you'll always be looked after in Peru.
Peru is full of historical and natural beauty. There are the obvious destinations, such as Cusco, the splendid capital of the one-time Inca Empire, as well as iconic Machu Picchu, a true feat of architecture perched dramatically nearly 8,000ft above sea level. Then, veer off-the-beaten-track to discover the domains of ancient civilisations such as the Chavin, Moche and Nazca peoples, the latter responsible for the mysterious designs you’ll find etched into the desert. Witness the natural variety on display in the sweeping Cordillera Blanca, the world’s most extensive range of tropical mountains, clad in both snow-white ice and lush Andean forest. Then there’s the long desert strip that runs along the coast, home to wildlife-rich reserves, rippled sand dunes, remote vineyards and even some excellent surf breaks.
Peru’s compelling landscapes have so much to offer adventurers; in particular, avid hikers who may have dreamed of trekking the Cordillera Blanca or traversing the picturesque Huascaran National Park, named after the highest peak in the country. Beyond the beautifully intact Machu Picchu and enigmatic Nazca lines, hiking is one of the sure-fire ways of unravelling Peru’s more remote ancient terraces, stone temples and cobbled Inca towns. Budding archaeologists can revel in pre-Columbian civilisations who left traces of their culture scattered throughout the sacred green valleys, towering mountains and vast sandy deserts – all scenic backdrops to the country’s plethora of historical gems.
With so much on offer, a truly tailor-made approach brings out the best experiences in any Peru holiday. In nine days, you can discover the three essential highlights: Lima, Cusco and Lake Titicaca. A two-week trip allows enough time to delve deeper into the high Altiplano, revealing indigenous communities whose traditional way of life has remained unchanged for centuries. If Machu Picchu is at the forefront of the agenda, we recommend staying in an eco-lodge nestled in the heart of the cloud forest. From here, explore the mysterious citadel and then retreat amid 12 acres of gardens, waterfalls and orchids. For those with more time on their hands, consider habitats ranging from Amazonian jungle to snow-clad Andes, home to famous species such as the puma and condor, and which make this one of those special countries where everything is under one roof, so to speak. The mysterious Nazca Lines and the upper reaches of the Amazon are among the country's other attractions we can weave into any luxury holiday itinerary.
- Visit Cabo Blanco, a small fishing port and old haunt of Ernest Hemingway’s.
- The Peruvian capital Lima is the centre of a wonderful resurgence in Peruvian cuisine, centred around the trend of ceviche - marinated raw fish with lime juice (much better than it sounds!) - and Pisco sours, a cocktail to rival caipirinhas and mojitos as Latin America's favourite tipple. We know the best places to sample the best in town.
- One thing previously missing from Peru's luxury holiday armoury was a decent coastal option to provide a full house of beach, city, mountains, desert and jungle, but the emergence of Mancora as a hip new surf and social scene hangout means visitors really have got the perfect combo.
Best known for the famous sights of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru is a hugely diverse country. As well as being home to world-renowned cultural sites, this vibrant country is a forerunner when it comes to gastronomy, with ceviche, pisco sour cocktails and chocolate all originating from here.
Even if you don’t fancy visiting any historical monuments, you’ll surely be able to appreciate the fantastic landscapes, which span across towering mossy peaks, rainbow-coloured mountains and sandy deserts – as well as half of the gigantic Amazon rainforest.
Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are must-visit locations for any holiday to Peru. Hike even a small section of the trail to watch the landscape unfold around you; the ancient stone buildings emerge from the lush greenery and inspire a sense of wonder and amazement.
Or, if you’re looking for activities that are slightly closer to sea level, then explore the beauty of the Amazon rainforest with a knowledgeable guide. Discover more about the people who have made the world’s biggest rainforest their home, as well as looking out for all sorts of fascinating creatures.
When you’ve had your fill of stunning scenery, head to the capital, Lima. Full of excellent chefs who are making a mark on the global culinary scene, this bustling metropolis is the perfect place to treat yourself to all the fantastic food Peru has to offer.
Peru is famous for its uniquely preserved monuments, such as Machu Picchu, but also for the awe-inspiring landscapes that surround them. If you’re someone who loves to be outdoors on holiday, you’ll have no end of places to visit, whether you want to hike up a mountain or simply stroll along the sand.
The country is also home to the Nazca lines, mysterious shapes on the ground that can only be properly seen from the air. They stretch up to six miles and were only discovered in the 1920s, with the introduction of planes. Whether you believe they were left over by an ancient tribe or are an indication of extraterrestrial life, they’ve kept people intrigued for years.
Located in the Andes Mountains, the fantastically striped Vinicunca have become a popular tourist attraction in recent years. So brightly coloured they almost don’t look real, the stripes are made from 14 different minerals that give the mountains their rainbow hue. Some people suggest that ice once covered the area, and as it melted, it mixed with the minerals that were already in the ground, revealing this vibrant natural tapestry.
Peru is located in the west of South America. It borders Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south. The west coast stretches along the South Pacific Ocean.
The best time to visit Peru tends to be between June to October, although it does depend on which region you’re planning to visit. The wet season runs from October to April, making it a risky choice if you’re planning on spending a lot of time outdoors, although the rainfall is significantly reduced on the coast.
Read our region-by-region guide to find out more about what the weather is like in Peru.
Peru uses Peru Standard Time, which is GMT-5. During UK daylight saving hours, this means the time difference increases to six hours.
Peru’s currency is called the sol, which comes in note denominations of ten, 20, 50, 100 and 200 soles. Coins come in ten, 20 and 50 cents (céntimos), as well as one, two and five soles. It’s possible to use US dollars in many places, and some ATMs offer both sol and dollar withdrawals. Cash is the preferred payment method in more remote areas, although Visa is accepted in more established towns and cities.
Plugs in Peru are primarily Type A and Type C, meaning you’ll need an adapter for your devices. The voltage is 220v, slightly lower than the UK.
Peru has three official languages: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara. However, Spanish is by far the most commonly spoken, so if you’re planning to learn a few phrases before your trip, it is the best one to go for. You’ll find that many tourist services speak English, but it’s not a common language for locals.
You can find the latest travel information for Peru on the UK Government website.
There are several international airports in Peru, but the most popular stop tends to be Lima, with an average flight time of 14 hours 55 minutes from London, with one stop. Other locations include:
- Cusco (18 hours from London)
- Juliaca (19 hours 10 minutes)
- Piura (19 hours 50 minutes)
- Trujillo (18 hours 25 minutes)
Currently, at least one stop is required to fly from the UK to Peru.
You’re able to stay in Peru for up to 30 days without a visa – if you’re planning to stay longer, you’ll need to apply at immigration when you arrive. Officials have the ability to extend this up to 180 days for tourists if needed. You can double-check the number of days you’ve been given on the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones website.
Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after you arrive in Peru. Make sure that you get your passport stamped, as you’ll need this to be allowed to leave the country.
It’s recommended that you’re up-to-date with standard UK vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella and diphtheria-tetanus-polio for travel to Peru. There is some risk of yellow fever in parts of the country, so you may want to consider a vaccination depending on your travel itinerary.
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
