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PeruFrom £3,595

Peru Tours & Holidays

Experience the extraordinary heritage and breathtaking landscapes of Peru with our expertly guided tours and travel packages.

  • Best timeMay & Oct
  • Time zonePET (UTC-5)
  • CurrencyPeruvian Sol (PEN)
  • LanguageSpanish
Overview

An introduction to Peru

Peru is one of the most archaeologically rich countries on Earth — a land where ancient civilisations left their mark on desert coast, Andean highland and cloud forest alike. From the royal Moche tombs of the north to the Nazca Lines etched across a coastal plain, from the colonial grandeur of Trujillo to the soaring peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, Peru offers far more than any single journey can hold. Its people are warm, its landscapes dramatic, and its history — layered across thousands of years and dozens of cultures — consistently astonishing.

Our small group Peru tours are designed to reach the parts that most visitors never see. Whether you're tracing the footsteps of the Chachapoyas through misty cloud forest, watching condors spiral over Colca Canyon, or standing beside the reed boats of Huanchaco on the Pacific shore, every itinerary is led by expert guides who bring the country to life.

Peru landscape
peru culture
Explore

Peru

Why visit

What makes Peru worth the journey

Peru landscape
A place apart

Layers of Civilisation

Peru was home to some of the earliest and most sophisticated cultures in the Americas — from Caral-Supe's 5,000-year-old pyramids to the Moche, Chimú and Chachapoyas cultures that flourished long before the Inca. Every region adds another chapter to an extraordinary human story.

01

A Country of Contrasts

In Peru, coastal desert, Andean highland and Amazonian cloud forest exist within hours of each other — each with its own archaeology, wildlife and way of life. No two days on a Peru tour feel the same.

A Country of Contrasts
02

The North Remains Undiscovered

While Machu Picchu draws the crowds, northern Peru — Chan Chan, Sipán, Chachapoyas, the Cordillera Blanca — remains almost entirely free of mass tourism. It is Peru as it was a generation ago: unhurried, generous and quietly spectacular.

Peru-3-Cajamarca-Farmers
03

Exceptional Wildlife

From condors soaring over Colca Canyon to sea lions hauled out on Pacific islands, Peru's wildlife is as varied as its landscapes. The Paracas nature reserve and Islas Ballestas offer some of South America's most accessible marine wildlife encounters.

See itineraries
Highlights

The moments that make Peru unforgettable

The Royal Tombs of Sipán

One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century, the Lord of Sipán burial complex near Chiclayo revealed an extraordinary treasure of Moche gold and silver — all of it found intact, never looted. The on-site museum is world-class.

Chan Chan

The largest pre-Columbian city in South America, Chan Chan was the capital of the Chimú kingdom — an immense adobe metropolis stretching across the coastal desert outside Trujillo. Its ornate friezes and labyrinthine citadels give a vivid sense of the sophistication of the culture that built it.

The Chachapoyas Mummies of Leimebamba

In the cloud forests above the Amazonian slopes, the Chachapoyas people built cliff tombs and left remarkable mummified remains. The Leimebamba museum houses one of South America's most compelling collections — rarely visited, quietly extraordinary.

Caral-Supe

The oldest known city in the Americas, Caral-Supe flourished on the Peruvian coast more than 5,000 years ago — contemporary with the pyramids of Egypt and long predating the Inca. Standing among its monumental platforms on the desert plains is a genuinely humbling experience.

Cañon del Pato

One of the world's most spectacular roads carves through this deep Andean gorge on the approach to the Cordillera Blanca — a journey of sheer drops, tunnels blasted through rock, and views that demand a firm grip on the window frame.

The Cordillera Blanca

The highest tropical mountain range on Earth runs through northern Peru, its glacial peaks presiding over turquoise lakes and buried towns. Huascarán, Peru's highest mountain at 6,768m, dominates the skyline — an unforgettable presence even from the valley floor.

Peru rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.

From the field

When to go

Picking the right season for your trip

Sweet spot: May

Peru's climate varies enormously by region — the coastal desert is dry year-round, the Andean highlands have distinct wet and dry seasons, and the cloud forest operates on its own schedule of mist and sunshine. Broadly, the dry season runs from May to October across the highlands, bringing clear skies, cooler nights and ideal conditions for travel. The rainy season from November to April transforms the landscape — rivers run full, vegetation is lush, and the crowds thin considerably, though some mountain roads become challenging. Our Peru tour departures run in May and October, catching the highland dry season at its best — warm days, reliable skies, and roads at their most accessible.

From the journal

Stories from the region

Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.

All Peru stories
Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.

Alexis

Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.

Steve

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.

Alexis

Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.

Steve

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Peru journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
Tailor-made journeys

Didn’t find your perfect Peru trip?

We’ll build one around you.

Peru lends itself beautifully to a private itinerary. The country's geography means no two routes need look alike — you might spend longer in the cloud forests around Chachapoyas, add time in the desert at Caral-Supe, or pair the Colca Canyon with a few days beside Lake Titicaca at Puno. Private departures mean you set the pace: an extra afternoon in Cajamarca's colonial plaza, a dawn visit to Chan Chan before the heat of the day, or a detour through the Cordillera Blanca at a more leisurely tempo. Undiscovered Destinations arranges private transport, specialist local guides and a careful selection of characterful accommodation throughout. Talk to the team about building your own Peru travel package.

Your dates
Travel when it suits you
Private group
Just you, family or friends
Your pace
Linger longer, skip the rest
Bespoke extras
Private guides, rare access

Typical reply within 3 working days · No obligation · Trusted by travellers since 2004

Peru-3-Cajamarca-Farmers
How it works
  1. 1Tell us what you have in mind
  2. 2We build an itinerary + quote
  3. 3Refine until it feels right
Est. 2004
20+ years of
bespoke travel
Questions, answered

Planning a trip to Peru?

  • Our Peru tours start from £3,595 per person, including accommodation, overland transport, domestic flights, guided visits and most meals. This starting price is based on our 14-day Peru — Beyond the Tourist Trail itinerary. For our longer Buenos Aires to Lima Rail Adventure, prices start from £8,850 per person.

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Peru Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Peru that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Ready when you are

Start planning your Peru adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Peru specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

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