How many travellers will be in my group?

Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

How fit do I need to be?

Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

When are the next departures?

The next available departures are 4 October 2026; 2 May 2027; 3 October 2027. See the "Pick your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

What's included in the tour price?

Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; Domestic flights; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

Where exactly does this trip go?

This tour visits Peru. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

Peru14 daysMax 12Solo-friendly

Peru – Beyond the Tourist Trail

Discover the royal tombs of Sipán, the world's largest adobe city at Chan Chan, and the buried town of Yungay on this 14-day small-group Peru adventure for up to 12 travellers.

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About this journey

The story behind the route

Northern Peru – A little visited and pristine part of this amazing country. This is one of South America’s most popular destinations – but less than 5% of travellers make it to the northern region which is surprising given its amazing pre-Inca and colonial history, and an abundance of cultural and natural wonders.

On this unique Peru small group tour we take you beyond the tourist trail to discover the rich and advanced pre-Inca cultures Caral, Moche, Chimu and Chachapoyas. You will see the most amazing colonial buildings in Peru’s intellectual capital Trujillo, famous as the place where the Spanish conquistadores arrived marking the end of the Inca Empire. You will stand face to face with Peru’s highest mountain – the impressive double coned Huascaran at 6,768m. You will drive on one of the world’s most spectacular roads through Cañon del Pato and travel deep into lush cloud forest in search of ancient mummies.

If you are a traveller looking to tick off the country’s well-known highlights then this isn’t the tour for you. But if you want to escape the crowds of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, then join us on this fascinating journey to explore Peru’s hidden gems.

The journey

Peru – Beyond the Tourist Trail

Key moments

The moments that define this trip

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route

Moche and Chimú Archaeological Wonders
Peru's north coast harbours some of the most spectacular pre-Inca archaeology on Earth, and this tour dedicates two full days to exploring it. From the gold-rich Royal Tombs of Sipán and the tattooed mummy of the Temple of the Witch to the vast adobe labyrinth of Chan Chan, you will encounter cultures whose sophistication and artistry rival any in the ancient world.
Cloud Forest Cultures of the Chachapoyas
The remote highlands around Chachapoyas are home to the little-known Chachapoya civilisation, and this tour ventures deep into their territory. You will explore the terraced ruins of Macro, the extraordinary mummy collection at Leimebamba museum, and gain a rare insight into daily life in these overlooked highland communities.
Colonial Cities and the Conquest of the Andes
Cajamarca sits at the very heart of Peruvian history — the place where the Spanish captured the Inca Emperor and brought an entire empire to its knees in 1532. Combined with the carved funeral caves of Ventanillas de Otuzco and the city's well-preserved colonial architecture, it offers an unparalleled lesson in the collision of two worlds.
Cordillera Blanca Landscapes and Extreme Roads
The final Andean section of the tour delivers some of the most dramatic scenery in South America. Based in Huaraz, at the foot of Huascarán (6,768m), you will visit the buried town of Yungay, the glacial Lagunas Llanganuco, and tackle the legendary Cañon del Pato — a road of 35 cliff-blasted tunnels that stands as one of the world's great driving experiences.
Ancient Civilisations and UNESCO Heritage
The tour bookends its journey with two of the oldest and most significant sites in the Americas. The Caral-Supe civilisation, dating to 5000 BC, pre-dates any other known urban culture in the hemisphere, while Sipán's intact royal tombs push back our understanding of Peruvian society by nearly two millennia. Together they frame a journey through 7,000 years of human history.

Full itinerary · 14 days

Free — no sign-up

Dates & prices

Pick your departure

Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.

Departs	Returns	Status	Price pp	Single supp.
4 Oct 2026	17 Oct 2026	Guaranteed	£3,595	+£545	Book now
2 May 2027	15 May 2027	Guaranteed	£3,595	+£545	Book now
3 Oct 2027	16 Oct 2027	Guaranteed	£3,595	+£545	Book now

Departure
4 Oct 2026 → 17 Oct 2026
Guaranteed
From
£3,595 pp
Single supp. +£545
Book now
Departure
2 May 2027 → 15 May 2027
Guaranteed
From
£3,595 pp
Single supp. +£545
Book now
Departure
3 Oct 2027 → 16 Oct 2027
Guaranteed
From
£3,595 pp
Single supp. +£545
Book now

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

What's included

Everything covered — and what's not

Included in the price

Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
Domestic flights
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
Any airport taxes (except when prepaid with any domestic flights)
Travel Insurance
Visa – when required
Drinks
Items of personal nature
Tips (Discretionary)

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:

US Department of State — US State Dept Peru Travel Advisory
Australian Government — Smartraveller Peru Advice
Government of Canada — Canada Travel Advice for Peru

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

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from across our small-group programme — Mongolia, Madagascar, the Silk Road and beyond. 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!”