Peru tours & vacations

Peru is a fascinating country with four distinct geographical regions. Not many countries can offer beaches, mountains, rainforests and deserts on one visit. These distinct regions offer something for everyone, which is why most Intrepid tours operate all year round.

The ideal time to visit is during the dry season from May to October when the Highlands and Amazon basin are optimal for hiking and river journeys. However, even during the rainy season in the Amazon, the rains only fall for a few hours at a time. In the Andes, the rainy season can sometimes just mean a bit of overcast weather.

Remember that the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance in February, although there are other treks to Machu Picchu which are still available at this time.

Learn more about the best time to visit Peru

Peruvians take their food seriously. Whether you’re in a village or a large city, your taste buds will thank you for visiting this South American nation.

Peruvian cuisine draws on a mix of Andean, Spanish, African and Asian influences. Stews and soups made with potatoes, corn and quinoa are common, particularly in the highlands. Japanese-inspired seafood dishes and chifas (Peruvian-Chinese fusion) restaurants are also popular along the coast.

The cuisine is meat-heavy, but vegetarian options aren’t hard to come by - particularly dishes featuring avocados which grow abundantly throughout the country.

Foods to try in Peru

Ceviche

Peru's national dish is made with fish marinated in lime juice, onions, salt and chilli peppers. It's typically served with chunks of corn on the cob and sweet potato. Cevicherias in Lima do it best.

Cuy

Adventurous eaters should add cuy (guinea pig) to their must-try list. Roasted and usually served whole, it’s a popular staple in the highlands.

Lomo saltado

This beef or alpaca stir-fry is a popular chifa dish found across Peru. 

Pisco sour

Made by mixing pisco, the national brandy, with lime juice, egg whites and sugar, this creamy and zesty cocktail goes down a treat. 

Coca tea

Rumored to help with altitude sickness, this tea made from coca leaves is drunk by locals all over the Andes region and is hailed for its 'medicinal' properties.

Learn more about what to eat in Peru

Learn more about what to drink in Peru

Peru is home to a diverse range of landscapes, including parts of the Amazon Basin, the Andean mountain range and Lake Titicaca. Not to mention areas of tropical savanna, desert, cloud forest and mangroves, all wrapped up in one country. Peru also has a long stretch of coast along the Pacific Ocean offering dramatic views of the sea.

Along the Pacific Coast, you'll find a mix of desert stretches and lush valleys, while the Andes slice right through the middle, creating a natural divide between the coast and jungle. And in the Highlands, you've got iconic spots like Machu Picchu, Cusco and Puno, each with its own blend of history, culture and breathtaking scenery.

Peru’s rich history stretches back over 11,000 years, with some of the earliest organized societies appearing around 6000 BC, centered on agriculture and land cultivation. Across its rugged landscapes and coastal plains, evidence of these ancient civilizations is everywhere, from ruins to stone carvings.  

The Incas lay claim to being one of the most famous and revered empires of all. From 1438 to 1532 AD, the Incas built an expansive empire, with Machu Picchu as its crown jewel.  

Today, Peru is a unique blend of the modern and the ancient. In the highlands, many Quechuas and Aymara people (descendants of the Incas) maintain traditional ways of life, speaking their native languages, wearing traditional clothing and following agricultural customs. Cultural festivals across Peru celebrate these heritage practices with centuries-old foods, music and dance.  

Festivals are central to Peruvian life, with celebrations like Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun), the Virgen de la Candelaria and the Mistura Culinary Festival drawing locals and visitors alike. Across Peru, religion, family and a shared passion for soccer (futbol) create a deep sense of community and identity. 

Learn more about festivals in Peru

Peru isn't short of bucket list-worthy wonders. Here are just a few must-visit places to experience on your trip:

1. Machu Picchu

No matter how many photos you've seen, nothing can prepare you for seeing Machu Picchu in the flesh. Time slips away as you try to uncover the ruins' secrets and marvel at how such grandeur is possible in such a remote place.

2. Cusco

History comes to life in Cusco. You can't turn a corner without coming across another reminder of its Inca past. Ruins are everywhere, and even new, elegant buildings have been built upon old Inca temples, houses and markets.

3. Sacred Valley

This fertile valley is packed with Inca sites including the massive fortress of Ollantaytambo. Visit on market day when the laidback villages come to life. The cobbled streets fill with every color, produce and animal imaginable.

4. Amazon Jungle

Spend mornings watching colorful macaws and monkeys and afternoons learning about traditional plant usage or spotting crocs in oxbow lakes. Then, at night, get your torch ready to seek out the jungle's larger creatures.

5. Lima

Peru's capital is home to unexpected treasures. Dig beneath the city's surface to uncover pre-Columbian temples, a touch of elegance and a huge dose of modern distractions, like the cafe-rich district of Miraflores. Lima is also world-renowned for its incredible food scene.

6. Arequipa

The White City, as it's affectionately known, is spectacular. Surrounded by canyons, volcanoes and deserts, the location is perfect for exploring Peru's wild side. But the true beauty of the city is in its buildings, built from white volcanic rock.

7. Colca Canyon

While the canyon is a dramatic sight (it's twice as deep as the Grand Canyon), it's a glimpse of the elusive Andean condor that will really get your heart racing. With a wing span of 10.5 feet, this bird doesn't just glide, it soars.

8. Lake Titicaca

Big enough to house countless island communities, coca smugglers and the entirety of Bolivia's navy, Lake Titicaca is massive. Remnants of ancient cultures are everywhere and many communities live on reed islands as they have done for hundreds of years.

9. Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines are one of the world's great mysteries. Shapes of spiders, monkeys and birds are drawn into the desert landscape over 190 sq miles. The most amazing part? They're only visible from the air.

10. Aguas Calientes

Whether you've just trekked the Inca Trail or traveled by train through the Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes is the perfect place to stop, soak in a steaming thermal bath and reflect on the adventure so far.

The official currency of Peru is the Peruvian Sol (PEN).  

Most hotels, large retailers and tourist attractions accept credit cards but usually charge a fee (about 7%) for using them. Expect to pay cash for purchases at 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 make sure you have enough cash to cover purchases when traveling away from the larger cities!