Peru guide
No matter whether you’re looking for a 2 min summary or want to delve deeper and discover what we rate & what we don’t, our Peru travel guide is here to help you travel like a local, including a handy section on food, shopping & people.
Machu Picchu tips & advice
Sunrise
Sarah Miginiac, General Manager Latin America for our specialist tour operator G Adventures:
“The ticketing system has been a big positive. This kind of thing is used at tourism attractions around the world. The fixed scheduling means if you want to see the sunrise you no longer see these massive queues for the bus. It’s worth noting, though, that the sunrise is not always as impressive as people think it will be, there’s often mist up there for one thing.”
“The ticketing system has been a big positive. This kind of thing is used at tourism attractions around the world. The fixed scheduling means if you want to see the sunrise you no longer see these massive queues for the bus. It’s worth noting, though, that the sunrise is not always as impressive as people think it will be, there’s often mist up there for one thing.”
Our Machu Picchu Vacations
Peruvian Andes trekking vacation to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu with an International Guide and Doctor.
From
US $3232
14 days
ex flights
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
From
US $3999 to US $4249
15 days
ex flights
Inca Trail trekking vacation, alternative route
Discover the beauty of the Inca Trail in a different way
From
£645
5 days
ex flights
Adventure vacation Peru
Inca culture to sea lions on Peru adventure
From
US $3455 to US $3915
15 days
ex flights
High Inca trail trek in Peru
Machu Picchu, Inca fortresses and cloud forest
From
US $3049
14 days
ex flights
Cuzco, Machu Picchu and the Amazon tour
Experience Peru & the ancient Inca Empire
From
US $2374
10 days
ex flights
Inca trail vacation, Peru
Retrace the steps of a fascinating civilisation
From
US $1326 to US $1905
8 days
ex flights
Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek
Bucket List Adventure Trekking to Machu Picchu
From
£350 to £480
4 days
ex flights
Peru small group tour, Andes and Incas
Explore ancient empires, local life and wild scenery in Peru
From
£2599
14 days
ex flights
Peru highlights vacation, 10 days
Discover Peru's highlights from Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca
From
£2407
10 days
ex flights
Cusco, Sacred Valley and Macchu Picchu
Sacred valley and Cusco vacation
From
€1550
7 days
ex flights
Peru highlights tour
Customisable journey through the heart of Peru's Andes.
From
£1880
14 days
ex flights
Peru vacation, encompassed
Coastal desert, snowy Andean peaks and lush forest
From
US $3599 to US $3949
15 days
ex flights
Peru wildlife vacation, Amazon to Andes
Wildlife watching in North, Central and Eastern Peru
From
£4500
18 days
ex flights
Family vacation to Peru, tailor made
Experience Peru's top sights as a family
From
£3560
19 days
ex flights
Peru bird watching vacation
Best birding destinations near Cusco and Machu Picchu
From
US $1916
9 days
ex flights
Peru 12 day itinerary, tailor made
Highlights of Peru: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu
From
£1795
12 days
ex flights
Alternative Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu
Remote trekking to Machu Picchu
From
US $2570
15 days
ex flights
Peru wildlife tour with Machu Picchu
Trip combining wonderful Machu Picchu and Paddington Bear
From
£2150
9 days
ex flights
Exciting family vacation in Peru
A fabulous family vacation including the best of Peru
From
US $2900 to US $3700
15 days
ex flights
Peru highlights vacation
Discover the most enchanting destinations Peru has to offer!
From
US $1290 to US $1805
8 days
ex flights
Family vacation in Peru
Amazon rainforest and Peruvian culture family adventure
From
US $2760 to US $3000
9 days
ex flights
Machu Picchu and Titicaca vacation
Traverse mountainous landscapes from La Paz to Cusco
From
US $2500 to US $2710
15 days
ex flights
Classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu
Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for 4 days
From
US $645 to US $690
4 days
ex flights
Choquequirao to Machu Picchu hiking vacation, Peru
Choquequirao - trek to a lost Inca City, Peru
From
£1188
7 days
ex flights
Peru tailor made vacation, Machu Picchu & Tambopata
Stunning Andean scenery, Inca history, and a superb rainforest experience
From
£2900
12 days
ex flights
Lares homestay trek in Peru
Peru trekking with a unique cultural twist
From
US $495 to US $959
4 days
ex flights
Peru tour, small group
Peru on an adventure from mountains & Altiplano to jungle,
From
US $2315 to US $2625
9 days
ex flights
Mountain climbing
Heather MacBrayne, founder of our specialist operator Discover South America:
“There’s a one-way system around the main sites, so you can’t miss anything on a guided tour. But there are some places everyone should see. The Sun Gate just inside the entrance is the iconic vantage point. The Condor Temple is a must-see too, and if you have time I recommend also seeing the Incan Drawbridge. And also climb Machu Picchu Mountain. It’s a longer trek than the more popular Huayna Picchu but not as steep or narrow. The views are just as stunning but you’re sharing them with fewer people. Officially you get four hours on the site, but if you do a trek, which takes about three hours, you are allowed to stay for six.”
“There’s a one-way system around the main sites, so you can’t miss anything on a guided tour. But there are some places everyone should see. The Sun Gate just inside the entrance is the iconic vantage point. The Condor Temple is a must-see too, and if you have time I recommend also seeing the Incan Drawbridge. And also climb Machu Picchu Mountain. It’s a longer trek than the more popular Huayna Picchu but not as steep or narrow. The views are just as stunning but you’re sharing them with fewer people. Officially you get four hours on the site, but if you do a trek, which takes about three hours, you are allowed to stay for six.”
Jennifer Cox, walking vacations product manager for our specialist operator Exodus Travel:
“We’ve been offering the Moonstone Trail as an alternative to the Inca Trail for about a decade now. Many people choose it because it’s so remote - you can often walk for four days and not bump into a single other group. It’s probably the most challenging of the various alternative routes to the Inca Trail and reaches some high altitudes. However most of the porterage is by horse, so if you’re struggling, you can usually get a ride.”
“We’ve been offering the Moonstone Trail as an alternative to the Inca Trail for about a decade now. Many people choose it because it’s so remote - you can often walk for four days and not bump into a single other group. It’s probably the most challenging of the various alternative routes to the Inca Trail and reaches some high altitudes. However most of the porterage is by horse, so if you’re struggling, you can usually get a ride.”
Our top Machu Picchu Vacation
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
From
US $3999 to US $4249
15 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 15 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 3 Jun, 24 Jun, 22 Jul, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep, 14 Oct
2023: 14 Apr, 5 May, 19 May, 2 Jun, 23 Jun, 21 Jul, 11 Aug, 25 Aug, 8 Sep, 13 Oct
2022: 15 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 3 Jun, 24 Jun, 22 Jul, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep, 14 Oct
2023: 14 Apr, 5 May, 19 May, 2 Jun, 23 Jun, 21 Jul, 11 Aug, 25 Aug, 8 Sep, 13 Oct
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Machu Picchu or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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MACHU PICCHU TIPS FROM OUR TRAVELLER REVIEWS
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do – and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Machu Picchu travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Machu Picchu travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
Of course Machu Picchu is amazing, but I also loved Cusco and Arequipa. Wandering around the streets of Cusco and finding beautiful squares was a great experience.![]()
– Nigel Parsons
“The Inca Trail is physically demanding and if you are 50+ (I am nearly 70) some good training in preparation is essential to enjoy the trek. There are literally many hundreds of roughly constructed rock steps up and down... Trekking poles are a big help. If you go to one museum before or after Machu Picchu make it the Casa Concha Museum in Cusco which features all the artefacts found by Hiram Bingham during his excavations and returned a century later by Yale University.” – Stephen Shirley
“Our group of eight porters, a cook and a guide were all employed from the local area so it was helping local farmers to supplement their income. The porters were also very careful to make sure that everyone on the hike was respecting the local environment and leaving as little trace as possible.” – Elfie Burgess
“Our group of eight porters, a cook and a guide were all employed from the local area so it was helping local farmers to supplement their income. The porters were also very careful to make sure that everyone on the hike was respecting the local environment and leaving as little trace as possible.” – Elfie Burgess
More relevant guides
More about Machu Picchu
Learn when to visit Machu Picchu, taking into account climate and peak tourist season.
This incredible Inca citadel casts a spell over visitors today just as it did a century ago.
Learn the key sites in and around the Machu Picchu site with our Map & Highlights.
All you need to know about how to get to Machu Picchu, and what trekking there involves.
Find out how to avoid the worst of the crowds at Machu Picchu with expert tips.
In 2011, Machu Picchu celebrated 100 years since its (sort-of) rediscovery.
Discover lesser known, less-busy alternative Inca sites to Machu Picchu in Peru.
Learn more about some of the key tourism issues and solutions at Machu Picchu.
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