Things to do in Peru
Rediscover Machu Picchu
Everyone who emerges through the Sun Gate is just as awestruck as the explorer who rediscovered this mountaintop treasure a century ago. Few - if any - world attractions can boast such a dramatic setting, as it clings atop a ridge surrounded by lush humid valleys and rugged Andean peaks. Even the sheer number of tourists fails to dull the impact of Machu Picchu, and the Inca stonework - cut to perfection and requiring no cement - is mind-blowing, especially when you ponder how it was achieved in such a precarious spot by a civilization which never invented wheels or metal tools.
What's more, those who hike the four-day Inca Trail have a special chance to get really immersed in the Lost City, as Tim Winkworth, from our supplier Intrepid Travel, explains: "The difference is that by hiking the Inca Trail, you get involved in it. Instead of flitting from one sight to the other, you're in it for four days. You're so immersed, it's just going to resonate much more and give you much richer, longer lasting memories." Read our Inca Trail guide to find out more.
Our Peru Vacations
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
From
US $4249
15 days
ex flights
Peru walking and cultural vacation
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru
From
US $3489
10 days
ex flights
Inca Trail adventure vacation
Discover Cuzco and the Sacred Valley on this Incan adventure
From
US $1256 to US $1760
7 days
ex flights
Southern Peru small group tour
Journey through south Peru, the heartland of the Inca Empire
From
£4042
14 days
ex flights
Peru family adventure vacation
Peru Family Adventure activity vacation
From
US $3112
8 days
ex flights
Peru in 11 day itinerary
Whisk through the highlights of Peru in just 11 days
From
£2265
11 days
ex flights
Explore the Amazon
Over half of Peru is blanketed in thick rainforest, which is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Manu National Park alone hosts more bird species than the USA and Canada combined, and Amazon tours based out of Puerto Maldonado are likely to reveal howler monkeys, sloths, anacondas, peccaries, macaws, and pink river dolphins. Keep an eye out too for elusive tapirs and pumas.
Despite being Peru's largest region, only five percent of its population lives in the Amazon, including several uncontacted tribes. Not all communities are inaccessible though; local guides are essential to get the most out of your Amazon tour, as they will reveal the secrets of the rainforest, including identifying and explaining medicinal plants - bringing the jungle to life.
Our top Peru Vacation
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
From
US $4249
15 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 23 Jun, 21 Jul, 11 Aug, 25 Aug, 8 Sep, 13 Oct
2023: 23 Jun, 21 Jul, 11 Aug, 25 Aug, 8 Sep, 13 Oct
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Discover the center of the Inca world
Inca legend describes how their founding gods emerged from Lake Titicaca![]()
Even today, the lake carries a magical aura - whether that's because of the Andean light playing off the glassy surface, the wafting incense of Catholic-Aymara ceremonies, or the altitude causing a strange lightheadedness. Visiting an Aymara community on one of Titicaca's many little islands is one of our top cultural things to do in Peru. Experience life without electricity or roads, and sample trout fresh from the lake, grilled with a dash of lime.
Get off the beaten track
Peru is enormous - yet few visitors ever venture off the well-trodden Gringo trail![]()
With hidden valleys, cut-off canyons and Quechua villages within a stone's throw of its famous landmarks, you don't have to go far to escape the crowds. One of our favourite things to do in Peru is spending a day or two in Cabanaconde, a little agricultural town near Colca Canyon and the starting point for little-hiked trails along the canyon floor. You'll have the canyon - and its inviting hot springs - all to yourself.
More about Peru
Our Peru travel guide is here to help you travel like a local, including a handy section on food, shopping and culture, plus what we rate and what we don't...
Our Peru map and highlights will help you make the most of your vacation, whether you’re seeking classic highlights, an Inca trek or combining Andes and Amazon...
Our guide to Machu Picchu reveals the history of this sacred site, with tips on what to see, how to travel there and the best time to visit...
Peru's Inca Trail is one of the highlights of a South America vacation. Discover the history of the trail, the best time to go and a sample itinerary...
There are several alternative Inca trails that lead to Machu Picchu, taking in cloud and rainforest, high passes and indigenous villages...
We explain why, when you cross the border at Lake Titicaca and see Bolivia and Peru together, you gain more than just an extra stamp in your passport...
Community homestays, brightly woven handicrafts and spectacular island hikes are Lake Titicaca’s calling cards.
The Nazca Lines in Peru remain one of the country’s great mysteries. Find out about the lines’ history, and how to view them from land and from the air...
Traveling in Peru with kids is a fabulous idea. Machu Picchu will delight children as much as parents, while long-lashed llamas are sure to enchant...
Our Peru travel tips page is packed to the rafters with sound, practical advice from our South America experts as well as our independent traveler reviews...
Porters' rights are one of the most important Peru responsible tourism issues. We also share information on volunteering, homestays and the environment...
Find all of our Peru guides in one place, for particular places in Peru such as Machu Picchu. Or perhaps you would like to know more about the different types of Peru vacations we offer such as culture or trekking the Inca Trail.
