Peru is one of those wonderfully diverse countries offering the traveler so many exciting experiences it can be difficult to narrow down what components to include in a typical vacation. Geographically, Peru includes magnificent Andes Mountains where you find the famous cultural capitals of Cusco, Arequipa & Lake Titicaca. Without a doubt the highlight of your trip to Peru will be your time at the mysterious Incan site of Machu Picchu. Whether you arrive by tourist train, or hike in via the spectacular Inca Trail, you will be inspired by its serene setting. Your base city for travel to Machu Picchu will be Cusco, itself a fabulous colonial city located high in the Andes. It comes complete with plazas, markets, stunning cathedrals, interesting museums, wonderful restaurants and a wide variety of hotel options.

A wide strip of desert & coastal regions are located to the north and south of the capital city of Lima, and are home to several pre-Colombian civilizations. To the north you can visit the recent excavations of the Royal Tomb of Sipan, and several other remarkable archaeological sites. To the south are the mysterious Nazca Lines. The remaining half of the country is lowland rainforest, making up a substantial portion of the Amazon basin. Manu National Park and Tambopata National Reserve are two popular areas for pristine rainforest exploration, offering a wide variety of accommodations and experiences. You can easily add these to any Peru itinerary, as they are just a short plane flight from Cusco.

We offer quite a variety of group trips, and several comprehensive independent, customized itineraries that allow you to explore as much of the country as you have the time and energy to enjoy.

Our Highlights of Peru tour will give you a sampling of all the “must-see” stops that fit into an 8-day itinerary. To add in the colonial city of Arequipa, and spend a few days in the incredible Colca Canyon, our Cultural Explorations of Peru is the trip for you.

Peru adventure tours generally focus on the top-notch trekking opportunities around the country. By far the most popular Peru adventure tour is the Inca Trail Trek. You’ll follow in the footsteps of the Incas as you visit remote archeological sites during your 4-day hike to Machu Picchu. If you prefer not to camp, but still enjoy hiking and exploring unique villages & all the highlights too, our Inca Trails of Cusco will be your perfect choice. For a more extensive trek into Machu Picchu we offer the Mt. Salkantay & Inca Trail trek, while the Cordillera Vilcanota brings you through the villages and mountain scenery south of Cusco. Extensive hikes in the Cordillera Blanca & Cordillera Huayhuash in the northern Andes are also spectacular.

The extensive Amazon basin is the setting for a multitude of natural history tours in Peru. For a great introduction into the rainforest in 4-day trip, we recommend our Taste of the Amazon tour with lodging at either Posada Amazonas or Refugion Amazons. A visit to the more remote and educationally oriented Tambopata Macaw Research Center provides you with an opportunity to observe one of the largest Macaw clay-licks in the world. Comfortable lodging and diversity of wildlife can also be found in our programs at the Manu Nature Center.

For a complete listing of our group departures, and suggested custom designed itineraries please visit our Peru Trip Index.