Peru is among the hottest locations in South America, owing to the truth that it’s dwelling to the bucket-list favourite and Marvel of the World Machu Picchu. Round 500,000 individuals go to the traditional Incan citadel annually — a quantity that might be a lot increased if it wasn’t for the mandates put in place to stop overcrowding.
However there’s extra to Peru than simply Machu Picchu. And there’s extra to the Andes than the Inca Path.
Peru may be very geographically and culturally various (it’s the third-largest nation on the continent) so there’s much more on provide right here than most vacationers anticipate. From the nice eating vacation spot of Lima to the floating islands off the Uros to the Peruvian Amazon to the pyramids and tombs of Batán Grande to the desert oasis of Huacachina, there’s a lot to see on this South American nation that limiting your self to the Sacred Valley could be a missed alternative.
For the intrepid traveler with loads of time, many of those locations could be explored solo. Nevertheless, getting round Peru could be difficult and finances vacationers with restricted time ought to contemplate choosing an organized tour. And there are many respected and inexpensive tour corporations in Peru that may make your journey smoother, permitting you to focus your consideration and vitality on the websites, individuals, tradition, and historical past of the place.
That can assist you get monetary savings and profit from your time, I’ve put collectively an inventory of the perfect tour corporations in Peru. From strolling excursions to multi-day excursions to adventure-laden guided excursions, these excursions won’t be as low-cost as touring solo however they may take in the complications that usually include touring in another country (particularly one as giant and gradual to navigate as Peru).
Listed here are the perfect tour corporations in Peru:
1. Intrepid Journey
Intrepid runs excursions in each nook of the planet they usually’re at all times a strong alternative due to their give attention to sustainability and accountable journey. I’ve been on a number of of their excursions through the years they usually by no means disappoint. And whereas Intrepid presents excursions of Machu Picchu and the Inca Path, in addition they emphasize the opposite elements of this stunning nation too.
Their Basic Peru tour ($2,057 USD), for instance, spans 9 days and circles the nation, overlaying lots of the main highlights, together with Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca.
Intrepid is considered one of my go-to corporations for multiday excursions. Each time I guide a multi-day journey I’m going with them. It’s best to to. I can’t suggest them sufficient!
2. Alpaca Expeditions
This Cusco-based firm is owned and operated by native Peruvians. Calling themselves the “Inexperienced Machine,” Alpaca Expeditions is dedicated to being a completely sustainable tour firm. The trekking excursions are heavy on Machu Picchu and the Inca Path—as a result of Alpaca is extremely rated for them—however in addition they provide “different excursions” to some off-the-radar locations like trekking the Salkantay. You may spend 5 days there, mountaineering across the Humantay Blue Lagoon, for instance, or should you don’t need the dedication, they even provide a one-day hike.
There are additionally trekking excursions to the seven lakes of Ausangate, and different spots across the Sacred Valley. Their basic four-day Inca Path hike is $795 USD per individual whereas their five-day Choquequirao trek is $700 USD.
3. Choquequirao Trek
The Misplaced Incan Metropolis of Choquequirao could be reached through a two-day trek from Cusco. And this native tour firm makes a speciality of mountaineering to the ruins of the Fifteenth-century metropolis that could be a nice different to the extremely trafficked Machu Picchu website (lower than 10,000 individuals go to annually, in comparison with the two,500 individuals who go to Machu Picchu every day).
You are able to do the basic four-day trek to Choquequirao for $520 USD or you possibly can combine issues up and do an extended eight-day hike that goes from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu for $1,250 USD, or you possibly can mix it with a jaunt on the Incan Path. There are tons of inexpensive choices!
4. Colca Excursions
Based mostly within the metropolis of Arequipa, Colca Excursions makes a speciality of trekking and bus excursions to Colca Canyon, a deep and dramatic ravine that’s dotted with historical villages. One of many deepest canyons on this planet, it’s dwelling to the Andean condor and boasts unimaginable (and difficult) trekking and views. Along with mountaineering excursions, in addition they run bike and horse excursions. Many of the excursions final one to 4 days and a few excursions embrace extra adventurous components resembling rafting and mountaineering. Their normal four-day hike is simply $150 USD.
5. Amazonas Explorer
Amazonas Explorer is a personal tour firm that operates within the Sacred Valley in addition to within the Amazon. They organize non-public group excursions and won’t solely take you to Machu Picchu however to quite a lot of off the overwhelmed path treks across the area. Additionally they do non-trek actions like ebikes and white water rafting. Their guides are actually good, converse fluent English, and are so educated you’re feeling such as you’re studying from a professor. (They have been featured within the guide Turn Right at Machu Picchu.) They’re a fantastic choice if you wish to do one thing by yourself, get extra off the overwhelmed path, or are an enormous group of people that desire a tour tailor-made to your personal wants.
Peru is such a geographically and culturally various place, it might take quite a lot of time, vitality, and cash to see all of it on one journey — particularly should you plan on mountaineering. For those who’re quick on time, contemplate a tour for some or all your journey. In spite of everything, cash returns; time doesn’t.
Guide Your Journey to Peru: Logistical Ideas and Methods
Guide Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to discover a low-cost flight. They’re my favourite search engine as a result of they search web sites and airways across the globe so that you at all times know no stone is left unturned.
Guide Your Lodging
You may guide your hostel with Hostelworld as they’ve the most important stock and greatest offers. If you wish to keep someplace aside from a hostel, use Booking.com as they persistently return the most cost effective charges for guesthouses and low-cost inns.
Don’t Neglect Journey Insurance coverage
Journey insurance coverage will shield you towards sickness, damage, theft, and cancellations. It’s complete safety in case something goes flawed. I by no means go on a visit with out it as I’ve had to make use of it many instances up to now. My favourite corporations that provide the perfect service and worth are:
On the lookout for the Greatest Corporations to Save Cash With?
Take a look at my resource page for the perfect corporations to make use of whenever you journey. I listing all those I take advantage of to economize after I’m on the street. They are going to prevent cash whenever you journey too.
Need Extra Info on Peru?
Remember to go to my robust destination guide on Peru for much more planning suggestions!
