Peru holidays
Peru holidays at a glance
Visitors on our holidays to Peru are spoilt for choice, with options ranging from impressive imperial cities to humble, welcoming villages. Adding to the colour of Peru’s contemporary culture are many fiestas, markets and music styles. A large part of Peru lies within the Amazon basin, cloaked in lush tropical forests. Despite this, the country’s diverse and unique wildlife and flora are surprisingly accessible.
The country’s coastline is dotted with fascinating ruins, reminders of rich ancient cultures. Woven amongst this natural and historical wonder, Spanish colonial heritage remains prominent, providing a living record of rich architecture and art.
Our Peru holidays take in more than almost anywhere else on the continent. Most people come to visit Machu Picchu, and it delivers, but there’s far more to Peru than the ruins. The country stretches from the Pacific coast through the Andes Mountains to the Amazon Basin, and most Peru holidays take in at least three of those landscapes, along with a rich cultural heritage you’ll feel in the markets, the food and the ancient Inca sites.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Peru
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
“Don’t skip Lake Titicaca – the boat out to the Uros islands is the quiet highlight most people don’t expect. And go easy on your first day in Cusco; the altitude catches people out.”
When to visit Peru
Peru can be visited year-round, but the best time depends on where you’re going. The Andes and Machu Picchu are at their best in the dry season from May to October; the Amazon runs to its own rhythm; and Lima’s coast is warm and sunny from December to April.
Local holiday season and summertime on the coast, with hot days and plenty of sunshine; it is the wet season throughout the central highlands and some rain should be expected on roughly half of all days; rains are also most frequent in the Amazon at this time. Carnival celebrations in February are particularly notable in the northern town of Cajamarca.
The desert coast remains warm and sunny; in the Andes the rains gradually lessen as the wet season comes to an end, and Easter celebrations are vibrant throughout the region, particularly in Cuzco and Ayacucho; rains are still frequent in the Amazon and water levels high.
The coast is dry and temperate, although Lima can be cool and misty; it is a particularly glorious time to travel in the Andes, with landscapes green and fresh after the wet season, and a number of celebrations, notably Corpus Christi and the spectacular Inca festival of Inti Raymi on the 24th June. May marks the start of the drier low water season in the Amazon, although some rain should be expected throughout the year.
The coast is dry and temperate, although Lima is likely to be cool and misty; this is the driest time to visit the mountains – rain is unlikely, days are bright and clear and the sun is strong, but temperatures do drop sharply at night, potentially below zero at the higher altitudes. Water levels in the Amazon recede and jungle trails are most accessible.
The coast is dry and temperate, although Lima is likely to be cool and misty; this can be a very pleasant time to travel in the mountains – sunny days, with only the occasional shower and night-time temperatures which are a little less severe. Water levels in the Amazon are likely to be at their lowest and jungle trails are most accessible.
Temperatures build on the coast and Lima turns increasingly warm and sunny as summer approaches; in the mountains, rain becomes increasingly likely, though tends to come as sudden bursts or showers with sunshine returning afterwards; increased cloud cover makes for more temperate nights. Rainfall increases in the Amazon and water levels rise.
Places to visit in Peru
Discover our guide to the most exciting, memorable and inspiring places to visit in Peru.
Machu Picchu
Few archaeological sites in the world compare to Machu Picchu, where ancient Inca stonework clings to a mountain ridge high above a jungle-clad valley. Nestled among cloud-wreathed Andean peaks at 2,430m, this corner of Machu Picchu Peru combines spectacular scenery, remarkable architecture and fascinating history to create one of South America’s most unforgettable travel experiences.
Arequipa, Peru’s White City, lies beneath volcanic peaks, its pearl-coloured colonial architecture glowing in the sunshine. Nearby, the vast Colca Canyon offers spectacular scenery and soaring Andean condors, making Arequipa holidays a rewarding part of southern Peru.
Top Things to do in Peru
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our Travel Experts. Browse our selection of the best things to do in Peru below.
Walk the Inca Trail, South America’s most iconic trek, to reach the Sun Gate at dawn for spectacular views over Machu Picchu.
Experience the capital’s world-class cuisine for yourself on this introduction to Peruvian food and drink, from ceviche and anticuchos to the potent Pisco Sour cocktail.
Visit tiny islands bobbing on the surface of Lake Titicaca, inhabited by an indigenous community who build their floating homes out of reeds.
Accommodation in Peru
We hand-pick every place we use for character, location and quality – from boutique hotels in Lima’s Barranco to converted colonial buildings in Cusco, lodges looking over the Sacred Valley, lakeside hotels in Puno and eco-lodges deep in the Amazon. We’ll match the style to your trip, whether that’s simple and well-placed or somewhere special for a night or two.
Arequipa’s best hotel offers attentive service in a beautiful, historic building that formerly housed Peru’s Imperial Mint.
Mid-range hotel with excellent location on Arequipa’s elegant main square.
Rustically styled lodge in a beautiful riverside location, with its own thermal baths and a cosy atmosphere that places an emphasis on relaxation.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Peru
We offer a wide range of tours to Peru, from expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Escorted Group Tours. Browse our range of carefully crafted Peru tours and holidays, including active treks through the Andes and Amazon, gastronomic tours of the best food and drink, family adventures on the trail of Paddington Bear and group tours combining Peru with Bolivia or the Galapagos Islands. Use the options below to filter by region, trip style and duration.
Group Peru Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Swift: Ultimate highlights of Peru
Places visited: Lima · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side
10 days from £2,790
Andean Flamingo: Andes laid bare
Places visited: Lima · Cusco · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · Lake Titicaca – Bolivian side · La Paz and the altiplano · Uyuni salt flats · Atacama Desert · Santiago and the vineyards
17 days from £5,636
Tico Tico: Culture of the Northern Andes
Places visited: Lima · Northern Peru
15 days from £3,253
Tailor-Made Peru Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
A Taste of Peru
Places visited: Lima · Paracas, Ica and Nazca · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Machu Picchu · Cusco
12 days from £4,470
Active Peru and Bolivia: trekking Andean peaks to tropical rainforest
Places visited: Lima · Cusco · Machu Picchu · Lake Titicaca – Peruvian side · La Paz and the altiplano
17 days from £4,140
Active Peru: The Santa Cruz Trek
Places visited: Lima · Northern Peru
10 days from £3,150
FAQs about visiting Peru
Peru is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- Do I need a visa to visit Peru?
Holders of a full British passport don’t need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive, and you may be asked to show proof of onward travel. If you’re travelling via the US, you’ll also need an ESTA. For the latest entry requirements, check the FCDO travel pages or contact us.
- How do I get to Peru from the UK?
There are no direct flights from the UK to Peru. Most routes connect through a European or US hub – common connections include Madrid, Amsterdam and Miami. Flights land at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, around 45 minutes from the city centre.
Flight time is typically 12 to 15 hours depending on routing. We’re happy to quote international flights separately based on your dates and preferences.
- How do I get around Peru?
Distances are large, so domestic flights are the most practical way to move between regions. The flight from Lima to Cusco takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.
From Cusco, we arrange private transfers to the Sacred Valley and train connections to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu. Cusco to Puno, for Lake Titicaca, is around six to seven hours by road across the high Altiplano, or you can take the scenic PeruRail Titicaca train.
Reaching the Amazon means a short flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado or from Lima to Iquitos.
- What currency is used in Peru?
Peru uses the Peruvian sol (PEN). ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns, and credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants.
US dollars are accepted in many tourist areas, but you’ll get a better deal paying in sol. Carry cash for markets, smaller restaurants and remote areas. Peru is five hours behind GMT.
- How long should I spend in Peru?
Two weeks is ideal for a full tour covering Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and either Colca Canyon or the Amazon. Ten days comfortably cover the main highlights.
With three weeks, you can add the Amazon, the Nazca Lines, or a crossing into Bolivia. Peru also combines well with Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, or with Argentina and Patagonia as part of a wider trip.
- What’s the best time of year to visit Peru?
The dry season from May to October is best for the Andes, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca – warm days, cold nights and clear skies. The Inca Trail closes in February.
Lima’s coast is warmest from December to April, and the Amazon can be visited year-round, with different advantages in each season. We can advise on the best timing for your itinerary.
- What countries combine well with Peru?
Peru pairs naturally with Bolivia – many of our holidays cross from Lake Titicaca into La Paz and the Uyuni salt flats. Ecuador is a short flight from Lima, and a Peru–Ecuador–Galápagos Islands itinerary is one of our most popular.
For a broader South America trip, you can add Argentina and Buenos Aires, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, Chile or Colombia. Our Travel Experts can design a multi-country tour around you.
- What vaccinations do I need for Peru?
Please check current health recommendations for Peru before you travel. A yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you’re visiting the Amazon, and you may need a certificate if travelling on to certain other countries.
Altitude sickness is a consideration in Cusco (3,400m) and at Lake Titicaca (3,812m) – we build acclimatisation time into all our itineraries. For up-to-date advice, check the FCDO travel pages or contact us.
- Is Peru safe to visit?
The main tourist areas – Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon lodges – are well visited and generally safe.
As anywhere, take sensible precautions, particularly in Lima and Cusco. We plan every itinerary carefully using trusted local partners and established routes. Check the FCDO travel pages for current government advice, and our Travel Experts will flag anything relevant to your trip.
- What is the food like in Peru?
The food is one of the highlights of any trip. Lima ranks among South America’s best places to eat – ceviche made with fresh fish cured in lime juice, lomo saltado (a stir-fried beef dish with Chinese-Peruvian roots), and ají de gallina (shredded chicken in a creamy, mildly spiced sauce).
Try a pisco sour, Peru’s national cocktail, in a rooftop bar overlooking the Pacific. In the Andes, the traditional dishes include hearty soups, roasted guinea pig (cuy), and quinoa; in the Amazon, freshwater fish and tropical fruit. Wherever you go, our local restaurants of choice are ones we’ll happily point you to.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.
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Peru offers unforgettable family holidays filled with ancient ruins, vibrant cultures, exciting activities and delicious food.
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