travel to
Peru
Peru, the land where Spanish, indigenous, African and Asian influences mix, where trails wend their way through deep valleys and over high passes, past half-forgotten Inca ruins to reach the citadel at Machu Picchu. Fly over the geoglyphs etched into the desert at Nazca, visit remote communities and see how old ways live on at Lake Titicaca, explore colonial towns such as Cuzco and Arequipa and join the locals tasting the many culinary treats on offer in Lima.
best time to travel
The best time to travel to Peru is the dry season from April through October. Visiting Peru in April and May you will see lush landscapes and flowers in bloom, while September and October are also great months to travel to Peru.
places to go
key experiences
Lima
Underneath its frenzied appearance, Peru's capital has a sophistication all its own. Stately museums, edgy art galleries and great restaurants all reflect the history and mixture of cultures Peru is famous for.
Cuzco
A splendid blend of ancient Inca fortresses, temples and colonial Spanish churches and mansions, Cuzco is for many a highlight of their trip to Peru. Explore its many plazas, museums and shops and while away the hours just wandering its winding streets.
Machu Picchu
This ancient Inca citadel, forgotten until the early 20th century, is for many the reason they came to Peru in the first place. An air of grandeur, mystery and spirituality pervades the fortress, perched high above the valley below.
Sacred Valley, Pisac & Ollantaytambo
This scenic valley, lined with high terraced mountains and sprinkled with Inca Ruins and traditional markets, is an easy day trip from Cuzco. Pisac, located at the foot of a spectacular set of Inca ruins, attracts travellers searching for the spiritual, but also offers a great market and nearby weaving villages. Another not-to-be-missed town is Ollantaytambo with its maze-like streets and babbling irrigation channels.
Inca trail
One of the most popular treks in the world, the Inca Trail follows ancient pathways to the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. Beautiful scenery, ancient ruins and high passes are hallmarks of the trek. Permits go on sale each fall for the next year - you should book that far ahead of time for the busy summer season. Alternatives exist though, so if you cannot get a permit, let us help you find another great trek!
Amazon
Huge tracts of rainforest extend from the eastern flank of the Andes all the way to the Brazilian coast, and it is here that you can discover a biodiversity so rich it boggles the mind. Wildlife spotting, birdwatching, walks through the jungle and canoe trips to salt licks are but some of the activities on offer.
Lake Titicaca
The largest lake in South America, considered to be the birthplace of the sun, is home to many indigenous highland cultures. Visit the floating Uros Islands or enjoy a homestay at pretty Taquile Island.
Arequipa & the Colca Canyon
Guarded by three volcanoes, pretty Arquipa, with its baroque mansions and churches, is a good place to discover Peruvian cuisine. It is also the gateway to the Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest. Its ever-changing scenery make for a great place to hike.
Nazca Lines
No one knows who made the Nazca lines, or why. What we do know is that these ancient geometric lines are worth a visit!
Seeing the sunrise over Machu Picchu
Get up early and travel on foot or by bus to the citadel to see the sun rise over the surrounding mountains and light up this ancient fortress. However you approach the ruins, seeing them by sunrise is an experience not to be missed.
Peruvian cuisine
Guinea pig anyone? While this may be Peru's most (in)famous dish, Peruvian cuisine is something not to be missed. Ceviche should be on the top of your list and don't forget to try causa (potatoes & avocado), lomo saltado (stir-fry), anticuchos (grilled meat skewers), roast chicken and lucuma ice cream. Ask us about our cooking classes and we'll show you how to make some delightful dishes!
Hiking the Inca Trail
Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incas, discovering the fortresses they built. Hike through cloud forests and over high mountain passes. On your last day, see the sun rise over Machu Picchu - truly an unforgettable experience.
Lake Titicaca homestay
Overnight in a traditional Andean home on an island in Lake Titicaca. Get up with the sun, wander through the village or across the island and see where your feet will take you.
Into the Amazon
Go on foot or by (motorized) canoe and discover the enormously rich biodiversity of the largest undisturbed forest in the world. Trek to a macaw lick and watch in awe as hundreds of birds fly in on the still forest air. Spot caiman and capybaras from the bow of your boat. Day or night, the jungle will relutantly offer up its secrets. Sssh - did you hear that? Could that be a jaguar?
Explore museums
Peru has some outstanding museums. From the catacombs and the Archaeological and National Museums in Lima to the convent and Museum of pre-Colombian art in Cuzco, the monastery in Arequipa and the spectacular museum in Lambayeque housing the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, Peruvian museums are world-class.
Fly over the Nazca Lines
More than 10,000 lines, figures and shapes crowd the desert around Nazca and they are best experienced from a small aircraft.
See condors soar over Colca
The world's second deepest canyon is the place in Peru to watch condors gracefully circle on the thermal winds, slowly making their way downriver.