Best Places to Visit in Peru
Most of our trips start in Cusco, the former Inca capital, and from there go to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, the high Andes and the Amazon. These are the places our travelers visit most, with the tours that go there.
Cusco and the Sacred Valley
In Cusco, Inca walls stand under colonial churches, and Sacsayhuamán is just above the city. The Sacred Valley, lower than Cusco, has the Inca sites of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, the Maras salt pans and the circular terraces of Moray. Cusco is at about 3,400 m, so plan a couple of days here before any trek.
Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail
You can reach Machu Picchu by train or on foot. The Classic Inca Trail takes four days from Km 82 and enters the site through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku); the Short Inca Trail walks the last section in one day. Inca Trail permits are limited, so book early.
Treks without an Inca Trail permit
The Salkantay Trek crosses a high pass beside Salkantay mountain and visits Humantay Lake. The Lares Trek goes through Andean villages. Choquequirao is a remote Inca site above the Apurímac canyon. The Inca Jungle route mixes mountain biking, rafting and hiking on the way to Machu Picchu.
Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is a full-day trip from Cusco with a steep walk at high altitude. With more days, the Ausangate trek camps around Ausangate mountain, past glacial lakes, and includes Rainbow Mountain.
The Amazon: Tambopata and Manu
Tambopata is reached by flying to Puerto Maldonado and suits trips of three or four days. Manu is reached by road from Cusco, through the cloud forest, and needs four to seven days.
Lima, the south coast, Arequipa and Lake Titicaca
Our longer packages add Lima, the Huacachina oasis and the Ballestas Islands on the south coast, or Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, known for its condors. Ask us if you want to add Lake Titicaca and the Uros floating islands near Puno.