Why should you holiday in Peru?

It’s hard not to be enchanted by Peru’s natural and historical diversity.

On a holiday in Peru, you get a country where you can discover the Inca Empire, Spanish colonialism and magnificent outdoor experiences on one and the same journey.

Rarely will you find a country whose nature varies as much, and is home to the lush Amazon rainforest, vast lakes, the Andes Mountains and the driest sandy desert. In addition, its historical background and the fantastic cities help make Peru a wonderful travel destination.

Our tours to Peru

Peru offers many sights and attractions, and below is a sample of the experiences that await you our tours.

Lima, the capital of Peru

Lima is Peru’s biggest city and capital.

Visit Lima’s historic city centre, where you will find the Plaza Mayor, the city’s vibrant central square. From here, you have easy access to some of the beautiful colonial buildings, such as the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and the city’s magnificent cathedral.

Visit the modern neighbourhood of Miraflores, where you can relax in the beautiful parks, on the beach or at one of the cosy cafés.

Lima offers a multicultural society in the most literal sense, with the perfect union of people originating from all major European countries, Asia and Africa. Multiculturalism is also reflected in the Peruvian cuisine, which is famous all over the world. Try some of Peru’s traditional dishes, such as fried guinea pig or ceviche, which is raw fish marinated in lemon juice.

Machu Picchu – Walk in the Incas’ footsteps

80km from Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, you will find the Machu Picchu ruins, Peru’s biggest attraction and one of the seven new wonders of the world.

Machu Picchu, which was built in the 15th century, was home to priests, artisans, high-ranking officers and others who had devoted their lives to the Sun God.

Machu Picchu remained undiscovered during colonisation by the Spanish, and was thus never plundered. The ruins have immense cultural significance today and the “lost city of the Incas” is regarded as sacred.

Machu Picchu enjoys a wonderful location on a steep ridge, surrounded by cloud forest and verdant mountain tops, so not only does the fascinating history of the Incas await you in Machu Picchu, but stunning views, too.

The Inca Trek

If you wish to enjoy the full Inca experience, you might consider combining your tour with the Inca Trek, which follows the famous Inca trail, providing insight into the legendary history of the Incas.

Discover the beautiful scenery with its snow-capped mountains, green valleys, cloud forest and local villages and impressive ruins. The trek ends with a visit to Machu Picchu.

Please be aware that places are limited on the Inca Trek, so be sure to book in good time.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is one of Peru’s major attractions, an outdoor experience that is an absolute must-see on your trip.

The lake is located in the Andes, on the border between Peru and Bolivia, and the two countries share the lake. Situated at an altitude of 3,856 metres, Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest lake.
The shores of the lake and its islands are inhabited by small indigenous communities who live by hunting and fishing. You visit two different peoples to gain an insight into their different ways of life and cultures, including the Uros people, who live on reed islands in Puno Bay.

From the top of the island of Taquile, you also have the opportunity to enjoy the stunning views over the vast lake.

The colonial-era city of Arequipa

Arequipa lies at an altitude of almost 2,400 metres, surrounded by three snow-capped volcanoes, giving the town an idyllic location and a unique atmosphere.

The city is built almost entirely of white volcanic stone, hence its nickname “the white city”, where you can, for example, discover the cathedral and the old colonial buildings.

The main attraction in Arequipa is the Santa Catalina Monastery, which was founded in 1580. The monastery housed more than 400 nuns, and during colonial times, it was tradition that the second daughter of rich families had to be a nun. Exploring the monastery is quite an experience, and around 20 nuns live there today.

Other highlights in Peru

Whether you are interested in the historic landmarks of the Inca Empire, the legacy of the Spanish colonists or Peru’s stunning scenery, there are many more highlights to address, including:

• Cusco, the formal capital of the Inca Empire, not to mention a Spanish colonial city. Here, you will discover Inca fortresses, colonial buildings and stunning views of the Andes. Not far from Cusco, you will find the Urubamba Valley, the Inca’s Sacred Valley, where you visit the small villages which, among other things, offer indigenous markets.

• The Nazca Lines consist of a number of drawings in the sand of animals and geometric figures. The scratches in the dry surface of the desert have been preserved for 2,000 years, due partly to the lack of rain and partly the winds, which have cleansed the area without erasing it. They are said to have been drawn by the Nazca people in the period from 200 BC to 700 AD.

• Colca Canyon is a 3,191-metre deep gorge north of Arequipa. The gorge is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and the world’s second deepest canyon. Colca Canyon is a magnificent and dramatic experience, where, if you are lucky, you will also experience the condor, the world’s largest flying bird, with a wingspan of up to 3 metres.

Combine with Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Combine Peru with a tour to Ecuador for a unique opportunity to experience two fantastic South-American countries.

In Ecuador, you can look forward to discovering the fascinating capital Quito, which is one of the world’s highest capitals.

On a tour of the city, you can experience sights including the well-preserved historic buildings and cathedrals, such as the 115-metre-high church, Basílica del Voto Nacional. A must-see in Quito is La Mitad del Mundo – the equator line – where you can stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern hemisphere.

You can’t travel to Ecuador without visiting the Galapagos Islands – a magical acquaintance you won’t forget in a hurry.

Located 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are known particularly for their unique wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. Here, you can get right up close to rugged volcanic landscapes, lush highlands and pristine sandy beaches. And the endemic wildlife awaits you, including the Galapagos tortoise, sea iguanas and many, many more.

Read more about our tours

To learn more about the different tours, click on “Read more” further up the page. On each page you will find more information about:

• The tour’s highlights
• The price of the tour depending on the departure date
• What is included in the price
• Daily itinerary

You can also find answers to more practical questions regarding Peru, such as about its climate and visas, by taking a look at our Practical information about Peru page.

If you have any questions

If you have any questions regarding Peru, Bolivia or our other tours to South and Central America, you are, as always, very welcome to contact our travel specialists, who are on hand to answer any questions you may have.

We look forward to helping you on a holiday of a lifetime.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller