Peru History Tours & Trip Packages

Peru History Tours & Trips

817 Peru trips. Tours from 200 tour companies. 1,487 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

228 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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History
Peru Sacred Valley
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By Best Andes Travel
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5/5 Excellent
28 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley

Highlights

  • Explore Cusco
  • Visit to arqueological places called (Pisaq Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and the marcket)
  • Visit the Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We loved our entire trip! It was so nice to have everything taken care of (transfers, etc) which all went very smoothly. You did an awesome job coordinating it all. To begin, we fell in love with Cusco. We wish that we had gone a day earlier to spend more time there but we really enjoyed the limited time that we had. I would highly recommend the full day Sacred Valley Tour as it gave a great overview of the Inca history and we saw some amazing ruins. German Dario (poor guy was stuck with us for days!) was very knowledgeable and proud of the history. The hotel in Cusco suited our needs perfectly. The trek was truly incredible! As you know, we ended up with a "private" trek which was nice. I don't think that there is anything that I would have changed about this part of the trip. The porters, cook, equipment, etc were all great. I would highly recommend doing the trek vs just going to Machu Picchu as the journey makes it so much more meaningful. The Eclipse was the perfect boat for us. We had a lower naturalist to tourist ratio and the four naturalists were very experienced and good. The ship had a lot of amenities including a nice outdoor dining deck. The food, service, hospitality, etc were all exceptional. We loved the Galapagos and would have loved to have stayed longer. We enjoyed a city tour in Quito on our last day. Y'all are the best! Thanks for everything!!"

Trip dates & details
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Peru Explorer
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Aguas Calientes, Inca Trail, Lima, Machu Picchu, Nazca, Ollantaytambo

Highlights

  • Discover the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and the colonial cities of Cuzco and Arequipa
  • Have the option to walk the classic Inca Trail at no extra cost
  • Spend two nights deep in the Amazon
  • Visit the traditional island communities of Lake Titicaca
  • See beautiful Arequipa plus Colca Canyon and its condors

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

Trip dates & details
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The Salkantay Trek
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Salkantay

Highlights

  • Enjoy a remote full-service camping trek through the beautiful Vilcabamba range
  • Connect the Salkantay Trail and classic Inca Trail for the ultimate inca trail trek
  • Marvel at Mount Salkantay and its glaciers
  • Experience two unique visits to Machu Picchu for photos and fully guided exploration
  • Spend four nights in Cuzco, the old Inca capital
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Themes

Hiking & Walking, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Inca & Amazon Adventure Family Holiday
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Inca Trail, Lima, Machu Picchu, Puerto Maldonado, Sacred Valley, Urubamba

Highlights

  • Trek the classic Inca Trail
  • Experience two unique visits to Machu Picchu for photos and fully guided exploration
  • Rest and refresh after your trek with overnight in charming Aguas Calientes
  • Take jungle walks and boat rides to explore the Amazon Rainforest
  • Visit the markets and museums of Cuzco

Themes

Family Friendly, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, Lima, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo

Highlights

  • Walk the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate
  • Experience two unique visits to Machu Picchu for photos and fully guided exploration
  • Rest and refresh after your trek with overnight in charming Aguas Calientes
  • Spend three nights deep in the Amazon Rainforest
  • Explore Lake Titicaca, with a homestay on one of the islands
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Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Inca Trail, Lima, Machu Picchu, Nazca, Puno

Highlights

  • Walk the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate
  • Experience two unique visits to Machu Picchu for photos and fully guided exploration
  • Rest and refresh after your trek with overnight in charming Aguas Calientes
  • Explore Cuzco, the old Inca capital
  • See the mysterious Nazca Lines
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

More

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Amazon to the Andes
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’ve partnered with well-known names like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Cusco, Inca Trail, Lima, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Puerto Maldonado, Sacred Valley, Urubamba

Highlights

  • Soak in the views and culture of the sacred valley
  • Devour seafood in lima
  • Climb the inca trail to machu picchu
  • Spot wildlife from our exclusive g lodge amazon

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"

Trip dates & details
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Inca Empire
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’ve partnered with well-known names like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Cusco, Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, Lima, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Puno, Sacred Valley, Urubamba

Highlights

  • Trek the inca trail to machu picchu
  • Explore the pre-incan ruins of tiahuanaco
  • Witness life on lake titicaca
  • Soak in the views and culture of the sacred valley

Themes

Cultural, Transformative, Trekking & Expeditions

What travelers are saying

"We spent two wonderful weeks touring several of the best destinations in Portugal & Spain with a group of 16 people. Our guide (Fredy) was from Spain and intimately familiar with the region, including its rich history, attractions, and food/beverages. The tour was well-paced using a combinations of private vehicles (small buses and cabs), trains, and an airplane ride as well as a fair amount of walking to get around these two beautiful countries. We extended our stay in Lisbon to see more attractions and took a side trip to Fatima, Obidos, and Nazare that was also excellent. Would have liked to have a bit more time in a couple of the cities, but we'll just have to plan another trip!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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228 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
History

Peru Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
1,487  Reviews
See all Peru tour reviews
Excellent
1,171
Great
262
Average
22
Disappointing
5
Terrible
4
P

Pam

Oct 2015

Written on

We saw so much and were told

We saw so much and were told much history and information about the country.

b

ben

Oct 2015

Written on

I really like the ethical and environmental

I really like the ethical and environmental policy

D

Dianne

Oct 2015

Written on

Our trip was well organised and took

Our trip was well organised and took us to a range of different places so that we got a good overview of what Peru was like. We were disappointed that the trip did n...

S

Shraddha

Sep 2015

Written on

Very well organized, trip leader very detail

Very well organized, trip leader very detail oriented to make the trip run as smooth as possible

S

Sarah

Sep 2015

Written on

I had a wonderful time, an excellent

I had a wonderful time, an excellent tour leader and a great group of people on my tour who really made my holiday a truly fantastic experience and the philosophy of...

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Peru Tour Selection Trips

  • For getting to Machu Picchu, you have many tour options: hike the challenging Inca Trail, hike one of the sometimes even more challenging Inca Trail alternatives, or take a delightful train ride with magnificent vistas in its own right.
  • If possible, don’t limit yourself to Machu Picchu. Look for tours that visit other archaeological sites in the northern reaches of Peru, including the massive adobe city of Chan Chan or the fascinating Mochica tombs in Chiclayo.
  • In the Amazon, choose a travel supplier that uses indigenous tour guides, who are best suited to show you the culture and experience of the world’s largest rainforest.
  • Bring altitude medicine and sunscreen. The city of Cusco and Lake Titicaca may be situated at the highest altitude you’ve ever encountered. Peru is also quite close to the Equator, where the sun’s rays can be powerful. Outside of Lima, sunblock can be hard to find.
  • Pack clothes for many occasions. When it’s winter in North America, it’s summer in Peru. Bring a swimsuit for the immaculate beaches, bring a jacket for the high Andean peaks, and bring clothes you don’t mind getting dirty for your Amazonian treks.
  • Practice a little Spanish before arriving in Peru. Although most tourist destinations are staffed with English-speakers, and your guide certainly will, knowing some basics will help you interact with Peruvians you meet in your travels.
Once you’re there…Always carry toilet paper and soap. Peru is an adventure, and although your hotel will always be well stocked, you can’t rely on destination bathrooms to have sufficient

  • Remember that hot water is a luxury in Peru. Don’t be surprised if you see light switches in your bathroom to provide you with a warm shower after a long day of sightseeing.
  • Prices are often negotiated in Peru so don’t be afraid to push for a better price or ask your guide about fair prices during your journey.
  • Also, cash in small bills is far more acceptable everywhere than credit cards, especially outside of the major cities.
 

Additional details

Peru Packing List

Peru’s diverse landscape makes for a great travel experience, but also makes it a nightmare to pack. From the hot beaches, to the humid rainforests, to the freezing highlands — you have to be ready for every climate and temperature.

Luckily, there are several ways you can avoid packing everything but the kitchen sink. In Cusco, there are several shops where you can buy gear. In some trekking shops, you can even rent gear like thick down jackets. 

Overall, packing lists for Peru vary depending on your tour itinerary. As a general rule of thumb, pack layers so that you can adapt to any climate. Make sure to pack light as well, as most tours have a bag allowance for treks.

Here are staple items you will need to pack for your trip to Peru:

  • Good athletic shoes for hiking: When hiking in Peru, you want to make sure that your shoes have good treading and have good ankle support. You may opt to buy hiking boots, but most travelers say that athletic shoes are good enough to trek in. Make sure you break in your shoes before traveling so that you don’t end up with blisters!
  • Thick wool socks: The highlands of Peru are quite frigid, so warm socks will be a lifesaver. These will save your feet during the cold weather treks and freezing nights.
  • Thermal leggings/pants
  • Thermal long-sleeve shirts
  • Hoodie
  • Down jacket
  • Rain jacket: The weather can be very unpredictable, so a rain jacket or poncho will help you stay protected from unforeseen rain.
  • Hat
  • Insect repellent: In higher altitudes, bugs are less common. As Machu Picchu’s elevation is lower, you should pack insect repellent. The same goes for when visiting the Amazon.
  • Sunscreen 
Is Peru safe?

Peru’s diverse landscape, itinerary, history attracts millions of tourists annually. Although it’s a popular destination, tourists may encounter issues in Peru.

For starters, tourists may be targeted, as they are seen as wealthy. Therefore, theft, pickpocketing, mugging is common. 

Be careful when trekking in Peru as well. Some routes are notorious for being dangerous, in terms of crime and lethal insects. Traveling with a reputable guided tour in Peru can protect you from these situations.

Although there are several rumors about the dangers of traveling in Peru due to drug trafficking, the threat has declined in recent years. There hasn’t been an attack on tourist areas for almost two decades. More concern is raised in the northern areas of Peru, especially along the Colombian border. This area has had plenty of “Do Not Travel” notices due to drug trafficking and insurgent activities.

With all this being said, you might be thinking twice about visiting Peru. However, this doesn’t mean that you should avoid this beautiful country! It has a lot more to offer than bandits, crime, and dangerous insects. 

To protect yourself from these dangers, there are some precautions you can take to ensure you travel safety. As with visiting any foreign country, it pays to be vigilant and be safe rather than sorry. With good judgement, research, and caution, you can avoid bad situations. 

Here are some tips to keep you secure when traveling in Peru:

  • Don’t wear flashy clothes and jewelry.
  • Don’t wander around at night, especially in cities.
  • Travel in groups.
  • Learn a little Spanish to help you get by.
  • Watch your drink to prevent spiking.
  • Keep your valuables at home/locked away in your hostel.
  • Avoid dodgy/deserted areas.
  • Avoid withdrawing from ATMs late at night, or from sketchy places to prevent fraud
  • Keep your credit card in sight when making purchases to prevent credit card fraud.
  • Exchange money at reputable agencies (eg. banks or money exchanges within hotels). This decreases the chance of receiving counterfeit bills, and being the target of crime.
  • Choose a reputable tour group.
  • Be vaccinated. Scroll down to learn more about vaccinations for Peru.
  • Get insured! You never know what misfortunes could happen during your trip.
Tips for Adjusting to High Altitude

Unfortunately, altitude sickness (known as soroche in Peru) can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, fitness level. However, those with lung or heart conditions are more likely to experience symptoms of altitude sickness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, difficulty breathing, and heart racing).

Typically, people experience altitude sickness at 8,000ft. As a result, some may experience discomfort in Machu Picchu, where the elevation is 7,972ft. The more concerning location is Cusco, where the altitude is 11,152ft.

Here are some tips to adjust to high altitude:

  • Chill out for the first few days: Let your body adjust to the lower amount of oxygen intake.
  • Take deep breaths.
  • Avoid substances, such as alcohol: Drinking alcohol may increase your symptoms of altitude sickness.
  • Ascend slowly: Many flights land in Cusco. Some travelers recommend taking a trip to a lower region as soon as you land, and working your way back up to Cusco, so that your body can get used to the shift.
  • Eat well, especially high-carb foods.
  • Stay hydrated
  • Take a chill pill: Diamox can be taken 24 hours prior to your ascent to help prevent symptoms of altitude sickness.
What Vaccines Do I Need for Peru?

Vaccinations are probably the last thing you want to think about before traveling, but for Peru, preparations should be made well in advance. 

Recommended vaccinations vary depending on your itinerary, so it’s best to consult your doctor beforehand. However, here are required and recommended vaccinations according to the Center for Disease Control.

Routine/Required Vaccinations for Peru:

For these vaccines, you may need a booster shot before you leave.

  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
  • Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
  • Polio 
  • Flu shot
Recommended Vaccinations:

  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid
  • Hepatitis B
  • Rabies
  • Yellow fever
Other precautions:

Since illnesses such as malaria, dengue, and yellow fever are spread through mosquito bites, make sure to protect yourself with repellent. There are no vaccinations for malaria and dengue, however you can take antimalarial pills. 

This is a good choice, especially if you are planning to explore the jungles of Peru in the summer.

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