Peru Vacations

Naturally this depends upon your nationality, but generally speaking, no. Nationals from many countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Germany and Australia can currently enter Peru easily with nothing more than a passport (although proof of onward travel may be requested).

You must present a passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry and have at least one blank page available for your entry stamp. Upon arrival you will receive a tourist visa, the length of which will be determined by immigration officials, but the maximum amount of time you can stay in the country is 90 days per 180 day period. Always check with the Peruvian Embassy in your home country for the latest travel requirements.

We recommend visiting your clinician at least six weeks before you travel to receive the latest advice. It is always advisable to make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before any vacation. Peru recommends (but does not require proof of) vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Yellow Fever.

Yellow fever and antimalarials are typically recommended for travel to jungle areas below 2,300 m (7,500 ft) and 2,000 m (6,500 ft) in altitude respectively, such as Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado, so are not necessary for trips to Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca or Machu Picchu (including the Inca Trail).

It would be hard to travel to Peru without visiting Macchu Picchu. Whether you choose to trek the famous Inca Trail or take the luxurious Hiram Bingham train through the Sacred Valley, the palpable excitement builds with every Incan ruin you pass along the way until you reach the zenith – that first awe-inspiring glimpse of the ancient citadel in its spectacular mountain top setting. Despite having visited several times it still takes our breath away with every visit.

That said, it very much depends on what your travel aspirations are and where your interests lie – there are so many tourist attractions in Peru that travelers really are spoilt for choice. Our destination specialists will gladly assist you in creating the perfect itinerary tailored to you.

Peruvian food (‘Comida Peruana’) is mouthwateringly good and is rightly attracting world-wide acclaim. Indeed, some might say their national Ceviche dish and Pisco Sour cocktail are worth the trip alone. Its capital, Lima, currently has 10 of the top 50 restaurants in Latin America and is considered by many the continent’s culinary capital.

Few places on earth offer such a seamless fusion of Asian, African and European flavors and techniques, let alone have the variety of indigenous ingredients from such range of climates that Peru’s platos are filled with – from the exotic fruits and fiery chili peppers of the Amazon, the abundant corns, grains and potatoes (over 3,800 varieties!) of its fertile highland valleys, to the freshest of seafood of its Pacific coast.

In general, Peru is a pretty safe place to visit. As with many South American countries, petty crime and pick-pocketing is prevalent in crowded places, especially against tourists who are careless, flash their jewelry or leave valuables lying around. Some areas of larger cities are safer than others, so it is always wise to heed the advice of your local guide.

Yes, of course. The featured tour packages included on our website are just examples of the type of itineraries we can create for you. Many of the best places to visit in Peru have already been included, but if we have missed any that you would like to visit – whether the mysterious Nazca Lines, Lord of Sipán, Fortress of Kuélap or the mummies of Chachapoyas – just let us know, as private custom tours tailored to your requirements are our specialty.

We will of course provide expert impartial insight into the feasibility of including such destinations as travelers are often unaware of the imperfect tourist infrastructures and undesirable travel times and means involved.

All our tours involve private transfers aboard a modern fleet of high-end vehicles, and for any internal flights we only use the most reputable of carriers in South America. For those that wish to travel independently, Peru has a reasonably good transport infrastructure, although travelers should be aware of the vast distances involved between major destinations. That’s why many opt for flying, but be warned that many other carriers often have older and inferior craft and delays and cancellations are not uncommon.

There are several long-distance bus services available, Cruz del Sur the most reputable, but journeys can be onerous and may involve traveling overnight (for example, a bus trip from Lima to Cusco would take around 22 hours). Lima has a wealth of taxis, and Uber is present, but be warned there can be heavy traffic at times and rather strange road ‘rules’. Public city buses are generally safe, but can get very crowded, so you’ll want to exercise basic caution. Road conditions in remote areas away from the Pan-American Highway aren’t reliable and can be prone to mudslides.

This very much depends on you – which regions you wish to visit, why you want to travel, what you want to see and whether you want to avoid the crowds. Peru is a vast country, roughly 3/4 the size of Alaska, and encompasses three distinct climatic areas – the Pacific Coast (Costa) , the Andean highlands (Sierra) , and Eastern lowlands (Selva – better known as the Amazon) – each with their own microclimates, so you may need thermals for one location and your bathers for another all in the same trip.

Our destination specialists will be able to help you understand the best time to go to Peru for you dependent upon your desired activities and itinerary.

Peru is a wonderful destination for families, the Latino warmth and fondness of children all the more welcoming. Its tales of conquest and Incan lore inspires a childlike fascination in all travelers, regardless of their age, and there is an abundance of family-friendly activities, educational opportunities and adventurous outdoor pursuits to enjoy, from learning to build with adobe materials to cooking in clay ovens and chocolate making, visiting llama farms, and even sand-boarding.

Machu Picchu is open to all, with easy train and bus access meaning strenuous hikes can be avoided, and the dry season in the Andes coincides nicely with North American and European school summer holidays, making traveling in Peru with kids even easier.

Peru may not be your typical honeymoon destination, but it does offer an unparalleled array of unforgettable experiences and unique romantic retreats unlike anywhere else. A Peru honeymoon is perfect for couples looking to share an adventure, its lush rainforests, snow-capped Andes and desert oases the stunning stage for once-in-a-lifetime escapades, from starlit desert soirees and private lakeside picnics, to ancient Incan spas and exclusive Peruvian Amazon river cruises.

Absolutely. Most flights to Peru land in Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport, so it does make sense to spend time there even if to only recuperate a little before you venture deeper into the country. However Lima has so much more to offer, especially for foodies.

Like many colonial cities in South America, Lima has a remarkable historic center, once the principal seat of Spanish colonial power in the New World, well worth exploring. Other Lima tour highlights include Miraflores’ oceanfront vistas, ancient Huaca Pucllana ruins and world-class restaurants, and the museums and architecture of the neighboring bohemian district of Barranco.

Yes, especially if flying direct from Lima, near sea level. Cusco sits at an altitude of 3,400 m (nearly 11,000 ft) and its thin air often affects first-timers and repeat visitors alike. To help travelers, our carefully crafted Cusco tours and Sacred Valley itineraries have been thoughtfully planned with acclimatization in mind.

There are also several precautions you can take to help mitigate the effects of the altitude sickness, including avoiding strenuous activities and alcohol for the first day or two, and staying hydrated with water and – the most time-tested of Incan remedies – coca tea (don’t worry, in its unrefined form the coca leaf is not a drug).