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Excursions in
Peru

Back to Peru

Excursion

Classic Lima City Tour

Today’s tour will take you around some of the key districts and attractions of Peru’s capital city. You will begin in the modern, affluent districts of Miraflores and San Isidro where people are drawn to the Pacific views, leafy parks and squares and some of the best restaurants in the city. You will then transfer to the city centre and the colonial heart of Lima to take in the Plaza de Armas (main historic square), backed by the austere cathedral. You will tour the cathedral as well as visiting the ornate San Francisco monastery and its vast catacombs.

Excursion

Lima Gourmet Tour

This fantastic, interactive tour gives you a great insight to some of Peru’s culinary highlights as well as some of the hidden gems of modern Lima. Begin in the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco where you will sample some of the city’s best coffee, followed by a refreshing smoothie made of a typical Andean fruit. Continue on to a local market to learn about (and taste) more of Peru’s exotic fruit and vegetables, and then learn the art of ceviche making from one of Lima’s top chefs. Your ceviche will be washed down with a classic pisco sour, also prepared yourself after a professional demonstration and some tasting of different varieties of this renowned brandy. Your final stop is at the Huaca Pucllana ruins, perfect backdrop for a delicious tasting lunch of typical Peruvian dishes – be sure to leave room for dessert!

Excursion

Larco Museum

This museum really is one of Lima’s lesser-visited gems, and a must for anyone with even just a passing interest in South American history. Set in a beautiful converted mansion with manicured gardens, the museum houses an impressive range of artefacts, pottery, mummies, jewellery and textiles which – when put into context by an expert guide – give a fascinating overview of Peru’s history, including the intriguing ancient civilisations that preceded the Incas.

Excursion

Lima by Night & Fountain Show

This evening you will view colonial Lima from a different perspective, with the exteriors of some of its most impressive historic buildings illuminated by night. After passing the government palace, cathedral and San Martin square you will visit the impressive Santo Domingo church, as well as San Pedro church with its ornate gold interiors. You will then transfer to Lima’s renowned Magic Water Circuit, a complex of 13 fountains which become all the more impressive by night when they are illuminated with colour and music in a thirty-minute show.

Excursion

Cusco City Tour & Nearby Inca Ruins

This half-day guided tour is a great way to orientate yourself in Cusco, ensuring you don’t miss the key attractions of the historic centre as well as showcasing the impressive Inca ruins nestling in the hills to the north of the city. You will begin the tour with a visit to Cusco’s huge Cathedral, constructed in the 17th century on the site of the original Inca Palace of Viracocha and where the highlights include a depiction of the Last Supper with the disciples dining on guinea pig. Continue on to Koricancha where excavation around the colonial Santo Domino church has revealed the remnants of the mighty Inca Temple of the Sun underneath, and you can even see an impressive Inca wall standing proudly outside. You will then depart the city centre to enjoy some impressive views from the surrounding hills, as well as guided tours of the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and Qenqo. Even those with only a passing interest in history will find it difficult not to admire the impressive feats of Inca engineering on show here.

Excursion

Cusco Cookery Class

Your activity today will begin today with a visit to Cusco's lively San Pedro market where you will select the ingredients for the meal you are going to prepare. You will then return to the kitchen to begin making a typical three course meal, washed down by a local tipple of either Pisco Sour or Chicha Morada, the refreshing juice made from Andean purple corn. The duration of the activity is approximately three and a half hours and the exact menu will be advised on the day but may include dishes such as quinoa soup, a classic ‘lomo saltado’ (sautéed beef) and purple corn pudding. A vegetarian option is also available on request.

Excursion

Horse riding around Cusco's ruins

Today’s tour will take you out to the beautiful rolling hills to the north of Cusco. After a transfer out of the city you will collect your horses from a ranch close to the Inca amphitheatre of Qenqo and have a full briefing. Depending on your preferences you will then take a cultural route around some of the most impressive Inca sites in the area such as Puca Pucara, Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman. An alternative route takes you to the lesser-visited sites of Kusilluchayoc and the Temple of the Moon.

Excursion

Mountain Lodges of Peru Salkantay Trek

Trekking in the footsteps of the Incas through the spectacular valleys around Machu Picchu used to be only possible for those prepared to bear arduous trekking and basic camping facilities. Thankfully this is now no longer the case, with Mountain Lodges of Peru pioneering a luxurious lodge-to-lodge trek where keen walkers can still enjoy the magnificent scenery and rewarding experience of hiking historic trails leading into the Inca heartland, but taken at a gentler pace and spending the night in cosy lodges with private bathrooms and plenty of creature comforts. The company's signature trek, the Salkantay route, takes in six days of walking carefully designed to help you acclimatise to the altitude and taking in breathtaking scenery such as the snow-capped Vilcabamba mountain range, glacier lakes and views of mighty Mount Salkantay. A night is then spent at a luxurious hotel in Machu Picchu town before you visit the ruins themselves the following day with the rest of your group, with the option to also scale the vertiginous peak of Huayna Picchu.

Excursion

Mountain Lodges of Peru Lares Adventure

Mountain Lodges of Peru were the early pioneers of treks across ancient trails leading to Machu Picchu but with the option of staying in comfortable lodges each night, rather than rustic campsite. Their latest offering is a lodge-to-lodge itinerary through the picturesque Lares Valley, a route that takes in not only magnificent scenery but also interaction with some of the weaving communities who have made this valley their home for centuries. Unlike their signature Salkantay Trek, the Lares route can be taken in either five or seven days and is recommended even for those without much experience of trekking, as you can choose between a daily hike or gentler excursion with a cultural focus. Accommodation is in supremely comfortable lodges in memorable locations, and each itinerary finishes with a night in a 5 star hotel in Machu Picchu town followed by a comprehensive guided tour the following day.

Excursion

Luxury train journey to Lake Titicaca (day service)

This full day train journey is one of the most scenic in South America and often a highlight of any overland trip through Peru. You will take the 10 hour journey in comfortable, first class carriages (PeruRail service) with regular refreshments, three course lunch and afternoon tea served to you on board. You can stretch you legs in the observation car to admire the dramatic views of the Andes to becoming the altiplano, and the train will also make a stop at the (often snowcapped) mountain pass of La Raya before arriving in Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Excursion

Mountain Biking to Sacsayhuaman

You will be collected from your hotel today and driven out to the picturesque hills outside Cusco to enjoy some of the key Inca sites from a different perspective. You will collect your bikes at Tambomachay, site of Inca baths and aqueducts through which water still flows to this day. You will then take a scenic ride to Sacsayhuaman, jewel in the crown of the region, where enormous Inca walls forming part of an ancient ceremonial centre overlook a spectacular panorama of Cusco.

Excursion

Uros Floating Reed Islands & Taquile Island

Depart this morning for your full day tour out onto Lake Titicaca to take in some beautiful scenery and visit two traditional island communities. The Uros Islands – though a little touristy for some – are undoubtedly a remarkable place to visit. These floating islands are made entirely of tortora reeds and, despite the initial springy feeling underfoot, you will soon see that they are surprisingly robust. The islanders will proudly show you their homes and traditional cooking methods, as well as imploring you to buy some of their traditional handicrafts. You will continue on to Taquile Island, best known for its colourful weaving and textiles. The dress of the islanders here has remained unchanged for generations, and your guide will explain more about the significance of their clothing, as well as some unique Taquile traditions – the knitting of hats, for example, which is carried out exclusively by then men of the island. Taquile is also a great place to take in some panoramic views of the lake, as well as the remnants of Inca terracing.

Excursion

Uros Floating Reed Islands & Llachon

This morning you will take to the lake for a full day tour, taking in some beautiful scenery and fascinating local communities. Your first stop will be at the Uros Islands – though a little touristy for some, these islands are undoubtedly a remarkable place to visit. These floating islands are made entirely of tortora reeds and, despite the initial springy feel underfoot, you will soon see that they are surprisingly robust. The islanders will proudly show you their homes and traditional cooking methods, as well as imploring you to buy some of their traditional handicrafts. You will then continue on for approximately two hours until you reach the community of Llachon, located on the shores of the lake’s Capachica peninsula. This offers a pleasant contrast to Uros as it receives fewer visitors and is altogether a more tranquil experience. You will hike to the top of the peninsula to enjoy sweeping views and then visit Llachon village and have lunch in a local home.

Excursion

Belmond Andean Explorer Sleeper Train to Cusco

Once a week Belmond's elegant Andean Explorer train embarks upon the picturesque journey from Lake Titicaca to the proud colonial city of Cusco. You will board the train in Puno in time for a delicious lunch and the opportunity to start taking in the magnificent views as the scenery changes from the sweeping grasslands and altiplano, passing snow-capped mountains and making a stop at La Raya pass where the altitude as well as the dramatic views can be truly breathtaking. You are free to move about throughout the train, spending time in the observation carriage with its open deck, and perhaps warming up again with a cocktail in the piano lounge. Afternoon tea as well as a sumptuous dinner is also served on board before you retire to your private, en-suite cabin for the night. Awake on the outskirts of Cusco and enjoy a hearty breakfast as you observe the hustle and bustle of the former capital of the Inca empire before arriving at the city's central station.

Excursion

Pisac

With your guide you will visit Pisac, a small village in the Sacred Valley, known for its bustling market and the impressive fortress that sits high on a mountain spur. The ruined citadel includes an ancient temple, plazas and a sundial, and there are wonderful views from the site. Pisac was strategically built at the entrance of a gorge, on an important route that once connected the Inca Empire with the eastern jungle. The vibrant market in the main square of the town below is a great spot to see locals peddling their colourful wares or to pick up handmade souvenirs.

Excursion

Chinchero

Chinchero is a tiny Andean village with Incan ruins and mud brick houses, believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. The area overlooks the lush Sacred Valley, and is surrounded by mountains and the snow-capped peak of Salkantay. Locals dressed in traditional clothing buzz about the town and Chinchero becomes a hive of activity on Sundays when there is a lively local market. Although smaller than some of the other archaeological sites in the area such as Pisac the ruins at Chinchero are still impressive and crucially do not usually feature on as many itineraries so are likely to be quieter.

Excursion

Maras & Moray

Maras and Moray are two of the most impressive and photogenic sites in Peru. As well as being visually striking, they offer a refreshing alternative angle on the history of the region. These sites are conveniently located about six kilometres from one another, so can be easily be visited together. The salt pans at Maras can be dated back to pre-Incan times; these have been carved into the valley to collect warm salty water that naturally flows from the mountain springs. Still operational today, workers block off the pools when filled to allow the sun to evaporate the water, leaving crystallised salt deposits which are collected by locals. Visually likened to amphitheatres, the enormous circular sunken terraces at Moray are an extraordinary sight. The area is said to have been designed by the Incas to optimise crop production, by creating different microclimates on each terrace. The deepest of the terraces is roughly thirty metres and the temperature can vary up to 15 degrees from top to bottom. You can walk around on allocated paths and descend to the centre which allows you to fully appreciate the scale.

Excursion

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a tiny town with cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings, on the banks of the mighty Urubamba river. The town is primarily known for its impressive ruins which tower over the town, affording impressive views for those who climb to the top. Large stone terraces lead to the Sun Temple and fountain at the summit. Continuously inhabited since the 13th Century, Ollantaytambo was once an important Incan administrative centre that successfully resisted persistent Spanish attacks over the years.

Excursion

White Water Rafting

Between Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas you will find some superb stretches of river which offer a range of rafting tours to wide variety of abilities, all set against a beautiful backdrop of rolling, Andean valleys. The stretches of river at Pinipampa and closer to Ollantaytambo offer rapids ranging between classes I and IV depending on the time of year, and half day or full day options can be arranged. If you are looking to try some rafting during your holiday in Peru, we will discuss your requirements and recommend the best option for you based on the time of year you are travelling and your preferred level of adventure!

Excursion

Mountain Biking to Maras & Moray

You will meet the rest of the group at a pre-arranged time today and get kitted out for your scenic mountain biking tour to some of the most impressive sites in the Sacred Valley.  Your route will pass the vast Huaypo Lake, heading towards the archaeological site of Moray. Continue on along a bridle path that leads you to the village of Maras, where you will stop to enjoy a scenic picnic lunch. From here, the rest of the route is downhill as you head towards the impressive Maras Inca salt mines, with a stop to visit the site before completing the tour in Tarabamba. Tour duration is approximately three hours - entrance fees to archaeological sites are payable locally, but your picnic lunch, all cycling equipment and guide services are included.

Excursion

Rainforest Nature Walk

Many lodges in the Amazon are set in dense forests with surrounding walking trails to explore. Your nature walk will typically take place within the lodge grounds where a specialist guide will take you on a short circuit in search of the curious amphibians, plants, insects and birds. Don’t forget to look up from time to time, so as not to miss the glimpse of a red howler or squirrel monkey passing through the trees.  

Excursion

Boat Safari in the Southern Amazon Reserves

Early mornings or late afternoons are usually the best time to spot wildlife, and you will set out with the rest of your group for a gentle boat trip along a section of the river. Your expert naturalist guide will scan the tree tops and water’s edge, pointing out lurking caiman or perhaps a colourful macaw passing by.

Excursion

Parrot & Macaw Clay Licks

Visiting a clay lick is one of the most mesmerising sights you are likely to experience during a trip to Peru. After patiently waiting at their preferred feeding time, it is likely that these colourful species will gingerly approach the clay lick to feed. After the first brave few arrive, hundreds more often follow and the wall becomes a hive of activity. The clay is said to neutralise toxins in their diet, or arguably it is said the birds simply require more salt in their diets. Either way, it is a special sight not to be missed.

Excursion

Canopy Tower

Many lodges have a dedicated observation tower or perhaps walkway that extends far into the sky above the forest canopy. After a short walk to reach the base of the tower, you will slowly ascend the narrow staircase until you reach the platform at the top. Here you will be rewarded with some of the most impressive views, giving you a new perspective on the surrounding forest.

Excursion

Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

There really is no better way to fully appreciate the grandeur and complexity of Machu Picchu than taking a tour with an expert guide. They will lead you on a logical route throughout the site taking in the key areas, explaining as they go some of the theories around the citadel, and pointing out Inca terraces and pathways as well as sacred stones and remnants of homes and temples. The site is incredibly well-preserved (the Spanish invaders never made it this far into the mountains) so there will be countless opportunities to take some great photos, but the guides can also recommend particularly good viewpoints depending on how far you would like to walk or climb.

Excursion

Free Time at Machu Picchu - Second Day Entrance Tickets

If time and budget allow, the opportunity to return to Machu Picchu on a second visit can be a great way to further contemplate the site in the atmospheric early morning light and walk to viewpoints you may not have covered the previous day. You may wish to visit the Watchman’s Hut for example, with its sweeping views, or a take a longer hike out to the Sun Gate (original entrance to Machu Picchu and where those trekking the Inca Trail still arrive from).

Excursion

Hike Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu is the imposing green peak that forms part of the iconic backdrop to Machu Picchu, and it is possible to climb to the top to take in some breath-taking views. Tickets are required to climb the mountain, available for two morning slots, and must be purchased at the same time as your Machu Picchu entrance – given the popularity of the hike we recommend booking as early as possible if you are interested in this! You will need a reasonable level of fitness for the climb as well as a head for heights as there are some steep ascents in descents in exposed parts of the mountain, but those who make it to the top are rewarded by a spectacular birds-eye view of Machu Picchu that offers you a completely different perspective of the Inca citadel.

Excursion

KM 104 Day Hike to Machu Picchu

This day hike is a superb option for those wishing to experience a taste of the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu without having to undertake the full four-day trek with camping! You will transfer from your hotel to the station to take an early train to the trail head, at kilometre 104 on the road from Cusco to Machu Picchu. From here you will take the challenging but scenic walk with your guide through spectacular mountain scenery and the beautiful Urubamba river valley. En-route you will pass the impressive Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna and have ample time to explore and take in the magnificent views. Continue on until you eventually reach Machu Picchu's Sun Gate - this historic entrance to the Inca citadel is the point of entry for those trekking the Inca Trail who arrive early in the morning. From here you will admire the distant view of Machu Picchu, before continuing your walk for a further hour or so and checking into your hotel for the evening (with the opportunity to take a full visit of the ruins the following day). The total duration of the hike will be between five and eight hours depending on your walking ability, and permits are always in high demand so early booking is essential.

Excursion

Classic Inca Trail

Dotted with impressive ancient ruins along its breath-taking path, walking the length of the Inca Trail is the ultimate way to reach the wonders of Machu Picchu. The trek begins just outside of the small town of Ollantaytambo in the beautiful Sacred Valley. The walk is spread over four days, with three nights spent under canvas with pre-rolled sleeping mats and heavy duty sleeping bags. All meals are included during your trek; three course dinners are surprisingly tasty, especially when you consider how remote you are on the route. Your dedicated guide will provide detailed explanations about the sites along the way and, together with your small group, you will follow in the footsteps of the Incas along this spectacular valley. The first day begins with a gentle stretch along the river, followed by a steep climb to your resting spot. The following days are more challenging, and involve ascents and descents over several mountain passes. The walk itself is moderate to challenging, but can be taken at your own pace. The final day is a more gentle morning walk to Machu Picchu; by this point you have descended into the tropical cloud forest, and the scenery and vegetation dramatically changes. Here you will find delicate orchids and tropical plants that lead you to the highlight, Machu Picchu.

Excursion

Boat Safari along Amazon Tributaries

During your Amazon cruise you will depart on a number of excursions by skiff or motorised canoe, which allow you to explore even narrower tributaries in search of a wide variety of flora and fauna. Your naturalist guide will explain why the ecosystems are so unique here and point out species such as toucans, squirrel monkeys and howler monkeys, parrots and macaws. Exact excursions will depend on the weather conditions and the water levels, but you may also visit areas of Victoria Regia giant lily pads, mirror forest and perhaps take a boat safari after dark to look for caiman and other nocturnal creatures of the rainforest. You will also hopefully have the opportunity to see river dolphins at least once during your cruise.

Excursion

Jungle Walk in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve

The Pacaya Samiria Reserve is one of the most wildlife-rich rainforest reserves in Peru that is accessible to visitors. It is home to an enormous range of mammals, insects, plants, reptiles and amphibians, as well as over 300 species of bird. In addition to boat trips along the Ucayali or Marañon rivers which edge the reserve, you should get the opportunity to disembark once during your cruise to walk one of the jungle trails. Led by your expert guide you will explore the dense rainforest of the reserve, looking out for creatures such as brightly-coloured poison-dart frogs, sloths, blue morpho butterflies and toucans.

Excursion

Amazon Community Visit

At one point during your cruise you will have the opportunity to visit one of the isolated communities that make this region of the Amazon their home. These visits are managed carefully in conjunction with the local communities and all organisations operating in the area to ensure they offer genuine interaction and have no adverse impact on the families living here. You will typically take a leisurely walk around the village to see how families live here and then visit the local school. If you are looking to bring gifts along for the children, school supplies such as pencils, pens and exercise books are always welcome.

Excursion

Chan Chan, Huanchaco Bay & the Dragon Temple

This half-day tour will begin at the Chan Chan, the world’s largest adobe city and former capital of the Chimu empire, who flourished from 900 AD until their defeat by the Inca in 1470. The desert-like conditions of this area of the Moche Valley means the city is remarkably well-preserved and you will have a full tour of the site with your expert guide. Next stop is Huanchaco, a somewhat ramshackle seaside town 12 kilometres outside Trujillo but a great place to see the traditional reed boats that date back to the Moche era. They are still constructed and used by the locals here in a manner unchanged for many hundreds of years. Your final visit is to Huaca del Dragon (the ‘Dragon Temple’), a pre-Inca site best-known for the elaborate carvings and friezes etched into its adobe wall.

Excursion

Temples of the Sun & Moon

The Temples of the Sun & Moon (Huacas del Sol y de la Luna) are situated in a desert valley to the south of Trujillo and date back to the Moche era of 200 – 600 AD. The larger Sun Temple can only be appreciated from the outside as excavation work continues within and, despite its obvious erosion, the scale of this structure is undeniably impressive (over 100 million adobe bricks were used in its construction, and one of the theories is that it once served as an enormous ceremonial site). The nearby Temple of the Moon is better preserved and much restoration work has been carried out here – taking in the colourful and intricate friezes still visible on the temple walls is usually the highlight of any visit here.

Excursion

Temples of the Sun & Moon, Dragon, Huanchaco and Chan Chan

You will be collected from your hotel this morning for a comprehensive tour of the key pre-Inca sights located around Trujillo. First stop is at the Temples of the Sun & Moon, striking an impressive profile in the bleak desert of the Moche Valley. The size of the Sun Temple alone suggests its importance during the era of the Moche between 200 and 600 AD, but the smaller and better-preserved Moon Temple is where you will spend more time, taking in the impressive colourful friezes to be found inside. Travel a little further through the Moche Valley to visit the enormous adobe city of Chan Chan, one-time capital of the Chimu empire, and also to Huaca del Dragon, a pre-Inca temple with elaborate carvings on its main wall. A stop for lunch will be made during the day at Huanchaco, a coastal town 12 kilometres outside Trujillo, where traditional reed boats employing methods dating back to the Moche era are still constructed and sailed by the locals here.

Excursion

El Brujo

60 kilometres north of Trujillo you will find the pre-Inca archaeological site of El Brujo, a series of pyramids and tombs dating back to the Moche era and of key spiritual importance in their time. Highlights of a tour to the complex include the intricate wall painting of the Cao Viejo temple depicting animals, warfare and sacrifice rituals. The Cao Viejo temple also houses the original burial tomb of the tattooed Moche mummy known as The Lady of Cao, whose remains can be seen in the nearby museum, along with an impressive range of artefacts that were found alongside her.

Excursion

Kuelap Fortress

Situated an hour outside the city of Chachapoyas, the pre-Inca fortress of Kuelap is a remarkable place. When it comes to scale and significance, comparisons are often made to Machu Picchu, and the site's remote location in rolling mountains surrounded by cloud forest is similarly one to be marvelled at. Kuelap, however, receives only a fraction of the visitors of Machu Picchu, making a journey here all the more atmospheric and rewarding if you can brave the challenging journey. The site itself is distinguished by its mighty stone walls and complex of over 300 circular stone houses dotted around various levels of the sprawling complex. Your guide will lead you around the most significant areas of the complex and recount some of the theories surrounding it, and you will find it difficult not be enchanted by this most tranquil of ancient cities.

Excursion

Tomb of Lord Sipan, Royal Tombs Museum & Tucume Pyramids

The temple of Sipan, situated 30 kilometres to the south of Chiclayo, was the site of one of the most important archaeological finds in the Americas. It was here in 1987 that the archaeologist Walter Alva discovered the tombs of key members of the Mochica nobility, buried alongside one of richest collection of treasures ever seen on the continent, including gold, silver, precious stones and ceremonial wear. The most significant tomb discovered here was that of Lord of Sipan, warrior-ruler of the region during the late 3rd century. As little now remains at the tomb itself, it is essential to combine a visit to the tomb with the Royal Tombs Museum in nearby Lambayeque. The exterior of the museum is striking in itself, a red pyramid emerging from the desert, and inside you can peruse all the riches found buried alongside the Lord of Sipan and other important finds. This museum really is unmissable for anyone with an interest in South American history. You will finish the day with a visit to the Tucume pyramids, remnants of a vast city constructed by the Sicán people over 1000 years ago, and subsequently occupied by the Chimu and Inca civilisations.

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