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PERU DESTINATION GUIDE

As the world leader in travel experiences since 1947, we connect you to the real Peru in a way like no other. Peru is a land of pulsing history, where lost civilisations live on in the spirit of the Peruvian people. Ancient treasures and mystical legends are brought to life in one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world. Cruise the gleaming waters of Lake Titicaca, the birthplace of the sun, then ascend to the clouds and trace the path of the Incas. The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the most visited sites on the whole continent, yet it’s just one of the many wonders of Peru. When you take a Peru holiday with Trafalgar, you’ll meet the people that make the country so captivating. Meet a master Quechua weaver and an Andean storyteller, or learn how to cook the sumptuous Peruvian cuisine in Lima. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of Peru’s intricate history in the superb museums, yet you only have to wander the stirring streets of Cusco to get caught up in a festival of ancient rituals. Travel with us and unlock the infinite possibilities thanks to our exclusive Trafalgar Highlights.
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4.6

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"Follow in the path of the Incas, witness ancient rituals and mysterious geoglyphs, see the birthplace of the sun... Peru is a place that totally captures your imagination."

Tour Director
Peru at a glance
Cruise gleaming  Lake Titicaca, walk the path of the Incas to Machu Picchu, meet a master Quechua weaver, learn how to cook Peruvian cuisine in Lima and get caught up in ancient festivals in Cusco. Join your expert Trafalgar Travel Director and discover a land of pulsing history and lost civilisations.
Currency
Sol
Winter avg temp
23°C
Summer avg temp
17°C
Time Zone
GMT-5
Capital City
Lima
Language
Spanish
Good morning
Buenos días
Good evening
Buena noches
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Our top 5 things to do in Peru

Our Peru guided tours will reveal the best of Peru, from the mysteries of Machu Picchu to ancient Andean weaving and vibrant local markets.
 

Visit a local market in Lima

Known as the culinary capital of South America, Lima’s markets are filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood. We’ll introduce you to Chef Ignacio Barrios, who will show you around a local market in Lima, then take you to his cooking school to prepare some of Peru’s favourite dishes.
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Board a Vistadome train for an epic journey to Machu Picchu

We’ll take you to the Inca stronghold of Ollantaytambo, where you’ll board the Vistadome train and ascend to the Lost City in the Clouds. Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and you’ll delve into the mysteries of this once-great civilisation with our Local Specialists.
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Meet a master Quechua weaver

The Quechua people of Peru are known for their colourful handicrafts, and you’ll learn about the tradition of weaving from Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a local Quechua scholar. We’ll take you to Awakancha to see how the fine llama, alpaca and vicuña wool is sourced, then discover the ancient Andean weaving techniques.
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See the Magic Circuit of the Water

Our Peru holiday packages take you to the Magic Circuit of the Water, the largest fountain complex in the world. The interactive fountains shoot water to a height of more than 80 metres and you’ll marvel at the mesmerising lights, lasers and water swaying with the music.
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Attend a workshop at the Peruvian Choco Museum

Visit the Peruvian Choco Museum in Cusco, where you’ll discover how Peruvian chocolate is made, from the cacao bean to the chocolate bar. The museum’s chocolate makers will share their secrets and you’ll participate in the chocolate making process, with plenty of opportunity to sample the sweet delicacies.
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Best museums in Peru

Our guided trips to Peru will reveal the country’s rich history through the top museums, from ancient Peruvian goldwork to the wondrous world of the Inca Empire.
LIMA

Larco Museum

Located in an 18th-century vice-royal building in Lima, the Larco Museum houses an excellent collection of pre-Columbian artefacts. You’ll take a journey through Peru’s history, with chronological galleries that display 5,000 years of pre-Columbian history, including ceramics, jewellery, crowns, masks, garments and gold vases.
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CUSCO

Museo Inka

One of the top museums on the continent, Museo Inka is an incredible showcase of the Inca Empire. You can spend hours immersing yourself in the world of the Incas, with rooms full of crockery, textiles, jewellery, goldwork, models, ancient mummies and the world’s largest collection of queros (ceremonial wooden drinking vessels).
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LIMA

Gold Museum of Peru

The Gold Museum of Peru is a fantastic display of Peruvian gold craftsmanship. There are thousands of items from centuries of Peruvian history, including the earflaps and bracelets of the Vicus, the belts and earrings of the Frias, the masks and wristbands of the Nazca and the crowns of the Chancay.
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Best food in Peru

Peruvian cuisine is wonderfully diverse and our Local Specialists will show you the best places to try everything from traditional meat skewers to Chinese style chifa.

Chifa

Chifa is a Peruvian word used to describe a Chinese and Peruvian fusion style of cooking. Influenced by a wave of Chinese immigration in the late 19th century, chifa is now one of the most popular types of food in Peru. We recommend trying Pato Cuarto Tiempos and Arroz Chaufa.
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Anticuchos

Anticuchos can be traced all the way back to the Inca Empire, and today they’re one of the most beloved dishes found in street stalls and restaurants all over Peru. They’re a tasty meat skewer usually made with beef, and they’re served with bread or boiled potato on the end of the skewer.
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Causa Rellena

A traditional potato dish of Peru, causa rellena is made from layers of spiced yellow mashed potatoes, tuna, chicken, avocado, black olives, mayonnaise and hard-boiled egg. This delicious dish was first made by women for the soldiers during the Pacific War in 1879, when food was hard to come by.
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What to pack for Peru

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Spanish phrasebook

Spanish is the national language of Peru, and learning a few Spanish phrases is highly appreciated and will make it easier to connect with the locals.

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Versatile clothing

Peru’s climate is wildly diverse, with 28 of the 32 world climates, and you’ll need versatile clothing to take you from the cool Andes mountains to the steamy jungle.

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Comfortable shoes

Whether you plan to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or explore the markets of Lima, you’ll need a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

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Adaptor plug

In Peru the standard voltage is 220 V and the power plugs and sockets are of type A and C. The standard frequency is 60 Hz.

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Camera

Bring a camera to capture Peru’s beautiful scenery, bright buildings, adorable llamas and Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most extraordinary wonders.

Other things to know before you go

Depending on your nationality, you'll need a valid passport and may also need visas to enter. Please check this well in advance of your trip departure date here. Some countries also require passports to have 3-6 months left on them before the given expiry date, so be sure to double check this before booking your travels.

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Our South America destinations

Ecuador

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Brazil

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Chile

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Argentina

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