Peru Tours November 2024

Peru Travel Guide

Peru Tours Things To Do

• 
  Visit Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World

  Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and Peru's most visited tourist destination, surpassing more than 1.4-million visitors every year. The 15th-century Inca empire built in the Sacred Valley mountains preserves one of the most impressive communities built by civilization. Machu Picchu is an archaeological site for uncovering the wonders of the Incan Empire. Walk the site to explore the architectural feats, which showcase advanced technology in the construction and irrigation system. Thanks to preservation efforts, tourists can see a lot of the structures in their original forms. Some of the points of interest include the Temple of the sun and the Intihuatana stone. Visitors can take hiking trails to some of the observation platforms overlooking Machu Picchu.  

  Best Time To Visit

  Arriving at Machu Picchu requires a train, so try to take one of the earlier departing trains to have time to explore the site. For early risers, you can take a Machu Pichu sunrise tour for one of the most scenic views of the site.

• 
  Take a half-day trip to see the perfectly laid stones of the Sacsayhuaman fortress

  The Incans built several notable sites around Cusco, the empire capital, including Sacsayhuaman, one of the favorite local tourist spots. The Incan fortress showcases incredible craftsmanship of the large wall which surrounded the site. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site for preserving the structure. Visitors can walk around the fortress to see the perfectly fitting large stones used to construct the tiered walls. Take a close look at the walls to see petroglyphs carved in them of Incan Gods, animals, and other symbols. Additionally, the site is used by the locals for Incan festival celebrations.  

  You Should Know

  Sacsayhuaman is a frequent half-day trip destination from Cusco. The site provides lots of local tour guides to learn more about the Incan empire and the use of the fortress.

• 
  View the traditional weaving demonstrations to see how the intricate woven textiles get made

  Peru is famous for its hand-woven crafts that many tourists take back home for souvenirs. While the woven goods make excellent souvenirs, getting a glimpse at the production process makes the skill even more admirable. Many of the local communities, such as Awanakancha, host visitors for traditional weaving demonstrations. Onlookers can see every step of the process, from naturally dying the llama hair to weaving intricate patterns from memory using traditional tools like llama bones. Local women learn how to produce woven fabrics into clothing, accessories, rugs, and more at a young age.  

  You Should Know

  If you're thinking about purchasing souvenirs during your trip to Peru, these demonstrations are a great option to support the local communities. The demonstration tours and selling souvenirs are part of their livelihood.

• 
  Shop for locally made handicrafts in the Pisac Market to find authentic souvenirs

  The Pisac market, held in Plaza Constitución, the main square in Pisac, is one of the best public markets in Peru. Pisac is a small community in the Sacred Valley that transforms into a bustling market atmosphere where you can find everything – most locally made and locally sourced. Vendors set up weekly to create the atmosphere of the Pisac market. The numerous stalls sell everything, including fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, jewelry, textiles, souvenirs, and other goods. It's also a great place to eat, where you'll find lots of homemade Peruvian dishes to sample.  

  You Should Know

  It's an extraordinary photography opportunity while walking through the vibrant colors emerging from all the stalls. Many of the vendors also dress in traditional clothing to give an authentic sense of Peru. Feel free to haggle the prices of the goods and leave a small tip if you're taking photos of anyone.    

   

  Best Time To Visit

  The best time to tour the Pisac market is on Sunday when it features the most vendors. Throughout the week, the plaza features a small version of the main market.

• 
  Watch the “Changing of the Guards” ceremony in Plaza Mayor

  Plaza Mayor is the main historic square in Lima, where the capital was established in the late 16th Century. The square is a popular tourist site for seeing the beautiful plaza surrounded by colorful Spanish colonial-style architecture. It features some of the most notable government and religious buildings. Plaza Mayor was initially used as a public market, bullfighting, and other entertainment. Now, it's one of the best sightseeing locations in Lima to see famous attractions – The Cathedral of Lima, Government Palace, Municipal Palace, and more. It's a picturesque area with beautifully kept lawns, flowers, and the distinct yellow buildings.  

  Best Time To Visit

  Visit Plaza Mayor at noon when it hosts the "Changing of the Guards" ceremony at the Government Palace. Lots of people gather in the plaza for the ceremony, and remains a busy area with locals and tourists throughout the day.

• 
  Visit local homes on the Uros Floating Islands to see the traditional way of life of the unique community

  Uros Floating Islands are one of the most unique communities you'll ever see in the world. The man-made islands float on Lake Titicaca, South America's largest lake, and support thousands of the indigenous Uru peoples. The Uru people maintain a traditional lifestyle, established on over 120 islands made from dried plants found around the lake. To support the traditional economies of handicrafts and fishing, the community gladly welcomes visitors to experience their way of life. Visitors can walk through designated islands, which can feature several houses. Walk inside the homes to see how the locals live, hear singing, and see some local hobbies like weaving and traditional cooking.  

  You Should Know

  The Uros floating islands are only accessible by boats from the mainland. Tourism is the main economic driver in the community, so purchasing goods local goods helps support your visit to the community.

• 
  Trek through the Amazon Rainforest and discover the diverse wildlife in the Tambopata National Reserve

  Tambopata National Reserve lets visitors explore a well-protected area of the Amazon rainforest located within Peru's borders. The nature reserve preserves the biodiverse ecosystems and landscapes of the rainforest. Established in 2000, the Tambopata National Reserve has some of the most diverse flora and wildlife in the Amazon rainforest. It has over 1700 species of plants; some common animals are jaguar, puma, monkeys, sloths, and eagles. Outdoor recreation is popular for tourists, including sightseeing wildlife, birdwatching, and hiking. The reserve also permits camping in designated areas.  

  You Should Know

  Tambopata National Reserve is accessible from Puerto Maldonado via a boat ride.  

   

  Best Time To Visit

  The Amazon Rainforest is the wettest region in Peru. It always experiences heavy precipitation, so you can visit at any time and expect some rainfall.

Peru Tour Packages

• Dry season – April to October – Best Season

  Most travelers visiting Peru arrive during the winter when the weather is the nicest. The dry climate and the sunny days make it perfect for getting out to explore the favorite attractions. It's also an excellent time for visiting the higher elevations like with Machu Picchu. The warm climate makes the elevation more bearable. The winter is also the busiest time for tourists, so you'll experience larger crowds at popular sites.

• Wet season – December to March – Low Season

  The summer receives significantly more rain than in the winter – a primary reason why it's the low season. The climate tends to be cooler all around the country. There are a couple of advantages to visiting during the summer. It typically has daily rain showers that last temporarily, so there is still a lot of time to enjoy the trip outdoors. You can find better rates and few tourist crowds. It's also the best time to visit the Amazon Rainforest since it's naturally wet and with a tropical climate. The rivers are fuller during the summer.

Peru Tours Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Peru Tours?

  Peru Tours offers a cohesive travel experience for exploring the wonders of Peru. Visitors embark on multi-day tours to highlight attractions and destinations such as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World or trek through the largest rainforest in the world. You've never seen Peru like you will on a Peru tour!

• Will I get elevation sickness?

  Elevation sickness is a frequent problem with travelers, especially those not used to higher elevations. Machu Picchu and the Andes region have high elevations that can cause shortness of breath, headaches, and other issues. Locals use coca leaves to remedy the sickness or visit a local pharmacy before visiting the sites.

• What’s included on a Peru Tour?

  Peru tours provide an overview experience in Peru. Many of the tours are multi-day and visit several cities throughout the trip. Some of the main destinations include Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and the Amazon Rainforest. You'll spend a day or two in each destination with time available for free days to take day trips to other areas of interest.

• Are Peru Tours expensive?

  Peru Tours has options available for all travelers – couples, adventure, solo, families. You can reserve a rare homestay opportunity with a local family for less than $200 USD or opt for a package deal for a multi-experience trip. You won't find better prices with the all-inclusive trips for hotels, guides, transportation, food, and more. Find the best Peru Tour for your trip!