Obtaining an Inca Trail Permit
The Inca Trail is an incredible 4-day trek through the Peruvian Andes, culminating in a first glimpse of the Lost City of the Incas from
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Peru has long inspired adventure lust among travellers – and how could it not? This vast country combines the wilds of the Amazon Jungle, the towering heights of the Andes, the ever-changing sands of desert dunes and the enigmatic ruins of empires long lost.
Broken into three distinct geographic regions – coastal desert, Andean mountains and tropical rainforest – it almost feels like Peru is several distinct countries rolled into one. In addition, its fresh and distinct local cuisine and vibrant culture means Peru continues to hold the allure that it has maintained for decades. Travel in Peru is definitely a memorable and multifaceted experience.
Group Tours of Peru with Tucan Travel
Our first tour started in Colombia and finished in Peru in 1987 – so we can firmly say we are experts in South America!
Whether you want to see the Mighty Amazon, spot humpback whales, or trek the iconic Inca trail, we have a deal for you. Click on here to see our top ten tours, or click on the options below.
Top Places to Visit in Peru
Peru has an almost overwhelming amount of experiences on offer. Over 10,000 years of history, diverse cultural traditions, world-renowned cuisine, and 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Not to mention the cool, forest-clad mountain peaks, wildlife-packed Amazon rainforest, and 2,400km of arid Pacific Ocean coastline. Where do you start?
1. Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail
If Machu Picchu isn’t already on your must-do list, get your notepad out. Considered one of the New Wonders of the World, the iconic Inca citadel sits atop a mountain plateau in the heart of the Andes. There are many ways to visit Machu Picchu, arguably Peru’s biggest attraction.
Hike the four-day Inca Trail. Take a scenic train, or even trek to the citadel in just one day There are so many options to consider when planning your adventure.
Be aware that permits for trekking sell out many months in advance. The Inca Trail is closed in February.
2. Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Jungle is a vast ecological treasure covering over half of Peru‘s territory. Venture out from jungle cities Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos to experience one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Stay in a rustic lodge enveloped in rainforest and take guided walks. There are flocks of capuchin monkeys in the canopy, bats hanging in the branches, and many colourful varieties of birds. Not to mention beautiful, and very noisy, parrots.
Take a boat trip to see macaws coming for a dose of salt at a clay lick. Keep an eye open for river otters, turtles and capybara visiting the river’s edge for a drink. At night-time, take a canoe ride to spot shiny caiman eyes under torchlight in the black water.
3. Lake Titicaca
The Inca believed Lake Titicaca was the birthplace of the sun. It is the largest lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world. The Uros people arrived at Lake Titicaca around 3,700 years ago. They learned to build floating islands made of Totora reeds and top them with reed houses. This unique engineering approach allows the islands to be tied to each other. They can be moved quickly to avoid unwanted invaders, or even cut into separate dwellings if necessary. Nowadays, the islanders welcome people from all over the world. There are 1,200 islanders across 60 islands. Many showcase their history, traditions and high quality handicrafts, including bright and elaborately embroidered fabrics.
Visitors are invited to taste the edible part of a reed, or to row a reed boat. Other (non-floating) islands on Lake Titicaca, such as Amantani and Taquile, offer homestay opportunities. Here you can enjoy the local Aymara people’s hospitality, and witness something of their way of life. It wouldn’t be out of place to see women herding sheep, men carding wool and knitting elaborate woollen hats. You may also see a high-altitude football game. If you’re lucky, you might be invited to join in.
4. Ballestas Islands
The Ballestas Islands (also known as Peru’s ‘mini Galapagos’) offer refuge to many wildlife species. They sit just a short, breezy boat ride off the coast of Peru, about 250 kilometres south of Lima. Home to thousands of sea lions and dolphins, the archipelago can only be seen from the water. The Islands are also key to the survival of the endangered Humboldt penguin. Past craggy cliffs and strange and unusual rock formations, you can see an array of interesting sea birds. Species include the Guanay cormorant, the Peruvian and the Blue-footed booby and the Peruvian pelican.
Keep eyes peeled for dolphins; you may even be lucky to spot a migratory Humpback whale. Plenty of fascinating landscapes exist to explore in the 3,300 square kilometre Paracas National Reserve (RNP). The reserve encompasses the Ballestas Islands and the marine area nearby.
5. Colca Canyon
Once colonised by pre-Inca civilisations, the giant Colca Canyon is both a cultural and a natural highlight. It’s deepest point is an incredible 3,400 metres (twice as deep as the Grand Canyon). Ampato, its highest peak, reaches 6,388 metres above sea level, and the valley it stretches for some 100 kilometres. It’s impossible to imagine the scale before you see it on a tour or trek from Arequipa.
You will need a very wide-angle picture to capture multi-terraced farmlands, steep slopes, thermal springs, and traditional Andean villages. But this is only part of the story – the Colca Canyon has abundant wildlife attractions, with 300 plant species, 100 bird species and more than 30 types of cactus. The most famous inhabitant of all is the mighty Andean condor, which floats over the canyon on thermal updrafts. The condor has an impressive 3-metre wingspans, often seen at the Cruz de Condor viewpoint.
6. Nazca Lines
Spread over 500 square kilometres of desert, these surreal line drawings have puzzled academics and visitors alike for many years. The Nazca Lines are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s great mysteries. The best way to see the glyphs, including the lizard, monkey and condor, is by air. There are scenic flights available from the nearby town of Nazca, offering the chance to come up with your own theory – were they made by an ancient human civilisation, and if so for what purpose, or are they somehow not of this earth?
7. Huacachina Oasis
Towering sand dunes will make you feel as though you are traversing the Sahara desert while the idyllic Huacachina Oasis stands out as an emerald jewel amongst the gold. With palm trees encircling the lagoon, the oasis is a tranquil setting where wealthy Peruvians once came to relax and heal. However, if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, there is plenty to get the juices flowing. Hurtle down the dunes on a sandboard or bodyboard, or practically fly around them on a dune buggy ride. Cool down with a drink and watch the sunset from a wind-sculpted dune, and your day is done.
8. Kuélap
Before the Incas spread through Peru, other civilisations left their mark with fortified cities full of houses, stores and temples. The largest, most important and best known walled cities of the Chachapoyas culture is Kuélap, built on a mountain in the cloud forest of the Amazonian region in the sixth century AD. With a tremendous view from their 3,000-metre elevation, the “Warriors of the Sky” could have controlled any threats and repelled any invaders, but farmers and merchants inhabited the cone-roofed stone houses as well. There are over 550 structures in total, which housed perhaps as many as 3,500 people, traces of whom can be found in artistic friezes and intricate geometric designs decorating the site. Day trips depart from the nearby city of Chachapoyas and a cable car service provides quick and easy access to the site.
9. Mancora
Mancora has everything you could possibly want in a seaside town: warm water for surfing, sandy beaches for sunbathing, plenty of high-energy places to party right on the beach, some of Peru’s best fish restaurants and seemingly endless sunshine. Even if you’re here for a few days, there’s no way you’ll get bored, with activities like horseback riding, surfing school, whale watching, mud bathing and more. But if that all sounds too strenuous, kick back and enjoy the slower pace of life, where everything in Mancora gets done “mañana.”
10. Lima
The nation’s capital, Lima is rich in history and tradition. The museums are a great way to learn about its culture and early civilisations. Visit the MATE Museum for contemporary art and photography before taking a stroll through the historical centre. Head to the San Francisco Monastery to explore the underground catacombs. Once your curiosity is sated, wander through the city’s colonial heart to see its Baroque churches, before diving into Lima’s famous food scene. Want to see Lima at night? Head to the Parque de la Reserva – this charming park is home to spectacular fountains that are lit up in many colours at nightfall.
11. Cusco
Apart from being the gateway to Machu Picchu, Cusco is a highlight in its own right. In an area that has been continuously inhabited since pre-colonial times, it is little wonder Cusco is home to some delightful historic treasures. It was once the capital of the Inca empire and still hosts the remnants of Inca temples which exist alongside, elegant colonial cathedrals and bustling squares. Get lost in the small colonial streets and alleyways, diving into local shops selling art, handcrafts and alpaca scarves and jumpers. Enjoy Pisco Sours on one of the balconies in the Plaza de Armas or even in a bar on the hills of Cusco for views of the city below. Only 30 minutes away from Cusco is a whole array of archaeological sites, from the impressive Sacsayhuaman Citadel to the Qoricancha Sun Temple.
12. Laguna 69 at Huascaran National Park
Laguna 69 is a spectacular glacier lake that will – quite literally – take your breath away. Located at an incredible altitude, some 4,500 metres (14,764 feet) high in Huascarán National Park, it is absolutely worth the slow day-long hike to reach the hypnotic view over crystal clear blue water. As you gradually make your way up the three hour-long track, taking your time to acclimatise, you are greeted by views of high mountain peaks and plateaus, waterfalls, streams, and foraging animals. Most people rest for an hour or so and enjoy a picnic by the lake, then take the two-hour-long trek back down.
Why Tucan Travel
We know Peru like the back of our hand. Our first tour travelled from Colombia to Peru back in 1987. We aim to offer you the best value holidays from our preferred tour operators.
As a specialist adventure tour operator with particular expertise in Latin America and global reach, we are adept at building strong business relationships with local suppliers of quality accommodation, reliable transport and knowledgeable guides. We only partner with like minded operators who guarantee to support and sustain local businesses in Peru in a fair and ethical way.
Adventure travel offers a more authentic way to explore a destination – and that goes for the accommodation in Peru too. Why stay in some beige, vanilla hotel when you could enjoy somewhere with genuine colour and flavour? We specifically seek out the locally-owned character hotels and avoid the generic international chains to give you a real taste of Peru.
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