Package Tours

A Peru tour package is a pre-planned, multi-day trip that bundles the main parts of your journey into one itinerary. Most packages combine:

• Accommodation in each city.
• Transfers between the airport, hotels and stations.
• Guided visits to the main sights.
• Transport such as trains or domestic flights, depending on the route.
• Some meals, usually breakfast.

What is not usually included: international flights, travel insurance, tips and personal expenses. Always check each itinerary.

Most travelers need 7 to 10 days to see the highlights without rushing. A rough guide:

• 3 to 5 days: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
• 7 to 10 days: add Lima, or extend your time in the Andes.
• 10 to 15 days: add the Amazon rainforest or other regions, at a relaxed pace.

Remember to leave time for acclimatization if you are going to the Andes.

The best time depends on the region you want to visit:

• Andes (Cusco and Machu Picchu): the dry season, from April to November, has the clearest skies. The wet season, from December to March, is greener and quieter.
• Coast (Lima): summer (December to March) is warm and sunny, while winter is cooler and often overcast.
• Amazon: the drier months (roughly May to October) are easier for trails, while the rainy months bring higher rivers.

June to August is the busiest period in the Andes.

Popular destinations include:

• Cusco: the former Inca capital, with colonial streets and Inca stonework.
• Sacred Valley: villages, markets and archaeological sites such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
• Machu Picchu: the Inca citadel and Peru’s best-known attraction.
• Lima: known for its food, museums and coastal setting.
• Amazon rainforest: wildlife and nature, reached from Puerto Maldonado.
• Other highlights: Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon.

Both options work, and the best one depends on your travel style:

• Tour package: saves planning time, handles logistics such as tickets, trains and transfers, and is useful for places with limited tickets or permits.
• Independent travel: gives you more flexibility and can cost less, but requires more research and booking.

Many travelers mix both, for example booking Machu Picchu and the Amazon in advance and leaving other days open.

The main ways to get around are:

• Domestic flights: the fastest option between Lima and Cusco, about 1.5 hours.
• Trains: the way to reach Machu Picchu, from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, about 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Buses: cheaper long-distance travel, though journeys are slower.
• Private transfers and taxis: for airports and short distances.

Distances in Peru are large, so allow extra time for travel days.

Altitude affects travelers mainly in the Andes. Typical elevations are:

• Lima: at sea level.
• Cusco: around 3,400 m (11,150 ft).
• Sacred Valley: generally lower than Cusco.
• Machu Picchu: about 2,430 m (7,970 ft).

Some people feel headaches, tiredness or shortness of breath at altitude. To lessen the effects:

• Rest on your first day.
• Drink plenty of water and eat lightly.
• Avoid alcohol at first.
• Spend time in the Sacred Valley before going higher.

If symptoms are severe, seek medical help.

Visitors from many countries, including the United States and most of Europe, do not need a tourist visa for Peru. In general:

• The usual stay is up to 90 days, and in some cases immigration officers may grant up to 183 days.
• Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months on arrival.
• You may need a couple of blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

Rules depend on your nationality and can change, so check with the Peruvian consulate before you travel.

Peru is visited by millions of tourists each year, and most trips go smoothly, especially in main tourist areas. As in any country, a few precautions help:

• Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places and markets.
• Use official taxis or ride apps, especially at night.
• Keep copies of your passport and travel documents.
• Drink bottled or purified water.
• Check your government’s travel advisory before you go.

Peru has three climate zones, so pack in layers:

• Clothing: t-shirts, a fleece or sweater, a warm jacket for Andean mornings and nights, and a rain jacket or poncho.
• Footwear: comfortable walking or hiking shoes.
  Sun and insects: sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and insect repellent (especially for the Amazon).
• Documents: passport, copies of your itinerary and travel insurance.
• Other: a daypack, a refillable water bottle and any personal medication.