Peru · TOUR REVIEWS
Coast, mountains and jungle in one country, and never enough days for all three. The 15 below are the days out that earn their slot, priced and timed, with the full catalogue underneath when you want to go deeper.
Leave Cusco before dawn for Humantay Lake with bilingual guides such as Jonathan, Eduardo, Kevin, or Waldir. After breakfast in Mollepata, hike from Soraypampa to the 4,200-meter lake, with horses available for 80 PEN one way. Expect steep paths, changing weather, big Salkantay views, and a generous buffet lunch.
“It was an amazing hike ! The view was breathtaking.”
Start early from Cusco with a bilingual guide such as Liliana, Jorge, or Kevin, then visit Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac. You will see weaving, Inca terraces, salt ponds, fortress ruins, and Sacred Valley views, with buffet lunch in Urubamba. It is excellent value, but expect long drives and a brisk schedule.
“The food was amazing our guide was very helpful and it is very good quality for the money”
This 6.5-hour Cusco outing combines Chinchero’s Quechua weaving traditions, Moray’s Inca terraces, Maras village, and 3,000 salt pools. English or Spanish guides such as Felipe, Julio, and Jhon explain the history and local customs. Hotel pickup is included outside Cusco’s historic center, while entry fees and lunch are extra.
“A lot of fun! Our guide, Julio, was very knowledgeable and friendly. I also felt like the tour had a great balance between group learning and letting us explore on our own. The places we visited were very varied and I think a half day tour of sacred valley like this one is a fantastic option for people not wanting to feel too exhausted”
Leave Lima early for a full day in Paracas and Huacachina. You’ll cruise to the Ballestas Islands for sea lions and penguins, taste pisco at a vineyard, then ride a dune buggy and sandboard near the oasis. Guides such as Franklin, Aymeth, Fio, and Diego are praised for clear English, good organization, and helpful Peru tips.
“Everything went as expected, very happy with my trip :)”
Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by bus and panoramic train, with tickets, entrance, shuttle buses, and a local guide included. Expect a very long day, an approximately two-hour visit, and free time for lunch in Aguas Calientes. Guides such as Uriel, Héctor, Ruth, and Christian have been praised for clear explanations and helpful photos.
“Our guide Hector was the best! We were lucky to have a small group of 4, so Hector explained a lot of interesting things to us and did some awesome photos and videos and took us to a nice restaurant in Aguas Calientes. The transport was good too, everything was on time as per the tickets sent, no delays like some people write in their reviews.”
Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by selected train, bus, and guided circuit. VIPAC includes hotel transfers, entrance fees, shuttle buses, and an English or Spanish guide. Guides such as Hector, Paul, Ronaldo, and Edgar are praised for clear history, patient pacing, and help with photos. Expect a long but carefully managed day.
“We had a wonderful time on our day trip to see Machu Machu Picchu from Cusco. It's a lot to do in one day but it was super memorable. The train trip to Machu Picchu was fun and exploring Machu Picchu with our guide Johnny was amazing.”
Spend five hours exploring Cusco’s Inca and colonial sights with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Visit Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay by minivan. Guides such as Luis, Wilson, Victor, and Jared are praised for clear explanations, while the low price makes this a strong first look at the city.
“This tour was the most informative tour I've been on in Peru. Luis was phenomenal! He had so much knowledge and answered every question with great detail. Some tours I went on, I likely didn't need a guide because I didn't gain much, if any, information but this was truly remarkable. Luis is a gem, and really loved to share the history and stories he's learned from his ancestors. Thank you!”
Ride an automatic ATV from Kayrawiri toward Vinicunca, then walk to the famous striped summit at about 5,000 meters. Guides such as Cesar, Jose, Abel, and Angie handle safety, altitude checks, photos, and bilingual explanations. Breakfast and lunch are included, but bring warm layers and budget 25 soles for entry.
“Great trip, fantastic experience on the ATVs and felt safe the entire time. Breakfast and lunch were also good, good selection of food and the transport was good. The walk up to rainbow mountain after the atv can be quite tough with altitude but if you take your time more than doable for those with average fitness. Overall experience was great, was back in Cusco around 5pm after 4am start. Would recommend for a unique experience to rainbow mountain, the guide was excellent”
This 12-hour shared tour links six major Sacred Valley stops for $28, with hotel pickup or a 7:20 a.m. Plaza de Armas meeting option. A bilingual guide such as Victor, Edith, Rudy, or Samuel leads the day, and a buffet lunch in Urubamba is included. You can also finish in Ollantaytambo for a Machu Picchu train.
“An amazing experience, especially as a solo traveler. The guide was passionate, eloquent, and made the entire day engaging and seamless. Traveling alone felt easy and fun — highly recommend!”
Leave Arequipa before dawn for Colca Canyon, with breakfast in Chivay, canyon viewpoints, an hour at Condor’s Cross, hot springs, Andean food, and alpaca and vicuña sightings. Guides such as Nelson, Angel, and Walter are praised for clear English and good humor. Expect about 14 hours, long drives, high altitude, and extra entrance fees.
“It was amazing and so organized! Loved all the stops- the breakfast and lunch were also delicious. Our guide, Angel, was engaging, informative and funny!”
Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by van, train, and mountain bus with transport and tickets arranged for you. A 2.5-hour guided visit brings the Inca citadel to life, with guides such as Williams, Santos, and Milton praised for clear explanations and kind help. Add a three-course Peruvian lunch at Cafe Inkaterra.
“This experience couldn’t have been better! Williams was an incredible tour guide and made our experience amazing! It was a magical day for us and one we’ll remember forever. Thank you!”
Travel from Cusco through Chinchero, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo with a bilingual guide such as Julio, Felipe, Nora, or John. You will see Andean weaving, Inca terraces, salt ponds, and a fortress before ending near the Ollantaytambo train station. Buffet lunch is included, but site tickets cost extra.
“The trip was very good organized and the guide was very professional and simply perfect!”
Spend four hours walking through Barranco with a local guide such as Marcos, David, Valeria or Aura. Visit small restaurants, a bakery, café and bar for ceviche, lomo saltado, pisco sour, fruit, chocolate, coffee and ice cream, with cooking demonstrations and stories about Peruvian food and culture.
“Fantastic food tour and walk around Barranca. Our tour guide included history in our walk to the various restaurants. We learned a lot about Peruvian food and its history. The food was delicious. It was a fun 4 hours. You will be full after this tour. Highly recommend.”
Leave Lima around 5 a.m. for a small-group day covering the Ballestas Islands, a pisco and wine tasting at Taqara 1856, and Huacachina’s oasis and dunes. You’ll ride a boat, see sea lions and Humboldt penguins, eat lunch at your own cost, then take a dune buggy and try beginner sandboarding. Expect a very long return ride.
“It was a great experience. Huacachina and Paracas were incredible. The Tourism Guide was really nice and respectful. Paracas and Huacachina are amazing. The buggies in the dunes was incredible. However, the buggies and sunboard activities were less than the time planned (1 hour instead of 2) and I had to wait 25 minutes the buggy to start”
Spend about five hours touring Cusco’s key Inca sites with a bilingual guide and shared transport. Visit Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, with guides such as Nilo, Erick, Sergio, or Manuel bringing history to life through stories, photos, and local insight.
“Erick was a great guide. Very fun and full of interesting information.”
Pick a ruin, a ridge, a river or a table.
