Peru North
Most Popular Peru Trips & Tours
| Trip | Price | Days | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternative Inca Trail | $3,995 | 10 Days | Cusco, Ancient Inca Trail , Machu Picchu, Local Perspective , Off the beaten Trek |
| Amazon & Machu Picchu | $3,295 | 9 Days | Amazon Rainforest & Jungle, Amazon Wildlife, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machu Picchu |
| Classic Inca Trail | $3,995 | 10 Days | Lima, Cusco , Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley |
| Experience Machu Picchu | $2,995 | 7 days | Lima, Sacred Valley, Cusco, Machu Picchu |
- Day 1: Arrive Chiclayo
- You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Chiclayo, where your explorations of the remnants, tombs and temples of pre-Inca civilizations begin. On your arrival at the airport, a guide will be there to get you to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day and evening as you wish. Located near the Plaza de Armas, the Shaman Market “El Herbolario” is highly recommended. (B)
- Day 2: Pyramids of Tucume and Royal Tombs of Sipan
- This morning you travel north to Lambayeque and beyond to visit the pyramids of Tucume, believed to be an important regional center for the Sican culture that inhabited the area between 1000 and 1350 AD, followed by the Chimus, and eventually the Incas from 1450 to 1532 AD. A vast site, 540-acre Tucume contains twenty-six major pyramids and platforms. You will then visit the world famous Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, inspired in its design by a Moche pyramid at Huaca Rajada. The museum displays all of the archaeological material found in Sipan, including one of the most important finds in pre-Inca history; the Lord of Sipan tomb, with its collections of gold, masks, jewelry, scepters and hundreds of ceramic pieces. Discovered in 1987, the tomb is the richest ever found in the Western Hemisphere. Its importance is commonly compared with Egypt's Tomb of Tutankhamen. Enjoy another evening in Chiclayo on your own. (B)
- Day 3: Huaca Cao Viejo Archeological Site
- This morning you journey south to Trujillo. The 3.5 hour drive follows the Pan American Highway through deserts and irrigated valleys. On the way you’ll visit Huaca Cao Viejo, an archaeological site dating back to the Moche culture (100 BC – 650 AD). It is a badly damaged, stepped pyramid with a central court that was probably used primarily for religious ceremonies. This pyramid is the most striking Moche site in the Chicama Valley and is referred to as “El Brujo” (The Sorcerer). The oldest figures appear to be intricate geometric patterns with snake-like characteristics painted in red and yellow. You’ll also view depictions referring to the human sacrifice by beheading. After touring the museum, you’ll continue to your Trujillo hotel, conveniently located in the colonial core of the city. Trujillo boasts some of Peru's greatest examples of colonial homes, and the city has taken great efforts in preserving its historic architecture. You’ll visit the carefully restored colonial homes of Casa Iturregui and Casa Urquiaga or La Merced Church. Enjoy this evening on your own in Trujillo. (B)
- Day 4: Sun and Moon Temples, Chimu Civilization remains and Return to Lima
- Visit first the Sun and the Moon Temples (Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna) were built by the Moche civilization between 100 BC and 650 AD. At 1,250 feet, the Sun Temple is the tallest adobe pyramid in the Americas and one of the largest in the world. Its counterpart, the Temple of the Moon, is thought to be a former religious complex. Some of Peru's best-preserved murals are found at the Moon Temple. Even with substantial looting, excavations have revealed a large collection of exquisite ceramics and metalworks produced by obvious masters. Next you will view the extraordinary remains of the Chimu civilization. First is a visit to Chan Chan, the capital of Peru's largest pre-Incan empire, Chimu, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This kingdom once stretched over 800 miles, reaching all the way to present-day Lima and is the largest adobe city in the world. Following your tour of Chan Chan, you visit the Dragon Temple, also referred to as Huaca Arco Iris or Rainbow Temple. An elaborate panel displays the namesake of this ruin; two dragon-like creatures sheltered by a serpent or rainbow. Today’s Peru tours end with a trip to the beach town of Huanchaco. Fishermen here craft distinctive reed rafts called caballitos de tortora, a tradition that has spanned over 2,000 years. You will enjoy lunch (not included) in one of the many fine seafood restaurants overlooking the Pacific before being transferred to the airport for the flight to Lima. (B)
Weather
When to Visit- jan
- feb
- mar
- apr
- may
- jun
- jul
- aug
- sep
- oct
- nov
- dec
Peru is a diverse country. With beaches, mountains, rainforest and desert, there is no off-season. But it does pay to know a bit about where you're going, and what you'll need on your Peru tour:
The Andes - Though officially part of the dry season, April and May are considered the Andean spring, while June through October marks the Andean summer. Mid-day temperatures range from 70 to 80 F in the sun. Nighttime temperatures in Cusco range in the 40s F and can dip into the 30s F. Weather is usually clear in the morning with clouds accumulating in the afternoon. Rain can happen in any season, so quality rain gear is essential.
The Amazon - A rainforest environment, the Peruvian Amazon has varied weather conditions and frequent unpredictable rain showers. It is generally hot and humid during the day with more comfortable temperatures through the night. Daytime high temperatures average between 82° and 93° F, and the average nighttime low is between 62° and 73°. Nevertheless, in some areas cold fronts can sweep into the Amazon and push daytime high temperatures down to 50° F and nighttime lows to 43° F. Any time of year, one should always be prepared for cooler temperatures and rain showers. Around 80% of the annual average 79 inches of rainfall occurs during the rainy season (December through March) when heavy rain may continue for hours or days.
Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
LIMA | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 68-79 | 0.0 |
| FEB | 69-80 | 0.0 |
| MAR | 69-80 | 0.0 |
| APR | 67-76 | 0.0 |
| MAY | 63-72 | 0.0 |
| JUN | 61-69 | 0.1 |
| JUL | 60-67 | 0.2 |
| AUG | 60-66 | 0.1 |
| SEP | 60-67 | 0.1 |
| OCT | 60-69 | 0.1 |
| NOV | 62-72 | 0.0 |
| DEC | 64-76 | 0.0 |
*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
CUSCO | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 44-65 | 6.3 |
| FEB | 44-65 | 5.2 |
| MAR | 43-66 | 4.3 |
| APR | 41-67 | 1.8 |
| MAY | 39-67 | 0.3 |
| JUN | 33-66 | 0.1 |
| JUL | 32-66 | 0.2 |
| AUG | 35-67 | 0.3 |
| SEP | 39-68 | 0.9 |
| OCT | 42-69 | 1.9 |
| NOV | 43-69 | 3.1 |
| DEC | 44-69 | 4.7 |
*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
PUNO | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 38-62 | 5.2 |
| FEB | 38-62 | 4.3 |
| MAR | 38-62 | 3.8 |
| APR | 33-62 | 1.5 |
| MAY | 25-62 | 0.4 |
| JUN | 19-61 | 0.1 |
| JUL | 18-61 | 0.1 |
| AUG | 22-63 | 0.2 |
| SEP | 29-64 | 0.8 |
| OCT | 33-65 | 1.5 |
| NOV | 35-66 | 2.0 |
| DEC | 37-64 | 3.6 |
*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
PUERTO MALDONADO | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 71-88 | 13.6 |
| FEB | 70-87 | 12.8 |
| MAR | 70-88 | 11.9 |
| APR | 69-87 | 6.1 |
| MAY | 66-86 | 4.2 |
| JUN | 63-84 | 2.3 |
| JUL | 62-85 | 2.2 |
| AUG | 64-88 | 2.5 |
| SEP | 66-90 | 3.9 |
| OCT | 69-90 | 6.5 |
| NOV | 70-89 | 9.3 |
| DEC | 70-88 | 12.1 |
*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
Peru North
- Pricing
- Per Person$1,250$285 Single Supplement - the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
- Included in tour cost
- All airport/hotel transfers
- All hotel accommodations
- All listed activities
- English-speaking certified guides
- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks & archaeological sites
- Meals as indicated
- Southern Explorations pre-departure services
- Excluded from tour cost
- Airport taxes, international and local
- Domestic airfare within South America
- International airfare to and from Central & South America
- Tips and gratuities
- Medical & travel insurance (highly recommended)
Peru North
- Trip Dates
- Available
Our trip was amazing! All of our guides were friendly and professional. Our guide’s knowledge and communication skills were exceptional! He was a fabulous tour guide and we really enjoyed hiking the Inca Trail with him. We always had the best campsites – other hikers were often jealous of where our camp was set up and would ask which company was handling our trip. Our guides were excellent on the rafting trip. We had never been through class V rapids before so I was a little hesitant at first; but, our guides were so skilled, we always felt completely safe. Chef’s cooking was fantastic! I’m not sure what I expected but I did not expect three course meals every night while camping. On the rafting trip, they noticed I don’t eat many grains and mostly eat meat and dairy foods so the chef brought more meat along on the Inca Trail than usual to make sure I was ok. I never mention it in the special requests because I don’t expect it to be accommodated, and I always carry lots of protein bars with me so it’s not an issue – I do appreciate the extra effort they made and the food was excellent! -Jerri Lipple, Texas (Peru & Amazon)
Overall a great experience! Have already started to think about Patagonia!!!! - Barry Tereshkow, California (Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca)
We would highly recommend Southern Explorations for their professional and thorough operation. Our trip was "smooth", well-paced and incredible! Our guides spoke outstanding English, and were informative and friendly - we thoroughly enjoyed each of them as individuals. Drivers were prompt and skilled. The itinerary was packed literally with "the best of Peru", providing enough time to see everything with no wasted time. Thanks it was a great experience. - Alan and Lindy Jones, Canada (Peru)
We had a wonderful trip, such a journey to Machu Picchu and we enjoyed every single minute of it. Our guide from Cusco onward, Juan, was very informative and interesting and really made the entire trip very exciting. We enjoyed our time alone in each city and then also our excursions during the day with Juan. There was so much to see. Thanks so much for arranging our trip and getting us the best possible of everything. I was happy we did a private tour. I will continue recommending your company to people. - Leslie Williams, California (Machu Picchu)
I thoroughly enjoyed my travel experience with Southern Explorations! I would recommend you and travel with your tour group again. - Nancy Sing-Bock, New York (Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca)
Our Luxury Peru trip was wonderful. We had a wonderful guide, Juan who relayed the history and culture to us, was energetic and really made the trip go smoothly. Peru is a fabulous country – we loved our lodging, the food, the sights, everything. This was a trip for my mom who is 83 and always wanted to see Machu Picchu. The guides were so attentive to her and assisted her in seeing every sight we visited. She says it was the best trip of her life. I can’t wait to go back to Peru. - Sue Strater, Oregon (Peru)
Thank you for your services in organizing our trip to Peru/Machu Picchu. The trip went smoothly and we are very satisfied with all aspects of the trip. I appreciate the professional staff we worked with in Peru to ensure our good health and safety. In Lima, Giovanna was a wonderful guide and accommodated our special requests without question. We sincerely thank her for giving us a look at local Peruvian life, not just the tourist view. She is a great asset to your organization. In Cusco, Augusto our guide and Claudio our driver were very professional and I am most appreciative of their concern for our good health and safety. Augusto is very knowledgeable, and we gained a great deal of history and information from him. Claudio was kind enough to allow us our special requests. - Nicole Peterson, California (Peru & Machu Picchu)
Thank you, Southern Explorations, for a wonderful trip. We'd been looking forward to seeing Machu Picchu for years, yet despite all of that anticipation what you delivered somehow still exceeded our expectations. Thank you not only to Chenna – the best guide on the planet – but also to all the people who worked quietly in the background to make this such a memorable trip for us. - Gordon McConnell (Peru)
We travel a great deal. We believe that Southern Explorations stands at the top of our experience in its focus on the customer. In addition to a superb job of organizing a trip and attention to details, were most impressed with the way that the US and Peru-based staffs made extraordinary efforts to work with our family. This included making sure our son was safe to eat the foods (due to his food allergies), to adding on specific excursions to a small village of weavers and arranging a bike tour, to the ability of the local guides to get to know us as people, not just to conduct the guided tour. This made for a rich and worthwhile experience. Keep it up! The ultimate compliment in this world is whether we would call again to arrange a trip to another country. The answer is a definite Yes. - The Gilman Family (Peru)
Southern Explorations provides perfectly organized excursions featuring a well-balanced mixture of learning and hiking in very small groups. I enjoyed every moment of my Peru trip; I am fascinated by the Inca Empire and the mind-blowing landscape. I highly recommend Southern Explorations. - Sven Zuehlsdorf (Peru)
The whole trip was perfect. After all of the wedding planning and the wedding itself, it was awesome to have this trip where we did so much but never had to really think or stress about planning, travel, communicating with locals, etc. It was exactly the honeymoon we wanted. Thanks so much to everyone at SE who helped to make it happen! -John Gaetzi, Colorado (Peru)
This was our second trip with Southern Explorations. Again, every element was perfect. Our guides were knowledgeable and attentive. The accomadations were superb. The itinerary was varied and fascinating. You think of every detail. We loved learning about the culture and history of different parts of Peru. We also had a chance to challenge ourselves by hiking to the top of Huayna Picchu and slogging through the mud in the Amazon. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to visit the village of Huilloc and see their beautiful textiles. We were thrilled to give them the books that we had collected for their school. Again, thank you for another amazing trip. - Chris Howard (Peru & Amazon)
Our guides were all organized, professional, extremely informative and passionate. Most highly recommended. Organization was flawless. Guides exceptionally helpful and informative. - Ronald Shapiro (Best of Peru)
We have never traveled using a travel company before but felt it would be a good idea going to Peru. So glad we did! This was the best trip of our lives! Southern Explorations uses very knowledgeable, friendly, and patient guides. We had to change our itinerary while on the trip and the company handled everything perfectly. I highly recommend them to anyone traveling out of the country. - Laurie Key, Utah (Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca)
Our guide was absolutely fantastic. She made this a memorable experience. Billy Chiquito, a National Park guide, was more than we could have imagined for a guide. All accommodations were first class. - Howard Flicker (Private Experience Machu Picchu and Legend)
Just returned from a 12 day trip to Peru and have to say this was the best vacation ever. I have never arranged travel through a company before so I was a little leery about what to expect. Needless to say I was quite impressed by how comprehensive and well planned every detail of the trip was put together. Southern Explorations did an amazing job especially considering I only booked the trip one month in advance. Our guide in Lima, Natalia was excellent and very knowledgeable. Our guide in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Washington Gibaja Tapia was incredible. He shared a part of his culture and community with us on a deep spiritual level so we were able to leave Peru feeling like we understood the significance and true beauty of the place and people we visited. Thank you Southern Explorations for a trip of a lifetime. - Michelle Barker (Inti Raymi Festival & Machu Picchu & Amazon)
The trip was an amazing once in a life time experience. Juan took us through the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. He was an excellent and very knowledgable guide. The trip was well organized and the Hotel accommodations exceeded my expectations. - Paul Demarco, USA (Inca Trail, Machu Picchu & Wayna Picchu)
This is our second trip arranged by Southern Explorations. Our first was to the Galapagos, which was exceptional as well. We’ve pretty much run out of superlatives to describe our adventures! We have found Southern Exploration – your Seattle staff, the guides you use, the drivers, the tours, the arrangements, etc, all to be wonderful! Thank you! - Joseph Wright, USA (Short Inca Trail)
Trip of a life time; good outfitter and good friends. - Carol Croom (Classic Inca Trail)
- Peru - Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How do I choose an itinerary?A: We offer a wide variety of itineraries suitable for all ages, fitness levels and personal interests. Figuring out the total number of days you are available to travel is a good starting point and your Adventure Travel Coordinator can guide you through the options.Q: Can I make changes or additions to these tours?A: Yes! We are happy to modify any tour to meet your needs and also add pre and post-excursion extensions. If you sign up for a group departure we cannot change the group portion, but we can add extensions before and after.Q: When is the best time to go to Peru?A: Many travelers like to visit Peru between the months of April and October, when the chances of rain are much lower. Avoid the height of summer (June through August) and the Christmas holiday season for smaller crowds and the best selection of accommodations.Q: What is the weather like in Peru?A: The most traveled section of Peru, where Cusco and Machu Picchu are located, has a dry season (April – October) and a rainy season (November – March) with daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 40s. Rainfall and temperatures vary in other regions depending on season and elevation. Please see the weather tab on your specific trip for more details.Q: What is a typical day like in Peru?A: A typical day in Peru will vary from tour to tour, but generally you can expect to start your excursions right after breakfast with a full day of scheduled activities or sightseeing. Contact your Adventure Travel Coordinator to discuss the specifics of your tour.Q: How physically fit do I need to be to enjoy a trip to Peru?A: Our trips vary in level of activity, so the requirements differ based on itinerary. It’s important to keep in mind that much of Peru is at or above 8000’ above sea level which can add some difficulty to the activities. Please check our physical ratings for each itinerary to see what may be required of you when assessing your ability to enjoy a trip. If you have any specific questions, please contact your Adventure Travel Coordinator. We have personal experience with these activities and can help you decide whether a trip is right for you.Q: How much time do we need to visit Peru?A: We offer trips as short as 5 days, but recommend 7 days to adequately explore the Andean highlands (Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu). If you wish to visit more than one region, we recommend travelling for at least 12 days.Q: How far in advance should I book?A: Peru is a popular destination and space at the most desirable hotels fills up quickly. As a rule, the further in advance you can plan, the more options you will have. We recommend planning at least six to nine months in advance throughout the year, and a year ahead of time for anything over the Christmas holiday season.Q: What are your booking and cancellation policies?A: Click here to see our booking and cancellation policies.Q: Do you use certified guides?A: Our guides have been carefully selected for their knowledge, professionalism, experience and ability to effectively manage groups with finesse. We hire only guides who are native to the destination and are licensed and/or certified in accordance with the government regulations of their country. All are fluent in Spanish and English, and some also speak indigenous languages. Most have advanced degrees in tourism, biology, native culture or other related field. All guides are experienced in the outdoors and trained in basic first aid.Q: What kind of accommodations can I expect?A: We primarily work with 3 and 4-star hotels that meets our standards. We also work with several amazing 5-star properties. All of our hotels are clean, comfortable, well-located, offer en suite bathrooms and have been personally vetted by a Southern Explorations’ staff member.Q: Do tours include airfare?A: We will confirm all airfare within South America and this price will be listed separately from our base tour costs. You are responsible for booking international flights to/from Peru.Q: How many people are on your tours?A: We operate our scheduled group trips with a minimum of two and a maximum of eight guests, except on the Inca Trail trips, which have a maximum of 12 guests. This policy minimizes our environmental impact, allows us to travel to areas less visited, and makes the sightseeing experience more personal. It allows our guides sufficient time to attend to the individual needs of each visitor. Traveling in small groups also increases the likelihood of encountering wildlife in some areas, such as the Amazon. Some all-inclusive lodges and cruises offer excursions with their in-house guides and groups for those days may exceed eight travelers.Q: Will I get more information on packing, vaccines, currency, electricity, etc.?A: After booking you will receive a link to our online trip portal which includes all of the need-to-know information that is specific to your itinerary. This includes packing lists, restaurant recommendations, tipping guides, FAQs, vaccine recommendations and currency information. Your Adventure Travel Coordinator will also be a great resource for any other information you may need.
