Peru luxury holidays

Click on a place name below to find out more. Alternatively, to start planning where to go in Peru, talk to one of our destination specialists on 020 7590 0623.

Arequipa & Colca Canyon

Cuzco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

Lima

Northern Peru

Paracas, Ica, Nazca & Ballestas Islands

Peru trekking & Inca Trail

Puno & Lake Titicaca

The Amazon

The Practical information displayed here is taken from The Traveller's Handbook, published by WEXAS (2009). While all possible care was taken to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, we are aware that situations change, so for the latest information and up-to-date visa requirements, talk to one of our destination specialists on 020 7590 0623.

Weather

Heavy rain in the mountains and jungle from December to April. It never rains in Lima and rarely on the coast.

Festivals

Peru celebrates as many as 3,000 festivals each year. Many are held in homage to a patron saint and are part of the Christian calendar, with Easter being particularly important. But traditional Inca festivals live on, and the Andean communities still honour Pachamama, the earth goddess, either purely or as a hybrid with their Christian faith. One of the most impressive festivals is Inti Raymi, a spectacular annual ceremony in Cuzco to mark the winter solstice and harvest each June. The central event is acted out on the esplanade below the imposing Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán on the edge of the city, and the entire city breaks out in festivities lasting for days. Other notable events include Puno Day on 5th November, which features flamboyant costumes and street dancing in the town of Puno, near Lake Titicaca.

Food & drink

Hot pepper (aji) and garlic (ajo) flavour most Peruvian food. Typical dishes include chupe de camarones (a soup made from shrimps, eggs, cream, potatoes and peppers), sopa criolla (spicy soup with beef and noodles) and anticuchos (beef or fish marinated in vinegar and spices, then barbecued). A potent brandy-based cocktail, Pisco sour, is infamous.

Etiquette

The majority of Peruvians speak Spanish, but many business people also speak English. When leaving Peru, do not take coca leaves or coca tea out of the country, as it is illegal to bring these substances into most countries. Likewise, visitors are not allowed to take any artefacts out of the country without the consent of the proper authority.

Safety

Relatively safe for travellers. Many reports of petty crime.

International airport

Lima (LIM) 10 km from the city, Cuzco (CUZ).

Internal travel

Fairly extensive domestic air network. Peru is home to the highest railroad in the world. Roads are in reasonable condition but affected by landslides in the rainy season.

Visa

Not required for stays up to 90 days.

Vaccination

BCG, Cholera, Hep. A, Hep. B, Malaria, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever3.

Driving

Valid home driving permit or an International Driving Permit.

Capital

Lima.

Language

Spanish and Quechua.

People

Indigenous Indians, Mestizo, European.

Religion

Roman Catholic.

Size

1,285,220.

Population

29,180,899.

Population density

22.7.

Life expectancy

M 68.61, F 72.37.

Currency

New sol (S) = 100 céntimos.

Finance

Most credit cards accepted. Changing traveller's cheques can be a slow process outside Lima.

Business hours

0900-1700 Mon-Friday.

Time difference

-5.

Voltage

220 AC, 60 Hz.

International dial code

+51.

The itinerary ideas listed below are designed to give you a flavour of the things to do in Peru. We can adjust any element and tailor-make your trip though, to suit your individual needs and available time. To start planning your trip, talk to one of our destination specialists on 020 7590 0623.

Machu Picchu & Galapagos tour

Peru by Rail

Amazon cruise, condors & cloud forests

Grand Tour of Peru

The Very Best of South America Escorted Tour

Luxury Peru with Orient Express

Luxury Peru with Inkaterra

Essential Peru

Machu Picchu & Galapagos

Amazon Wildlife Discovery

[See all itinerary ideas in Peru]

The places to stay listed below only represent a handful of the accommodation options available in Peru. We can also recommend and arrange accommodation to suit your personal tastes and budget. To start planning where to stay in Peru, talk to one of our destination specialists on 020 7590 0623.

Casa Cartagena Boutique Hotel, Peru

Libertador Trujillo, Peru

Urubamba Villas, Peru

Hotel Rio Sagrado, Peru

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, Peru

Inkaterra La Casona, Peru

Hotel Monasterio, Peru

Casa Andina Suasi Island, Peru

Casa Andina Miraflores, Peru

Casa Andina Arequipa, Peru

[See all places to stay in Peru]