The 10 most requested tours in Peru

Peru is one of the best destinations in South America. Without a doubt its main tourist attraction is the Inca city of Machu Picchu. However, in its diverse geography (coast, mountains and jungle) there are other destinations that are really worth visiting. Some are man-made historical sites. Others are nature’s whim. And there are even places that are visited by the cultural aspects of their people. Learn about the 10 most requested tours in Peru, their approximate cost and more information.

Pisac Sacred Valley Tour

Pisac – Sacred Valley Tour


Machu Picchu Tour 1 day

Machu Picchu

Tour to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is the number one destination in Peru. It is estimated that each year it is visited by more than 1.5 million people. Most do it through the 1-day tour that departs from the city of Cusco and lasts approximately 14 hours. Is that the ‘Inca City’ is approximately 100 kilometers from the Cusco capital.

Tours include: complete transportation (by minivan, train and bus), entrance to Machu Picchu, official tourist guide and, in some cases, lunch. The prices for Peruvian tourists are cheaper (due to the lower costs of the train trip). It is recommended to buy the tour online 2 or 3 weeks in advance.

  • Where to hire the tour ?: In the city of Cusco or with a tourist agency online.
  • Price (approximate): 230 USD per tourist.

Colca Canyon Tour 1 day

Colca canyon tour

Colca canyon tour

The Colca Canyon is the number one destination in Arequipa. It is also one of the most visited attractions in Peru. The beauty of this site lies in its amazing Andean landscapes. It is one of the deepest canyons on the planet (4,160 meters). In addition, in one of its viewpoints it is possible to see the ‘flight of the Andean condor’.

There are tours to the Colca canyon of 2 or more days. However, the ‘Full Day’ service is the most requested by visitors. This includes: pick up from the city of Arequipa, complete transportation, entrance ticket to Colca and official tourist guide. Some services offer breakfast and lunch in the towns of Chivay or Cabanaconde.

  • Where to hire the tour ?: In the city of Arequipa or with a tourist agency online.
  • Price (approximate): 40 USD per tourist.

City Tour Lima Half Day

Tour Lima

Malecon Miraflores – Lima

Lima is the capital city of Peru. There is the only international airport in the country. Therefore there are many foreign tourists. The best way to get to know the history and streets of the city is through the classic ‘City Tour’. This one is in high demand. It lasts approximately 4 hours. Walk through the historic center of the city as well as the modern streets of Miraflores and Barranco.

The City Tour begins with the visitor’s pick-up at their hotel. Then the journey to the city center is started. There you visit the Main Square, the Cathedral and other historical sites. Then you return to the modern districts of Miraflores or Barranco. There you can visit the boardwalk and the ‘Love park’. The entrance to the ‘Huaca Pucllana’ is optional.

  • Where to hire the tour ?: In the city of Lima or with a tourist agency online.
  • Price (approximate): 40 USD per tourist.

7 Colors Mountain Tour 1 day

7 colors mountain tour

7 colors mountain tour

The mountain of the 7 colors is considered the second most visited tourist attraction in Cusco (the first place is occupied by Machu Picchu, of course). The beauty of this site lies in its soil rich in minerals. This has created a landscape of various colors: red, purple, green, yellow, pink and other variations. This geography exceeds 5,000 meters in height.

The tours to Vinicunca (it is also called that) start at around 4 in the morning in the city of Cusco. After a trip of almost 4 hours, a small but intense walk is made until arriving at the Mountain 7 Colors. Includes: transportation, breakfast, lunch, entrance fees and official tour guide.

  • Where to hire the tour ?: In the city of Cusco or with a tourist agency online.
  • Price (approximate): 40 USD per tourist.

Paracas Tour 1 day

Tour Paracas

Tour Paracas

The Paracas spa, 75 kilometers from the city of Inca, has several reasons to be visited: the Ballestas islands, its marine fauna, the archaeological sites of the Paracas culture, its good tourist services and more. The 1-day tour is preferred by visitors. However, these must start in the city of Ica (or Pisco).

The services begin with the trip to the Paracas spa. Then you travel by boat to the famous Ballestas Islands. Then you go through the coastal desert of the coast. Finally you return to Ica. Tours include: complete transportation, boat trip to Ballestas, entrance fees and professional tour guide. Some services include a visit to the Huacachina.

  • Where to hire the tour ?: In the city of Ica or with a tourist agency online.
  • Price (approximate): 80 USD per tourist.

Kuelap Tour 1 day

Tour Kuelap

Tour Kuelap

Kuelap is one of the most mysterious and famous destinations in Peru. It is a sacred citadel built by the Chachapoyas culture in the 11th century. It is located 67 kilometers from the city of Chachapoyas. The last section is done by cable car. The 1-day tour from this city is a recommended service. There are also multi-day tours from other cities.

The tours begin with the pick-up and subsequent transport trip to the town of ‘Nuevo Tingo’. There, a stop is made to appreciate the beauty of the landscape and the archaeological site of Macro. Then you continue by car until you go up the cable cars to Kuelap. 1 hour walk to the archaeological site. Then return to Chachapoyas. Services include: complete transportation, entrance fees, cable car ticket and official tourist guide.

  • Where to hire the tour ?: In the city of Chachapoyas or with a tourist agency online.
  • Price (approximate): 40 USD per tourist.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour 4 days

Inca Trail Tour

Inca Trail Tour

The Inca Trail is one of the best hiking trails in the world. It crosses Andean and tropical landscapes for 39 kilometers until arriving at Machu Picchu. That route was built by the Incas. Due to its beautiful landscapes, historical roads, archaeological sites and the final view of Machu Picchu, it is considered the best way to get to know Machupicchu.

The Inca Trail is a route that is done only with a tour. This service includes: complete transportation, permits for the Inca Trail, official tourist guide, camps, complete meals with cooks, porters (porters of implements) and entrance to Machu Picchu. Due to high demand, the tour must be purchased online 6 or 7 months in advance.

  • Where to hire the tour ?: With an authorized tourist agency online.
  • Price (approximate): 600 USD per tourist.

Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour 1 day

Sacred Valley of the Incas

Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley of the Incas in an immense geographical area near Cusco where the Incas built their main palaces and citadels. Although it is possible to go on your own (buying the Cusco Tourist Ticket), most visitors decide to go with a tour. This visit offers beautiful landscapes, historical sites and villages with a lot of tradition.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas tour includes a visit to the towns and archaeological sites of Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. It also offers a buffet lunch in the town of Urubamba. The service lasts approximately 12 hours. The starting point is the city of Cusco. Tours can be purchased there (same day of travel) or online.

  • Where to hire the tour ?: In the city of Cusco or with a tourist agency online.
  • Price (approximate): 70 USD per tourist.

Gastronomic Tour in Lima Half Day

Lima Gastronomic Tour

Lima Gastronomic Tour

Peru is one of the best gastronomic destinations in the world. Because in the city of Lima there are some of the best restaurants in Peru; The main gastronomic tours take place there. These are highly sought after by foreign tourists. They visit some of the most famous restaurants in the city where the visitor will learn the history and evolution of Peruvian gastronomy.

The tours start in the tourist district of Miraflores. Then you visit a restaurant in the district. There the visitor will learn secrets of Peruvian gastronomy. Of course you will also taste the most delicious dishes in the country. Then you visit markets and other places. The tour lasts approximately 4 hours. Includes transportation, guide and food described. The service varies depending on the tourism agency you choose.

  • Where to hire the tour ?: In the city of Lima or with a tourist agency online.
  • Price (approximate): 80 USD per tourist.

Ayahuasca Tour in Iquitos 4 days

Ayahuasca Iquitos

Ayahuasca Tour – Iquitos

The Peruvian Amazon is highly visited by tourists who seek to experience the effects of the famous hallucinogenic drink called ‘ayahuasca’. The city of Iquitos is one of the main Amazon destinations to perform this ritual. The tours of several days are necessary because to drink this concoction a special diet is necessary. Also a few days of meditation.

The 4-day tour is one of the most preferred by visitors. This takes place in a lodge in the Amazon forest. During the stay, the visitor is fed with naturist products that prepare his body for, on the last day, perform the ayahuasca ceremony with a shaman teacher. There are also services of more days. The service can be contracted online or in the city of Iquitos.

  • Where to hire the tour ?: In the city of Iquitos or with a tourist agency online.
  • Price (approximate): 620 USD per tourist.

 

By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, August 28, 2023