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PERU TOURS & TOUR PACKAGES
Tour Packages to Peru with Local Expertise

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The country is home to some of the most visited tourist attractions in South America, so don’t miss your opportunity to visit the Amazon rainforest or take trips to Machu Picchu, Peru. Whether it’s famed archaeological sites you’re interested in, or the stunning pacific coast, we can take you there. Our tours in Peru are extensive, offering all the worthwhile tourist sites, as well as hidden local gems. Because Class Adventure Travel has over 20 years of experience, we make the perfect Peru travel guides. So why not let us show you around?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PERU TRAVEL

From the incredible archaeological discoveries to the world’s most biologically diverse rainforest, Peru provides travelers with an endless show of both ancient and modern ecosystems and cultures.

Peru is perhaps most famous for Cusco and Machu Picchu. However, these are just two colonial and pre-Columbian gems out of a total of 11 UNESCO World Heritage sites located in the country.

New archaeological discoveries at Machu Picchu, Chachapoyas, and along the Pacific coast add a sense of excitement to your trip. The wonders of Peru await your arrival, including beautifully handwoven textiles, Amazonian pink dolphins, smiling llamas, impressive Inca ruins, and pristine colonial cities. Not to mention the delicious food.

VACATION PACKAGES

The Peruvian Odyssey

This itinerary takes you to explore the diversity of Peru‘s highlight destinations from the Andean peaks down into the Amazon rainforest while taking in its

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November 18, 2015 No Comments

The Highlights of Peru

This adventure brings you face to face with the authentic highlights and diversity of Southern Peru. Arequipa’s colonial architecture is compelling, watching the Andean Condors

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January 3, 2015 No Comments
peru travel guide machu picchu overview ruins
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The Best of South America

Often referred to as the best tour operators to South America, we’d like to think we’re well-positioned as experts of the continent. We’ll take you

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January 5, 2016 No Comments

Machu Picchu & the Amazon

Adventure through the fascinating landscape of Peru and the Amazon with our Machu Picchu and Amazon tour. Uncover unforgettable experiences, learn about the country’s past,

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January 3, 2016 No Comments

LET US CUSTOMIZE OR BOOK THESE TRIPS FOR YOU

Our World Experts offer full support and dedication to customizing this tour to fit you wishlist.
We can mix and match experiences, hotels and highlights to fit you budget and taste.

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GUIDE TO TRAVEL IN PERU

Best times to travel, regions, weather, rainfall, and other useful information

WHERE & WHEN TO TAKE A PERU TOUR

Due to Peru’s dramatic landscapes, it has different temperatures and climates depending on where you are traveling to. So the weather you’ll experience really depends on where you want to go! In general terms, we could say that it is best to visit the mountains and jungle between May and November because this is the driest season.

The coast has its summer between November and May, but in most destinations, there is sun all year round. So if you’re down for Peru adventure travel you’ll have to keep an eye on the weather, but the warm sun can be enjoyed across most places in the country throughout the year.

We have included specific information on each destination in our travel guides, so make sure you check those out for more details to help you plan your trip.

REGIONAL WEATHER IN PERU

Best times of the year to travel to different regions in Peru

IMPORTANT INFO WHEN VISITING PERU

Looking to step outside your comfort zone and take on an adventure in Peru? Well before you hop on your flight, there are a few things you’ll need to do in preparation. While we’ve got you covered during your tour, you may need to get a few things done before you leave.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to prepare for a trip to Peru.

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR TOURS OF PERU

This is the section that will help you in planning your trip to Peru. It will give you a general idea of the region, what areas may be of interest, visas, and other great information worth considering when preparing for traveling to Peru.

Travel documents Argentina Travel Guide

PASSPORT & VISA

All travelers will need a passport valid for at least 90 days following your departure date from Peru. However, we strongly recommend traveling with 6 months validity on your passport at all times. VisaHQ can assist U.S. citizens with a full range of expedited passport services, including new passport applications, passport renewal, and any required visas.

Peru also requires that you have adequate unused pages in your passport, allowing for any necessary stamps upon arrival and departure.

Check with your airline in case you have connecting flights overseas as part of your journey to Peru. It may be the case that countries you pass through en route to your destination may require a separate transit visa.

Peru Travel Guide Machu Picchu Family

FAMILY TRAVEL

Many of us here have families and young children and we travel with them all the time, but you do need to plan carefully. The long distances between places, the high altitudes and subsequent risk of altitude sickness, and the possibility of getting an upset stomach all need to be taken into consideration.

However, Peru is a great place for kids with plenty of opportunities for them to explore the authentic culture of Peru and interact with the locals. We’re great at offering assistance as many of us here have already done it ourselves with our families.

Whether exploring the narrow waterways of the Amazon, visiting a traditional market in Cusco or climbing to the ancient Inca Citadel and World Wonder of Machu Picchu; there’s something here for all ages. Taking a Peru adventure trip comes highly recommended, not only from us but from our many satisfied customers.

CULTURE & LANGUAGE

Peru’s official language is Spanish, but there are also a number of indigenous languages such as Quechua and Aymara.

With about 84% of Peruvians speaking Spanish, it is by far the most widely spoken language in Peru, followed by Quechua which is spoken by about 13% of Peruvians.

Quechua is mostly spoken in the highlands of central and southern Peru, and it was the language spoken during the Inca Empire. The third-most widely spoken language is Aymara, but it is only spoken by about 1.7% of Peruvians.

Almost all Aymara speakers can be found in the southernmost region of Peru, particularly along the border of Bolivia and surrounding Lake Titicaca where the Uros who inhabit the floating islands speak Aymara.

Peruvian food

FOOD SCENE & DINING

Peru’s gastronomic scene is a foodie’s dream come true. Even if you’re not a big foodie, you won’t be disappointed once you’ve dined at one of Lima’s world-renowned restaurants.

Whether it’s the ceviche, lomo saltado, Nikkei cuisine or, causa rellena, there is something to suit even the fussiest of palates. After traveling to Peru and exploring its cuisine it will be clear to you why it is referred to as the culinary capital of South America.

In recent decades, Peruvian food has experienced a worldwide boom in popularity. Lima, the capital city, has produced chefs and restaurants recognized throughout the world. The flavors of Peru stem from a varied climate, a mixed population, and a history of colonization.

Peruvians have experienced a renewed pride in their cooking as a result of the success that Peruvian restaurants have started to enjoy all over the world.

VACCINATIONS & HEALTH

Make sure to take precautions against altitude sickness if you’re traveling to the highlands, some prescription medications such as Diamox can help with your acclimatization. It’s best to understand altitude sickness to combat it effectively, as altitude increases, the percentage of oxygen in the air is reduced, and oxygen molecules per breath are reduced.

During the first few days at high altitude take deep breaths, drink plenty of water, eat lightly, and stay calm. If you are experiencing altitude sickness, continuing on to higher altitude without proper acclimatization can lead to the potentially serious, even life-threatening altitude sickness.

No mandatory vaccinations are required to visit Peru. However, we do recommend visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor (ideally, 4-6 weeks) before your trip to make sure everything is up to date.

We recommend travel insurance with World Nomads, they have Standard & Explorer Plans available.

THINKING SAFETY

Generally speaking, Peru is safe but you should keep an eye out for pickpockets, especially in the larger cities. Remember you’re a foreigner and will already stick out, so watch your valuables and don’t wear lots of expensive jewelry or show off your latest iPhone, camera, or laptop.

Try not to take out of the hotel more cash than you need that day and keep it along with your passport and documents in a money belt under your clothing. At restaurants, don’t hang your bag over your chair and keep it in sight at all times. Similarly, make sure you don’t leave your cell phone or purse sitting on top of the table as it is an easy target for opportunistic thieves.

Peru Currency - Peru Travel Guide

MONEY & CURRENCY

Peru’s official currency is the Nuevo Sol (S/) and the exchange rate as of 2020 is approximately ~ S/ 3.54 to US$1.00. We recommend bringing cash in US Dollars as they can be easily exchanged throughout the country.

Visa is the most widely accepted bank card although MasterCard, Diners Club, and, American Express are accepted in most places. When exchanging money, ask for a mix of small bills and larger bills as if you’re visiting some of the smaller towns or villages, they may not accept the larger bills as they may not have enough change for you.

We also recommend using the Foreign Exchange Bureaus instead of the high-street banks when exchanging money as they have slightly better rates and you may find that they charge lower commissions. We recommend visiting the website XE Currency Converter to get current exchange rates.

Peru Travel Guide - Airline LAN-LATAM

GETTING AROUND

As a result of the geographical diversity of Peru, making your way from one destination to another on your own can be tricky. For cross-country travel, we highly recommend taking a domestic flight as you’ll save time and it’s also much more comfortable than the long-distance buses.

If you have a shorter journey between two destinations you can travel by bus. Although the trips with the Cruz del Sur Bus Company are more expensive than the other bus companies, the extra safety, comfort, and reliability make it worthwhile to pay slightly more.

When traveling within a city, you can use local transport such as combis and buses but their driving can be a little erratic. Use taxis with caution as they don’t use meters so you will have to try and haggle the fare before getting in which is why if you’re thinking of getting a taxi, we would recommend using Uber.

Brazil Travel Guide adaptors

ELECTRICITY

Electricity in Peru runs at 220 Volts, so transformers may be necessary for travelers from the USA. Just be sure to check your item’s label before plugging it in. If you are planning to use anything with a three-prong plug, bring an adapter, as some establishments only have two-prong outlets.

If you’d like to learn more about the types of plugs in Peru, check out the website What Plug Info – Peru. Depending on where you are from, you may need a plug adapter or voltage converter. When using a plug adapter (which simply changes the shape of the plug so it will fit in the outlet) make sure the voltage of the appliance is compatible. This information is listed on the appliance.

For example, North American visitors can usually use a plug adapter with a laptop computer since most laptop computers can accept 120-220V and no voltage converter is required. This may not be true for other appliances such as hair dryers. The appliance may not be designed to work at 220V.

RELATED BLOG ARTICLES

Find out more about the culture, lifestyle, and places to travel in Peru. We’ll be looking at a range of destinations, traditions, and travel tips for this incredible country in our Travel Blog.

What’s better is you’ll be hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth – people living and working right here in Peru. Learn about our favorite restaurants in Lima & Cusco, research different experiences to explore, or stay informed about upcoming festivals taking place across the country.

Visit our Travel Blog for travel tips, inspiration, and all the latest! Some of our favorite articles on Peru:

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CHECK OUT OUR PERU BLOG POSTS

What our travelers in Peru are saying

Jackie Urbani & Rafael Damo
from the United States to Brazil
Dear Adam and the CAT Team, I wanted to say thank you so much for all your efforts in helping me plan my Brazilian Honeymoon.  Adam, you were great with getting me all the info I needed!  We took the Salvador, Lencois, and Praia do Forte trip and we had the most AMAZING time!  The trip was so well organized; someone was always there from to pick us up on time and take us to the right place. It was my first time to Brazil (my husband is Brazilian) and I can't wait to go back! I am ready to start planning the next trip with CAT. All three cities were great in their own way, but I have to say Lencois was so much fun. The trails we hiked (never hiked a day in my life) and the caves we swam in, and walked through were the most incredible sights we have ever seen. In 9 days we took over 700 photos! The best honeymoon ever!!! Thank you so much CAT! I can't wait to plan with you again! Jackie Urbani and Rafael Damo, New Jersey, United States
Jan & Meta Waal
from the Netherlands to Peru
Hello Cynthia, We traveled through Peru from the 15th of February until the 12th March. We had originally booked our tour through the Dutch Travel Organization Outsight Travel, but our trip was actually arranged by you, Class Adventure Travel. And what you provided was perfect. After arriving in Lima we got a lot of information and advice about our trip. During our trip every local agent of your organization got in touch with us by phone or by a personal visit at each stage of our tour. Everybody was helpful and every appointment was observed. You too phoned us three times and sent us mails. Our 2/3 days trips by group service (Colca Canyon Tour, Sailing Tour Lake Titicaca, Amazonas) were also excellent. Our guides were helpful experts and they provided us with a lot of information. In summary, our holiday was a great success thanks to Class Adventure Travel. Many Thanks, Jan and Meta Waal, The Netherlands
Jane Veerachanavirut
from the United States to Peru, Argentina & Brazil
Our trip was amazing!  Thank you to everyone on the CAT team for flawlessly planning and executing our trip.  Even when our flights were delayed, there was no hiccup and everything went smoothly.  We were really impressed with the service, friendliness, and how professional everyone was.  Your service from start to finish was exceptional!  Thank you Marcos for answering all our questions (and we had lots of them).  Even the staff at the hotels we stayed were friendly, helpful, and personal (Solar Soler Bed & Breakfast in Buenos Aires, Casa San Blas Boutique Hotel in Cuzco, and Hotel La Cabana in Aguas Caliente). Thank you CAT for creating such a great and memorable vacation for us.  We will definitely recommend you to our friends or use your service again!
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