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Machu Picchu

Things to do in Peru

Peru's ancient remains, rich culture and myriad landscapes present a huge number of attractions and activities for visitors. Machu Picchu is an obvious highlight and the magnificent Inca citadel can be explored in a variety of ways, from a five day trek to a three hour tour.

Visit the Colca Canyon for an early morning climb to Condor’s Cross to witness the world’s largest flying bird swooping overhead, or board the Andean Explorer train in Puno and travel through snow-capped peaks and herds of llama to Cuzco. Here you’ll discover the city's thriving art scene and delightful colonial architecture before exploring the surrounding hills and their numerous Inca sites.

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Audley Travel specialist Anna

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Ideas for experiencing Peru

Experiences you have as you travel often hold the longest memories. As part of their research trips, our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know Peru, and the best local guides. These activities reflect some of their best-loved experiences.

  • Intricate carvings inside the Huaca de la Luna

    Huacas de Sol y Luna

    Trujillo

    A private half day tour of the sacred tombs of the Sun and the Moon.

  • Lima, Peru

    Lima City Tour

    Lima

    This tour of the Peruvian capital includes the "Huaca Pucllana" archaeological site and the historical centre including the Plaza de Armas where you can see the blue and scarlet suited guards outside the Presidential Palace.

  • Sealions basking, Ballestas Islands

    Ballestas Islands Excursion

    From your hotel you go to the jetty to get a boat to the Ballestas Islands, a half hour or so boat trip from the mainland. These islands are inhabited by boobies, pelicans, sea lions and penguins.

  • Rafting in the Sacred Valley

    White water rafting on the Urubamba

    Cuzco

    Today will take you above Cuzco to the Chuquicahuana section of the Urubamba River to raft on class III-IV rapids. Here the river is much cleaner and more fun than in the lower sections, and no previous experience is necessary.

  • Pre-Inca terracing in the Colca Canyon

    Climb Condors Cross

    Colca Canyon

    Condor’s Cross is situated on top of one of the steepest sides of the Colca Canyon. It is in these forested slopes that the families of condors nest, and you are more than likely to see several take to the air and glide on the thermals.

  • Adobe Walls, Chan Chan, Chimu culture, Peru

    Chan Chan ruins

    Trujillo

    You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the fascinating Chan Chan adobe ruins along with a visit to Huanchaco beach village.

  • Belmond Andean Explorer Sleeper Train

    Ride the Andean Explorer

    Puno

    Puno is the place to board the Andean Explorer train to Cuzco. This spectacular rail journey, on a comfortable train with restaurant, bar and viewing carriage, takes about 10 hours.

  • Cuzco, Peru

    Cuzco City Tour

    Cuzco

    A half-day tour of the city and nearby Inca ruins begins at Koricancha, which was the Inca’s sumptuous Temple of Sun before becoming the Spaniard’s Santo Domingo church.

  • Adobe walls of Chan Chan, Trujillo

    Chan Chan & Huacas de Sol y Luna

    A full day guided tour of the two principal ruins of the region. Chan Chan was the capital city of the Chimu Empire and during your visit to this enormous complex your guide will explain the two local legends behind their culture.

  • New Sipan museum, Chiclayo

    Sipan & the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum

    Chiclayo

    Built by the Mochica culture (200 to 600AD) this is where the tomb of the Lord of Sipan was discovered. The gold-laden tomb is considered to be the richest and one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the last 30 years in the Americas.

  • Uros Islands, Peru

    Taquile & Uros Islands Tour

    Take to the blue waters of Lake Titicaca for a taste of life as it was pre-Conquest. Enjoy the ride as your motorboat takes you to the serene Taquile Island, an island of 1km by 7kms that has been inhabited for over 10,000 years.

  • Pisac ruins, Sacred Valley

    Pisac Market and Ruins

    Cuzco

    In the small colonial village of Pisac, spend the morning exploring the colourful Indian market, with its wide variety of textiles and ceramics.

  • Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley of the Incas

    Moray, Maras & Ollantaytambo

    Cuzco

    Visit the Maras salt pans, the experimental agricultural terraces of Moray and the remnants of Ollantaytambo, once an important Inca administrative centre.

  • Sacred Valley of Incas, Peru

    Mountain Biking Excursion

    Sacred Valley

    This incredibly scenic ride starts in the Andean highlands around Chinchero (3727m) and ends beside the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You cycle amid traditional Andean communities where the way of life has changed very little since the Spanish arrived nearly 500 years ago.

  • Cerro Purgatorio, Tucume

    Tucume Pyramids Excursion

    The Tucume pyramids are fascinating pyramids, situated 45km to the north of Chiclayo, standing proud in the deserted region of northern Peru.

  • Views of the Sacred Valley from the Huchuy Qosqo trek

    Huchuy Qosqo Trek

    Cuzco

    The trail takes you through small hamlets and affords stunning views of the Sacred Valley and Pisac below. The trail climbs steadily to a pass at 4200m, beyond which you will descend to a beautiful canyon, where a picnic lunch is served.

  • Revash ruins

    Revash & the Leimebamba Museum

    Chachapoyas

    Near the town of Santo Tomas de Quillay are located a group of burial buildings in the mountains. The walls are composed of small stones set in mud mortar, plastered and painted in shades of cream and red.

  • Machu Picchu

    Tour of Machu Picchu

    Machu Picchu

    Your tour of Machu Picchu will incorporate the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb and the Intihuatana.

  • Santa Catalina Monastery, Arequipa

    Arequipa City Tour

    Arequipa

    This tour concentrates on the beautiful Santa Catalina Convent, a walled colonial town within a city. Opened to the public in 1970 after 4 centuries of secrecy, the remaining nuns have moved to a private corner of the convent allowing visitors to wander through the peaceful cobbled streets.

  • Cloudforest site at Kuelap, Chachapoyas

    Kuelap Excursion

    Chachapoyas

    Situated 9,843 feet above sea level, three miles from Tingo and approximately one hour from Chachapoyas, Kuelap is made up of hundreds of round stone houses and was not discovered until 1843.

  • Chinchero market

    Chinchero Market & Ruins

    Cuzco

    During your day of exploration, you visit the colourful local market in the town of Chinchero. This is one of the most traditional markets in all of South America, and you will be surrounded by locals in their traditional dress all buying and selling their produce.