Upgraded - Discover Peru

This small group tour with Explore Worldwide begins in Lima, where lively markets and the coastal neighbourhood of Barranco provide an introduction to Peru’s history and food. From there, the journey moves to Arequipa, perched below snow-capped volcanoes, to explore colonial architecture and a convent that feels like a small walled town.

The route climbs the Andes, with a long drive through the Altiplano to the Colca Canyon—twice the depth of the Grand Canyon—where condors circle overhead. Close by, Lake Titicaca’s reed islands and Quechua-speaking communities add cultural layers beneath the high waters. Next, you travel by train through the Andes to Cusco, the former Inca capital.

The tour ends with time in the Sacred Valley and the chance to visit Machu Picchu over two days, limited by visitor controls but spread out to avoid crowds. Optional hikes or extra circuits at the World Heritage site offer different ways to take in the site. Cusco’s streets, markets and museums are a relaxed finish, with an optional demanding day trip up Rainbow Mountain for those wanting one last high-altitude challenge.

These are the places the trip visits, in order. Explore Worldwide publishes the day-by-day itinerary on its own site.