Top Activities on the Ground in Peru - page 3

Discover the best of Lima’s attractions in the open air on a small-group half-day bike tour. Your guide will offer personal insights into the city's culture and history as you pedal through the Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco neighborhoods. At the end of the tour, ask for individualized suggestions on what to see, do, and eat during the rest of your Lima vacation.

Get a taste of what trekking the Inca Trail is like even when you don’t have time to hike the entire trail to Machu Picchu with this 2-day tour from Cusco. Travel via Ollantaytambo to the start of your hike and then walk the Inca Trail past ruins to the Sun Gate over Machu Picchu. Return the next day for a guided tour of Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco.

See a brilliant blue lake in Huascaran National Park on a full-day Laguna 69 hiking tour that includes round-trip transport from Huaraz hotels. Between rough roads and a remote location, getting to the Laguna 69 trailhead is a challenge if you don't have your own car. Prebooking this Laguna 69 tour takes care of those logistics, whisking you straight to the famously beautiful lake surrounded by high peaks.

Experience an adventurous day riding ATVs to Rainbow Mountain and admire its stunning views and vibrant colors from the summit. Capture unforgettable photos with llamas and alpacas in one of the most scenic landscapes in the Peruvian Andes.

An ideal Machu Picchu tour for those who are short on time, this experience takes you on a 2-day trip to explore the landmark. Start down the Inca Trail that takes you through diverse cloud forests, pristine alpine tundra's, ancient Incan ruins, culminating when you arrive at Machu Picchu. This is a less challenging hike, though it still takes you to see the highlights, making it great for families and hikers of all ages.

Experience the technicolor wonders of Peru’s Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) on a full-day tour that offers deeper insight into local Incan culture. You won’t have to worry about navigating the hike to the viewpoint as your guide leads the way and offers fresh perspective of the landscapes and their significance.

This hands-on culinary adventure is led by a professional chef. Learn to make beloved traditional dishes including lomo saltado (sauteed beef and vegetables on rice with French fries), causa Limeña (a terrine of seasoned mashed potato and other fillings), and chicha morada (a corn-based non-alcoholic beverage) in a relaxed atmosphere using traditional pots and techniques. Finally, enjoy the lunch or dinner that you helped create!

Calling all nature lovers, this tour allows you to swim alongside wild sea lions in their natural environment. Departing Lima, travel by boat to the Guanera Islands (Islas Guaneras), home to Humboldt penguins, guano birds, and sea lions. Plunge into the water to enjoy a supervised swim with the marine mammals before admiring rock formations and other wildlife on your return journey. Refreshments are included.

Arrive at Mt. Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) once the crowds have left on a private tour that helps you enjoy the natural wonder in peace. Not only will you enjoy the undivided attention of your guide, but you’ll have a higher chance of snapping crowd-free photos as you explore the mountain at your own pace, rather than one set by a large group.

Get a comprehensive tour of the main Incan sites around Cusco on this half-day excursion. Visit all the highlights and landmarks, including Tambomachay, Puccpucara, Quenqo, Sacsayuaman, and Koricancha. Hotel pickup in the historic center of Cusco available; travel via air-conditioned coach.

Experience one of the world’s oldest pilgrimage routes on a 4-day, 3-night trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu. This slightly strenuous hike spans 26 miles (42 kilometers) and reaches elevations of 13,800 feet (4,200 meters). Join a small group and trek through villages while learning about local history and culture. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for added convenience.

Enjoy a short excursion during your time at port to the Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve by speedboat. See the iconic Candelabra geoglyph carved into the side of a mountain and observe the native flora and fauna of the area, including sea lions, as you navigate through the caves. Receive a personalized experience with a private guide and learn about the Paracas area before rejoining your ship.

See Peru's Rainbow Mountain, known for its stripes of colorful mineral deposits, in just one day on this tour from Cusco. Hike with a guide to the summit for a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness adventure, or rent a horse (own expense) for easier access to the same incredible views. Entrance to the mountain is not included.

Moray archaeological park and the Maras salt mines rank among the top attractions outside Cusco, with a history dating back to the days of the Incas. On this tour, hit the gas and zoom through the Peruvian countryside, and explore both sites in one day—with safety kit plus pickup and drop-off at your Cusco accommodation included. With your guide to lead the way, enjoy outdoor adventure in Peru and learn how the Incas worked the land.

Travel confidently with Alpaca Expeditions, Peru's #1 Tour Operator!. The Salkantay Trek is rated one of the world’s greatest treks. Experience stunning alpine scenery of glaciated Salkantay Mountain and travel through various ecosystems to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. An ideal trek for those wanting a wide open, uncrowded experience in the Andes. Enjoy Glass Cabanas, Hobbit Houses with outdoor jacuzzis, gourmet meals, a coffee farm, and expert, local indigenous guides that make all the difference. You’ll hike right to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu, & spend your final day at Machu Picchu.

When your cruise ship docks in San Martin Port, spend your time ashore exploring the Pisco Valley and the Inca fortress of Tambo Colorado. Learn about Peru's Inca history and visit the high priest's chambers and sacrificial altar in the fortress while listening to guided commentary. Travel to and from the cruise port in a private vehicle while enjoying verdant farmland and desert dune scenery.

See Lima like a local on this private sightseeing tour of the city's historic center. Visit top attractions such as Plaza de Armas and San Francisco Church in addition to less-frequented attractions such as Chinatown and the Central Market. End your tour with a more complete understanding of the link between Lima's past and present through the personalized attention only available on a private tour.

Uncover the fascinating architecture and culture of the ancient Incas during this full-day tour covering the highlights of Peru’s Sacred Valley from Cusco. Check out the market in Pisac, stopping on Sundays to observe its famous mass. Then visit the Inca settlement at Ollantaytambo and explore the ruins of its fortress and the Temple of the Sun, a mysterious structure composed of giant 12-foot (3.5-m) stones. Choose between private or shared options with or without admission tickets.

Skip crowded taxi lines and avoid navigating confusing public transport systems with this shared transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ) to your hotel. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, your transfer is synced to your flight's arrival time, so there's no time wasted waiting around for a ride.

Fly from hill to hill safely on this zipline tour of Chinchero over the Sacred Valley. This is about a one hour adventure, which takes you over the Racchi viewpoint and part of the eastern chain of the Andes. You'll also get to cross a Tibetan suspension bridge. Note that this company is validated by the Civil Defense which helps promote adventure tourism in the area.

See the iconic sights and hidden streets of Cusco from behind the handlebars of a bike during this 3-hour cycling excursion. Admire some of the most famous sites in the city around its iconic Plaza de Armas main square, then pedal along the lesser-known roads away from the main tourist walkways. As you cycle, your guide will share insights into the history of Cusco’s street names, point out the sophisticated architecture of the Incas and highlight the favorite local hangouts and watering holes of Cusco residents in the modern day.

With one day in Lima you can explore the very best of the city, from the colonial architecture of the historic center to pre-Colombian art and seaside neighborhoods. See the gorgeous interior of the San Francisco Convent, tour the Museo Larco, then get a glimpse of Lima’s earliest history in Miraflores. This full-day, private tour of Lima offers the flexibility and convenience of a personalized tour, including pickup and drop-off at hotels in some neighborhoods, and it’s an ideal choice for first-time visitors.

Exploring Cusco’s most important ruins and historic landmarks on your own can be confusing, with sites spread out and little context to explain what you’re seeing—but this small-group, guided tour makes it simple. Travel between key archaeological locations—including Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and the Temple of the Sun—and the historic center with a guide who brings the temples and colonial architecture to life. As you explore, learn about the history behind each site instead of simply passing by.

See the sweeping landscape of the Peruvian Andeans, through the Vilcabamba mountain range, and discover this Inca Sacred Lake. On the way, you will be surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains and beautiful valleys. • The trek will take you through the most scenic landscapes of the region. • You’ll get to know the esoteric and mystical aspects of this lagoon. • Take a horseback ride to the top and make the most of your experience (optional). • Find a perfect spot to relax and appreciate the emerald water of Lake Humantay. The trek has a moderate difficulty level, which is why you need to be fully acclimatized before committing to this activity.