Peru Adventure Trips: Andes Treks, Inca Culture, and the Amazon
Small-group adventure trips in Peru, from the Andes to the Amazon: trek to Machu Picchu, wander the villages of the Sacred Valley, hike the circuits of the Cordillera Blanca, then slow down on a river cruise or at a rainforest lodge.
19 trips found
Two nights in the Tambopata rainforest, a road over a 4,750 m pass, then the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu: Peru in 7 days.
Spend 2 nights at Posada Amazonas, the Ese Eja community’s lodge 2 hours from Puerto Maldonado. Climb a 40 m canopy tower and spot giant otters.
from $ 1,700
Watch macaws at dawn, spot monkeys from a 30 m tower, and join night walks at the reserve’s most remote lodge, the Tambopata Research Center.
from $ 4,100
A 46 km, 5-day Ancascocha trek with 3 camp nights in remote Andean valleys, a 4,500 m pass, and the Short Inca Trail via the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu.
from $ 1,290
Begin in the Sacred Valley, then walk 60 km of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, sleeping in cabanas, huts, and domes before a guided citadel tour!
from $ 1,090
The 5-day Salkantay trek climbs from Humantay Lake to a 4,630 m pass, then drops through cloud forest and coffee farms to Llactapata and Machu Picchu.
from $ 690
A 4-day Delfin Amazon cruise on the Delfin I or Delfin III: skiff outings in Pacaya-Samiria, kayaking, a village visit, all meals and house drinks.
from $ 4,200
Pink dolphins by skiff, piranha fishing and jungle walks by day, a river-view suite and a chef’s menu by night: the 4-day Aria Amazon cruise in Peru.
A 5-day Ausangate Lodge Trek in the Cordillera Vilcanota: a bed and private bathroom every night, a 5,150 m pass, and Rainbow Mountain.
from $ 1,935
A 5-day Ausangate trek around the sacred peak: 52 km on foot, two passes near 5,000 m, 4 camp nights and a soak in the Pacchanta hot springs.
from $ 1,255
A 6-day Santa Cruz Trek from Huaraz: 2 acclimatization hikes with hotel nights, then 3 camp nights in the Cordillera Blanca and one pass at 4,750 m.
from $ 1,130
The full Huayhuash Circuit in 14 days from Huaraz: 2 acclimatization hikes, 9 trek days, 2 rest days, 8 passes up to 5,057 m and 11 nights camping.
from $ 2,700
An 8-day Huayhuash Trek from Huaraz, Peru: 2 acclimatization hikes, then 5 camp nights by Jahuacocha, Mitucocha, and Carhuacocha lakes, with a guide.
from $ 1,060
An off-the-beaten-path Salkantay trek in 5 days: little-walked valleys, 3 nights in camp, 1 hotel night, and a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
from $ 1,290
A 5-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek from Cusco: 3 nights in quiet camps, arrival on foot through the Sun Gate and a guided tour of the citadel.
from $ 1,290
Traveler reviews
What guests say after our Peru adventure trips, from treks in the Andes of Cusco to river cruises in the Amazon, run with expert local partners.
Peru adventure trips: high passes, Inca ruins, village life, or the Amazon?
Spanning 1,285,216 km², Peru stands as the third-largest country in South America. The Andean mountain range traverses the nation from the north down to the southeast, sloping eastward into the Amazon basin, which encompasses roughly 60% of the land.
Our Peru adventure trips mirror this geography, offering mountain trekking alongside rich Andean traditions, as well as lowland rainforest and river expeditions.
Treks to Machu Picchu from Cusco
Winding from Cusco (the ancient Inca capital sitting at roughly 3,400 m) through traditional farming hamlets and high mountain passes, our tours in Peru culminate at Machu Picchu (2,430 m), the renowned 15th-century citadel designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
Through our Machu Picchu tours, travelers can journey to the ruins via the classic Inca Trail (where capped permits are fully included), the dramatic Salkantay route, or the serene Ancascocha trek, which links up with the final section of the Inca Trail.
Along every trail, rich Inca heritage unfolds through agricultural terraces, ancient stone storehouses, and preserved sections of the Qhapaq Ñan, an expansive road network covering nearly 40,000 km.
The Salkantay trek
When it comes to iconic high-altitude trekking in Peru, the Salkantay route stands out as the ultimate trail. Dominated by Salkantay Peak, the highest summit in the Vilcabamba range at 6,271 m, the path leads travelers over its high pass at 4,636 m, passing right beside glacial slopes and the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake.
Beyond the pass, the trail descends over 2,000 m into lush cloud forests and coffee plantations before reaching Llactapata Pass (2,736 m), where you get your very first glimpse of Machu Picchu.
Sacred Valley and Lares: villages and Inca culture
For travelers seeking deep cultural connections alongside stunning mountain vistas, our Sacred Valley tours and the Lares trek provide an authentic immersion into traditional Andean life.
Every itinerary lets you mix hiking with local culture: browse the bustling artisan stalls at Pisac market, view the circular Inca agricultural terraces of Moray, walk past the ancient salt pans of Maras, join a traditional Pachamama blessing, or meet local weaving communities in rural villages.
Ending in the stone fortress town of Ollantaytambo, the Lares route leads hikers past high alpine tarns over passes crossing 4,200 m.
Lodge to lodge or camping
Travelers can tailor their adventure between full mountain immersion and added comfort. Walking lodge to lodge in Peru offers cozy retreats featuring hot showers, jacuzzi tubs, and full board. Meanwhile, budget-friendly options rely on simple mountain huts or camping tents, which are often the only choice on secluded routes.
Southeast of Cusco, the 5-day Ausangate Trek (52 km) showcases both styles, taking hikers over passes above 5,000 m past Rainbow Mountain while staying in either exclusive Andean lodges or campsites.
Huaraz: Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash
Heading north, the mountain town of Huaraz (3,052 m) acts as the main base for venturing into the alpine peaks of the Cordillera Blanca—dominated by Mount Huascarán at 6,768 m—and the remote Huayhuash range.
Every Peru adventure trip in this region focuses on multi-day backcountry camping, starting with two acclimatization day hikes from town.
Amazon river cruises and jungle lodges
Spanning nearly 60% of the nation, the Amazon basin opens up extraordinary wilderness adventures through two major gateways: Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado.
Up in the north, Iquitos (reached exclusively by flight or boat) acts as the starting port for our Peru Amazon tours. Here, boutique cruise ships sail on 4-day river journeys toward Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, searching out pink dolphins, sloths, and vibrant canopy wildlife.
Further south, Puerto Maldonado provides access to jungle lodges around the Tambopata National Reserve. Guests can choose a 3-day retreat hosted by the local Ese Eja native community, a 4-day rainforest research stay near a famous macaw clay lick, or a 7-day overland trek linking the jungle to Machu Picchu.
Altitude and the dry season
Across the mountains of Peru, two key details shape every route: altitude (starting near 3,400 m in Cusco and pushing much higher) and the dry season, running from April to October. In contrast, Amazon trips run all year, marked by high-water months from November to June and low-water months from July to October.
Want to add more rainforest or wetlands to your Peru vacation? Many guests combine it with our adventure trips in Brazil!