Peru

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Smile. You’ve LANDED in Peru.

The home of the famous Machu Picchu, Peru is larger and more diverse than most people think. With thousands of years of various cultures nestled in the Andes mountains and beautiful coasts, there’s no shortage of experiences in Peru!

CAPITAL  LIMA

LANGUAGE  SPANISH

CURRENCY  SOL

READ  THE LAST DAYS OF THE INCAS

SIP & TASTE  PISCO & CEVICHE

EXPERIENCE  A TRAIN RIDE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS

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Where to go in Peru

Lima

The capital of Lima doubles as the country’s largest city. With world-class cuisine, museums, galleries, and studios, Peru’s “City of Kings” is a cultural goldmine you won’t want to skip!

Machu Picchu

An ancient engineering marvel, Machu Picchu is a fully intact city in the clouds, with temples, palaces, and homes that seem to spring from the rocks themselves. It’s well worth the 100 flights of stairs to reach it!

Cusco

Long ago, Cusco was the shining capital city of the Inca empire. Today, you can find a wealth of archaeological wonders, including Spanish churches on Inca foundations, beautiful ruins, and so much more.

Adventures You Can’t Miss

Take The Train

There’s no shortage of railways in Peru, and it’s a great way to take in the beautiful sights of the country. Consider a trip with the Hiram Bingham or Andean Explorer trains, luxury trains with large panoramic windows to give a full view of the mountains.

Explore The Beauty Of The Amazon

Home to a variety of wildlife and lush rainforests, Peru’s Amazon Basin is an incredible chance to see the natural wonders of South America. You may even catch sight of hundreds of macaws when you visit one of the many national parks nestled within the basin.

Enjoy A Beachside Getaway In Mancora

Whether you love to surf or just want to enjoy a luxury boutique hotel on the coast, Mancora is a must-visit destination. With 300 sunny days a year, pale sand and big waves, and incredible ceviche, it’s a little-known paradise that will leave you relaxed and recharged.

Visit the Chinchero Sunday Market

Held in the main square of the traditional Andean town of Chinchero, the Sunday Market offers an authentic Peruvian experience. On market day, you can meet locals as farmers and weavers from all around the region gather together to offer their goods, from the bright colored textiles Peru is known for to local produce.

LANDED provides personalized, custom travel within Central America, South America, and the Antarctic. We’ll create a unique itinerary plan tailored to your interests and dreams. Experience the trip of a lifetime. Please speak with one of our expert travel planners today at 801.582.2100.

Luxury accommodations in Peru

Whether you’re looking for a traditional hotel near Lake Titicaca or a beautiful mountain getaway full of luxury, Peru’s hospitality scene is ready to welcome you. Find the perfect accomodation to match your travels, no matter if you’re looking for an ultra-modern resort or a boutique, historic hotel.

Albums & Stories

Want a deeper look into the vibrancy and beauty of Peru? Take a look at our meticulously curated collection of all the essential information and sought-after insights to help you envision Peru as your ultimate luxury travel destination. Learn more about Peru with our family photos, articles, and podcasts covering the history, geography, culture, and more to help prepare for your trip!

Pioneering Ecotourism in Peru with Jose Koechlin

Join us for an insightful conversation with Jose Koechlin, Inkaterra's founder, about ecotourism, biodiversity, and...

5 Extraordinary National Parks in Latin America

Embark on a captivating journey through Latin America's most extraordinary national parks. Immerse yourself in...

Savoring Latin America: LANDED’s Favorite Restaurants

One of the best ways to immerse oneself in a new culture is through gastronomy...

Peruvian Chocolate: AJ Wildey & El Cacaotal

American expat AJ Wildey shares her love for Peruvian chocolate with the world. Learn about...

Sailing Peru’s Amazon: Aqua Expeditions

I’ve been coming to the Amazon for more than 20 years, and it continually surprises...

Peru’s Amazon Travel Album

LANDED knows the top hotels and guides in the Peru's Amazon Basin. We can arrange your...

FAQ

What language do they speak in Peru?

Although more than 70 indigenous dialects and languages are spoken in Peru, Spanish is the nation’s official and predominant language.

Roughly one quarter of the population speaks Spanish as a second language, after learning a native tongue such as Quechua or Aymara.

English is spoken in locations frequented by foreign visitors. LANDED can offer bilingual guide services to ensure you don’t miss a single detail of the rich cultural information shared during your travels.

What is there to do in Peru?

Broadly speaking, Peru has three main regions: the Pacific Coast, the Andes, and the Peruvian Amazon. Many travelers are drawn to visit Machu Picchu while in Peru.

The coastal capital, Lima, has a rich history extending well before the Spanish. You can visit ancient sites within the city limits. The city’s museums, markets, and galleries are all worthwhile. This is also one of South America’s culinary hotspots. For the adventurous, the expert travel planners at LANDED can arrange morning fishing trips, surf and street art sessions, and market visits with cooking classes hosted by top chefs. Chocolate or coffee tastings are another favorite.

Along the coast, you can view the Nazca Lines from the air, ride the dunes, visit ancient cities, surf, and explore the deserts with paleontologists and archeologists.

In the Andean region, visitors are drawn by the majesty of the landscape, and the magic of the ancient and living cultures. These regions are also prime territory for active adventure: rafting, trekking, alpine ascents, mountain biking, and paragliding.

Most travelers to the Amazon Basin are drawn by the biodiversity. River cruises and high quality lodges offer wildlife viewing and cultural interactions.

What is the weather like in Peru?

Peru is a large country; it has more territory than Germany, France, and Italy combined. Weather varies by region. The coast is generally dry. The high Andes near Cusco are cool (usually 35° F to 65° F) year-round. The Amazon Basin is warm and humid.

The rainy season near Cusco typically extends from mid-December through March. Rainfall rises from November to January and then diminishes through the end of March:

  • November: 3.1 inches
  • December: 4.7 inches
  • January: 6.3 inches
  • February: 5.2 inches
  • March: 4.3 inches

Still, this rain usually occurs suddenly in the late morning or late afternoon, leaving clear skies and perfect sunsets.

Machu Picchu is lower, in the transition zone between the high Andes and the Amazon Basin. January is the wettest month (about 6 inches of rainfall). Keep in mind that rain falls on approximately 80% of the days of the calendar at Machu Picchu; taking a rain jacket to the ancient city is good advice in any month.

In the Amazon region, the climate is humid and tropical; the average temperature is 89°, varying from 77° F to a wilting 107° F. December through March is the rainy season, with higher temperatures and afternoon rainfall.

When should you visit Peru?

Most leisure travelers to Peru are planning to spend some time at Machu Picchu. So, when our clients ask us this question, they’re usually asking about the ideal time to visit the ancient city.
At Machu Picchu, the wettest months are January and February. Keep in mind that rain falls on approximately 80% of the days of the calendar at Machu Picchu; taking a rain jacket to the ancient city is good advice in any month. LANDED has also prepared a special packing list for travelers visiting Macchu Picchu.

The months with the highest number of visitors are May, July, August, September, and December. If you want to visit the site when the crowds are reduced, consider February, March, April, June, and October. The Inca Trail is closed for maintenance each February.

In the Amazon region, the climate is always humid and tropical; the average temperature is 89° F, varying from 77° F to a wilting 107° F. December through March is the rainy season, with higher temperatures and afternoon rainfall.

Lima can be visited year-round.

What is the food like in Peru?

Peru is a culinary powerhouse—a world-class cuisine on par with that of Mexico or Thailand. Many varieties of the ingredients you know and love (potatoes, quinoa, chiles, tomatoes, and corn) originated in what is now Peruvian territory.

It’s a common occurrence for Peru to rank above Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina in the number of restaurants on San Pellegrino’s list of the 50 Best restaurants in Latin America. Most of these are clustered in the upscale Lima neighborhoods of Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco. But the coastal capital is much more than high concept fine dining. We love visiting the city’s markets, sushi bars, and cevicherias.

In the Andean regions, the focus is on hearty meals anchored by tubers, quinoa, corn, breads, and fresh vegetables. More than 20 varieties of fruits are native to the Andes; these include lucuma, papaya, cherimoya, and guanabana. Some of our favorite restaurants are located in the Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

In the biodiverse Amazon region, fresh fish and chicken, chilis, and tropical fruits are often accompanied by rice. On our first trip to Peru, more than 20 years ago, we spend several happy afternoons on the square in Iquitos sampling the local fruit flavored ice creams and feasting on grilled chicken and paiche (a large freshwater fish).

Peru is also gaining a reputation for its excellent single-source chocolate. LANDED arranges chocolate tastings in Lima and the Sacred Valley, often paired with Peruvian pisco from the dry southern coast.

How do you reach Peru?

Lima’s international airport can be reached in about ten hours from New York, Los Angeles, or Houston. Trips to Peru are easily combined with visits to mainland Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Chile, and Argentina.

Luxury Travel Guides

Machu Picchu Guide

A luxury travel guide to discovering ancient Inca citadel perched in the Andes.