Hoping to hike to Machu Picchu, step on floating islands in Lake Titicaca, and fly over the Nazca Lines? Then you’re in luck, because Peru not only contains all these outstanding attractions, but there are also plenty of ways to visit them and agencies to help you. If you’re overwhelmed by planning your trip to Peru, here are some suggestions to make the process fun rather than stressful.
- Peru Tour PackagesDavid Stanley / Foter.com / CC BY
Make a hit list.
Peru is an extremely diverse place with many things to see and places to visit. Since you’ll probably have a limited time (most people spend one to two weeks in Peru during their vacation) figuring out how you can efficiently visit your dream destinations during your time in the country can be a challenge. Therefore, you need to prioritize. Pick two places in Peru you absolutely must visit. Then make a list of secondary places you’d enjoy seeing as well. It may turn out that many of the places you want to see are in the same region (ie: Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, or Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley). In this case, you may want to choose a tour company that specializes in that particular area. The price is likely to be lower and the on-the-ground expertise higher.
Know your budget.
Peru can definitely be a budget destination. Backpackers love South America for its common language and general low prices for food, accommodation, and transportation. However, if you want to stay in hotels rather than dorms and eat at restaurants rather than shopping at the grocery store, you’ll want to budget accordingly. And if you’d like to stay in four or five star hotels, eat at some of Peru’s acclaimed restaurants, and enjoy private tours rather than being shuttled about on group excursions, you’ll need to budget even more. Those on the lower edge of the budget will probably want to plan their trip themselves. Those in the middle can use a variety of Peru travel companies, as most follow set group itineraries. Those looking for a bit of luxury should shop around more to make sure they’re going to get the quality they’re looking for with a company that knows the destination properly.
Go it alone or tag along.
Once you know where you want to go and how much you want to spend, you need to consider if you want to travel in a group, or by yourself. Both group and private tours have their benefits. Group tours are typically preferred by young or solo travelers, because it adds a social dynamic. Group tours are also more affordable. Private Peru tour packages are preferred by couples and small groups who can share a private guide and transport among themselves. Those especially interested in the destination—for example archeology buffs at Machu Picchu—also prefer a private guide because it allows more time for individual questions and time at sites of interest.
Decide your travel style.
Now you know where you’re going, how much you’re spending, if you’re taking group or private tours, and you probably have a good list of travel companies to contact. The final step is deciding your travel style—something you’ll want to share with the travel agent you eventually chose. Do you want your trip to be as relaxing as possible? Then you’ll need to schedule down days and narrow down the number of places you’ll visit, perhaps even making sure your hotel choices have spas. Do you want it to be adventure packed? Consider hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu rather than visiting on a day trip. Do you want your vacation in Peru to focus on culture? Then schedule in market visits and even homestays. Knowing ahead of time what you want to get out of your vacation is the best way to leave happy upon its conclusion.
