Our Peru holidays take you to the little-explored regions of one of South America’s most diverse countries. Journeying from the west all the way up north, we pass a staggering array of landscapes, from the highest tropical mountain range in the world, to the largest dry forest in the Americas, and the lush lowlands of the Amazon jungle.
As you travel north, the sheer variety of the scenery will surprise and delight you. Peru can also lay claim to one of the world’s richest heritages. The past is ever-present here, not only due to the wealth of Inca sites but to those of their predecessors, whose fortresses, temples and monumental adobe pyramids are found in the northern jungles, and along the north desert coast – often referred to at the Egypt of South America.
The wildlife is as rich as the landscapes and culture. From the giant condors that soar above the jewelled lakes of the Andes, to the jaguars that slink between the trees of the Amazon rainforest, Peru’s wildlife is impressive and extremely diverse.
And as one of the word’s culinary hotspots, we’re sure to come across a range of exotic dishes, from the famous fish dish Ceviché, to ‘Cuy’ or guinea pig as we know it. The cuisine on Peru holidays varies from region to region and reflects the country’s wonderful diversity.
Top highlights on Peru holidays and tours
- Explore the incredible pre-Inca fortress at Kuélap
- Travel through the breathtaking Cordillera Blanca
- See the impressive Gocta Falls
- Venture deep into the Amazon in search of pink river dolphins
- Visit traditional Andean villages along the Santa River
Bursting with colour, traditional music and warm-spirited people, Peru is one of our favourite Latin American countries. On our tours we’ve delved a little deeper to discover new treasures.
Culture
Peru has more than 10,000 years of history and boasts a great wealth of traditions and cultures. Undoubtedly one of the most diverse countries in the world, Peru is home to varied folklore, many different musical styles and dances, imposing archaeological complexes and 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The beliefs, customs and way of life in Peru have been inherited from native Incas, Spanish conquistadors and settlers. But whatever a person’s ethnic background, Peruvians all agree on the importance of family and religion. The predominant religion in Peru is Catholicism. This exists peacefully alongside other belief systems such as other Christian faiths and traditional beliefs, which are often blended with Catholicism by indigenous peoples.
Spanish is the official language of Peru but there are 47 native languages, including Quechua spoken by 13% of the population, and Aymara spoken by only 1.7%. Since pre-Hispanic times, music and dance have played a very important role in Peruvian society. Peruvians once used reeds, seashells and animal bones to produce sounds. It is said that the Peruvians of the Nazca culture were the most important pre-Hispanic musicians on the whole continent.
When to go on holiday to Peru
You can visit Peru all year round and the country experiences two main seasons. The dry season is from May to October and sees sunny days but chilly nights. There is more rain between November and March, with January and February being the wettest months to visit. Trekking can become more dangerous during the wettest months but there are advantages of greener scenery and the flora and fauna will still be abundant in the Amazon.
Start planning your Peru tour
Check out our small group tour to Peru: Andean Peaks and Ancient Empires. While many of our trips are small group adventures with set departures, as a bespoke operator, we can design and create trips to suit any traveller, from solos to larger groups. If you would like to find out more about tailor-made Peru holidays or our group tours, call us on 01473 328546 or email us via our contact page. We’d love to hear from you.
