Peru Lima malecon
Peru Lima church
Peru Lima clown

Many tourists arrive in Lima only to fly straight out to Cusco, Arequipa or other popular tourist destinations in Peru. But the country’s sprawling capital deserves a chance to impress, and travellers who stick around for a few days are rewarded with a fascinating mix of history, culture, food and drink in this metropolitan melting-pot of all things Peruvian.

Lima is increasingly recognised as the culinary hotspot of South America, and foodies flock here to dine at world-renowned restaurants owned by Peruvian celebrity chefs such as Gastón Acurio and Virgilio Martínez. The city is also packed with lively cafes, bars and nightclubs, spread across bohemian districts, chic upscale areas, and places where regular Peruvians grab a cold beer.

The city is also home to most of Peru’s best museums and art galleries, while the historic centre – all of which is a UNESCO World Heritage site – is packed with mansions, churches and palaces from Peru’s colonial period and the Republican Era. You’ll also find archaeological sites right in the heart of the city, such as Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores, as well as the vast complex of Pachacamac just south of Lima’s urban boundary.

When to go

The best times of year to go trekking in Peru

When timing a trekking trip to Peru you’ve got one basic choice: dry season or rainy season. The dry season (April/May to September/October) is generally considered to bring the best trekking conditions, but this is peak tourism season and the trails will be busy. Rainy season (November to March) brings less than ideal trekking conditions, but there are some advantages, not least quieter trails and lower prices...read more

6 days

Classic Peru & Machu Picchu

The classic route to Peru's most popular highlights
View itinerary
9 days

Machu Picchu & Amazon cruise

Small-ship luxury cruise with Machu Picchu
View itinerary
9 days

Machu Picchu & Amazon lodge

See Peru from rainforest eco-lodge to mountain empires
View itinerary
12 days

Highlights of Peru

A grand tour of Peru's mountain civilisation
View itinerary
12 days

Qhapaq Ñan trek to Huanuco Pampa

Explore Peru's grand route of the Incas
View itinerary
8 days

Active Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu trek

Explore Peru's grand route of the Incas
View itinerary
15 days

Iguazu Falls & Andean Highlights

A grand tour of Peru and Brazil
View itinerary
18 days

Northern Peru beyond Machu Picchu

Amazon river cruises and archaeological wonders
View itinerary

Lima Tours

Machu Picchu, Nazca Lines, and Lake Titicaca

In-depth discovery of Peru's culture and history

13 daysFrom $2,959
Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Nazca
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Activity Family, Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, National Parks, Culture, Archaeology, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History, Culinary, Food

Galapagos Cruise & Machu Picchu

See the two gems of South America

13 daysFrom $4,790
Ecuador, Peru
Tour Type Private guided tour
Activity Cruise & Sailing, Luxury, Beach, Family, Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Water Sports, Active, Walking, Diving, Snorkelling, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Archaeology, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History, Culinary, Food

Machu Picchu & Galapagos 4 Day Cruise

Four days aboard the Galapagos Legend

12 daysFrom $4,079
Ecuador, Peru
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Activity Cruise & Sailing, Family, Active, Walking, Diving, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Archaeology, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History, Culinary, Food

Machu Picchu & Galapagos 5 Day Cruise

Five days aboard the Coral I & II

13 daysFrom $4,899
Ecuador, Peru
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Activity Cruise & Sailing, Family, Active, Walking, Diving, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Archaeology, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History, Culinary, Food

Galapagos and Machu Picchu 8 Day Cruise

Eight days about the Galapagos Legend

16 daysFrom $6,829
Ecuador, Peru
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Activity Cruise & Sailing, Family, Active, Walking, Diving, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Archaeology, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History, Culinary, Food

Galapagos, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca

The scenic gems of South America in one trip

15 daysFrom $4,899
Ecuador, Peru
Tour Type Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Activity Cruise & Sailing, Family, Active, Walking, Diving, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Archaeology, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History, Culinary, Food

Lima Travel Companies

Lost World Adventures

Custom tours to Latin America
Central America, South America
Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Cruise & Sailing, Luxury, Family, Nature & Wildlife, Culture

South American Vacations

Custom tours to Latin America since 2002
Central America, South America, Antarctica
Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Cruise & Sailing, Luxury, Honeymoon, Beach, Family, Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Horseback Riding, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Archaeology, Museums & Galleries, History, Culinary, Food, Wine

Rainforest Cruises

Exotic Riverboat & Small Ship Cruises
South America, South Asia, Southeast Asia
Custom itinerary, Private guided tour
Cruise & Sailing, Safari, Luxury, Honeymoon, Beach, Family, Adventure, Active, Nature & Wildlife, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Culinary, Food

Why Horizon Guides?

Impartial guidebooks

Impartial guidebooks

Our travel guides are written by the leading experts in their destinations. We never take payment for positive coverage so you can count on us for impartial travel advice.

Expert itineraries

Expert itineraries

Suggested itineraries and routes to help you scratch beneath the surface, avoid the tourist traps, and plan an authentic, responsible and enjoyable journey.

Specialist advice

Specialist advice

Get friendly, expert travel advice and custom itineraries from some of the world’s best tour operators, with no spam, pressure or commitment to book.