Why Peru? - TourWorld Travel Company

Breathtaking Scenery, Fascinating Cultural Richness, Great Food

Updated October 25, 2023

Peru is a touring destination as opposed to a resort destination and there is lot to explore. It has a culture that goes back over 5000 years, fantastic arts, artisanal artifacts and archeological treasures of global significance. Lima was the seat of Spanish power in the “New World” during the long, savage, conquest of the Americas and that story is brought very much to life in Peru.

Peru’s varied ecosystems are the origin of one of the world’s most important foods, the potato and Lima is one of the world’s rising culinary destinations. They have mega-biodiversity with montane alpine, low land rainforests, dry coast desert, huge rivers, high elevation lakes and deep canyons rivalling the Grand Canyon. Peru has a wide array of hiking and biking routes that are really incomparable to any place else on earth. Read about an experience I had in Peru.

Why Now?

The short answer is that you can visit Peru now and still enjoy seeing it as tourism is just trickling back. If Inca trail was ever on your bucket list, this is the year – you can still get trail passes. Usually they are sold out in a matter of weeks.

See below and know that at the moment there are hundreds of experienced and willing porters and guides very willing to get back to making a living since the Covid interuption. Many have struggled to keep any kind of work and now that things are open they are looking forward to having some work. You will be welcomed with more smiles than you can imagine.

What will it cost?

Less than a European trip and with better value. There are many ways to work up a trip to Peru. Costs can be managed according to your own desires.

Is this your first visit to Peru? – You probably want to see Machu Picchu and Cuzco, but what else? The other highlights as far as iconic symbols of Peru are the Nazca Lines, Colca Canyon to see the condors and the fantastic scenery, Lake Titicaca and floating islands, the Amazon rainforest wildlife and some time in Lima to sample the new cuisines of Peru, shop, visit the Gold Museum. All in you need at least 16 days to do all these places at a brisk pace. Prices for small group tours that cover most of these vary from about $4000 pp CAD with our main suppliers in standard and up to $7500 pp in premium editions. Ultra deluxe is available too. Too much for you?

There are also lots of options to break up the “grand tour” and focus on taking organized tours for some parts and leaving more unstructured time. These are budget options that won’t sacrifice the quality of your visit. Just contact me.

By comparison you can also do a tailor made tour for just 2 people at similar costs or even less for 4 people. I’ve written elsewhere on this type of travel. See below

Been to Peru?

This is a perfect opportunity to dig in a little deeper. Maybe you missed the Colca canyon, or rainbow mountain. What about the Amazon? The Sacred Valley has incredible sights you can explore on day bike trips (e-bikes too). Head north to visit the lost cities of the desert cultures, or the jungle ruins of Kuelap. Learn some culinary tricks on cooking classes in Cusco or Lima. Find out about the origins of corn, quinoa, coca, and chocolate. See little traditional Quechua villages on alternate walking or driving routes around Cusco. Revisit Machu Picchu and spend a couple days up there. Take a luxury amazon cruise or stay in a jungle ecolodge. Buy some textiles or garments of alpaca which are extremely cozy in cooler places.

Active Travel, Inca Trails and Beyond

Peru is known for the Inca trail hike. There are at least 6 different Inca trails that take you to the citadel in the sky, but the one most publicized and travelled can be done in 4 or more days of walking. Tour operators help with the heavy lifting by providing porters, and in some of the routes horses, to carry tents. There are also lodge to lodge types trips. There are other Inca ruins, cities, and sites, there are magnificent high elevation trails in the rugged Andes. There are also many trails that can be mountain biked and lots of places to head on cycling day trips from Cusco. Inca Trail portered trips are about 7 days and $2000pp for basic and up for more comfort.