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This barren and largely inhospitable landscape is carved by the powerful Rio Colca as it snakes its path through an enormous volcanic…
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
Peru Holidays
Discover the home of the Inca Empire, a land steeped in ancient culture but also teeming with wildlife. Journey with our experts to explore Peru, from the Amazon basin and arid coastline to the snow-capped Andean peaks.
Peru brings together all that makes South America special, from colourful textiles and dense rainforests to colonial architecture and Andean communities. In the highlands you will find soaring snow-capped mountains and Inca remains. In the Amazon, a plethora of remarkable species.
To say that it is diverse is an understatement. Peru has 84 of the planet’s 104 recognised ecosystems and contains more than 20% of the known plant and animal species in the world. The coast is home to the capital city of Lima with its mix of colonial buildings, pre-Inca ruins and world-class cuisine. Further south is a desert landscape with huge sand dunes and the famous Nazca lines. Probably no other country in the world has such an astonishing archaeological heritage as Peru.
Lake Titicaca
At 4,000 metres altitude, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, it is also one of the most beautiful…
Machu Picchu
Both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is one of the most…
Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a fertile valley that follows the Urubamba River from Pisac in the east to Ollantaytambo…
Arequipa
Perched spectacularly on the flanks of El Misti, Chachani and Pichu-Pichu Volcanos and beneath the predominantly blue skies of southwestern Peru, Arequipa…
Cusco
Cusco is a stunning combination of ancient Inca and colonial Spanish influences. Attractive churches, monasteries and convents are interspersed with perfectly preserved…
Huaraz & Central Mountains
The city of Huaraz is known as "the Switzerland of Peru" due to the beauty of the spectacular Cordilleras Blanca and Negra…
Lima
Founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, in colonial times Lima was considered the City of Kings, and UNESCO designated it as a…
Nazca & Southern Coast
Tucked away on the southern coast of Peru and overlooked by the enormous Cerro Blanco sand dune, this sleepy town was hastily…
Northern Peru
Northern Peru is a fascinating area of the country that very few tourists visit. It is rich and varied in terms of…
Peruvian Amazon
The sparsely populated Peruvian Amazon Rainforest blankets more than half of the country in northern Peru and is quite literally teeming with…
Explore Peru
- Colca Canyon
- Lake Titicaca
- Lima
- Machu Picchu
- Sacred Valley
- Arequipa
- Cusco
- Huaraz & Central Mountains
- Nazca & Southern Coast
- Northern Peru
- Peruvian Amazon
Experiences
Discover some of our suggested activities to include on your Peru holiday
Idea
Family Amazon & Inca Adventure
This family-focused adventure journeys between the thrilling Amazon Rainforest, heaving with mysterious mammals and camouflaged creatures, and the dramatic Inca sites and cities of Machu Picchu and Cusco, considering everything from pizza nights to gentle acclimatisation.
Group tour
Northern Peru 4x4 Self-Drive Safari
This Peru adventure holiday encompasses the stunning scenery, rich culture, cuisine, and history of Peru. Drive your own expedition 4×4 vehicle on a 17-day adventure around northern Peru with routes spanning the most spectacular mountain ranges…
Group tour
Andes to the Amazon 4x4 Self Drive
This Peru adventure tour encompasses the stunning scenery, rich culture, cuisine, and history of Peru. Drive your own expedition 4×4 vehicle on a 16-day adventure around southern Peru with routes spanning the most spectacular mountain ranges…
Northern Peru
The sights of the south – Arequipa, Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley– are well known, those of the north much less so. Yet there is much in northern Peru well worth visiting – the historical city of Trujillo with its churches and colonial homes, the impressive ruins of Chan Chan, the mighty fortress of Kuelap and two of the most famous sites for pre-Columbian art.
Places to stay
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
Can I walk some of the Inca trail? Is this the most beautiful walk?
If you wish to walk a stint of the best-known part of the Inca trail, permits are required. These get booked up very quickly so let us know as early as possible. There are many other treks within the Sacred Valley and other parts of the Peruvian countryside. It’s hard to choose a favourite but we will happily advise on what might suit you best depending on how long you would like to be trekking for and whether you are happy with basic camping or would prefer a lodge to lodge option.
How long will I need to acclimatise?
This varies from person to person, generally though it is 24 to 48 hours. We always plan our Peru itineraries to allow for acclimatisation naturally if possible, starting at lower altitudes and working up. Do let us know if you have had difficulties in the past or have specific concerns with altitude; we can incorporate additional time to adjust and include suitable activities.
I have heard about some great train rides. Can I include these in my trip?
Absolutely. There are some incredible train journeys such as the Andean Explorer between Puno on the edge of Lake Titicaca & Cusco, or the journey from Cusco & the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. We will give you advice about the timetables, classes of travel and luggage restrictions, so that you are prepared for you journey.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
When to travel
Peru in January
January begins the rainy season in the Andes and the Amazon as they reach the summer months. Along the coast, this can be one of the best times to visit, although it is a hotspot for locals.
Peru in February
As the rains continue, February can be a good time to avoid crowds. While Machu Picchu remains open, trekking in this area is a challenge as the Inca Trail closes for the month. Heavy rains in the Amazon increase water levels on the river, making wildlife viewing slightly more challenging however it does allow you to adventure into areas otherwise not reachable by boat in other months of the year.
Peru in March
March can be a good time to visit Peru. As the rainy season draws to the end, the coast will still be experiencing summer weather while inland you can expect rains. This can be one of the least crowded months for Machu Picchu and the local tourism on the beaches has subsided as children go back to school.
Peru in April
April is considered one of the best times to travel to Peru with pleasant temperatures and avoiding the busiest period. As there is still some rain, the landscape is vibrant.
Peru in May
As the dry season begins and winter sets in, temperatures are comfortable and the countryside is green with life from the rainy season.
Peru in June
June marks the start of the peak season in Peru. Skies are clear, making for picturesque sightseeing. As this is officially the start of winter, cooler temperatures are expected especially in the evenings.
Peru in July
July begins the peak travel season as international holidays open. With warm, sunny days and cooler evenings, this is also the peak time for trekking the mountainous landscapes of the Andes.
Peru in August
August continues the peak season throughout the country. With cooler evening temperatures, brings a morning fog in the Sacred Valley, which clears to blue skies by the afternoon. Expect dry, sunny weather in the Amazon during this time.
Peru in September
As spring draws in during the month of September, expect cloudy mornings which clear to blue skies in the afternoon. Showers become more likely as this is considered the shoulder season before the green season begins.
Peru in October
Temperatures begin to increase in October as summer approaches. As the dry season comes to an end, the chance of precipitation increases along with clouds.
Peru in November
Temperatures rise in November with rain increasing from the middle of the month. As a shoulder season, this can be a good time to travel to avoid crowding in Machu Picchu.
Peru in December
Weather in December sees increased temperatures as summer begins, along with the start to the rainy season. Rising water levels in the Amazon makes wildlife viewing slightly more challenging along the shores.
Recommended reads
HISTORY
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HISTORY
Turn Right at Machu Picchu
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Paul Bird
Reaching the sun gate and marvelling over Machu Picchu unveiled one of the most impressive landscapes that Paul has seen in his global travels. Talk with our experts
- 01285 601 784
James Armitage
Having walked the full Inca Trail and arrived at the Sun Gate, it is in looking down over the mist-shrouded Machu Picchu ruins that James experienced the magic of the Incas. Talk with our experts
- 01285 601 784
Let’s chat
Speak to our experts
Our team is waiting to help you tailor a trip that will leave you with stories for a lifetime. Call us on
01285 601 784
Sustainability
ECOAN: Andean Ecosystems
We support projects right across the planet. Explore below to see where and how we’re making a difference – in some cases, we can even arrange a visit as part of your tailor-made itinerary.
The Steppes Fund for Change donation will support an eight-month project run by ECOAN – an NGO focused on preserving the fragile Andean ecosystems. Starting in October 2019, the project aims to develop three women’s textiles associations in the fragile high-altitude ecosystems of the Vilcanta Mountains, Peru.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise sets us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary?
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