How many travellers will be in my group?

Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

Yes, solo travellers are welcome on every small-group tour. A private single room is offered on every trip, with the single-room supplement listed alongside the departure price. If you’d rather share, you can opt for a twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. Around 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you’ll be in good company.

How fit do I need to be?

Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

When are the next departures?

The next available departures are 2 May 2027; 3 October 2027; 7 May 2028. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

Will my departure definitely run?

Yes. Departures marked Guaranteed on this page run whether one traveller books or twelve. We never cancel a confirmed tour for lack of numbers, so you can book flights and time off around it with confidence.

What's included in the tour price?

Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; Domestic flights; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

Where exactly does this trip go?

This tour visits Peru. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

Peru14 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendlyGuaranteed departures

Peru – Beyond the Tourist Trail

Discover the royal tombs of Sipán, the world's largest adobe city at Chan Chan, and the buried town of Yungay on this 14-day small-group Peru adventure for up to 12 travellers.

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About this journey

What to expect on this trip

Northern Peru – A little visited and pristine part of this amazing country. This is one of South America’s most popular destinations – but less than 5% of travellers make it to the northern region which is surprising given its amazing pre-Inca and colonial history, and an abundance of cultural and natural wonders.

On this unique Peru small group tour we take you beyond the tourist trail to discover the rich and advanced pre-Inca cultures Caral, Moche, Chimu and Chachapoyas. You will see the most amazing colonial buildings in Peru’s intellectual capital Trujillo, famous as the place where the Spanish conquistadores arrived marking the end of the Inca Empire. You will stand face to face with Peru’s highest mountain – the impressive double coned Huascaran at 6,768m. You will drive on one of the world’s most spectacular roads through Cañon del Pato and travel deep into lush cloud forest in search of ancient mummies.

If you are a traveller looking to tick off the country’s well-known highlights then this isn’t the tour for you. But if you want to escape the crowds of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, then join us on this fascinating journey to explore Peru’s hidden gems.

The journey

Peru – Beyond the Tourist Trail

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route

The highlights

Moche and Chimú Archaeological Wonders
Peru's north coast harbours some of the most spectacular pre-Inca archaeology on Earth, and this tour dedicates two full days to exploring it. From the gold-rich Royal Tombs of Sipán and the tattooed mummy of the Temple of the Witch to the vast adobe labyrinth of Chan Chan, you will encounter cultures whose sophistication and artistry rival any in the ancient world.
Cloud Forest Cultures of the Chachapoyas
The remote highlands around Chachapoyas are home to the little-known Chachapoya civilisation, and this tour ventures deep into their territory. You will explore the terraced ruins of Macro, the extraordinary mummy collection at Leimebamba museum, and gain a rare insight into daily life in these overlooked highland communities.
Colonial Cities and the Conquest of the Andes
Cajamarca sits at the very heart of Peruvian history — the place where the Spanish captured the Inca Emperor and brought an entire empire to its knees in 1532. Combined with the carved funeral caves of Ventanillas de Otuzco and the city's well-preserved colonial architecture, it offers an unparalleled lesson in the collision of two worlds.
Cordillera Blanca Landscapes and Extreme Roads
The final Andean section of the tour delivers some of the most dramatic scenery in South America. Based in Huaraz, at the foot of Huascarán (6,768m), you will visit the buried town of Yungay, the glacial Lagunas Llanganuco, and tackle the legendary Cañon del Pato — a road of 35 cliff-blasted tunnels that stands as one of the world's great driving experiences.
Ancient Civilisations and UNESCO Heritage
The tour bookends its journey with two of the oldest and most significant sites in the Americas. The Caral-Supe civilisation, dating to 5000 BC, pre-dates any other known urban culture in the hemisphere, while Sipán's intact royal tombs push back our understanding of Peruvian society by nearly two millennia. Together they frame a journey through 7,000 years of human history.

Full itinerary · 14 days

Free — no sign-up

Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

Our departures are guaranteed to run. We never cancel a confirmed tour.

Departs	Returns	Status	Price pp	Single supp.
4 Oct 2026	17 Oct 2026	Sold out	£3,595	+£545	Closed
2 May 2027	15 May 2027	Guaranteed	£3,595	+£545	Book now
3 Oct 2027	16 Oct 2027	Guaranteed	£3,595	+£545	Book now
7 May 2028	20 May 2028	Guaranteed	£3,595	+£545	Book now
8 Oct 2028	21 Oct 2028	Guaranteed	£3,595	+£545	Book now

Departure
4 Oct 2026 → 17 Oct 2026
Sold out
From
£3,595 pp
Single supp. +£545
Closed
Departure
2 May 2027 → 15 May 2027
Guaranteed
From
£3,595 pp
Single supp. +£545
Book now
Departure
3 Oct 2027 → 16 Oct 2027
Guaranteed
From
£3,595 pp
Single supp. +£545
Book now
Departure
7 May 2028 → 20 May 2028
Guaranteed
From
£3,595 pp
Single supp. +£545
Book now
Departure
8 Oct 2028 → 21 Oct 2028
Guaranteed
From
£3,595 pp
Single supp. +£545
Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Peru journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip

What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
Domestic flights
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
Any airport taxes (except when prepaid with any domestic flights)
Travel Insurance
Visa – when required
Drinks
Items of personal nature
Tips (Discretionary)

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Peru Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Peru that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:

US Department of State — US State Dept Peru Travel Advisory
Australian Government — Smartraveller Peru Advice
Government of Canada — Canada Travel Advice for Peru

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from ninety-plus small-group adventures worldwide, written by the people who took them.

“We loved the tour. Would suggest an extra night in Chachapoyas, maybe with free time to select own tour here. There are several attractions here that people were interested in doing, and disappointed to miss - Gotca Waterfall, Revash Archaeological site, and some funeral caves I can't remember the name of.| This was a truly memorable experience, which I will recommend strongly to friends. The north easily stands alongside the more popular south, with a great variety of experiences on offer and (for the moment) lower prices while in the road.”

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Alexandra Kennedy, Australia

“Our guide in Peru, Luis, was an excellent informant and companion. How lucky we were to have a fully qualified archaeologist with us to explain the complexities of pre-colonial Peru. His enthusiasm for his subject was infectious. Our driver, Orlando, carried out his duties with a permanent smile even after long 10 hour days of driving over difficult terrain. This trip was quite arduous covering hundreds of miles to out of the way places, but Luis and Orlando went out of their way to ensure that we all enjoyed the experiences. I felt that yet again this trip had been very well researched and planned to ensure the best experience for travellers. The add on trip to Machu Picchu was very well organised and a definite highlight for me.”

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Jacqueline Madill, UK

“Joel, our driver was impressive. We found him exceptionally knowledgeable, always able to answer questions. He is an asset to Peru and your company. He attended to our needs. Looked after us spectacularly. His personality made a great difference. We were fortunate to bump into him when in Cusco, his home town. He is a friend that will be missed.”

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Tina Willmore, Australia

“Great tour guide who shared the local culture and always had local fruit treats for us. ”

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Traveller from USA

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”

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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“When asked by other travellers why I book with Undiscovered Destinations, it's because of the chance to visit places few, if any, other tour operators go to. ”

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Oliver Grumitt, UK

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”

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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“Given the countries involved, I thought the accommodation was better than I expected. Our guide was knowledgeable. He was kind and provided snacks and stories to while away the very long driving days. ”

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Traveller from the UK

“An excellent trip. We saw all that we expected to and more. Very good guide, helpful and considerate. Tour met and exceeded my expectations ”

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Martin Robathan, UK

“Quite the best guide and driver we have encountered in 45 years of travel.”

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John Davies, UK

Want to customise this tour?

Make Peru – Beyond the Tourist Trail your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

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