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Peru14 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendly

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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As Featured In

The TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational GeographicThe TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational Geographic
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.

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The journey

Peru – Beyond the Tourist Trail

Key moments

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
map
  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

Key moments for Peru – Beyond the Tourist Trail

Full itinerary · 14 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
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.

  • Departure
    4 Oct 202617 Oct 2026
    Sold out
    From
    £3,595 pp
    Single supp. +£545
    Closed
  • Departure
    2 May 202715 May 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £3,595 pp
    Single supp. +£545
    Book now
  • Departure
    3 Oct 202716 Oct 2027
    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:

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 across our small-group programme — Mongolia, Madagascar, the Silk Road and beyond. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.

Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.

Bernice Hird

UK

Excellent customer service, reliable itineraries and ability to solve local issues when they arise

Gustavo Musto

Uruguay

I like the small size of groups, the range of destinations and excellent itineraries. This is my third holiday with your company and I have found your itineraries really good.

Traveller from the UK

London to Istanbul by train - great trip from concept to execution. Very glad to have participated. Mark was an excellent and empathetic leader.

Ken Nathanson

Hong Kong

Excellent company to book with. Complex tour mostly delivered as per itinerary with professional and pleasant local representatives.

Adam Choonara

UK

Jason was outstanding, patiently answering my many questions about the Senegal trip, particularly regarding accessibility. He was professional, supportive, warm and friendly, giving me the confidence to book. I truly appreciate his exceptional service and support.

Ramnit Bassi

UK

Undiscovered Destinations is able to find wonderful support staff and will go to the far corners of the earth.

Patricia Taylor

UK

This is my third trip with UD and all have been first rate.

Judith Hoyle

UK

I am very satisfied with every trip that I have doe with you since you match my interests in culture and tribal peoples.

Eric Ferkins

UK

Jason was incredibly helpful and efficient in getting us booked last minute on this trip when our trip with another company was cancelled with no notice.

Sarah Keir

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.

Customise this tour
Ready when you are

Start planning your Peru adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Peru specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • 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.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 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. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • 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.

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