Peru Tailor-made Holidays

The main archaeological attractions of Lima, Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, including Machu Picchu, can be comfortably visited in just over a week when using the scenic train to reach the ancient citadel. Anything longer than this will allow the option to visit the Amazon and if you want to see some of the lesser-visited sites in Peru then you will need between two to three weeks.

Peru offers a fantastic selection of good to top quality hotels with a number of reliable chains operating in the main tourist destinations including the Peruvian-owned Casa Andina as well as international brands such as Starwoods Hotels. A number of the country's colonial buildings have been transformed into luxury hotels to offer guests a glimpse into Peru's heritage whilst enjoying a comfortable stay. For those looking for something a little more rustic there's the chance to spend a night in a tree house in the Amazon though jungle lodges can also offer 5* convenience for discerning visitors.

In Peru you can choose to have your own private guide accompany you to the sites you wish to visit or you can join day tours that run most days with group sizes ranging from 20-40 passengers. Private guides are the more expensive option but will mean you have the guide all to yourself to explore at leisure and the opportunity to ask as many questions as you want. Selecting a private guide will generally require also choosing private transfers with a driver. Scheduled tours are a much more cost-effective option and utilise coaches to get you from your hotel to the site you will be visiting. Such tours also offer the added bonus of meeting other travellers and sharing the experience in a group situation.

Covering larger distances in Peru, such as from Lima to Cuzco, will often require a domestic flight to save travel time eating into your holiday time. LAN Peru is a great choice of carrier operating direct flights between many of the country's top destinations. Airfares in South America are surprisingly expensive so flying can add considerable cost to your trip though there are other options, chiefly the brilliant tourist buses in operation. The vehicles may be one or two levels with roomy, comfortable reclining seats, male and female toilets on board, meals or snacks provided, air-conditioning and heating as well as on-board entertainment of TV and film. These services tend to run direct between cities either during the day or overnight saving you the cost of a night's accommodation. If you're a fan of a train journey then consider reaching Machu Picchu by scenic Vistadome train from Cuzco or travel to Lake Titicaca on the Andean Explorer, an experience in itself with an open-air observatory car, fine Andean cuisine served on board and traditional Peruvian music performed.

If you're short on time and want to see as much as possible then to maximise your time in Peru it's wise to include tours as much as possible, factoring in any necessary travel and hotel check-in and check-out. Alternatively if you have more time available then you can factor in some days or afternoons at leisure, exploring independently or simply relaxing at your hotel. Ultimately your preferred pace will need to take into account how long you have to spend in Peru and the number of places you wish to visit.

Peru has a long and rich history influenced by the ancient Incas, the native indigenous people and the Spanish so a visit here offers a wealth of experiences. You may wish to visit ethnic markets for souvenir shopping or spend a night at a homestay on one of Lake Titicaca's floating islands in the company of a local family. If visiting Nazca head to the skies for a bird's eye view of the mysterious geoglyphs or try your hand at surfing in the northern coastal resort of Mancora.

The type of accommodation you choose, the number of flights required and whether you prefer private touring and transfers will all significantly affect the price of your tailor-made holiday to Peru. Knowing how much you wish to spend on your trip will help our consultants recommend the most suitable hotels to use, suggest a mix of transport options and propose where scheduled tours may help cut costs in order to keep your bespoke tour within your budget. Other money-saving options include travelling in low season. With the Inca Trail closed in February, Machu Picchu can be much quieter than the peak tourist months of June to August. The weather may not be ideal but hotel rates will be lower than usual.