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Peru rewards a little preparation. It packs an extraordinary amount into one country — Inca cities, high Andean passes, desert coast and Amazon rainforest — but altitude, distance and local custom all reward a little planning.
This guide answers the practical questions UK travellers ask most before a trip to Peru, so you arrive feeling ready rather than uncertain.
If a question here is not covered, our team — part UK-based, part on the ground in Peru — is always happy to help.
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Peru is a welcoming country and generally safe for visitors, particularly when you travel in a small guided group. The main thing to be aware of is opportunistic theft in busy parts of Lima and Cusco: keep valuables out of sight, and use registered taxis or the transport we arrange for you.
The bigger thing to prepare for is not crime but altitude. Cusco sits at around 3,400m and Lake Titicaca higher still, so the first couple of days can leave you short of breath. We pace our itineraries to let you acclimatise, and your guide will brief you on taking it gently, drinking plenty of water and going easy on the alcohol.
Standard travel sense still applies: keep your documents safe and take out travel insurance before you go.
British citizens travelling for tourism do not currently need a visa for Peru and are usually granted a stay of up to 183 days on arrival. You will need a passport valid for the length of your stay, and you may be asked at the border to show an onward or return ticket and details of where you are staying.
Rules can change, so always confirm the latest requirements with the UK government's Peru travel advice and the Embassy of Peru in the UK before you travel. Different British nationality types, or longer stays for work or study, have different rules.
Peru is a year-round destination, but it has one standout season. The dry season (May to September) is the classic window for the Andes, Cusco and Machu Picchu — clear skies, firm trails and our most popular departures, so they fill first.
Dry season (May to September) - the best conditions in the highlands, cold at night and busiest at Machu Picchu. Book early.
Green season (December to March) - lush, quieter and cheaper, with afternoon rain in the mountains. Note the Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.
The Amazon is rewarding all year, and the Pacific coast is at its sunniest from December to April.
One candid note: the Andes make their own weather. Nobody can promise a cloudless morning at Machu Picchu, whatever the month — it comes down to the day.
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Our Peru tours involve a fair amount of walking — expect a few hours on your feet on a typical day, on cobbled streets, up and down the stairways of Inca sites, and often at altitude, which makes everything feel harder than it would at home.
You do not need to be especially sporty, but you should be comfortable walking for a few hours and carrying a small day bag. Optional add-ons such as Huayna Picchu or a Rainbow Mountain climb are noticeably more demanding.
Itineraries are built around acclimatisation, so the hardest days rarely come first.
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Food is one of the great joys of Peru and often a highlight of the trip - from ceviche and lomo saltado to Andean potatoes, quinoa and, for the adventurous, cuy. Lima is regularly ranked among the best food cities in the world. Come with an open mind and an empty stomach.
An open heads-up: vegetarians are well catered for and vegan options are growing in the cities, but choices get simpler in remote Andean villages, where meat and stock are staples. It's very doable with a little flexibility - tell us your needs when you book and your guide will help throughout.
If you have a serious allergy you must tell us at the time of booking. We'll do everything we can, but cross-contamination can't be fully guaranteed in every kitchen, so please plan accordingly.
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Plenty of our guests travel solo — a small group is one of the easiest, most sociable ways to see Peru on your own.
You can choose to share a room with another solo traveller of the same gender, or book a single room for an additional fee.
Our reviews are full of travellers who arrived alone and left with friends.
Currency is the Peruvian sol (S/); carry cash for markets, taxis, tips and small towns
Cards and contactless work in cities and larger hotels, but do not rely on them in rural areas
US dollars are accepted in some places, but the sol is best for everyday spending
ATMs are widely available in cities — use machines inside banks or shopping centres where you can
Stay connected with a travel eSIM or a local SIM; coverage is good in cities but patchy in the remote Andes and Amazon
Tipping is customary in Peru — small tips for guides, drivers and in restaurants are appreciated
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Comfortable, well-located hotels and guesthouses with genuine local character. We favour family-run and boutique places over anonymous chains, usually within walking distance of the old town.
On some trips you'll spend a night on a traditional reed island on Lake Titicaca with a local Uros family. It is simple - shared facilities, no frills - and one of the most memorable nights of the trip. Pack a warm layer: at 3,800m the temperature drops sharply after dark.
In the Sacred Valley you may stay in a converted hacienda, and in the Amazon in a jungle lodge reached by boat, where power and Wi-Fi are limited by design rather than by accident.
Rooms in the Andes are rarely centrally heated, so expect extra blankets rather than a thermostat.
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Getting there: There are no direct flights from the UK. Expect 13-15h+ overall with one stopover, usually via Europe or North America. See our recommendations.
Time difference: Peru is 5-6 hours behind the UK (5 in winter, 6 in summer); no daylight saving
Currency: Peruvian sol (S/)
Plugs: Types A & C, 220V — bring an adapter
Language: Spanish; Quechua and Aymara are widely spoken in the Andes, and English is limited outside tourist areas
Altitude: Cusco sits at 3,400m and Lake Titicaca at 3,800m — allow time to acclimatise
Best time to travel: the dry season (May to September) is best for the Andes and Machu Picchu — see our Peru tours
Our team can help with anything this guide did not cover.
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