Peru & Galapagos Tours
Vacations to Peru in the Summer
Peru Budget Tours
David Thyberg, Leaf Group
Peru's famous Nazca Lines (Photo: Lignes de Nasca et route image by Frédéric LEVIEZ from Fotolia.com )
Tips for Travel to Peru
Peru Travel & Tours
In terms of biodiversity and cultural attractions, few South American countries can compete with Peru. Peru stretches along the desert coast of the South Pacific, expanding inland across the Andes and thrusting on into the jungles of the Amazon. Budget-minded travelers face a wealth of options when touring Peru, so plan ahead to make the most of this captivating destination.
Traveling independently typically costs less, but tour agencies offer several advantages. Tour companies take care of time-consuming arrangements, ranging from accommodations and transportation to meals and equipment. Tour guides also offer expert insight that can streamline and enrich a vacation. Travelers looking to save money can handle basic excursions on their own without paying for assistance, but more complicated trips such as mountaineering and wildlife observation often require the expertise of a guide.
How much money you spend in Peru depends on where you go. Peru's more popular destinations tend to feature higher tourist prices. Most trips start in Lima, the capital, and prices are relatively high here. From Lima, most tourists move on to Cusco. Operating as a hub for excursions to nearby Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Cusco also has markedly higher prices. Another prominent tourist destination is the remote town of Puno which sits alongside Lake Titicaca, one of the world's most famous bodies of water.
Budget Destinations
Many of the outlying provincial areas in Peru have lower prices, providing intriguing havens for budget travelers to explore. The highland town of Huaraz lies near the Cordillera Blanca Mountains and El Huascarán, the highest peak in Peru. Hiking and rafting are popular here. Iquitos, on the Amazon River, ranks as the largest city in the Peruvian rain forest, and serves as an ideal starting point for tours of the Amazon. The southern coast of Peru is home to Ica, the top wine-producing region, and just outside of Ica lies the Huacachina Oasis with its massive sand dunes. Farther south are the mysterious Nasca Lines, etched into the desert thousands of years ago. Peru's northern coast also has some nice attractions, such as the colonial city of Trujillo with its sunny beaches and the Chan Chan adobe ruins.
Recommended Budget Tour Companies
Tour companies in the United States and Europe offer numerous itineraries for Peru, but Frommer's notes that these companies often charge expensive rates while subcontracting services to local providers at a reduced price to turn a profit. It's easier to deal with US companies, but travelers on a budget can generally find cheaper options by booking direct with Peruvian agencies. Frommer's recommends SAS Travel Peru for excursions in Cusco. As for Lake Titicaca, the family-owned Edgar Adventures agency provides favorable rates and enjoyable tours. Andean Travel Web, an independent guide to Peru, also vouches for the Expediciones Vilca company as an affordable choice for ecotourists looking to visit Manu National Park in the Amazon.
Pricing also depends on the season. Most visitors flock to the Andean highlands around Machu Picchu. The dry winter months of June and July constitute the peak travel season here, and tourist prices go up accordingly. December to March make up the rainy season in the highlands, and prices tend to drop. As for the coastal regions, winter typically features overcast skies and cooler weather, whereas the summer months of December and January bring scorching sun and ideal beach conditions. It's usually best to go during the fringe months of April and May or September and October when scheduling a low-cost trip to Peru.
Frommer's: Complete Guide to Peru
Fodor's: Peru Travel Guide
Andean Travel Web: Independent Travel Guide to Peru
David Thyberg began his writing career in 2007. He is a professional writer, editor and translator. Thyberg has been published in various newspapers, websites and magazines. He enjoys writing about social issues, travel, music and sports. Thyberg holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh Honors College with a certificate in Spanish and Latin American studies.
Lignes de Nasca et route image by Frédéric LEVIEZ from Fotolia.com
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