Small group tours in Peru: our top 10 picks

Small group tours are a great way to explore the most beautiful corners of the world while staying safe, having your own space and limiting your environmental impact. They’re also brilliant for travellers who love to socialise and meet new people; when sharing travel experiences with a tight-nit community, you develop close bonds and make lasting friendships. In this article, we pick out the best small group tours in Peru to help you explore the land of the Incas in a safe and fun environment.

If you intend to travel more widely, our guide to small group tours in South America compiles the best itineraries in the region, including multi-country routes that incorporate Peru.

This article contains links to tours we recommend, which we may make commission from at no extra cost to you.

Why we recommend G Adventures for small group tours in Peru

We have taken small group tours with many companies during our travels, and indeed there are several to choose from in Peru. Our best experiences have been with G Adventures, but that is not the only reason they have become our go-to choice.

The quality of the experience is the key factor for us, and probably is for you too! G Adventures have amassed decades of experience organising small group tours all over the world, and have an established network of the most knowledgable and trusted local guides in the destinations they cover. They cap group sizes at a maximum of 16. The group sizes are often smaller than this too, typically averaging 10–12 – which we find to be ideal for creating a team dynamic and intimate social vibe – and most tours are now capped at 12 as part of the Travel with Confidence policy (more on this below).

In our review of our Inca Trail with G Adventures, we wrote about how the company’s high ethical standards was a pivotal factor in us choosing them. Local staff were treated equitably and paid fairly, and the tour included visits to support community initiatives. We also appreciated the supportive and understanding approach of the guides. Tackling a trek like the Inca Trail can be daunting for first-timers, but they did everything to make us feel at ease and bolster our confidence.

Now, what about reliability? G Adventures took quick and effective action to put extended health and safety measures in place for all of their tours in response to Covid-19. As the world has opened up again following the pandemic, the principles of these measures have been adapted as a framework to ensure their tours are safe and secure.

The G Adventures Travel with Confidence policy includes a whole range of measures including enhanced hygiene, frequent sanitisation, special training for tour guides and staff, and limited use of public transportation. The policy is being adapted accordingly as the world readjusts to the post-pandemic circumstances.

Travel with your bubble

Several G Adventures small group tour packages in Peru are part of a new ‘Book Your Bubble‘ collection, which enable you to book with a private group of people and make savings. When booking for a group of eight, the eighth place has a 50% discount, or for a group of twelve, the twelfth place is free. 

View all G Adventures tours in Peru

Small group tours in Peru: Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail

1.  The classic Inca Trail

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that tops many a dreamer’s bucket list. G Adventures combines the classic four-day hike with some initial exploration of the Sacred Valley, including trips to ruins at Pisac and Ollantaytambo, and visits to community pottery-making and weaving projects. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

2.  Lares Trek with one-day Inca Trail

The Lares Trek in the Sacred Valley is an offbeat alternative to the Inca Trail. It reaches a higher altitude, topping out at 4,500 metres, taking in lagoons and snowy mountain views on the way. The package includes the same visits to the Sacred Valley as the classic Inca Trail, and ends with the final morning hike to Machu Picchu. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

3.  Inca jungle and Rainbow Mountain trek

Vinicunca Mountain is one of Peru’s most photographed features, dubbed ‘Rainbow Mountain’ since 2015. The melting of glacial ice revealed layers of brightly coloured sediment and minerals at its peak. This tour package includes a hike to the summit, as well as jungle mountain-biking, zip-lining and Machu Picchu at dawn. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

4.  Wellness Peru: Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley

This alternative experience in the land of the Incas puts the focus on mindfulness and wellbeing. While seeing the highlights of the Sacred Valley, Urubamba and Machu Picchu, this package also includes a yoga class, lagoon paddleboarding, breakfast from an organic garden, spa treatments and hot springs. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

Small group tours in Peru: Amazon and the north

5.  Amazon Riverboat Adventure

Pivoting from the isolated city of Iquitos, this absorbing skiff cruise down the Peruvian Amazon ventures into the heart of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Expect to see jungle wildlife in its natural habitat, including sloths and pink dolphins, while enjoying regional cuisine on-board. Check the full itinerary and also see the extended version of this tour.

6.  Explore Northern Peru

The north of Peru gets less attention than the Inca heartlands in the south. Yet, it is home to richness of history, fascinating archaeology, local culture and stunning nature. This package explores the region’s highlights including the world’s third-highest waterfall and the fortified mountaintop ruins of Kuelap. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

Small group tours in Peru: multi-stop routes

7.  Absolute Peru

The ultimate wide-ranging Peruvian adventure, this active tour combines many of the country’s top attractions into a three-week extravaganza. Incorporating the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and an Amazon exploration, the itinerary also includes time in Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Arequipa, the Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

8.  Iconic Peru

A shorter alternative to Absolute Peru, this package fills a diverse itinerary into two weeks. Beginning with Amazonian discovery from Puerto Maldonado and culminating on the shores of Lake Titicaca, this small group tour also includes a week in the Inca heartlands exploring the Urubamba Valley and the Inca Trail. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

9.  Peru Multisport

Designed for the most active travellers, this small group tour explores Peru by foot, bicycle and kayak. The classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is sandwiched between a biking adventure in the Sacred Valley and a two-day kayak excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca from Puno, plus extra options for horse-riding. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

10.  Amazon to the Andes

Our final pick is one of the best combined small group tours in Peru, bringing together the Inca Trail with an Amazon excursion from Puerto Maldonado. After the classic trek to Machu Picchu, we can attest that you will be ready to wind down – and a stay at the exclusive G Lodge in the Amazon is the perfect way to do it. Find out more and see the full itinerary.

To plot your independent pathway through Peru, see our recommended itineraries for 1–4 weeks. For hiking ideas, our Peru trekking guide picks out 35 of the best trails in the country with essential preparation tips.

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