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The Platform Section is a curated collection of the most sustainable and immersive excursions all over Peru. Our team handpicks these excursions to ensure that they provide unique experiences for travelers, while also prioritizing sustainable tourism practices.
We offer a variety of excursions, including day tours and multi-day tours. These excursions cover a range of activities and destinations, such as trekking, cultural experiences, wildlife watching, and gastronomic tours.
Our team carefully researches and selects excursions based on several criteria, including sustainability, community involvement, cultural immersion, and unique experiences. We work with local partners who share our values and are committed to responsible tourism practices.
We prioritize sustainability in all of the excursions we offer. This means that we work with local partners who are committed to responsible tourism practices, such as reducing waste, conserving natural resources, and supporting the local economy.
Many of the excursions in the Platform Section are designed to support local communities by providing economic opportunities and promoting cultural exchange. By booking an excursion with us, you are helping to support local communities and contribute to sustainable tourism practices.
Yes, many of the excursions in the Platform Section can be customized to meet your specific interests and needs. Simply contact our platform team to discuss your customization options.
Every tour or trip has a field specifying every item included, and excluded in the price. For longer trips please refer to the PDF itinerary which you can ask for through the Enquiry form.
Items not specifically indicated as included, are generally not included. Examples are international flights, early check-ins or late check-outs (unless stated otherwise), souvenirs, laundry, tips, insurance and other personal expenses, and those items marked as optional or “Your Cost”. Optional excursions should be booked in advance with RESPONS.
We prioritize the health and safety of our customers and local partners. We work with local partners who adhere to strict health and safety protocols and follow all government regulations. We also provide our customers with comprehensive health and safety information before each excursion. For more information on this subject, check out the corresponding section below.
RESPONS is dedicated to providing excellent customer service. If you have any questions or need assistance before or during your excursion, you can contact our platform team for support (or simply e-mail us to platform[at]responsibletravelperu.com). We are here to help you have a memorable and sustainable travel experience.
RESPONS earns a commission for each trip we sell, which varies according to destination, duration, and type of trip. This commission allows us to cover our operational costs and generate a reasonable profit margin.
If you book an excursion through the platform, this service is not included. You can still try to buy a SIM card yourself upon arrival to Peru (not every shop wil allow foreigners to buy one). Nevertheless, you can reach the tour provider directly by responding to the previous emails or using the phone number as provided in those emails. Be careful with roaming costs! Preferably use an internet-based service to call, for example Whatsapp or Skype.
To book an excursion on the RESPONS platform, simply browse our selection of excursions, select the one you are interested in, and follow the steps to book and pay for your trip online.
This is different for each tour. For most tours, you need book at least 72 to 48 hours in advance so that we have enough time to coordinate with the service providers. Longer tours might need even more anticipation. If you need to book on short notice and the website doesn’t allow you, please contact us as soon as possible: but we can’t make any promises!
If you book very far in advance for the next calendar year, probably not. If this is the case, drop us a line.
We try hard to get the next year’s prices on time, but even governmental places (like archaeological sites) publish next year’s prices in the last months, or even last weeks, of the current year.
If you want to see the price for your situation, please select an amount of travelers (number of adults, children, etc) in the booking form, on the right side of the tour page (or the bottom on the mobile version). You will then see the total price for your group size and date right above it. For some tours, the price will change according to the chosen package.
If the booking form is not yet visible for the tour you’re checking, please fill in the enquiry form and we’ll solve it!
(Price will only be shown on dates with availability.)
In case you would have to cancel the reservation, we unfortunately need to charge you costs which we can not get back. These include administrative and personnel costs to administer cancellations. We ask you for your understanding. These are the conditions:
Certain costs such as tickets for the Inca Trail might not be covered under the above arrangement because these are non refundable. We will inform you honestly about these exceptions.
The Customized Section is where you can plan the perfect Peru travel itinerary with our travel designers. Our expert Peru trip planners will work with you to co-create a unique travel experience that meets all your travel desires.
To start planning your customized Peru itinerary, simply contact our team of travel designers. They will work with you to understand your interests, travel style, and budget, and then create a unique itinerary that meets all your needs.
The time it takes to plan a customized Peru itinerary varies depending on the complexity of your trip and the number of destinations you want to visit. Our travel designers typically work with clients for several weeks to ensure that every detail of the itinerary is perfect.
You can include a wide range of experiences in your customized Peru itinerary, including cultural experiences, adventure activities, culinary experiences, and more. Our travel designers will work with you to understand your interests and recommend experiences that align with your travel desires.
We are committed to promoting sustainable and responsible tourism in Peru. Our travel designers work with local partners who share our values and are committed to sustainable tourism practices. We also prioritize experiences that promote cultural exchange and support local communities. For more information on this subject, check out the corresponding section below.
The cost of a customized Peru itinerary varies depending on the destinations you want to visit, the experiences you want to include, and the level of accommodations you prefer. Our travel designers will work with you to create an itinerary that fits within your budget.
Yes, we understand that travel plans can change. Our travel designers are happy to make changes to your itinerary, as long as it’s feasible and doesn’t affect the other aspects of your trip.
Once your customized Peru itinerary is finalized, our travel designers will provide you with all the information you need to book your trip, including accommodations, transportation, and activities.
If you book a custom itinerary of a tour longer than six days, we will provide you with a Peruvian SIM card and also add you to a private WhatsApp Group, allowing us to communicate almost every moment with each other. You can buy credit for calls and data usage yourself (we will provide instructions) and use your own (unblocked!) phone. You can give the number to someone back home for emergencies, but please be aware that text messages and phone calls from abroad don’t always arrive. It is better to use an online chat/call app like Whatsapp to ensure the best communication with your relatives back home. Remaining credit at the end of your trip cannot be returned.
Please refer to our article What to Pack for your Trip to Peru for all your questions about packing for your Peru trip. Whether you’re going to the jungle or the mountains, you’ll find the answers you need. You can also download a full Packing List for free.
Peru is a tropical country with marked seasons and a varied topography that make of its climate a highly variable aspect along the whole territory.
December, January and February is summer time, that is generally characterized by rains along the country except for the coast. This is a period of time where most of the touristic activities are not recommended.
On the contrary, the winter time comprises July, August and September on the coast, while the rest of the country is suitable to visit. Of course winter also is accompanied by lower temperatures along the country, but the northern coast and the jungle are always exceptions, as weather varies little. This is for instance considered the high season.
Remember that during your briefings your travel specialist, as well as local guides, will give you all the necessary advice. In this article we’ll help you decide on the Best Time to Travel to Peru.
Your passport will be the main travel document you will have to carry with you during your visit to Peru. Citizens of most countries won’t have the need for visas but check with the Peruvian consulate or embassy in your country before traveling.
RESPONS strongly recommends all travelers to have a good travel insurance, which includes mountain activities, for the duration of the trip. If it can cover costs in case of molest, social unrest, natural disasters and/or covid-related costs that would be preferable.
To comply with Peru’s tax rules (and sometimes, to buy tickets for you), we are legally required to hand over a copy of each traveler’s passport to the Peruvian authorities. If we don’t have your passports (and correctly), we will have to Late Charge you 18% sales taxes (on some tours). We’d rather have you spend that money in a local restaurant or on a typical souvenir from Peru! Find out more about how to safely share your passport in this article.
The currency in Peru is the sol (PEN). U.S. dollars are also widely accepted in many places.
You can exchange money at banks, exchange offices, and some hotels. ATMs are also widely available.
Keep in mind, though, that each traveler is unique and the following information only acts as a reference point. Categories are based on two people traveling together. If you travel with more people, it’s normally cheaper.
Wise budget, $100 – $125 per day per person: nice 2-star hotels and homestays, group excursions.
Flexible, $125 – $150 per day per person: Nice accommodations (2-3 sometimes 4 stars according to preferences), private excursions, unique experiences.
Superior, $150 – $175 per day per person: superior accommodations, more unique experiences, frequently in private services.
Luxury: $175+ per day per person: Only boutique, 4 and 5-star accommodations (where available), unique special excursions, excellent gastronomy, etc.
As a general rule, tips are always optional!
Language: The official language of Peru is Spanish, but many people also speak indigenous languages such as Quechua.
Time zone: Peru is in the GMT-5 time zone.
Climate: Peru has a varied climate, with the coastal regions being dry and desert-like, the Andes being colder and drier, and the Amazon being hot and humid.
Food and drink: Peruvian cuisine is diverse and delicious, with many unique flavors and ingredients. Try the ceviche, lomo saltado, and pisco sour while in Peru.
Transportation: Taxis and buses are the most common forms of transportation in Peru. Be sure to negotiate the fare with taxi drivers before getting in.
Electricity: The electrical outlets in Peru are typically 220 volts and normally A and C types or a combination of them. Bring a converter if necessary.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is widely available in most hotels, restaurants, and cafes in major cities.
Dress code: Dress modestly when visiting religious sites, and bring warm clothes if traveling to high-altitude destinations.
Etiquette: Peruvians are generally friendly and hospitable. It’s polite to greet people with a handshake or kiss on the cheek.
Festivals: Peru has many colorful festivals throughout the year, including Inti Raymi (Inca festival of the sun) and Carnaval.
National parks: Peru has many national parks and conservation areas, including Manu National Park and Huascarán National Park.
Souvenirs: Look for traditional handicrafts such as alpaca wool clothing, pottery, and silver jewelry. Avoid souvenirs of animal origin and true archaeological pieces.
Visit a travel doctor who can give you professional advice on what vaccinations may be necessary. Some routine vaccinations are obligatory, like DTP, Hepatitis A and B. If you go into the Amazon jungle, a yellow fever injection is obligatory and malaria recommended. (Official CDC info here.) Read more on how to stay healthy when traveling in Peru here.
Please make sure you have a valid COVID-19 vaccination. Although it is not obligatory, the chances of an infection are to be taken seriously when your itinerary includes flights or long bus rides (which they all do). Our guides and drivers would be grateful, too.
Recently, Peru released new policies that restricts the use of buses and flights for unvaccinated people. This makes it very hard to travel in Peru if you don’t have your vaccinations. Stay up-to-date about the latest Covid measurements here: Traveling to Peru in Covid times: measures, restrictions and conditions.
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please let us know when booking or making an enquiry. We will work with to create a tour that suits your requirements.
If you suffer any allergy o dietary restrictions, make sure to inform us during checkout and we will take the necessary precautions. Our local partners are used to catering for different kinds of travelers; even in the local communities you can eat gluten-free, vegan or with nut allergy. We do need to know in advance though, please, because the coordinations do take time.
Over the years, Peru has developed as a stable and friendly country for all visitors. At the same time however, there has been a growing division between the poor and rich population. Since tourists are likely to attract attention, it is wise to travel ‘low profile’ avoiding to show valuable items (cameras, iPods, wallets, smartwatches) and watching your luggage closely at all times.
No, in most cases it is not. Mineral water is available everywhere but the most ecofriendly manner (and also cheaper on longer trips) is to use a water filter. There are many options, like water bottles with built-in filter, filter pumps or UV filters. Make sure they also kill bacteria.
Read all our tips on how to stay healthy and happy when traveling in Peru in this article!
We also recommend to download some refill apps like: Tap, MyMizu, Refill, RefillMyBottle, Closca and find stations near you to get free or cheaper safe to drink water.
Most cities and attractions of Peru are located high in the Andes. During a standard itinerary through Peru, you will sleep many nights above three thousand meters (11.000 feet) above sea level and occasionally reach altitudes well above four thousand meters (13.000 feet).
Altitude sickness is usually a problem for travelers who ascend too quickly; for example those who fly or take a bus directly into Cusco or Huaraz from lower altitude levels. Although not everyone is equally affected by the altitude, it usually takes a few days for the body to adjust to the low oxygen levels. You should be aware as well, that even if you have been to high altitude destinations before without having any problems, that does not mean you won’t have them this time. Our reaction to the altitude can change throughout our lives. Therefore, upon arriving, it is possible that you experience shortness of breath from only minor physical exercise as well as dizziness, insomnia and a loss of appetite. Make sure that you always drink enough: the rule of thumb is to drink one liter of water per day for every 1.000 meters.
Apart from drinking a lot, be attentive to not dehydrating yourself either: don’t drink too much alcohol or coffee, protect yourself from the very strong sun, take it easy and if you sweat: drink even more! Your food habits are also important: don’t eat too heavy the days before you will travel to higher altitudes.
Well, the answer changes over time, that’s why we’ve dedicated a complete article to the Covid measurements in Peru for travelers. We’ll try to keep it as up to date as possible.
We don’t recommend traveling through Peru with children younger than 6, because of the altitudes and long travel distances. We believe that from (more or less) 8 years onwards, children will understand much more of what’s going on, will be able to keep themselves safe and will enjoy and value the experiences much more.
We have designed hundreds of family trips in the past, for families with kids of all ages. We love to design itineraries that take into account the wishes, restrictions and budget of each family (member) and put all our knowledge and experience at work to get the most satisfying result.
You can find some recommended family-friendly tours and activities in Peru here. However, we really recommend you to contact our team of travel designers to custom design a family trip for you. It’s not much more expensive whilst we will improve the experience for all family members a lot because we can cater to the specific needs of your family.
You can also read the following articles on Family travel in Peru:
Citizens of many countries, including the US and EU, do not require a visa for visits up to 90 days. Check with your local Peruvian embassy or consulate for specific requirements.
It is recommended to have the routine vaccinations up to date. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid for travelers to Peru. Consult with a medical professional for personalized recommendations.
The best time to travel to Peru with a family is during the dry season, which runs from May to September. This is especially important if you plan to visit Machu Picchu, as the rainy season can make trekking difficult.
Some family-friendly activities in Peru include visiting Machu Picchu, exploring the Amazon rainforest, visiting Lake Titicaca, and participating in cultural activities like weaving and cooking classes.
Families should pack comfortable clothing and shoes for exploring, warm clothing for high-altitude destinations like Cusco and the Andes, sunscreen and insect repellent, and any necessary medications. Don’t forget to bring a camera and binoculars! More about this subject here, What to Pack for your Trip to Peru
Travelers should take precautions to avoid pickpocketing and theft, especially in crowded areas. It is also recommended to drink bottled water and avoid uncooked foods to prevent illness. More about this subject here, How to Stay Safe and Healthy when traveling in Peru
The best way to get around Peru with a family is by private transportation, such as a rental car or private driver. Public transportation can be crowded and difficult to navigate with children.
Police/City watch (Serenazgo)105
Firemen 116
Ambulance 106
Sustainability is a term that is widely used, but easily misunderstood. An integrated definition of the concept refers to the ongoing process of preserving society and the environment. It is about making responsible use of the world’s resources, and avoid to negatively influence future generations. The capacity for the biosphere and humanity to co-exist.
Simply explained, sustainability is about assuring the permanence and maintenance of material and non-material resources and heritage (environmental, economic, socio-cultural) of the planet across generations.
For more info you can read our blog 4 things to know about sustainable and community-based tourism.
“Tourism can be a force for good in our world, playing a part in protecting our planet and its biodiversity, and celebrating what makes us human: from discovering new places and cultures to connecting with new people and experiencies.” António Guterres – UN General Secretary
Sustainable travel in Peru means traveling in a way that has a positive impact on the environment, economy, and local communities. This includes supporting local businesses, minimizing waste and pollution, and respecting cultural and natural resources.
This is a great question, very well answered by one of our posts (among the many published in our Blog)
En Route Towards Sustainability in 2019
Find all the articles published in the category Sustainability here.
We are Travelife certified at partner level since 2019, meaning that we report about all of our processes every other year assuring that we keep at least a minimum level of sustainability strategies in place at all times. Moreover the Travelife platform allows us (RESPONS staff and even our suppliers) to train ourselves with updated on-line courses that nowadays match our education needs with the overall aim of reaching the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. RESPONS is currently working on obtaining the Certified level of Travelife.
You can support sustainable tourism in Peru by choosing eco-friendly accommodations, eating at local restaurants, buying locally made products, and using public transportation or walking whenever possible.
These are a couple of good blogs we recommend to any traveler in the quest to be a responsible one:
Some tours include a certain contribution (monetary or specific items) to a directly related cause in their price. For the rest of the cases, yearly incomes contribute to the enlargement of our fund that we democratically distribute among our favorite social and environmental causes after nomination and votation. Sometimes this money is more quickly used if an emergency occurs, like a natural disaster, personal accident, or a pandemic, and we see if it is an opportunity to take action and provide an immediate relief to those affected.
When planning your itinerary, let your Travel Designer know about your desire of participation in social/environmental activities, and she or he will certainly provide you with all the possibilities according to your route and time of your visit. You can plant trees in Manu, Tambopata and Chachapoyas. Or volunteer at an Animal Rescue Center in Tambopata or Iquitos. In terms of social activities, these are generally a bit more difficult as it usually takes longer stays for you to enroll in such activities but some non-profit hotels offer short tours to their project sites (like Niños and Arco Iris) or you can partake in an activity with NGO’s that offer art workshops, like Casa Mantay.
You can minimize your environmental impact by using refillable water bottles, avoiding single-use plastics, supporting conservation efforts, and following Leave No Trace principles when hiking or exploring natural areas.
Some eco-friendly accommodations in Peru include lodges and hotels that use renewable energy, have water conservation practices, and support local conservation efforts. Look for certifications like Rainforest Alliance or Travelife.
Community-based Tourism (CBT) is normally understood as tourism taking place in rural areas where families, part of a community, or the whole community are involved in the tourism economic chain. The idea is that the visitor is able to experience first hand the way of living of a community, or family group, staying at their houses and participating in the daily activities. This kind of direct interaction without the need of intermediaries (or very little) allows a meaningful connection and positive exchange between host and guest. CBT is by concept a small-scale activity, an alternative income for a community or family, and it is not restricted to the rural areas, as there are examples of this kind of tourism inside cities where very particular realities take place.
We invite you to read: 4 things to know about sustainable and community-based tourism
You can support local communities by visiting community-based tourism projects, buying locally made products, and hiring local guides and services. This helps to create economic opportunities and support cultural preservation efforts.
Slow travel means to stay longer, to be a dedicated traveler, to immerse yourself in the destination, to embrace the cultural and natural aspects of the place your are visiting. To have the time to learn and to be reciprocous, to leave a mark but not leaving traces. To move by more friendly ways of transportation even if they may take longer.
Everyone directly involved in your visit, like the hostfamily, the local guides or families you visit during excursions, are usually fine with pictures. If you make a really nice (family) portrait and you promise to send it to them, make sure to fulfill that promise!
As to anyone not directly involved, like other community members you meet on a hike, it would be kind to ask them first if it’s OK to take a picture. If the picture is great and/or they’re a little uncomfortable, it’s OK to give a little tip if they are doing you the favour of posing or allowing you to take your photo. Something between 1 to 5 soles is fine. Don’t exaggerate.
Showing the resultant picture is always nice if you have the time!
It’s important to respect local cultures and traditions when traveling in Peru. This includes dressing modestly when visiting religious sites, asking for permission before taking photos of people, and avoiding activities that exploit animals or people.
Normally, these animals are taken while young from their natural environment, most of the times (if not always) this involves killing adults and/or high rate of death of individuals by inappropiate manipulation or a lack of proper care. The remaining animals used for display are normally not healthy, malnourished, stressed, mistreated and abused.
Livestock farming has become so prevalent, unethical, artificial, and unhealthy that cannot be considered sustainable at all. Cattle ranches take up a lot of space. To provide that space, forests are cleared at an alarming rate. Furthermore, the amount of water needed for the production of meat is (especially beef) overwhelming. This is a big problem considering we are running out of water in many places of the planet. The amount of Greenhouse Gas Emissions naturally produced by cattle (methane) is enormous, as well.
The conditions, in which animals in most farms live are inhuman and insanitary, causing stress and illnesses. Therefore, most animal products result from an unbearable amount of hormones and antibiotics injected into them, which makes the consumption of these animals quite unhealthy for us, too. The production of animal protein is much very inefficient in terms of energy and resources. We need a lot fewer resources to produce the same amount of vegetal protein.
When it comes to seafood, the situation is similar. Shrimp farms are located in coastal areas next to mangroves. The mangroves have to be destroyed for the sake of the farms, even though they are very important CO2 absorbers. Many fishing vessels overfish and destroy entire ecosystems with their techniques, which lead to a lot of endangered species ending up as so-called “bycatch” (= fish that will not be sold on the market but still be killed during the fishing process). There are even vessels guilty of slavery.
For these and many more reasons, vegetarianism and veganism are considered sustainable. If you want to make a difference but struggle to avoid meat and fish completely, try making changes step by step. Start by avoiding beef, which emits most CO2, and fish, as of the great role our oceans play in our planet’s health.
It is basically about not consuming animal products in any way. Besides not eating animal or animal-derived products, strict vegans also refuse the use of leather, fur or any other product of animal sources for clothing, decoration, furniture, etc. The overall idea is not causing harm to animals.
Opting for local and seasonal produce supports the producers in the immediate area, avoiding competition from big far-away markets that have better trading conditions. Moreover, it avoids transportation and unnecessary cooling of the products. Thus, we can cut down on energy and emissions.
Sensitive activities include:
Captive animal attractions
Wildlife watching and visiting protected areas (including parks)
Marine activities (snorkeling, diving, sport fishing, whale, dolphin, and turtle watching)
Visits to indigenous and traditional communities
Visits to cultural and historic sensitive sites
Feel free to ask all the questions you want to our sustainability team at sustainability[at]responsibletravelperu.com
If you haven’t found the answer(s) you were looking for, you can totally write down your question(s) in the following form and we will promptly reply you. Thanks!
