Peru Small Group Tours
The Inca Trail's legendary for a reason - four days of trekking to Machu Picchu, watching sunrise from the Sun Gate over the ruins. Cusco's streets are steep and beautiful, altitude takes a day or two to adjust to. Salkantay Trek's the tougher alternative, Sacred Valley's weaving communities still do everything traditionally, and those Nazca Lines from the air are bizarre and massive. Peru's Andean mountains and Inca history everywhere you look.
10 best Peru small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaPeru travel expert at TourRadar
- 04 Day Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu – Group Service
- 2 Day Inca Trail Experience – Small Group Adventure
- INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS – Small Group
- 8/7 Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Cusco, Machu Picchu (Small Group Tours)
- 10/09 Lima, Chan Chan, Chiclayo, Sipan, Machu Picchu (Small Group Tours)
- 5 Day - Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu - Group Service
- Small Group round trip & swimming Mexico incl. Flight
- Machu Picchu Adventure
- 04 Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Small Group Service
- 02 Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Group Service
04 Day Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu – Group Service
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The biking was fantastic.”
Even, traveled in March
Small groups of eight travelers per guide navigate Class III-IV rapids and mountain bike trails. The intimate size creates authentic local experiences at coca plantations and rural communities between Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Duration 4 days Destinations Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Abra Malaga Mountain, Santa Teresa, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Inkayni Peru Tours From
- US$699
2 Day Inca Trail Experience – Small Group Adventure
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The journey was even more enriching due to the deep knowledge of the history, culture, and nature.”
Darwin, traveled in December
Duration 2 days Destinations Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, French, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Waman Adventures From
- US$868
INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS – Small Group
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A very well organized tour. Timely stops for some history along the route was really good.”
Hari, traveled in December
Duration 4 days Destinations Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba, Patallacta, Runkuraqay Mountain, Sayacmarca, Winay Wayna Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, French, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Waman Adventures From
- US$980
8/7 Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Cusco, Machu Picchu (Small Group Tours)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“this tour was one of the best that I took in years, we got an inolvidable trip.”
Joseph, traveled in March
Bilingual guides provide personal attention at each destination. The itinerary includes Cusco's Koricancha temple, Sacsayhuaman ruins, Andean buffet lunch in Urubamba, and Machu Picchu exploration. Suitable for moderate fitness levels.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lima, Miraflores, Paracas, Ballestas Islands, Nazca, Cusco, Saqsaywaman, Pisac, Urubamba, OllantaytamboSee all destinations Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator ILE Tours From
- US$2,175
10/09 Lima, Chan Chan, Chiclayo, Sipan, Machu Picchu (Small Group Tours)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers
Bilingual guides lead intimate groups through Peru's highlights in each region. Visit San Francisco Convent in Lima, Cusco's Sacsayhuaman fortress, and Machu Picchu with expert insights. Daily WhatsApp support ensures personal attention throughout the approx. $2,300 journey.
Duration 10 days Destinations Lima, Miraflores, Chiclayo, Sipan, Tucume, Trujillo, Huanchaco, Cusco, Saqsaywaman, Aguas CalientesSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator ILE Tours From
- US$2,480
Duration 5 days Destinations Cusco, Machu Picchu Age Range Ages 7+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Valencia Travel Cusco From
- US$1,374
Groups cap at 12 travelers, creating a close-knit setting as you check out Peru's diverse terrain. Start at Lima's UNESCO-listed historic center, then stay at Hacienda Concepcion Lodge in the Amazon rainforest before heading to high-altitude sites like La Raya pass (14,222ft/4,335m).
Duration 15 days Destinations Lima, Arequipa, Canon del Colca, Puno, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puerto Maldonado Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Miller Reisen From
- US$3,801
Machu Picchu Adventure
89 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This tour was so impressive, I booked a second tour for antarctica. We all are extremely satisfied.”
Barbara, traveled in October
Groups of 12-15 adventurers follow specialized Inca Trail guides. The intimate size creates meaningful experiences at local markets, personal attention at Machu Picchu, and authentic cultural exchanges at the Ccaccaccollo women's weaving co-op.
Duration 8 days Destinations Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From $1,829
15% Off- US$1,555You save $274
04 Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Small Group Service
56 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything from start to finish was excellent, and the food was better than what we had in some restaurants in Cusco.”
Kenneth, traveled in February
Small groups of 2-8 trekkers follow English-speaking guides, receiving personal attention at archaeological sites like Patallacta and Runkurakay. The intimate size allows flexible pacing through challenging sections and quieter camping experiences at Wayllabamba and Pacaymayu camps.
Duration 4 days Destinations Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Patallacta, Runkuraqay Mountain, Sayacmarca, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type Group Operator Inkayni Peru Tours From
15% Off- US$895
02 Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Group Service
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tour was AMAZING! The hotels and surrounding town was nice as well.”
Anon, traveled in July
Small groups of 8-12 travelers receive personalized attention at sites like Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu. An assistant guide joins groups larger than 9, providing detailed cultural insights along the 10km trail through Peru's Sacred Valley.
Duration 2 days Destinations Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 9 Group Type Group Operator Inkayni Peru Tours From
15% Off- US$560
Reviews of Small Group tours to Peru
We had an amazing time, accommodation was good, clean and enough facilities to make for a comfortable rest at the end of fun days, we didn't go hungry, the food was more than enough
04 Day Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu – Group Service
- INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS – Small Group
A very well organized tour. Very knowledgeable guide and thanks to all the wonderful porters who helped us. Timely stops for some history along the route was really good. Any questions we had were well answered.
- 10/09 Lima, Chan Chan, Chiclayo, Sipan, Machu Picchu (Small Group Tours)
I found the support I got from ILE to be excellent. The help in planning my trip, answering questions, offering advice, handling changes - all outstanding. The level of communication was best of all - from early morning to late evening. I felt I could contact ILE (Mark) and have a quick response - and this was before, during and after my trip.
What our customers ask about Peru Small Group Tours
What is the ideal duration for a small group tour in Peru?
A well-planned small group tour in Peru takes between 7-12 days. This timeframe lets travelers adjust to high altitudes and explore major destinations at a comfortable pace. A standard trip includes time in Lima (2-3 days) Cusco and the Sacred Valley (3-4 days) and Machu Picchu (1-2 days). As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Our 8-day small group tour felt perfect - enough time to see everything without feeling rushed."
What type of accommodations can I expect on a small group tour in Peru?
Small group tours provide varied lodging options from city hotels to local guesthouses. In Cusco travelers often stay at established properties like the Hilton Garden Inn while Sacred Valley stays feature boutique options such as Casa Andina Premium Valle. For trek experiences like the Salkantay route spacious 4-person tents are shared by just two guests. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The campsites had excellent views of the surroundings and the tents were in perfect condition."
How far in advance should I book a small group tour to Peru?
Book Peru small group tours 6-8 months ahead particularly for trips including the Inca Trail which requires permits. Space fills quickly on popular routes like the Classic Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek due to limited group sizes. One TourRadar traveler advised: "We booked our small group tour 7 months ahead and were glad we did as the permits for our preferred dates were almost sold out."
What is the guide-to-traveler ratio on small group tours?
Tours maintain one guide for every 6-8 participants with extra guides added for larger groups. Companies like TreXperience provide one guide for groups up to 8 people and two guides when numbers increase. A traveler noted: "Having two guides for our group of 10 meant we could split up based on hiking pace and still get detailed information about the sites we visited."
What is the ideal group size for a small group tour in Peru?
Groups typically include 8-16 travelers creating a close-knit atmosphere while exploring Peru's highlights. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Our small group allowed for personalized attention from our guide Percy who made the experience much more meaningful with his deep knowledge of Inca history." Accommodations include stays at select properties like Casa Andina Private Valle Sagrado and El Mapi by Inkaterra in Aguas Calientes.
What safety advantages do small group tours offer in Peru?
The limited size allows guides to closely monitor each traveler's wellbeing especially during altitude adjustment in high-elevation areas like Cusco at 11152 feet. One TourRadar traveler noted: "Our guide was always checking on each person's condition since we were at 16000+ altitude. With just 8 people in our group we received constant attention and felt very safe throughout the journey."