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
- 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
- 5 days Special Honeymoon in Cusco
- Salkantay Nevado Trek to Machu Picchu – 7 Days
- 02 Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Group Service
- 03 Day Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu - Group service
- Humantay Lake - Group Service
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, Paracas, Ballestas Islands, Nazca, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu 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$2,075
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, Chiclayo, Tucume, Trujillo, Huanchaco, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley 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
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$3,855
Machu Picchu Adventure
86 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a great experience with G adventures! It's good to know G adventures partner with Planeterra.”
Henrietta, traveled in September
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, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From $1,649
17% Off- US$1,369You save $280
Private tours ensure dedicated attention at Machu Picchu and Sacsayhuaman fortress. Your personal guide, in English or Spanish, provides exclusive access to Cathedral art collections and Sacred Valley's finest restaurants.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 2 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator PVTravels From
17% Off- US$1,680
Salkantay Nevado Trek to Machu Picchu – 7 Days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The scenery was beautiful, the hike somewhat little difficult but we all manage.”
Rhodora, traveled in September
This 7-day Andean journey comes alive with small group dynamics and personalized attention from bilingual guides. Savor traditional Peruvian meals in Mollepata, visit Humantay Lake, and camp beneath Salkantay mountain. Intimate groups ensure peaceful moments at lesser-visited Llactapata ruins.
Duration 7 days Destinations Cusco, Salkantay Mountain, Machu Picchu Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Unu Raymi Expeditions From $1,249
15% Off- US$1,062You save $187
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
03 Day Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu - Group service
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The activities were all great and very well organised along with the travel between the different locations.”
Olukayode, traveled in April
Groups under 8 travelers receive personalized guidance through Machu Picchu's ancient ruins. Additional guides join larger groups, ensuring detailed attention during mountain biking from Abra Málaga and zip-lining adventures near Santa Teresa.
Duration 3 days Destinations Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Abra Malaga Mountain, 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
15% Off- US$599
This moderate trek attracts travelers averaging 35 years old. Small groups ensure personalized attention from bilingual guides while exploring Humantay Lake's turquoise waters and surrounding Andean peaks.
Duration 1 day Destinations Cusco, Mollepata, Salkantay Mountain Age Range Ages 15+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Inkayni Peru Tours From
15% Off- US$50
Reviews of Small Group tours to Peru
Great place to visit. We felt well looked after. Hotels were better than expected. Breakfast not great though. Tour guides cared and loved their jobs. Good balance of tours and down time.
Machu Picchu Adventure
- Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu – 6 Days
Well-organized. James and Edwin were constantly in touch to ensure things ran smoothly. Because of bad weather our flight from Lima to Cuzco was cancelled but they were on top of the problem and immediately rebooked us. The beauty of sacred valley and Machu Picchu can't be described in words. One needs to visit to appreciate. Our guide Herbert in Machu Picchu was outstanding, very knowledgeable and made the tour stand out.
- Extraordinary Peru
This tour by Lima Tours was amazing! Very well organized. The tour guides were amazing, kind, and very helpful!
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."