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)
- Small Group round trip & swimming Mexico incl. Flight
- Machu Picchu Adventure
- Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu – 6 Days
- 5 days Special Honeymoon in Cusco
- Salkantay Nevado Trek to Machu Picchu – 7 Days
- Lima & Southern Peru Highlights: Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour
- 02 Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Group Service
- 03 Day Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu - 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 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$3,868
Machu Picchu Adventure
85 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fantastic tour with a great guide.”
Amanda, traveled in March
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
Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu – 6 Days
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The beauty of sacred valley and Machu Picchu can't be described in words. One needs to visit to appreciate.”
Devanand, traveled in April
Intimate groups averaging 40 years old immerse themselves in Peru's highlights. The small setting allows personal attention at sites like Sacsayhuamán fortress and San Blas quarter. Private transport enables flexible visits to Cusco's Plaza de Armas and Mercado Central de San Pedro.
Duration 6 days Destinations Lima, Cusco, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Unu Raymi Expeditions From $789
15% Off- US$671You save $118
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
15% 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
Lima & Southern Peru Highlights: Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A great trip, hitting all the highlights of Southern Peru - the Condors at Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca and the floating islands, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.”
Edward, traveled in July
Small groups of 8-12 travelers delve into Peru's highlights. The intimate setting allows for detailed exploration of Maras salt mines and Moray terraces, while fostering authentic interactions with local communities at Taquile Island. Suitable for ages 8+, with comfortable 3-star lodging.
Duration 11 days Destinations Lima, Arequipa, Chivay, Canon del Colca, Puno, Uros Reed Islands, Taquile Island, Cusco, Moray, MarasSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 20 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Peru Trek 4 Good From
15% Off- US$1,850
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
Reviews of Small Group tours to Peru
- 8/7 Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Cusco, Machu Picchu (Small Group Tours)
this tour was one of the best that I took in years, Mark and Milagros, did the best to make as feel confortable and secure. thanks, we got an inolvidable trip.
Amazing experience! The tour moves quickly so you see a lot in a short amount of time, which is exactly why I love these types of tours. I couldn't of asked for a better guide or group.
Machu Picchu Adventure
- 02 Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Group Service
The tour was AMAZING! Just the right amount of hiking and sight-seeing. The hotels and surrounding town was nice as well. The tour was very well-organized. Our tour guide Ali Gutierrez was very friendly, accomodating, and knowledgeable of all the sights as well as surrounding nature.
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."