Tailor-Made Peru: Path of the Incas

A hotbed of natural, urban and cultural diversity is the South American nation of Peru, where mysterious ruins shed light on 5,000 years of pre-Colombian history, unique festivals frequently take over city streets, and chiselled peaks, giant sand dunes and Pacific breaks decorate breath-taking landscapes. From the historic sites of Cusco to the remains of Machu Picchu in the Sacred Valley, Peru’s highlights tell tales of bygone civilisations. Cities like Lima, the capital, are innovation-fuelled vanguards that reflect indigenous, Spanish, Asian and African influences – all of which are deliciously present in Peru’s tasty cuisine.

On an eight-day trip in Peru, you can discover the last remnants of the Incan and Andean cultures, attend festivals that mark ancient rites, feast on slow-simmered stews followed by velvety Amazonian chocolate, and soak up the fusion of cultures that have made Peru what it is today. By following our itinerary, you’ll do all that – plus a bunch of sightseeing, adventure activities, and meeting friendly camelids.

Peru at a Glance

Travellers flock to Peru for all sorts of reasons – abundance of UNESCO sites, diverse landscapes, and festivals like Fiesta de la Candelaria, to name a few. But Peru’s biggest draw is perhaps its friendly locals that have created a true melting pot of cultures in cities like Lima and Cusco, where museums and restaurants are abound and gay scenes thrive. Lima’s gay district was, sadly, hit hard by covid, though gay venues are scattered throughout Barranco, Miraflores and Centro, though sticking to cabs at night in Centro is recommended. The former Inca Empire capital of Cusco is also quite progressive and very popular with tourists thanks to being on the doorstep of Machu Picchu and the Sacsayhuamán walled complex. Besides its ancient landmarks, Cusco is home to restaurants, a few queer-exclusive venues, and museums such as the Chocolate Museum.

You should be aware, however, that Peru is still a broadly Catholic conservative country, and attitudes towards the gay community often reflect Catholic teachings. Even though same-sex activity has been legal since 1924 and discrimination against the LGBQT+ community was banned in 2017, gay people can and do face prejudice. Sadly, two-thirds of lawmakers in Parliament recently voted in favour of removing anti-discrimination laws, though this hasn’t come into effect. The key message is to be discrete and aware of local customs. Public displays of affection are often frowned upon, particularly in rural areas. Also, many LGBTQ+ people in Peru prefer to wear gender-neutral clothing and accept twin beds at hotels. When visiting Cusco, remember that the city flag is almost identical to the Pride flag – don’t assume gay rights are being celebrated throughout town.