Peru · HISTORICAL TOURS

The 15 Best Historical Tours in Peru

27 tours  ·  from $2

Inca stonework under Spanish churches, pre-Inca pyramids inside modern Lima, and burial towers above Lake Titicaca. The 15 below are priced and timed, with a straight note on which need a guide to make any sense.

Lima's Vibrant Heritage: Exploring the City's Landmarks Half-day - Huaca Pucllana and Lima before the Spanish
Half-Day, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Lima, Lima Tours, Tour Reviews

Lima’s Vibrant Heritage: Exploring the City’s Landmarks Half-day

1.Lima’s Vibrant Heritage: Exploring the City’s Landmarks Half-day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 581 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39Our pick

Spend about 3.5 hours seeing Lima with an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned transport. Visit Love Park, view Huaca Pucllana, explore the Cathedral and Santo Domingo Convent, and walk the Main Square. Pickup is offered in Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco, with some itinerary changes on cathedral-closure days.

“The experience was awesome! Victor, the Guide, provided very helpful and meaningful information about the attractions and the history of the city. The car was comfortable, and I think that the tour's duration is good - I was able to visit some other points again on the evening, after the lunch.”

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Lima: Historic Center Street Food, Market, and Eateries Tour - Starting at Gran Hotel Bolivar and Plaza San Martín
Food & Drink, Food Tours in Lima, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Lima, Lima Tours, Market Tours in Lima, Markets, Tour Reviews, Tours

Lima: Historic Center Street Food, Market, and Eateries Tour

2.Historic Center Street Food, Market, and Eateries Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 216 reviews · 4 hours · from $69

Spend four hours walking Lima’s Historic Center with an English-speaking guide such as Marcos, Aura, or Valeria. Taste anticuchos, chilcanos, churros, picarones, market fruit, and chifa specialties, while seeing Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, San Francisco, and Barrio Chino. Expect plenty of food, several short walks, and no vegetarian or vegan alternatives.

“YUM! This tour was informative and really tasty. Shainy (sorry if I spelt it wrong) was fantastic and gave us interesting information about the culture and the history of the foods. Went away very full.”

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Walking tour in the Historic Center of Arequipa - Meeting at Santa Catalina Street 204
Arequipa Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Walking tour in the Historic Center of Arequipa

3.Walking tour in the Historic Center of Arequipa

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 180 reviews · 2 hours · from $10

Walk Arequipa’s historic center with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide in about two hours. See the Plaza de Armas, Company cloisters, volcano views from Grau Bridge, Mundo Alpaca, and San Lazaro. Guides such as Edgar, Johan, Jorge Echeandia, Beatriz, and Francisco have led engaging tours, though tips are expected at the end.

“The tour was very informative and interesting full of fun facts about the city. The guide was engaging and open to answer all the questions about Arequipa.”

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Historic Downtown, Miraflores & Catacombs Private Tour - San Martín Plaza and Lima’s grand center
Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Lima, Lima Tours, Miraflores & Barranco Tours, Private, Private Tours in Lima, Tour Reviews, Tours

Historic Downtown, Miraflores & Catacombs Private Tour

4.Historic Downtown, Miraflores & Catacombs Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $75Top rated

Explore Lima with a private guide such as María, Sofía, Alexandra, or William. Walk Miraflores, see San Isidro’s olive trees, visit colonial plazas and the Cathedral, then tour San Francisco Convent and its catacombs. Private transport, snacks, and a drink are included, with morning, afternoon, and early evening departures.

“This was one of the best city tours we've ever taken. John, our driver, safely maneuvered the insane Lima traffic with skill, ease and great attitude! Alexandra was extremely well informed and directed us with true joy through her city. She was interesting and fun to be with. She was also flexible, altering our tour a little to spend more time in a specific location that we wanted to hear more about. She rerouted us to avoid too many steps for me. Great guide!”

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Cusco: Historical Guided City Tour with 4 Inca Ruins - Qoricancha, where Inca worship met Spanish colonial power
City Tours, City Tours in Cusco, Cusco Tours, Guided, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cusco: Historical Guided City Tour with 4 Inca Ruins

5.Historical Guided City Tour with 4 Inca Ruins

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 99 reviews · 6 hours · from $23

Spend six hours exploring Cusco’s Inca heart with an accredited guide. Visit Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, with some options adding the Cathedral, eucalyptus forest, or Cristo Blanco viewpoint. Guides such as Luis and Alfredo have been praised for clear English and strong storytelling.

“Hyame was excellent as a tour leader. We only had a few hours in Cusco before heading off to do the Macchu Picchu trek. This was a great tour to get a glimpse of some sites that were too far to walk to, especially when needing to adjust to the high altitude. Her English was good and responded to questions well. I was well-pleased with this last minute booking and would have missed out on many Cusco treasures without booking it.”

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Arequipa: Walk through the Historic Center of the City - Meeting in San Lázaro at Campo Redondo
Arequipa Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours

Arequipa: Walk through the Historic Center of the City

6.Walk through the Historic Center of the City

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 87 reviews · 2 hours · from $15

Walk Arequipa’s historic center with local guides such as Joss, Joseph, or Jose. In two hours, you’ll see the Cathedral, colonial cloisters, old tambos, lesser-known corners, and a lookout facing Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. English and Spanish tours are limited to six people.

“This tour was AMAZING, Joss is the best, me and my girlfriend really appreciate this tour! We discovered a lot of info and special things about peru and arequipa that we don’t know. Also this tour include some of non touristic place that only a real peruvian knows! If you want to discover and visit arequipa this tour is the best, and at the end you can enjoy the best pisco sour with the best sunset spot in arequipa. Thank you so much!!!”

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Machu Picchu Private Archaeological and Historical Guided Tour - The first uphill walk and the classic Machu Picchu view
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Machu Picchu Private Archaeological and Historical Guided Tour

7.Machu Picchu Private Archaeological and Historical Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.)

Explore Machu Picchu for about three hours with a private guide such as Eric, Sophia, or Ericson. Expect Inca history, architecture, photo help, and pickup from your Aguas Calientes hotel or train station. Entry and bus tickets cost extra, and your route depends on your Machu Picchu circuit.

“Ericson was super knowledgeable and very friendly. I had a great time walking round the circuit. I would highly recommend booking a tour with him. Thank you!”

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6-Day Cultural Tour to Machu Picchu - Machu Picchu deserves the early start
6-Day Experiences, Historical Tours, Machu Picchu Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

6-Day Cultural Tour to Machu Picchu

8.6-Day Cultural Tour to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · from $999

This six-day tour covers Cusco, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Maras, and Chinchero, with five hotel nights, breakfasts, transport, trains, entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Jonathan, Guido, Frankly, and Eddy Ninan have led past departures. Expect early starts, high altitude, and a small group of up to 15.

“Super amazing and awesome experience ! Tourist guides Justin, Edy, Joel were outstanding professional, friendly and passionate on all the tours performed.”

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Cusco: Historic Walking Tour with Pisco Sour and Music Show - Cathedral, Company of Jesus, and the Spanish layer
Cusco Tours, Historical Tours, Pisco Tastings, Show, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Cusco

Cusco: Historic Walking Tour with Pisco Sour and Music Show

9.Historic Walking Tour with Pisco Sour and Music Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 65 reviews · 2 hours · from $10

Start at Cusco’s Plaza de Armas with a bilingual guide, then walk to the Cathedral, Qoricancha, Inca stonework, San Blas, a luthier’s workshop, and the Temple of Manco Capac. Finish with Andean music, city views, and your choice of pisco sour or chicha morada. Small groups are limited to 10.

“Eric took us on an excellent tour around Cusco! Really interesting and enjoyable. Highly recommend”

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Lima Peru Sea Lions, History and Palomino Callao Islands - What happens at La Punta
Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Lima, Lima Tours, Sea Lion Swims, Tour Reviews

Lima Peru Sea Lions, History and Palomino Callao Islands

10.Lima Peru Sea Lions, History and Palomino Callao Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · from $72

From La Punta in Callao, you’ll take a speedboat around San Lorenzo, Frontón, Cavinzas, and Palomino Islands. Expect wild sea lions, Humboldt penguins, guano birds, rock formations, and stories about Peru. Rodrigo or Diego may guide the small group. A wetsuit, snacks, and water are included, but snorkeling gear and transportation are extra.

“Great experience, have told various other people about this trip recommending they go when in Lima!! Seeing penguins and sea lions in their natural environment was priceless. Getting the opportunity to swim with the sea lions was absolutely amazing. Thank you so much!!”

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Pisco Sour Secrets: Hands-On Mixology in Historic Cusco - Casa Intrepid and its Inca walls
Cusco Tours, Historical Tours, Pisco Tastings, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Pisco Sour Secrets: Hands-On Mixology in Historic Cusco

11.Pisco Sour Secrets: Hands-On Mixology in Historic Cusco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

At Casa Intrepid, a restored Cusco venue with original Inca walls, a local English-speaking bartender guides you through three Piscos, fresh lime, egg white, bitters, and the art of shaking a Pisco Sour. The 4 p.m. adult-only class lasts about two to two and a half hours and ends where it begins.

“My boyfriend and I loved this tour! Lilyana was our tour guide and it ended up being just us until the very end when the other three people showed up at our last stop. I highly recommend this tour because Cusco can seem a bit dodgy and with a local it made me feel very at ease. Lilyana was super sweet and offered me a poncho when it stared raining. She also recommended a restaurant to eat at the next night which we went to and it was delicious. My favorite part of the tour was the last stop at the pisco making bar where we got to get behind…”

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Lima´s Vibrant Heritage & Larco Museum of Cultures Half Day Tour - Santo Domingo and Lima’s early colonial world
Half-Day, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Lima, Lima Tours, Museum Tours in Lima, Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours

Lima´s Vibrant Heritage & Larco Museum of Cultures Half Day Tour

12.Lima´s Vibrant Heritage & Larco Museum of Cultures Half Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $69

Spend four hours tracing Lima’s colonial past at Santo Domingo and the Cathedral, then viewing ancient Peruvian art at Larco Museum. Guides such as Suzanne, Gabriel, and Daniel explain the art and history in clear English, with hotel pickup from Miraflores or San Isidro.

“Booked as a 2.30 (around 5 hrs )30 hrs before message sent moved to 9.00, the tour lasted 4hrs. That said all to plan with Gabriel excellant very clear English. Went to places with a guide that the tourist would not be able to. Even with reduced time good value if you add admissions, taxis. The Larco museum is interesting. So we paid £37.00+ tips”

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Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery - Yanahuara, sillar arches, and the White City
Arequipa Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Arequipa, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery

13.Arequipa, Historic and Colonial City and Santa Catalina Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $61

Start with hotel pickup and ride to Carmen Alto and Yanahuara for volcano views and sillar architecture. Then walk through Santa Catalina Monastery, Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the Church of the Society of Jesus. English, Spanish, and multilingual guides may be available. Admission to the monastery is included.

“Tour comprehensive, guide very knowledgable. I booked English tour but all were Spanish speakers. Guide's descriptions very long so found myself waiting many minutes for information. Suggestion:- break each description into smaller sections? Had Eng guide in St Catalina but felt obliged to give tip”

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Lima: Historic Downtown, Miraflores & Catacombs Private Tour - Starting above the Pacific at Love Park
Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Lima, Lima Tours, Miraflores & Barranco Tours, Private, Private Tours in Lima, Tour Reviews, Tours

Lima: Historic Downtown, Miraflores & Catacombs Private Tour

14.Historic Downtown, Miraflores & Catacombs Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · 4 hours · from $75

You’ll ride with a private guide through Lima’s historic center, San Isidro, and Miraflores. Visit San Francisco Convent and Catacombs, see colonial balconies and Huaca Pucllana, stroll El Olivar, and finish at Love Park and Larcomar. Guides speak English, Spanish, or Portuguese, with hotel pickup included.

“Esperábamos conocer mucho mas de Miraflores. Solo visitamos el paseo del amor y de ahí pasamos al centro. En el centro fuimos directo a la iglesia de las Catacumbas y de ahí finalizó en la Plaza Mayor. Osea , mucho título , para solo visitar tres puntos. La realidad que hay mejores tours que este.”

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Machu Picchu: historical and photographic guided tour - What the photography help adds
Guided, Historical Tours, Machu Picchu Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Machu Picchu: historical and photographic guided tour

15.historical and photographic guided tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · 3 hours

Meet Ericson or your assigned guide at Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu station, ride the bus to the ruins, and spend three hours combining Inca history, archaeology, photography, and cultural insight. Your guide helps with memorable portraits and recommends lunch afterward. Tickets, buses, food, and water cost extra.

“We had an amazing experience touring Machu Picchu with this provider. Emerson, our guide, was super knowledgeable on the history and construction of Machu Picchu. He kept us informed and entertained every step of the way and was super friendly! Not to mention he was also quite the photographer and took over a hundred gorgeous pictures of me and my partner. Highly recommend!”

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New in Historical Tours

★ 4.0Walking tour through the Historic Center of ArequipaFrom $253 reviews
★ 4.8LIMA WALKING TOUR CATACOMBS FROM MIRAFLORES, HISTORICAL CENTER, WINES+BUS8 reviews
★ 5.0Historic Center Walking Tour with Pisco Sour TastingFrom $253 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Lima: a Culinary, Historic & Traditional CityFrom $1708 reviews
★ 5.0Enjoy Lima Walking Historic Center, Plaza San Martin and Plaza de ArmasFrom $403 reviews
★ 5.0Legends and History Night Tour with Pisco SourFrom $759 reviews

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