The 7 Peru History Tours That Earn Their Price

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

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

Start with Miraflores ocean views and Huaca Pucllana, then visit Lima’s Main Square, Cathedral, Santo Domingo Convent, and key colonial sights. An English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, hotel pickup, and entrance fees are included. Guides such as Gabriel, Janet, Rosa, and Ursula have earned praise for clear history and friendly service.

“Small group tour wound up being a private tour. Excellent information from my guide. She looked after all my travel needs and met all trip expectations. While there were some language challenges, we worked through them and all experiences described were more than met. Excellent knowledge of both the cathedral and convent details. Most enjoyable when the guide was enthusiastic and the culture and history.”

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2.Lima: 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, churros, picarones, chicharrón sandwiches, fruit, chilcanos, and other local bites while visiting Mercado Central, Chinatown, Plaza Mayor, and colonial landmarks. Expect a generous food tour with plenty of walking and dessert.

“I lucked out with only 1 other participant joining during the tour and our guide Marcos was excellent. He was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about both the food. Architecture, and history of Lima’s historic city center. There was also a LOT of food and everything was delicious. This tour took us to places that I definitely would not have found on my own.”

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3.Walking tour in the Historic Center of Arequipa

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

Walk Arequipa’s historic center with an English or Spanish-speaking guide, visiting the Plaza de Armas, Company Cloisters, alpaca breeding grounds, San Lazaro, and a volcano viewpoint. Guides such as Edgar, Jorge, Beatriz, and Johan bring humor and local stories. The $10 booking fee is followed by a voluntary tip.

“This tour went above and beyond our expectations. For such a low price the experience truly was incredible!! Our tour guide Jorge Echeandia was greatly knowledgeable, friendly, and extremely helpful. Would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Arequipa, especially as you are able to see so much in such a short time.”

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4.Lima Street Food Tour Beyond Netflix

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50Top rated

Join certified guide Bruce at Lima’s Central Market for a three-and-a-half-hour food walk through Chinatown, Barrios Altos, and the historic center. You’ll try lucuma juice, ceviche, anticuchos, dim sum, picarones, and more while learning how Chinese immigration shaped Peruvian food. The tour costs $50, with an optional $8 Pisco Sour.

“Bruce is a brilliant tour guide! Go in with an open mind and an empty stomach and you'll have an amazing time!”

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5.Cusco: Historical Guided City Tour with 4 Inca Ruins

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

Spend six hours exploring Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay with an English or Spanish-speaking guide. Morning options include hotel pickup, while the afternoon route adds Cusco Cathedral. Guides such as Luis, Alfredo, and Hyame are praised for clear explanations and helpful pacing. Entrance fees are extra.

“Fantastic Tour . Alfredo was an amazing guide switching seamlessly between English and Spanish. Very informative.”

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6.Arequipa: Walk through the Historic Center of the City

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

Meet local guides such as Joss or Joseph at Campo Redondo San Lázaro for a two-hour walk through Arequipa’s Cathedral, cloisters, tambos, cobblestone lanes, and lesser-known corners. The small group, usually limited to six, ends at a viewpoint facing Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu.

“Joss was so knowledgeable and personable. We had a private tour with him and he showed us so many historical sites and the San Camilo market. I would definitely recommend this tour as an introduction to the city!!”

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7.Cusco: Historic Walking Tour with Pisco Sour and Music Show

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

Spend two hours walking from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas through the Cathedral, Qoricancha, Inca stonework, and San Blas. Your English or Spanish guide may be Erick, Nilo, or Niki. Visit a luthier, watch Andean music, see Manco Capac’s temple, and finish with a Pisco Sour or Chicha Morada.

“Such a great tour!!! Our guide Erick was amazing, so informative and made the tour really fun. You get to see a lot of the city and learn a lot of history about the Incas and colonization. Would definitely recommend!”

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