The short answer
- Best value
- Small group, especially for solo travellers
- Most flexible
- Private
- Families and groups of 4+
- Private often costs similar per person
- Treks
- Small group, unless you want your own pace
Peru suits both styles. The logistics are tricky enough (train times, Machu Picchu entry slots, altitude) that most visitors prefer some kind of tour. The choice is whether to share it.
Compared
| Small group tour | Private tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Fixed departures | Any date |
| Pace and changes | Set itinerary | Adjusted to you, even during the trip |
| Cost per person | Lower | Higher for 1 or 2 people, closer for 4 or more |
| Single travellers | Room sharing often offered | Pay the full cost alone |
| Guides | One guide for the group | Your own guide and driver |
| Machu Picchu | Booked for the group | Booked for your preferred route and time |
| Company | Meet other travellers | Just your party |
Which suits you?
Who is travelling?
Choose an answer to see what we recommend.
See all 5 recommendationsHide the list
- Just me: Small group
- The best value and good company. Many operators will pair you with a room mate of the same sex to avoid the single supplement.
- A couple: Either
- Small group for value, private for flexibility and honeymoons. A private tour with group treks in the middle is a popular mix.
- A family with children: Private
- Choose the pace, add rest days for altitude and skip what the children will not enjoy. Many group tours have a minimum age.
- Friends, 4 or more: Private
- Shared between four or more, a private guide and vehicle costs much less per person.
- Older travellers or limited mobility: Private
- Shorter days, more time to acclimatise and help with steps and trains.
Top rated small group tours
Live prices from the tours we list, so you can compare the two styles.
Top rated private tours
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Frequently asked questions
How big are small group tours in Peru?
Usually 8 to 16 people. Inca Trail groups are often capped at about 12 to 16 hikers.
Is a private Peru tour worth it?
For families, groups and anyone with particular needs or dates, often yes. For solo travellers on a budget, a small group tour is usually better value.
Can I get a tailor made Peru trip?
Yes. Use the free quote form on this page and a local specialist will send an itinerary and price for your dates.
Peru month by month
More Peru guides
Best time to visit Peru: the Andes, coast and Amazon explained
May to September is the dry season in the Andes and the best time for Machu Picchu and treks. April, October and November are quieter shoulder months; the coast is sunniest from December to April.
Updated 15 October 2026
Peru itineraries for 7, 10 and 14 days, with altitude charts
Seven days covers Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Ten adds Lake Titicaca, and fourteen adds Arequipa and the Colca Canyon. Each plan below climbs gradually so altitude is less of a problem.
Updated 15 October 2026
Machu Picchu tickets for 2026 and 2027: circuits, routes and prices explained
Every Machu Picchu ticket is for one circuit, one route and one hourly entry slot. Here is what each route shows you, a quick chooser, prices and the new booking rules from September 2026.
Updated 15 October 2026
How to get to Machu Picchu: trains, buses and the budget route
No road reaches Machu Picchu. Most people take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then a 25 minute bus up to the gate. Here are the options, times and prices.
Updated 15 October 2026