UNIQUE EXPERIENCES to Have in Peru

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The Most Unique Tours in Peru

Looking for something off-the-beaten-track during your trip to Peru? We’ve compiled a list of 5 unique MUST-DO tours in Peru, guaranteed to provide experiences to write home about!

 

1. Name A New Species:

The Amazon is home to 10% of the World’s known species – but many of these are still unknown to science. As part of our citizen science program, Wired Amazon, guests at Refugio Amazonas can help our resident researchers to identify new species of insects. Here’s how it works: after dinner, guests go to the light trap with an entomologist. Secondly, our researcher explains what to look for, and together you trap insects based on her criteria. If she thinks you’ve spotted a new one, it will get sent to the lab in Lima for analysis. If it turns out you have discovered a new species. As a result, you get to name it! One of the most unforgettable tours in Peru!

Discovering new especies Wired Amazon

Discovering New Species in the Peruvian Amazon – Refugio Amazonas, Rainforest Expeditions

Free Guide How to choose an amazon jungle lodge

2. Bike Tour Barranco:

Biking in Lima might seem terrifying due to the traffic – but once you know where to go or the right operators to go to – it’s a wonderful way to see the city! Above all, there are several parks and stretches of beach that are safe to explore, we also highly recommend a bike tour of Lima’s hippest neighborhood, Barranco. Explore the unique architecture and culture in the Bohemian part of town, with lots of stops for delicious snacks!

 

3. Rainbow Mountain:

You’ve no doubt seen the gorgeous images on tour in Peru, visiting The Rainbow Mountain, located about 100 km southeast of Cusco. It’s not easy to get to (the best places never are!) – but can be done in a (long) day trip from Cusco. The different colors are a result of different mineral deposits and weather changes over time – so looking at Rainbow mountain is actually looking at millions of years of history! It also makes a great Instagram shot.

Rainbow mountain Cusco

Rainbow mountain – Cusco, Perú

 

4. Specialized Food Tour:

Food tours are all the rage around the world, and as South America’s gastronomical capital – Lima is awash in great food tours. But increasingly, our foodie guides are getting more creative to accommodate all your dietary needs. Lactose-free? Gluten-free? Vegan? No problem! A new group of food tour operators. For instance, Exquisito, can accommodate all your needs – so don’t be shy to ask! We hope you’ll enjoy our cuisine, no matter your dietary restrictions! This is another of the unmissable tours in Peru!

 

5. Gocta Waterfall:

You might expect to have heard of all the highest waterfalls in the world – but have you heard of Gocta? If not, you’re not alone – it’s a relatively unknown natural wonder – only revealed to the outside world in 2006! It has two drops, and if they are both measured together, it could be considered the third-highest waterfall in the world!. Most importantly, access to the falls is through the city of Chachapoyas, which is also the gateway to the ruins of Kuelap.

Gocta Waterfall

Gocta waterfall – Amazonas, Perú

By Natasha Martin

  • What our guest say

    • Valuation Excellent
    • 5/5

Nancy Hodgson March 2026

Lesly Lagos March 2026

Batya K. February 2026

S. K. February 2026

Julian S January 2026

Flora Warfel January 2026

Julian Sack January 2026

Laura Franklin December 2025

Lee Wozencroft December 2025

Suraj Vijayan December 2025

Claudia A. January 2026

AMJNZ November 2025

This trip was the highlight of our travels through peru. The lodge was absolutely 5 stars for everything. The room, food, people. We had a private guide, Allen, who grew up locally and really had deep knowledge of the land, the history, and the variety of plant and animal species in the jungle. His knowledge and passion were invaluable to our experience. There are a variety of tour companies and lodges you can book to visit the Amazon, however, I would only recommend Rainforest Expeditions as they are truly connected to the community and offer high quality first class amazon experience! Read all

We had a truly wonderful stay with Rainforest Expeditions. Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming, and our guide was fantastic — very knowledgeable and passionate about the rainforest. We saw many animals, even from the boat, which made the experience unforgettable. Read all

I just spent 3 days here with my family. The research center surpassed all our expectations. I want to give a special shout out to Carlos who took such good care of us. He went above and beyond to make sure we werr comfortable. And he was always smiling. He made us feel so welcome. We had Erik as our guide who is so knowledgeable and experienced. We learned so much, saw so much wildlife. It really was a dream vacation. Thank you!! Read all

Chose this place to stay at the Amazon, as I heard it benefits the local indigenous community. Life changing experience. Oscar was an excellent guide! We saw so many wildlife! No 4th wall made it such an immersive jungle experience. Since they are eco friendly, there is no AC. It can get pretty hot depending on the season. So better to follow their guidance for clothing choices Read all

If you want to experience the Amazon in all its glory This is the place to come to Staff and guides were excellent Food was just incredible The forest walks were really interesting and informative Read all

If you are a birder, ask for Juan Carlos Yatto. He recognizes an astounding number of bird calls and can duplicate many of them. This place is magical, all I could have imagined. All the staff and scientists are incredible. The experience of a lifetime. Read all

This was the most amazing experience Very well organised The ground staff were so well organised The guides were excellent ( I’m looking at you Carlos!) Food was tasty and very varied Amazed that the chefs managed to get such variety in the middle of the Amazon Do not hesitate Book immediately you will not be disappointed. Highly recommended Read all

I can not say enough good things about my time at the Tambopata Research Center. Between the guides, the boat drivers, the chefs, the staff, the bartenders, the researchers, etc. Everyone was absolutely wonderful! If you are interested in viewing wildlife in the Amazon, this is the place for you! A special thank you to the maître d' Carlos who was so incredibly kind and hospitable and our guide Dino who was like a real life Indiana Jones. I can't wait to come back! Read all

An unforgettable, fully immersive jungle experience. Amazing how Tambopata Lodge delivers luxury touches in such a remote and rugged location. The food is fantastic, the staff incredible, and the wildlife sightings non-stop. The personalised itinerary and one-on-one guiding made the trip truly special—huge thanks to our guide Johan for sharing his passion and knowledge. The Macaw Project is inspiring, and it’s clear the lodge fully supports this important conservation work. Manager Brian was always kind, helpful. Well-done all involved. Read all

The most important fact we are grateful for is the true sense of understanding of the ecology of the Amazon the staff at Rainforest Expeditions (RFE) have shown us. RFE stands out for its stand against the pure, profit-motive initiatives many other tour operators do. We are very grateful to have had Carlos as our guide. Carlos is deeply dedicated, and is able to explain the nuances of the flora and fauna. The world today needs to act as one against the impact of climate change. RFE is one, bright shining light in this regard. Read all

We had a fabulous trip! The people were amazing, kind and very professional. The food was exceptionally good! The facilities are beautiful and well kept. We just loved our second time with Rainforest Expeditions and can't wait to go again!! Read all

Fantastic to be deep in the forest surrounded by incredible wildlife with our amazing guide Juan Carlos Yatto, who really knew his stuff! Also his photography skills meant that we could share our experience even better through his telescope using our phone cameras! We learned so much!! He went to extra lengths to find butterflies and moths for us along with so many different birds and monkeys. This was a travel highlight for us as experienced wildlife travellers. We loved our spacious room with no windows and open to more wildlife visitors but after 5 nights the bed could have been a little more comfortable. Luckily we had a second bed to use. Otherwise it was fantastic with hot water showers and fresh drinking water all the time. We were amazed at the variety of food on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner and couldn’t believe they could have such a wonderful food offering in such a remote location. Even the wine and cocktails were great. I highly recommend spending the extra money and time getting to this location. We stayed at another lodge later which was closer to Puerto Maldonado and there was far less wildlife. Read all

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