It’s Saturday evening, January 2023. I’m at the office as an American couple enters the room. Hannah and Robin, who want to join our Alternative Rainbow Mountain tour in two days, had a big problem. They told us that they compared many different agencies in Cusco and often didn’t understand their differences.
It was not the first time that I heard about this. Many of our travelers tell us about difficulties when comparing tours in Cusco and other cities in Peru due to unclear or missing information when they plan their trip.
One of it being the group size. Mostly this information is hidden and not visible on web pages or when visiting a local agency. Even though it’s such a crucial characteristic that determines the final quality of the tour.
That’s why I’d like to explain to you how the Peruvian tour market works regarding group sizes and why small group tours are very new to this.
The Peruvian market is mainly organized into two types of services:
What private tours are should be clear to everyone. They mostly include a personal driver, your own guide and other details but also cost a lot more.
Group tours can be segmented: touristy groups and small groups. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
In a small group you:
In a touristy group you:
Thus, a huge part of the experience’s quality depends on the group size and finally, the guide.
We tested and worked closely with our guides while developing our small tour concept. 8 is the maximum number of participants in small group tour in order to comply with all the points I mentioned above.
With 9 or 10 people in a group, the participants might start forming a second row while the guide is talking. We want you to have direct eye contact and to be less than 2 m away so you can easily understand the guide. No matter if there’s a lot of wind or other people around.
Apart from that, we know that the experience with fewer people is more special. You get to know the others better and you can have a more personalized experience. Having a small group and getting to the destinations early before the majority arrives, such as in our Humantay lake tour, is what many of our travelers love about our tours.
Coming back to the tour agencies and operators…So what’s a small group for them?
The problem is that many of them don’t indicate anything at all. Some may indicate say “small group” but no specific number of participants on their brochure or webpage. Thus, I made several calls and after a 3-day research, there were small groups of 12 up to 25 travelers.
What a joke and what kind of misleading information for travelers! The average group size is 16-19 travelers for most of the group tours offered in Peru. With this quantity, it allows the agencies to fill the buses and offer the tour at a cheap price.
Why am I talking about this? To bring light into this very important characteristic when considering what to look at when comparing tours. As you see, online as well as on brochures, in the agencies itself etc., there is too much hidden information which would make your planning and understanding easier if it was publicly available.
Transparency of information is a huge lack over here. However, it will be solved step by step as more and more people start to understand that the traveler is looking for something trustworthy. Trust cannot be created with missing information.
I hope this will help you understand what “the” characteristics of a small and a touristy group are. It’s highly recommended to take them into consideration when planning your trip to Peru.
A small group tour in Peru usually means traveling with a group of about 8 to 14 people, instead of a large bus with 20 to 40 travelers. This size keeps the group intimate enough for your guide to learn everyone’s names, adjust the pace when needed, and respond to individual questions. It also makes it easier to move through busy sites, check in to hotels, and eat at smaller local restaurants.
Small group tours offer more personal attention from guides, smoother logistics, and a more relaxed pace. The guide can explain history, culture, and food in more detail and can notice when someone needs a break or extra help. Smaller groups can visit viewpoints, markets, and family-run spots that large coaches cannot access. Many travelers also enjoy the social side, since it is easier to connect with a handful of people than a big crowd.
On a small group tour, visits to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, or Rainbow Mountain are usually timed to avoid the worst crowds when possible. Your guide helps manage entry times, local transport, and ticket checks so you spend more time exploring and less time waiting. In a smaller group, it is easier to hear explanations, move around for photos, and split into short sub-groups if some people want extra walking while others rest.
Small group tours typically cost more than standard big-bus options because they include more guide time, smaller vehicles, and often better-quality hotels or services. Many travelers consider the extra cost worth it because they save time, feel less stressed, and enjoy richer cultural experiences. The higher price usually reflects better organization, more meaningful activities, and a more comfortable overall trip.
Look for a company that clearly states maximum group size, shares detailed day-by-day itineraries, and uses licensed local guides. Check independent reviews that mention guide quality, communication, and how well the team handled timing and unexpected issues. A reliable operator lists what is included and not included, gives clear information about physical difficulty, and responds quickly and clearly to questions before booking.
