Machu Pichu through the window.

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Young caucasian man and woman shopping for souvenirs in a local market in Cusco, Peru.

Peru is as complex as its most intricate and exquisite weavings. Festivals mark ancient rites, the urban vanguard fuels innovation and nature bestows splendid diversity.

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The stone ruins of the Fortaleza de Kuelap.

Travelers have their heads literally in the clouds when visiting the walled jungle fortress Kuélap in the northern highlands of Peru – the gateway to the…

Wooden boats anchored on Paron lake in Cordillera Blanca.

Laguna Parón

Cordillera Blanca

The largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca — a snowcapped range of the Andes in west central Peru — and a gorgeous natural reservoir, Laguna Paron is a…

Stone mask on the ancient temple at Chavin de Huantar in Peru

Chavín de Huántar

Huaraz & the Cordilleras

In most people's minds, Chavín is less a town and more a set of ruins – not any old ruins, but the erstwhile ceremonial center of one of Peru's most…

The Sacred City of Caral-Supe reflects the rise of civilisation in the Americas. As a fully developed socio-political state, it is remarkable for its complexity and its impact on developing settlements throughout the Supe Valley and beyond. Its early use of the quipu as a recording device is considered of great significance. The design of both the architectural and spatial components of the city is masterful, and the monumental platform mounds and recessed circular courts are powerful and influential expressions of a consolidated state.

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nScenery when walking around Amantaní­ Island on Lake Titicaca on the border between Peru and Bolivia in South America.

Isla Amantaní

Lake Titicaca

Of the small remote islands dotted around Lake Titicaca, Isla Amantaní is the least visited. Its population is just 4000, is a few kilometers north of the…

Belén Mercado

Belén Mercado

At the southeast end of town is the floating shantytown of Belén, consisting of scores of huts, built on rafts, which rise and fall with the river. During…

Crosses in courtyard of Cloister of Orange Trees in Monasterio de Santa Catalina (Santa Catalina Monastery), Arequipa, Peru

Monasterio de Santa Catalina

This convent shouldn’t be missed, even if you’ve overdosed on colonial edifices. Occupying a whole block and guarded by imposing high walls, it is one of…

Intricate carved interior of Huaca de la Luna (Temple of the Moon) archaeological site.

Huacas del Sol y de la Luna

If there's one must-see archaeological site in the region, this is it. The Temples of the Sun and the Moon, attributed to the Moche period, are more than…

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Reserva Nacional de Paracas

South Coast

This vast desert reserve occupies most of the Península de Paracas and houses remote beaches backed by dramatic arid landscapes and plenty of wonderful…

Islas Ballestas

Islas Ballestas

Grandiosely nicknamed the ‘poor man’s Galápagos,’ the Islas Ballestas make for a memorable excursion. The only way to get here is on a boat tour, offered…

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Parque Nacional Manu

Amazon Basin

This vast national park in the Amazon Basin covers almost 20,000 sq km and is one of the best places in South America to see a stunning variety of…

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The Ultimate Itinerary for Peru: Perfect Planning Guide for the land of Incas

Tall mountains are topped with undulating grass. The road stretches out in front of my eyes. Beyond it, I can see a glacier peeking through mountain tops and then there is that sky, that snatches my breath every single time I look at it. Ancient Peruvians worshipped Pachamama – (Mother Earth). Now I know why….

Peru has fascinated travellers for centuries. It has been a constant source of inspiration to culture connoisseurs, historians, artists and travellers alike. Join us on this trip of a lifetime through the heartland of Peru on a vacation where you will see the desert, spend lazy evenings in vineyards, drool over Incan ruins, witness wonders of the world, crumbling villages, and the mighty Amazon Rainforest.

Ever since we got back, many of you have asked us to divulge information about our itinerary for Peru. Well, we finally have a guide for you to plan the perfect trip to Peru.  Adjust the days according to the time you have at hand , because it is easy to spend months in Peru. Choose hotels according to your budget – Peru has everything from basic backpacker accommodation to luxurious boutique hotels. But don’t waver when it comes to the destination – Peru is special in so many ways and you must experience it for yourself. So go, go, go 🙂

Peru Panoramas

Peru Itinerary – Days 1&2: Fly into Lima

There is an airport in Cusco but chances are you will fly into Peru’s busy capital, Lima. Lima is a large and sprawling city with unsafe pockets. Take adequate precaution and book a hotel in a safe area. Miraflores, Lima’s upscale suburb is the hub of most tourist accommodation in the city. Expect beaches, flower-lined promenades, parks, and shopping centres here.

If you want to escape the sanitised safety of Miraflores, Lima’s bohemian district Barranco is the answer. It is Lima’s response to London’s Brick Lane or Berlin’s Kreuzberg . Here colourful houses populate streets laden with bougainvillea. Quirky street art adorns walls, hole-in-the-wall eateries call out to tourists, and locals go about their daily lives. Barranco is home to a burgeoning community of artists and musicians and it’s possible to discover a number of great acts at small independent bars here. We loved it!

Accommodation in Lima:

We stayed at JW Marriott, Lima. It is centrally located opposite the beach and a shopping centre in Miraflores. As is the case with most large cities in Peru, Lima offers a variety of accommodation for everyone from backpackers and budget travellers to luxury travellers. There is no shortage of options, whatever your budget. We suggest choosing any hotel or hostel in Miraflores for your days in Lima.

Top tips for Lima:

  • There’s no better place than Lima to try Peru’s national dish Ceviche that consists of cured raw fish, served with red onions – best with a glass of chilled beer.
  • Read about places before visiting them in Lima. This might seem surprising coming from intrepid travellers like us but safety is a concern in Lima. It’s best to exercise caution when you leave districts that are traditionally considered safe. Steer clear of shanty towns to avoid getting in trouble. We always rely on information provided by locals.
  • Ask your hotel to call a cab for you or prebook transfers with a known company. We found a local cab company called Taxi Datum on Tripadvisor forums (always the best place to look for recommendations!) and used their services extensively while we were in Lima. Their website is  http://taxidatum.com/ . We even booked our airport transfer in Lima with them before we boarded our flight from London – their service was reliable and safe.
  • If you decide to hang around in Lima for more than 2 days, visit the Temple of Pahcacamac. The Incan site is about 40 kilometres from Lima and is shrouded in mystery. Most cab drivers will take you to the site and wait there for you. Make sure you settle on a rate beforehand.

Cafe in bohemian Barranco lima

Days 3-5: Marvel at Ica, Nazca, and Huacachina 

On our third day in Peru, we took a short 4 hour bus ride from Lima to Ica. The landscape begins to change almost as soon as the bus leaves Lima. Buildings give way to Incan temples and shopping centres give way to barren deserts. The arid landscape in this part of the country seems shrouded in mystery. This feeling only amplifies as one goes deeper into the Peruvian hinterland. We passed colonial houses that secrete tales of slavery and offer a window into Peru’s dark past.

I remember feeling very excited as the bus pulled into Ica. Ica is the gateway to the mighty Nazca Lines , something I’d always dreamt of seeing. Hundreds of massive lines shaped like animals, birds, geometric figures, pagan gods, and even an astronaut, extend for countless miles throughout the remote Peruvian desert. These figures are so huge that they can only be seen from an aircraft. They were carved in the desert by the Nazca people centuries ago but refuse to wither or change with time. Researchers are yet to figure out whether the enigmatic designs are indicative of some kind of pagan ritual, an ancient astronomical calendar, or alien activity. It’s been weeks since we visited Nazca but we’re still completely dumbstruck at the sheer size of these strange remains of an ancient civilisation left behind in the desert sand.

Our skirmish with the desert did not end there. We visited Huacachina on a local’s recommendation. It is a tiny village which is literally an oasis in the middle of gigantic sand-dunes in the Peruvian desert. It’s possible to spend the entire day slipping and sliding down sand-dunes on sand boards or riding over the dunes in a buggy. Such fun 🙂

Accommodation in Ica

You can choose any hotel in Ica that offers transfers to Huacachina and Nazca. We stayed at Vinas Queirolo , a unique hotel, situated amidst 800 acres of Peruvian vineyards. It receives only a handful of international tourists every year, so it’s truly off-the-beaten path. We loved spending our evenings sipping on wine as we watched the sun go down.

If you don’t mind moving on a daily basis, you could spend one night each in Ica, Huacachina, and Nazca too.

Top tips for Ica

  • Read reviews before you book bus tickets for yourself. If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We used the bus company,  Peru Hop , for most of our bus journeys in Peru. They offer a flexible hop-on, hop-off service in one ticket, which is perfect if you don’t know how long you want to stay in each city. Buses were comfortable, punctual, and had an english-speaking guide. Passes start at $119/£80.
  • We pre-booked our flight to the Nazca Lines with www.tinggly.com . But it is possible to book the flight on getting to Ica as well. Just ask around and bargain before you book your flight.
  • Skip the flight over the Nazca lines if you suffer from the slightest bit of claustrophobia or vertigo. The abrupt twists and turns of the tiny aircraft are bound to leave you nauseous. If you do go, DO NOT have a heavy meal before the flight 😉
  • Try to opt for the dune buggy ride that starts at 4 pm in Huacachina. You will be at the top of sand dunes in time for sunset and the sight of the sun setting in Huacachina is nothing short of spectacular 🙂
  • You might want to take a change of clothes to Huacachina because you will be covered with a thick layer of desert sand if you choose to go sandboarding 🙂

Peruvian vineyard in Ica

Days 6-9 – Be amazed at The Amazon Rainforest

Get ready to be transported into a different world altogether. Most lodges and hotels in this region are over 4 hours away from the nearest paved road. So this is well and truly remote! One is encompassed by nature on all sides and this is nature as you’ve never seen it before !

We couldn’t believe our eyes when we first reached the rainforest. We saw dozens of colourful butterflies, brightly-coloured tropical birds, and howler monkeys waiting to greet us. Our days were spent exploring the trails of the Peruvian Rainforest, acquainting ourselves with the wildlife, stargazing every night, and enjoying the serenity in this corner of the world.

Accommodation in The Amazon Rainforest

We stayed with Rainforest Expeditions  in the Peruvian Amazon. We’ve written a detailed article about our stay in the Amazon Rainforest , which you can consult for further details. You can pick a hotel of your choice – just make sure you consult the fine print and check the list of amenities before booking your accommodation in the Rainforest. Try to pick a place that offers electricity, hot water, and wifi (if you’re an internet fiend like us!) for a comfortable stay 🙂

  Top tips for The Amazon Rainforest

  • Regular price-comparison websites exclude a number of South America airlines. Make sure you check individual websites to bag the cheapest fares for flights within South America. We booked our Lima-Puerto Maldonado flight with Star Peru
  • Spend a short time (2/3 days) here if it’s your first time in the Amazon Rainforest.  The landscape is gorgeous and nature is stunning here. However there are creepie crawlies around, which can be off-putting for some.
  • Don’t forget to carry lots of mosquito repellent and long-sleeved tees to the jungle. Most hotels and lodges offer an extensive packing list. Try to consult it while packing for the Amazon Rainforest.

luxury-Peru-Itinerary-South-America-amazon-rainforest-tambopata

Days 10-14 Fall in love with Cusco

“Cusco – The whole city is an immense gallery: every house, every balcony looking out over every street, is like a museum with which to evoke the past”

Che Guevara’s description of Cusco in The Motorcycle Diaries is probably the best description of this endlessly-fascinating city. The bustling capital of the Incan empire is a decadent feast for the senses. Evidence of its rich and complex history is everywhere to be seen – walls that date back thousands of years, colourful rituals that are rooted in local legend, and alleyways that seem to have stood still in time. The very air that pervades the city of Cusco breathes history.

It’s hard not to spend hours running one’s fingers along Incan walls that surround the city, mollycoddling baby llamas on the roads, trying to decipher the intent of colourful posters hanging everywhere, getting lost in markets and watching local ladies scuttling about their business in colourful skirts. The best part? This is only the tip of the iceberg insofar as Cusco’s kaleidoscopic Peruvian aesthetic is concerned. The multi-hued disposition of the city will leave you dizzy with excitement.

Accommodation in Cusco

We stayed at JW Marriott in Cusco , a gorgeous hotel situated within walls that date back to Incan times. There is no shortage of accommodation options in Cusco, whatever your budget. You could also consult a portal like Flipkey  for affordable options. In either case, try to choose a hotel that is located close to Plaza de Armas.

Top Tips for Cusco

  • Most tourists set aside just 1 or 2 days for Cusco. We strongly recommend spending at least 3-4 days in the city. It will delight you to no end.
  • Spent the first day acclimatising yourself to the altitude – stick to light meals and short walks. If you feel nauseous, sample Peruvian Coca Tea. It is said to help with altitude sickness.
  • Take time out to explore Cusco’s rich culinary scene . There are dozens of affordable vegetarian and vegan restaurants that serve luscious smoothies, Quinoa stews, and bean burgers. We loved a tiny vegetarian restaurant called  El Encuentro (huge portions and reasonable prices). If you’re a meat eater, make sure you hunt down a traditional Polleria. These establishments are frequented by locals. Most pollerias have a set menu that includes grilled chicken, fries, salad, and a soup for less than 10 soles (£2). Cusco is also a great place to try regional specialities like Lomo Saltado (beef sauteed with peppers and onions) and alpaca steaks.
  • Try to take a guided tour of Cusco’s cathedral to find out more about the unique ways in which Christianity was adopted by a nation that worshipped the elements of Earth
  • There is no dearth of shopping venues in Cusco but we recommend the Central Artisan Market ( Centro Artesanal Cusco ) on Avenida Del Sol for the best deals in town. There is a wide array of traditional bags, ponchos, colourful throws and Peruvian jewellery available for purchase. Make sure you bargain LOTS 🙂
  • Visit the surrounding ruins , especially the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Tambomachay.
  • Wear comfortable shoes because you will be walking around a lot.

luxury-Peru-Itinerary-South-America-cusco-2

Days 15-18 Explore the Sacred Valley

Few places in the world have the power to beguile travellers like Peru’s famed Sacred Valley. Driving through glaciers, mountains, and picture-perfect panoramas will snatch your breath way every second of the way. But that’s not all. There are quinoa, potato, and corn fields everywhere you look – the earthy tones of the crops complemented perfectly by the vibrant garments of local farmers. It’s safe to say that no itinerary for Peru would be complete without at least a couple of days in the Sacred Valley.

There’s no dearth of things to do in the Sacred Valley. Peru just doesn’t stop throwing surprises – there are amazing sights at every corner but here are some of our favourites:

  • The Pre-Incan Salt ponds of Maras , nestled between Andean Mountains, are still used to produce salt in Peru. There are over 3000 salt ponds in Maras. These are probably some of the most gorgeous farms we’ve ever seen!
  • The drive to the agricultural terraces of Moray will leave you spell bound. The terraces, shaped like a womb, throw light on the way in which key Incan beliefs – geometry, science, nature, and spirituality – come together as one organic whole. Make sure you include it in your itinerary of Peru.
  • The Pisac Market , although touristy, is definitely worth a visit. The colourful mélange of Peruvian fabrics, ornaments, jewellery, and colourful ponchos can be very seductive.
  • If you, like us, enjoy local and experiential travel, then you must take a cooking class in Urubamba . We spent one whole day with Ricardo, a Peruvian chef who is a bit of a legend in Urubamba. He taught us how to cook 4 signature Peruvian dishes. But my favourite part was the time we spent visiting the local markets. He introduced us to local Peruvian fruits, herbs, and vegetables, tore them open, ma de us smell them, and devour them. Here’s a rare selfie of the three of us having Chicha morada, a sweet beverage made from Peruvian purple corn, at a local market. Yum, yum, yum!

Accommodation in Sacred Valley

We moved around almost daily and stayed in a couple of hotels in the Sacred Valley. There is a lot to co-ordinate here because public transport isn’t readily available in the Sacred Valley, hotels fill up fast, and attractions are quite far apart. So we delegated this section of the trip (including private transfers, cab rides, hotel stays, guides, and tickets to all attractions) to Magical Cuzco Tours . It made life a lot simpler and we could concentrate on enjoying everything the Sacred Valley has to offer instead of getting lost in the nitty-gritties and logistics of it 🙂

If you do book everything on your own, then Casa Andina could be the hotel to consider. It’s a mid-range hotel located in close proximity to Urubamba and Maras. This was the most conveniently-located hotel of all the ones we stayed at.

Top Tips for Sacred Valley

  • If you enjoy a bit of luxury and fine dining, make sure you sample the 5 course lunch and dance of Peruvian paso horses at Hotel Sol y Luna.
  • Don’t try to cram everything in a day or two. If you’re in the Sacred Valley for a short time, pick and choose a couple of things to do. This way you will relish the surroundings and enjoy the Sacred Valley as its meant to be enjoyed. We suggest prioritising a visit to Maras, Moray, and the cooking class.
  • Do go on a long drive in the Sacred Valley – the panoramas will leave you spell bound. Pull over to chat with local farmers or weavers for a truly unforgettable experience
  • Cuy (guinea pig) is a local delicacy. It tends to be over-priced in most restaurants in the big cities. But it is the only dish on the menu in the eateries in Lamay (30 minutes from Cuzco) and Tipon (70 minutes from Cuzco). This is where the locals go to get their Cuy fix. Worth a stop if you want to sample a local delicacy!
  • Visit a local fruit and vegetable market, irrespective of whether you take a cooking class or not. Sample local Peruvian fruits and vegetables such as grenadilla (passion fruit), lucuma (eggfruit), mango , dozens of varieties of avocado, chirimoya (custard apple), pepino dulce (sweet cucumber) – fruits and vegetables are SO luscious here, you will not forget their taste for a long long time.

Peru Itinerary South America -31

Peru Itinerary – Days 19 -21: Machu Picchu

Aah Machu Picchu – the Incan masterpiece that is the subject of many a reverie. It’s hard to say what makes the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu just so special. The mountain air is thick with mystery and anticipation here. A cloud of spirituality seems to hang over these ruins, hidden deep within a cloud forest. Dreamy clouds swivel over handsome ruins, which were made by the Incas to worship the Sun God.

We spent one whole day exploring Machu Picchu with a guide – the ruins of the city, its walls, Incan temples, and houses of Royalty and common people. No cement or mortar was used to build this sacred city. It is an intricate puzzle built entirely of stones that fit well together. What’s more, it is perfectly aligned with the surrounding mountains and the skies. This harmony of nature, spirituality, and science is impressive, to say the least. But the city is so massive that exploring it all can get a tad overwhelming.

So we decided to buy another set of entry tickets . On the second day, we did ‘nothing’ – we breathed the mysticism surrounding Machu Picchu, ran our fingers across Incan walls, stared at gorgeous crevices, and just lay under the Peruvian sun – that’s when our trip to Machu Picchu felt COMPLETE. So we highly recommend going back to the ruins a second time before leaving Aguas Calientes!

Accommodation in Machu Picchu

Spend 1-2 nights in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Pueblo as its now known. Accommodation options are plentiful.

We spent 2 nights at Sumaq Hotel – it has spacious rooms overlooking the river. The hotel offers free cooking classes, cocktails, beverages, and snacks to all guests, which came as a welcome surprise. The dining room offers a sumptuous menu showcasing local ingredients – Peruvian corn, Andean trout, yuca, and local cheese – nom! The hotel is a 5 minute walk from the bus station from where you should catch one of the first buses of the day up to Machu Picchu. This way you can catch sunrise at the ruins of Machu Picchu – score 🙂

Top tips for Machu Picchu

  • To get to Machu Picchu, you need to take a train from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes. We took the Vista Dome train and loved it. It has large glass windows that offer amazing views of the Peruvian countryside and steep Andean peaks. Tickets start at £40/$60.
  • Book your tickets for Machu Picchu well in advance. Daily visits are limited and tickets often get sold out way in advance during peak season.
  • We continued our tryst with Magical Cuzco Tours  and arranged our transfer to Ollantaytambo, train tickets to Aguas Calientes, and tickets for Machu Picchu with them. The service was impeccable and we would highly recommend them if you want to delegate the planning to a travel agency.
  • Carry some snacks, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and loose change (for using the public toilet) with you for your visit to Machu Picchu. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes.
  • Hike to the sun gate for amazing views of the ruins. If you have time, hike to the top of the neighbouring mountain (Huayna Picchu/Wayna Picchu) for epic views of Machu Picchu. Only 400 people are allowed the trek to Huayna Picchu every day (over 2 sessions), so book in advance.
  • Stay in Aguas Calientes at least for a night. Machu Picchu will be the highlight of this trip of a lifetime to Peru and a rushed visit is no fun at all!

luxury-Peru-Itinerary-South-America-machu-picchu-1

Days 22 – 24 Live in a village in Huarocondo

If you want to experience true Peruvian village life without all the urban ‘noise’ (both literal and metaphorical), then head to Huarocondo. Huarocondo is in close proximity to the Sacred Valley but there is nothing to do here. That is what we love about it!

Spend languorous days getting accustomed to the slow pace of village life in Peru. You could help locals dry corn on their terraces, walk around the village and sample chicharron (fried pork belly, the local speciality), or visit offbeat Incan ruins that most tourists don’t know about.

Accommodation in Huarocondo

We stayed at Gringo Wasi B&B  , an intimate and well-equipped B&B/home stay in Huarocondo. It is owned by an amazing American/Peruvian couple. Lyle and Lily are great hosts and extremely responsive to emails (which always gets a big thumbs up from us 🙂 ). There are barely any other accommodation options in this neck of the woods, so make sure you book ahead.

Top Tips for Huarocondo

  • Visit the agricultural terraces of Zurite. These ruins are completely off-the-beaten-path, free, and you’ll probably be the only person around!
  • Take the local minibuses (collectivos) to neighbouring towns and villages. They cost just 1 sole per person (£0.20) and they’re completely safe.
  • Hop over to neighbouring Izcuchaca to stock up on supplies and visit bustling local markets.  Make sure you head over to a traditional polleria for rotisserie chicken.

Peru Itinerary South America -sacred-valley-travel-fashion

Days 25-28 The best for last: Puno & Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca, straddling the borders of Peru and Bolivia, is the highest navigable lake in the world (12,500 ft. above sea level). It is also said to be the birthplace of the Incan civilization. It’s hard to articulate Lake Titicaca’s remote and otherworldly beauty but we’ll just say this – a languorous stay at a luxury lodge on the shores of Lake Titicaca will make you forget the ‘real’ world. Order your coffee in a lake pavilion as you contemplate the beauty of the lake’s glistening waters.

Don’t forget to visit The Uros Islands , a group of 90 floating islands, made entirely of reed. The inhabitants on the Peruvian side occasionally ‘anchor’ the islands to stop them from floating across the border to Bolivia. A day trip to the Uros islands offers a rare opportunity to sample a completely different way of life. These islands are self-sustainable and completely removed from modern life. Inhabitants still use the barter system to purchase groceries, food, and clothes.

As for evenings, there’s nothing like spending chilly evenings by the bonfire with a picnic basket, nibbles and warm mulled wine to hand as you watch the sun dip over Lake Titicaca. We followed this up by counting millions of stars and staring at the elusive Milky Way – the night sky in this corner of the world is extraordinary.

Accommodation in Puno/Lake Titicaca

We stayed at Titilaka, a luxury eco lodge poised beautifully on the banks of Lake Titicaca. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call Titilaka one of the best hotels we’ve encountered on our travels. Everything from its location on a remote peninsula to its rooms bedecked in bright colours favoured by native Aymara people is nothing short of perfect. There are a number of other properties in the area as well – choose one that fits your budget. We recommend avoiding accommodation in Puno and choosing a hotel or lodge that overlooks Lake Titicaca for an unforgettable experience in one of the most spectacular and remote corners of the world. Read about our experience at Titilaka here .

Top Tips for Lake Titicaca

  • There are direct overnight buses available from Cusco to Puno. Most hotels offer a pick-up service from Puno Bus Station. We took a Peru Hop bus from Cusco to Puno – punctual and comfortable.
  • If you’re short on time, you could take a flight to Juliaca Airport. Most hotels offer a pick-up service from Juliaca Airport.
  • Do try the local produce and trout at Lake Titicaca. It’s scrumptious.
  • The Uros Islands are amazing and we highly recommend a day trip to the islands. You could also go rafting amidst reeds at Lake Titicaca
  • If you have more time, venture to Lampa, a quaint city which has several interesting manors and alleyways. There are also several interesting Incan temples, including Aramu Muru in the area.
  • Stock up on woollies before you trip to Lake Titicaca. The high altitude ensures chilly evenings.

Hotel Titilaka views

Getting to Peru

[box] We flew to Lima from London on Air France with a short stopover in Paris. If you are based in UK or Europe/Asia, chances are that Air France/KLM will offer the best connectivity to Peru. Return fares in economy class from London to Lima start at £466. [/box]

That’s it! The perfect itinerary for Peru that will help you plan the trip of a lifetime through handsome deserts, remote rainforests, Incan ruins, quaint villages, and glorious wonders of nature. Peru will snatch your breath every second of the way – book your flights now? 🙂

luxury-Peru Itinerary-South America-lake-titicaca-hotel-titilaka-4

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Have you been to Peru? Did you love it as much as we did? 🙂

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125 thoughts on “ the ultimate itinerary for peru: perfect planning guide for the land of incas ”.

Amazing guys! I fancy each and every trip that you guys plan but guess all are not lucky enough to travel the world. But you guys have definitely inspired me to travel as much as I can. Happy destination hopping!

Hey Suheil – we are SO happy to hear we inspire you – you made our day. So happy to hear you enjoyed reading our itinerary of Peru – I hope you get to travel tons this year

thank You for sharing your itinerary. Just in time because I have been planning a week long Peru trip in December. And the only reason I’ve wanted to go is because you’ll tantalized me!!! So excited. Just need to start booking flights ad acco now. Thanks!

So happy to hear that Neha 🙂

Great read we loved Peru as well and spent a week at Gringo acclimatizing before our trek. Agree Lyle and Lilly great hosts. Excellent photos as well – whar camera do you use?

Vid uses a Nikon D610 with 3 lenses – 50mm f1.8, 28-300mm, and 18-35mm

Have been to Peru, stayed only for 14 days, so could not do a few things u guys did, but would luv to travel again if possible.

Peru is such a beautiful country it definitely warrants a return visit 🙂

You guys had one action packed month! Also, I’m so glad you made it to Viñas Queirolo – it’s such a beautiful property and the perfect spot for a bit of pampering after a few days of heavy travel. 🙂

It was an amazing month, Audrey. Viñas Queirolo was special – we loved the wine tasting at sunset 🙂

Nice write-up, the 400 limit is not the for the actual ruins, its for the Inca Trek and the HuyanaPicchu is limited to 200 per session and they have 2 sessions.

Thanks for the heads-up. It was a typo and we had intended the 400 per day for Huayna Picchu (over 2 sessions) and not for Machu Picchu. The daily limit for inca trek is actually 500.

Great post and we enjoyed having the both of you here with us as well as following your continued travels. I do have a few comets on some of the above information to further help your readers.

1) The Vistadome trains only have about 6” more glass than the Expedition trains so I would not use visibility as a basis for choosing this train class, choosing it for a preferred time would be best as most of our guests that have taken both train clases (one each direction) have felt the differences do not generally justify the additional cost of taking the Vistadome. 2) While trek may not have been the proper word, your mention that “Only 400 people are allowed the trek to Huayna Picchu every day (over 2 sessions) “ was correct. And for further reference here are the number of available tickets for each category. 1. Machu Picchu general entry 2,500 2. Machu Picchu + Mountain 400 3. Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu 400 (200 each group) 4. Inka Trail 500, although only 200 of those are tourists, the other 300 would be the trek support staff. 5. Machu Picchu Late entry (after 11:00am) 1,000

Your posts have inspired me to put Peru on my list of places to go! Thank you for this great itinerary that makes it much less daunting!

You MUST go to Peru – it’s an incredible country 😀 Drop us an email if you need any help planning your trip to Peru

Extremely in-depth, perfect guide for anyone looking to travel here. You should turn this into a guide for download 🙂

Apeksha that’s actually a great idea – thanks, we might actually do that 🙂 We couldn’t find the kind of articles we wanted to read before we went to Peru, so thought we’d address that issue – that’s probably why we went a bit overboard with detail 😉

Awesome stuff guys!! Loved reading your post on Peru…Machu Pichu and Titicaca are at the top of my list…some day for sure 🙂

Vatsal you definitely need to visit both those places – they’re absolutely stunning (to say the least!)

Love your “Ultimate Itineraries” they’re so thorough!

Thanks Rad – I keep taking copious notes through the length of the journey and finally put it all down in the Ultimate Itineraries in the hope that it will help a curious traveller or two make the most of their trip to that particular country 😀

Such a great guide guys! We are looking to head to South America hopefully by the end of next year so I’ll be bookmarking this and coming back to it often. Cheers guys and thanks for putting this together.

Hey Ross – glad you found it helpful. We tried to include as much information as we possibly could 😀

I love the photo of your dinner in the rain-forest. It looks like the table is set for a third guest…a bird or a monkey perhaps?

Hehe Deborah

You have a great eye for detail – the table was always set for 3 people because our guide would occasionally join us for dinner 😀

Very detailed post – very useful, and nice pictures. Thanks for the information. Planning a trip to Peru next year. Can you give an indication on how much will be the miscellaneous expenses per day? Local travel, food etc. Also, did you face problems with altitude?

Glad to know you found the post helpful.

If you go through Lyle’s response, you’ll notice that he has detailed many of the expenses as much as he can from his experience.

In Peru, you can do things really cheaply and you can also spend a lot. This holds true for both food and transportation. We like travelling comfortably, so we ended up spending quite a lot of money on internal transfers.

Internal flights in South America can be quite expensive – we paid quite a lot to get from Bolivia to Ecuador (close to £1000 for both of us for a one-way flight!! Yep, told you it’s crazy). Internal flights in Peru are slightly cheaper. If you book in advance, you can get one-way tickets for £75-£100.

As for bus travel, again, depends on which one you choose. Bus travel starts at around £10 for long-distance journeys but we chose the more comfortable options and paid around £20-£30 for most bus journeys.

As for altitude sickness, no problem at all on that front 😀

As Savi and Vid may not be familiar with all the options I thought I would help out by answering this.

So to your question on Mic. Expenses, many of these things will vary but here is a rough idea of what you can expect.

Transportation – Buses and colectivos are the cheapest way to get around but can also be the slowest, taxis are the quickest mode of transport but do tend to cost more, for example colectivos between our town and the historic center in Cusco would run about about $3.00 per-person, a Taxi on the other hand would run between $20.00 to $30.00 per-car.

Food – This is the area that has the greatest variance, you can eat at local menu restaurants for as little as $3.00 or less per-person, or you can eat at tourist or gourmet restaurants and spend $30.00 per-person.

Site seeing – the cheapest way to visit the sites would be by local transportation or even taking a group tour, local transportation is generally cheaper but as I mentioned previously it is also slow and will limit the number of places you can see. Group tours on the other hand are structured and usually have shopping stops that will eat into the time and are not the best places to shop anyway. Hiring a car and driver for the day would be the most expensive option but will give you the most flexibility and allow you to see more places. For example the standard Sacred Valley tour runs about $16.00 per-person and stops at an artisinal market, jewelry store, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. Hiring a car and driver for the day would run about $100.00 for the whole day and if you ship the shopping, would allow you to spend more time at each site, or adjust the sites for better flow allowing you to see more. Doing this itinerary by public transportation would be all but impossible as it is far too slow, but you could easily visit one or two of the sites listed for about $6.00 to $10.00. In addition the transportation you must also consider the cost of entry to the sites which requires the purchase of a tourist ticket these are S/.70.00 Soles for a partial ticket (3 options) and S/.130.00 Soles for the full ticket.

Machu Picchu – Entry to Machu Picchu is S/.128.00 Soles for regular Machu Picchu entry, S/.152.00 Soles for Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu mountain, and S/.142.00 Soles for Machu Picchu with Machu Picchu Mountain. These prices are if you purchase the tickets through the official website, if you use an agency you should figure $50.00 for regular MP, $60.00 for MP+HP and $56.00 for MP+M. For reference the current exchange rate is $1.00 usd = S/.3.20 pen (Soles).

Getting to Machu Picchu – Here there are several options, the most common is to take the train which on average can run about $120.00 round trip, the actual range runs from about $50.00 to $93.00 each way, depending on class and time, this does not include the luxury train which is about $350.00 each way. Another way to get to Machu Picchu would be to take the land route, from what I have read this can get you there for about $20.00 or $30.00 each way, but will take a whole day of travel each direction. The last way is to hike and options again are varied, the cheapest hike would be the one along the train tracks and would take one day, after this there are a variety of treks that run from 2 to 9 days and can run from about $200.00 per-person up to well over $1,000.00 per-person.

Thanks a lot for such a detailed and informative response – we are sure it’s going to help a lot of people.

As for getting to Machu Picchu, we’d imagine taking the train would be the best option – fast, convenient, and scenic 🙂

Hi GringoWasi / Bruised Passports – Are the 4 day treks to Machu Picchu very basic or are there also luxury options? What kind of accommodation is available on the Machu Picchu Trek?

Having done the trek this year, allow me to pitch in,

There are no luxury options for the trek, all of the trek companies essentially stay in designated camp sites, Its basic tent sleeping in air mettress and sleeping bags and hole in the ground toilets.

Food is prepared by the chefs and hot fresh food served everyday.

Have a look at my blog to get an idea of how the trek and conditions are, nevertheless its an unforgettable experience.

From what we remember from the days when we were planning our trip, there is one company that organises “luxury” inca trek – if I am not wrong, it’s called Mountain Lodges Peru. Perhaps a quick google search will yield more results? I think this company makes you stay in lodges and not pitched tents.

Other than this, I think all other organise pretty much the same trek as SuniKans above has mentioned.

Hey Sam, Savi vid,

The mountain lodges do the salkantay trek with luxury option stay, dont think the inca trail had any similar options that we saw,

Salkantay is a good option too if you dont want the famous inca trail.

Yes Mountain Lodges of Peru does offer luxury lodge to lodge treks, these are on the Salkantay and Lares routes but both are listed at more than 4 days, their lodge to lodge Salkantay trek itinerary is 7 day and the Lares trek is 5 day, they may be able to modify one of these to a 4 day but I am not sure.

These do appear to be the only routes that they offer as I do not see any others on their website, we did help arrange a overnight stay in the first lodge on the Salkantay route for some past guests and they were easy to work with and helpful so I would try contacting them and se if a 4 day option would be possible

hi gringowasi ur information is quite informative,if u don’t mind can u enlighten me with ur experinces ,as I ,m planning to do south America in two months starting from Santiago.my email id is [email protected]

was you wearing indian clothes in peru?

Hi Savi/ Vid

Absolutely loved this itineary. Would you recommend peru in Dec? I heard that Nov – March is rainy season. I have a week. Which places would you recommend? Macchu Pichu is a must.

Each season has its pros and cons Shilpa – yep, December gets quite rainy but it’s supposed to be lush green as well 🙂

You guys are really awesome ??? and always motivating us to travel . Love you guys so much for giving us all tips to travel ????. I would love to visit Peru and yours pics are mind blowing !! Please share on how to Budget for South America trip also .

Dear Sujatha,

Thanks so much – so happy to hear that you enjoyed this post 🙂

We’ll write a post about budgeting in the near future for sure!

Happy travels

Hi Savi & Vid,

Thought your readers might be interested in a giveaway I am running on my blog, I am giving away free City Walk Apps for Apple devices, there are well over 150 cities to choose from across the globe so if any of your readers have upcoming travel plans, they can check out my blog for details on the giveaway. https://agringoslifeincusco.wordpress.com/2015/11/21/city-walking-tour-app-free-giveaway/

Thanks for that Lyle!

The last picture of the two of you with that famous Macu Picchu shot – is that at Huayna Picchu or just around Machu Picchu? I always see that shot in pics and want to know if we need to hike up to get there.

Hubby and I are hoping to go in July – haven’t booked our tickets yet though. You guys bought your entry tickets to MP from Magical Cuzco then?

That picture is in Machu Picchu itself – there is a vantage point where you can go to get that picture. Yes, we arranged our entry tickets to MP from Magical Cuzco 🙂

Have a great trip.

Is there some /any part of this that is kid friendly…i want to travel and have a 3 year old …so just thinking out aloud

In fact, you could do most of this itinerary with kids as well. The only place we would have thought wasn’t kid-friendly was the amazon forest lodge. However, even there we met families who were travelling with kids aged 2-5 years.

Hope that helps 🙂

I absolutely love your post! We are 3 families travelling to Peru next week with toddlers (crazy right?) Any tips on activities that may suit them? Heading to macchu picchu , Cuzco, Lima and punos. We will be spending 4 nights in the sacred valley and 3 nights in punos. We are worried about finding the stay in punos too long. Besides the floating villages, what else do you recommend?

Apologies for the late reply. Off the top of our heads, there are a few farms in Sacred Valley where kids (and even adults) can pet Llamas – it was a lot of fun 🙂

3 nights in Puno should be fine. We didn’t do much other than Uros islands but we enjoyed sitting by the lake and enjoying the scenery. You could reduce your stay at Puno by 1 night and spend that extra night in Cusco 🙂

Hope you have a great trip. We loved Peru 🙂

Your itinerary to Peru is brilliant. My husband & Ia re doing a 1 month Chile-Peru trip , and your post has been reference for planning everything in Peru. We are even staying at the Vinas Queirolo hotel , thank you for this wonderful post!

We have 7 nights in Sacred valley , Machu Picchu & cusco. We plan to do the 1 day inca trail. So I am struggling to decide on how to split 5 nights between sacred valley and cusco : 3 sacred valley , 2 cusco (or) the other way around

What would you suggest?

Hey Lakshmi – so great to hear that. 3 days in Cusco and 2 in the sacred valley sound good. There’s so much to do in and around Cuzco 🙂 Have fun in Peru – please send us photos from you trip, would love to share them with our readers on Facebook and on our website

Just returning from our 12 day trip… so my 2 cents..For all those planning the trip , add Arequipa City to the Itinerary as well! you will fall in love with the city ! ( Addn Tip: dont miss meeting the 500 year old Peruvian Mummy!)

Hey Vrutti – send us photos from Peru 🙂 Good to hear you loved Arequipa – hopefully some of our readers will include it on their itinerary after seeing your comment

Very comprehensive post on traveling to Peru. Thank you for the info.

Glad you enjoyed it Dario 🙂

HELLO, i loved your itinerary for Peru, sadly i only have 10days max for my trip !! How would you suggest we spend our time ! WE want to do it all but we know we can’t ! Any help would be amazing !!!

Hey Chantay – You could spend it in the Cusco/Titicaca area 🙂

Wow, awesome read. Have read this post over and over. We are planning a trip to Peru for 9 days. I am quite confused finalizing the order we should visit the places. We will be visiting Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley , MP and Titicaca/Uros Islands.

could i get your input? Should we Do Titicaca after Lima in the beginning or leave it till the end as above. If so, then does it mean we will actually have to come back to Cusco ( second time) and then take a flight to Juliaca ( since we are short in time)?

Thanks a ton – so glad you found it helpful. Have fun in Canada and do send us photos 🙂 You should leave Titicaca for the end as it’s much closer to Cusco than Lima. Yes, you’ll have to come back to Cusco after Machu Picchu to catch a flight to Juliaca. Alternatively you could take a bus from Cusco to Juliaca. Buses are super comfortable and convenient in Peru 🙂

I love this itinerary and the pictures are beautiful! When you left lake titicaca did you fly back to Lima and then home? Or how did you manage it?

Hi Katelin,

We crossed over to Bolivia from Lake Titicaca by bus and then flew out of La Paz after exploring Bolivia 🙂

This is awesome! I love Peru, and I can’t wait to check out some of these cool spots when I go back in April! Thanks so much for all the info!

Thats so good to hear Lara.We really hope you have a blast in Peru and enjoy it as much as we did 🙂

Hi Savi Vid i ll be traveling to Machu Picchu in May to celebrate my Bday. its a big one 😉 you mentioned in the article that we hv to book the tickets to machu picchu in advance. can you please she with me where i can book them. really appreciate your reply with some direction.

Hey Supritha,

Sorry for the late reply – hope you had a great birthday in Peru :D. As for entry tickets to Machu Picchu, we had arranged all train and entry tickets through a travel agency (mentioned in the article) 🙂

Much love Savi and Vid

Peru is a wonderful country, where there are many tourist attractions for tourists. công ty thiết kế nhà xưởng

Ya sure, we loved being in Peru and plan to go there for a longer time in the future.

One of the best blog , i ever read (y) <3

Thank you so much Ganesh…feedback like this makes our heart sing and all the hard work that we put into our work becomes worth while. Thanks a lot once again!!

we are planning to Peru in few months. What are the places to see in Lima? how many days do you recommend?

We’d say 2-3 nights are ideal for Lima. We loved Barranco 🙂

I love this! I am going to Cusco in a few weeks. I was wondering how you all avoided getting sick? I have a friend that just went and got E. coli and some other illnesses!

Hey Katelin,

We just took basic precautions to avoid altitude sickness and other illnesses 🙂 We had light meals and made sure that we drank bottled water and had cooked food 🙂

Have a great trip – Cusco is one of our favourite places in the world 🙂

Great post!

Driving cross country in Peru is definitely do-able and I would personally recommend it (with precautions). In 2015, two friends and I drove from Lima, to Huacahina, Nazca, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and back to Lima. You can find my blog post / story here:

1. Be careful. There are many hairpin turns, especially when going up and down the hundreds of ridges east-west through the Andes. Rockslides are common and roads may be blocked by debris. 2. The drive will take longer than it states on Googlemaps. Build in extra time. 3. Peruvian drivers take risks which may put you at risk. They will pass when not advised, often don’t have headlights on, and may be reckless at times. Be conscious of this. 4. Refill your tank frequently as gas stations are few and far between in rural areas 5. Check your tire pressure, the roads get hot and the thousands of turns put heavy pressure on tires.

http://boundlessbrooks.com/how-to-road-trip-peru-machu-picchu/

Thanks for your comment!

Hi Savi & Vid, Recently someone recommended me to your blog, and I have been hooked ever since. I visit your blog everytime me and my husband want to plan a trip.

Just a small request, if you could mention the months or time of the year you travelled to a particular place, we will have a better idea.

That’s a great idea and definitely something we are incorporating right now Sravya 🙂

Hey guys! Can you please tell me what time of the year you visited Peru…..Thanks

Hey Niki we visited Peru during the month of July 🙂

That’s the most vivid and descriptive travelogue I’ve ever read. With minute info regarding everything. And both of you are looking stunning in the pics. I am planning a 14/15 day trip in May 2019. I have heard that’s a decent time to go. I got in touch with a Peruvian travel agent inkawasi… Are they good?

Hey Chayan,

Yes that’s a good time to go 🙂 Don’t know about the travel agency – sorry 🙁

I was looking at your pictures and noticed you were wearing a skirt, tights, and sandals in Machu Picchu. Did you have trouble wearing that? I was under the impression workout clothes were more appropriate, but I want to look good, help!

Hey no trouble at all 🙂 those sandals are very comfortable 🙂 Of course if we did the 4 day hike we would not wear this but on our trip we took the bus from Aguas Calientes so no stress 🙂

What a lovely read! I am planning to go to Peru in October.

Could you suggest a hassle-free short flight route to Lima from India? (I am from Bangalore, by the way!)

And is it possible for me to get a visa to Bolivia, Chile, Guatemala, etc. easily from Peru?

Thanks in advance. 🙂

Would suggest getting all visas in advance if you need them (for eg. you don’t need visas for many countries if you have a valid US/Schengen visa). I think the easier connection from Bangalore is through Paris/Amsterdam, but it’s best to check a price comparison engine like Skyscanner for best deals 🙂

Hi there! This itinerary is amazing! Thank you for providing all the tips and suggestions!

I see that you did a cooking class in Urubamba. Are you able to provide any details of the class you took?

Hey Tiffany,

It was arranged by Magical Cuzco Tours – http://www.magicalcuzcotours.com/en/ – you could just drop them an email to enquire about the same 🙂

Thanks very much for all of the great information 🙂 my partner and I are planning a 3/4week trip this September. So far were looking to visit Lima, then down to the Ica region (Huacachina / Nazca etc), on towards Arequipa, then Cusco (for the Saltankay trek), sacred valley and finally for an amazon tour before returning home to the UK via 2 nights in NYC. Im making making the assumption that you speak very good Spanish, ours however is quite limited; do you feel that this would be a hindrance or present any issues whilst travelling (particularly in negotiating local travel arrangements / prices etc?

Your itinerary for Peru sounds great. No we are not fluent in Spanish and that didn’t spoil our trip in any way whatsoever 🙂

Hi.. I love your blog.. I too love travelling and have travelled a lot I am planning a winter honeymoon to finland in jan 3rd week. Can you suggest me some other place that i can combine with finland? We are planning to go for 2 weeks

Hey you can combine it with the Christmas markets of Germany, Austria, or Paris 🙂

Okay. Thanks a lot for the help. Will it be a good honeymoon destination according to you in january 3rd week? Finland plus one more place

Paris – you’ll find several articles on Paris on our website 🙂

no mention of Palomino Island? swimming with the seals? why? especialyl when you were in a month in peru. lol

Too much to explore, too little time 🙂

Hi Savi and Vid,

Absolutely love your blog..So much detail into every post. Thank you for inspiring many! We are planning our Peru trip for July 2019. I know its early but I love doing a thorough research especially for international destinations. We are thinking of 10-12 days and so far have narrowed it down to Cusco, Sacred Valley, MP and Titicaca. We have an 8 yr old. Is the Amazon rainforest kid friendly? How tiring is this journey in to the amazon? We plan to do it from Cusco. I have been reading extensively about it on Trip Advisor but haven’t found any useful inputs from families with young kids.

Hi Savitha,

If you have 10 days we’d suggest leave Amazon put especially with a kid. We did see many kids there so that’s not a problem per se but if you do have to leave something out then let that be Amazon

Hey Savi and Vid…Was wondering if u could help…we are planning a trip to peru and Bolivia in November for about 2 weeks…. the rough itenerary is: – spend a day is cusco and lima each (coz not enough time 🙁 – do the 4day salkantey trek to machu pichu-… most websites day it is is the most difficult of the trek to machi pichu… i know u havent done this during ur trip …but would u have an idea if it can be done by a person who has never done more than a 3-4 hr trek before? – the amazon forest… what is the minimum number of days u suggest spending here? Given we are short on time – salar d uyuni in bolivia- is it worth going to in november or should we swap it for another place? – anything else we shouldnt miss out on in bolivia?

1 day in Cusco is not enough – we’d suggest at least 2 🙂 not much idea about the 4 day trek to Machu Picchu but it sounds great 🙂

At least 3 nights in the Amazon rainforest as it will take you at least half a day (at best) to get there. Salar should be nice in November, especially if it has rained a bit. You could spend a couple of night in La Paz or Puno 🙂

Very well written, thanks for the tips! Indeed, Peru has come a long way since the days of the military environment in the late 1970s, and is today one of the safer and more enjoyable countries to visit in South America.

However, there are still tourist-targeting scammers and petty crime to be wary of. Do be wary of the poor student scam, chile-peru border crossing scam, pirate taxis / black market taxis, car break-ins, sob story scam, currency switcheroo / sleight of hand and many more

nice experience

I must say I’m hooked to your blog now! Great photography and really inspiring!!

I’m actually planning for a special trip for our 10th year wedding anniversary in end Oct. But most likely we would only have 14 days to work with. I’m considering Peru + Bolivia or South Africa . Any recommendations?

That’s a great idea. Both are great options actually but would suggest South Africa if you want something more luxurious and relaxed 🙂

Hey. Nicely writeup.. loved it. We as a couple planning to visit in June this year. We can spare only 14 days in Peru.

Which places you will recommend out of your nearly month-long itinerary and is it worth to visit Peru just for 14 days?

We’d say go to Ica, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Puno 🙂

Hi. Was so happy to see Peru featured on your Instagram post. I am considering going to Peru this year so this was very timely. Loved how detailed you guys are with the itinerary. I had one question though. Would you recommend Peru to a female traveling on her own? Is it safe to travel alone (with the usual common sense precautions)? Also, how commonly is English spoken across the country? Thanks!

Peru is safe for a solo female traveler – always talk to locals as to where it’s ok to go and where it’s not and stick to their suggestions. English is fairly common. Have a great trip – it’s one of our favourite countries:)

Hey Savi, Vid

It’s a pleasure seeing you guys travel like this. I simply love, love, love what you guys do. Need small help planning my Peru and Bolivia itinerary, wanted to know if trek to Huyana Pichu is possible the same day as Machu Pichu? or we come back to Aguas Calientes and trek the next day? And, should we come back to Ollantaytambo from Machu Pichu or is there any other going back to Cusco?

Also, should we take Bolivia visa or is it easy to take it on arrival?

I believe they can be done on the same day but even so might be too tiring and you might not enjoy. Not sure if there is any other way back to Cusco 🙂

As for Bolivia, we took the visa before we travelled since we had time and wanted peace of mind 🙂

Enjoy your trip and share photos from Peru and Bolivia 🙂

Me and my Wife have been following you and your itineraries quite a lot..:)

We’ve been to Lapland and Switzerland this year totally based on your itinerary and we enjoyed every bit of it. We have been wanting to do Peru and Bolivia since long, and we looked no further then coming back to our favourite Travel Couple. We are considering traveling to Peru and Bolivia for our Anniversary in the month of February in 2020.

– Would you recommend us to do Peru and Bolivia in February since its rainy Season in February? – Also we just have around 14-16 days for the whole Trip what all would you recommend us to cover and something you would say is a total must to do apart from the obvious Machu Pichu in Peru and Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia? – Would you recommend us booking the whole tour organised through a Travel Company along with a guide or we can do the whole journey on our own there?

Shalabh & Kanika

Happy to hear that 🙂 Do share your photos from Lapland and Switzerland with us 🙂

as for Peru, you’re right, it is rainy season. However, if you’re after those beautiful reflections in the salt flats of Uyuni, then this is the time to go. You’ll have to choose. we went in July and the weather was perfect. We’d say definitely go to the vineyards in Ica and spend an evening in Huacachina. You can definitely plan all of this on your own but if you need someone to do this for you then you can see the details in our article on Peru as well as on Bolivia 🙂

Have a great trip

Thank you for sharing valuable information.A quick question?Did you guys hike to the Machu Picchu mountain?I am not sure if this hike should be included in our travel.Can you please provide some suggestions on this.

Hey you can hike up Machu Picchu if you have a couple of days – all companies offer this experience. We took the train to the top 🙂

Peru was the most amazing country we have visited in South America – breathtaking landscapes, great food and history in every corner. Can’t wait to go back….

Hi there! I’m coming across your travel guide a little late but it’s been unbelievably helpful in planning my upcoming trip around Peru 🙂

I’m struggling with the Ica/Nazca Lines/Paracas/Huacachina portion of the trip. I love the hotel you all stayed at in Ica and I know there’s a Peru Hop bus from there but I can’t figure out how to visit Nazca Lines, Paracas, and Huacachina from there. Did you do it through your hotel or did you work it out with Peru Hop? I’d love to not stay in a different hotel every night in the region but I’m struggling to work out the logistics of day trips!

Hi Christine,

We went from Lima to Nazca, did the flight, and then took the bus back to Huacachina and arranged a transfer to the hotel in Ica (arranged via the hotel). So essentially we experienced Nazca, Huacachina the same day and then headed to our hotel to enjoy a couple of days there.

Really amazing article. It was really helpful to me.

The trip looks amazing and we are planning a similar trip based upon your experiences and recommendations. I’ve worked in Peru but never made it Machu Picchu. What part of Machu Picchu was the photo taken of the two of you laying down relaxing? Is that part of the Machu Picchu Mountain hike that is limited or part of the “general admission”?

We are staying at many of the same places including Titilaka but we are taking the luxury train from Cusco to Puno. We are excited.

Hey Kenny – that is right inside Machu Pichu , part of the general admission 🙂

Great information! We are planing our trip to Peru in October and would like to go to Machi Picchu and to the Amazon? What do you suggest as far as the transportation? We are traveling from Texas.

Thanks for sharing your amazing photos and itinerary!

Hello – buses in Peru are very comfortable but would suggest domestic flights, especially if you are short on time

Beautiful description and lovely pictures- when did you go- I mean which month (as you’re not swaddled in jackets and such). We are going in October- looking forward to it!

Have the best time Renuka – our time in Peru was actually warmer than we thought it would be

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Trujillo and the north

Regions in Peru

A trip to Peru offers up no end of amazing experiences. From watching the sun rise over mighty Machu Picchu to wending your way through the Amazon in a dugout canoe or indulging your taste buds on a tour of Lima ’s ceviche restaurants, there’s plenty to see and do here.

Whether you’re planning a short break or the jungle adventure of a lifetime, use our map of Peru below to start organising your trip.

This rich country varies greatly, from the surfing mecca of Máncora to picture-perfect Arequipa , and you could spend years exploring. Aside from the famous Inca ruins, one of the most puzzling sights is the Nasca lines around 200 miles south of Lima. Best seen from the air, the animal figures and geometric shapes etched on the Nasca plain are over one thousand years old and remain one of the world’s greatest archaeological mysteries.

If you are planning to travel, check out our Peru itineraries , read more on the best places to go in Peru , learn about getting there and where to stay once you are there.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Peru, created by local experts

Peru: into the Incan Empire

8 days  / from 2429 USD

Peru: into the Incan Empire

Who were the Incas? What did they do? What happened to them? Discover the answers, and much more, with this unique trip into the heart of the former Inca Empire.

Female Empowerment Tour

8 days  / from 2822 USD

Female Empowerment Tour

From meditations in Miraflores over visits to craftswomen in Chincheros to gratitude rituals in the Sacred Valley. This itinerary will allow you to reconnect with your feminine energy and learn more about women's lives in Peru.

Culture, Nature and Adventure in Peru

19 days  / from 3510 USD

Culture, Nature and Adventure in Peru

Get to know Peru through its locals and breathtaking trails- full of history. Hop aboard a motorboat to get to know the local way of life of the Uros people, before you start the great Inca trail, where beautiful landscapes, archaeological sites and fresh air are waiting for you.

The Inca Empire and the Nazca Culture

8 days  / from 1885 USD

The Inca Empire and the Nazca Culture

Peru has a rich history and culture, this itinerary will give you a taste of just how special it is. Take a flight over the mysterious Nasca lines, head to Cusco for some brilliant archaeological sites and discover the Inca cities. This trip will leave you wanting more!

Peru - the modern, the iconic, the wild

12 days  / from 6970 USD

Peru - the modern, the iconic, the wild

Spend 12 days in magnificent Peru - famous Machu Picchu, legendary Titicaca Lake and the wild Amazon await. This tour is great for foodies with amazing Peruvian delights, for history and culture lovers in the Sacred Valleys as well as wildlife enthusiasts in the Amazon. Something for everyone!

Best of Peru & Galapagos Islands

14 days  / from 6565 USD

Best of Peru & Galapagos Islands

Split your South America trip into two fascinating countries: Peru with Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, as well as ocean-facing capital Lima. Afterwards, proceed to the Galapagos Islands. You will stay on 3 different islands and explore many more.

Best Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands Tour Package

11 days  / from 9192 USD

Best Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands Tour Package

Explore a trio of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this Machu Picchu and Galapagos tour package! Your journey begins in Quito, home to the Middle of the World. Afterward, fly on over to the Galapagos Islands the best biodiversity hotspot and following with the sublime Machu Picchu in Peru.

Peru Express

7 days  / from 1640 USD

Peru Express

Soak up some Peruvian culture on a whirlwind tour of Peru. See the capital Lima, pretty Cusco and the Sacred Valley before you acclimatise to the high altitude of Machu Picchu, the greatest mountain city on earth and the gateway to the Incan Empire.

Culinary Peru

8 days  / from 2445 USD

Culinary Peru

Discover the taste of Peru on this unique culinary trip. Starting in Lima, and then travelling on to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machu Picchu and later Cusco, this trip includes all the essential destinations, and adds a unique culinary dimension to each, giving a real flavour of the country.

Peruvian Inca Domains

13 days  / from 2419 USD

Peruvian Inca Domains

Ideal for everyone wanting to explore the Inca history and combine it with today's culture and traditions. Fly over the mysterious Nasca lines, visit the penguins on Ballestas islands, sail the Titicaca Lake and discover the stunning Sacred Valley with Machu Picchu.

Peru for Nature Lovers

11 days  / from 3050 USD

Peru for Nature Lovers

Peru is considered one of the most ecologically diverse countries on earth: 84 of the 103 ecosystems and almost 90% of the world’s recognised climates can be found within the country’s borders. Needless to say, Peru has a lot to offer nature lovers.

Galapagos Cruise and Scuba Diving Adventure

10 days  / from 7018 USD

Galapagos Cruise and Scuba Diving Adventure

The Galapagos Islands rank as one of the world’s top dive sites, famous for its incredible underwater wonders, and huge quantities of marine life. This package offers a full-day SCUBA diving tour for guests that wish to experience the impressive diving in Galapagos, all in a safe and fun environment

Essential Peru

14 days  / from 4697 USD

Essential Peru

Get to know the best of Peru with this 14-day trip. Explore the cultural and culinary parts of Lima, get to know more about the Andean textile industry, discover Machu Picchu and if that's not enough you will also travel along the most beautiful routes in the world aboard the Titicaca train.

Witness the Sun Ceremony Inti Raymi in 2024

7 days  / from 1750 USD

Witness the Sun Ceremony Inti Raymi in 2024

Celebrate the spectacular Sun Ceremony in Peru in 2024. This trip starts on the 24th of June 2024 to be able to witness the ceremony. Extensions and pre-programs are readily available.

The Andes to the Amazon: Peru Explored

14 days  / from 4396 USD

The Andes to the Amazon: Peru Explored

Peru has much to offer and excites the most intrepid of travellers, from vibrant cities brimming with history, art and culture to the lofty mountainous heights of Machu Picchu and the Andes. A foray into the steamy Amazonian jungle completes your Peruvian adventure.

The Enigmatic Sites of Peru

8 days  / from 2250 USD

The Enigmatic Sites of Peru

Explore the stunning sights of Peru. From the enigmatic Nazca Lines to the historical monuments of Cusco, this trip has it all. Visit the impressive Machu Picchu, a world heritage site, and hike up the magnificent Rainbow Mountain for breathtaking views.

The Best of the Mashpi Rainforest and Galapagos

10 days  / from 7795 USD

The Best of the Mashpi Rainforest and Galapagos

Begin this journey in one of the first cities to be given the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site – Quito, Ecuador! Afterward, just a few hours away, you’ll head down into the lush cloud forests that surround Quito to experience Mashpi Lodge. You’ll finish this journey with the the Galapagos Islands

Machu Picchu, Titicaca & Uyuni

11 days  / from 2980 USD

Machu Picchu, Titicaca & Uyuni

The highlights of every Peru and Bolivia trip: the fascinating ruins of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, followed by a trip to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Afterwards, continue via La Paz to the Salar de Uyuni, the incredible salt flats.

Exploring Southern Peru

15 days  / from 6380 USD

Exploring Southern Peru

Inca ruins and fascinating tribal customs make Peru a unique destination. Visit Machu Picchu, stay on the shores of Lake Titicaca and take in the beautiful scenery of the Peruvian Andes before you finish your journey on a cultural high note taking in Lima’s museums and colonial gems.

A hidden gem in Peru

10 days  / from 2437 USD

A hidden gem in Peru

Discover the wonders of Peru, with this less crowded route to the North of the country where you will enjoy rarely visited destinations. Archaeological remains will tell you more about its amazing history, and you will remain impressed with its vast nature and beautiful landscapes.

Coast, Mountain Ranges and the Amazon Rainforest

9 days  / from 1995 USD

Coast, Mountain Ranges and the Amazon Rainforest

Discover Peru, it's history, nature and culture. You will start in the captivating city of Lima, from where you will make your way to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu only to end in the Peruvian jungle....where you can find lakes, nature trails and stunning views.

Wonders of Peru and Bolivia

10 days  / from 2287 USD

Wonders of Peru and Bolivia

Start your trip by exploring Lima before heading out to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Spend a few days exploring these wonders before heading off to Lake Titicaca. Just a short hop across the border lies Bolivia with the de facto capital La Paz, ready to be explored.

Hiking Adventures in the Sacred Valley

16 days  / from 4665 USD

Hiking Adventures in the Sacred Valley

A unique adventure including a challenging hike to the legendary Machu Picchu. Witness the mesmerizing Rainbow Mountain on a private tour, soar above the enigmatic Nazca Lines, and embrace the thrill of sandboarding amidst the dunes of Huacachina. Breathtaking landscapes and cultural treasures await

Active Machu Picchu

4 days  / from 950 USD

Active Machu Picchu

An unforgettable adventure from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Sleep in community houses and local accommodations to immerse yourself in the rich culture. Feel the thrill as you mountain bike through rugged terrains, soar through the air on exhilarating ziplines, and hike amidst breathtaking landscapes.

The "new" Machu Picchu - Chachapoyas

5 days  / from 995 USD

The "new" Machu Picchu - Chachapoyas

An incredible journey to Chachapoyas, Peru's hidden gem. Explore the ruins of Kuelap, an ancient fortress shrouded in mystery. Discover the breathtaking Gocta Waterfalls, one of the tallest in the world. Immerse yourself in Chachapoyas' rich culture, scenic landscapes, and archaeological wonders.

Peru Map, Map of Peru

  • Lima and around
  • Nasca and the south coast
  • Arequipa and Lake Titicaca
  • Cusco and around
  • The Central Sierra
  • Huaraz, the cordilleras and the Ancash coast
  • Trujillo and the north

The Rough Guides to Peru and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

The Rough Guide to the A-Z of Travel

Travel advice for Peru

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Peru

  • Eating and drinking in Peru
  • Getting around Peru: Transportation Tips
  • How to get to Peru
  • Travel Tips Peru for planning and on the go
  • Best time to visit Peru

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Piazza San Marco in Venice with Gondola

written by Eleanor Aldridge

updated 17.10.2020

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COMMENTS

  1. Peru travel

    Get to the heart of Peru with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance. Shop Our Guidebooks

  2. Peru Map

    Peru is without a doubt one of the most captivating countries in South America. Home of the epic lost Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and the mind-blowing Nazca Lines, this country's unique past awakens the adventurer in travellers of all sorts. Overview. Map. Directions.

  3. The Ultimate Itinerary for Peru: Perfect Planning Guide for the

    Join us on this trip of a lifetime through the heartland of Peru on a vacation where you will see the desert, spend lazy evenings in vineyards, drool over Incan ruins, witness wonders of the world, crumbling villages, and the mighty Amazon Rainforest.

  4. All about the Peru tourist map

    Lima. Huaraz. Paracas. Nazca Lines. Arequipa. Cusco. ABOUT THE MAP OF PERU. Although it is not considered a formal division, Peru is known to be divided into three main regions: Costa, Sierra, and Selva. The mountains are like a kind of backbone that divides the country into the other two regions.

  5. Map of Peru

    Whether you’re planning a short break or the jungle adventure of a lifetime, use our map of Peru below to start organising your trip. This rich country varies greatly, from the surfing mecca of Máncora to picture-perfect Arequipa, and you could spend years exploring.