From 1 Week to 1 Month

Peru is an enormous nation. To do it justice, you want a whole lot of time. From the capital of Lima to the traditional metropolis of Cusco to the jungles of the Amazon to the seashore cities to the ruins of the Sacred Valley, Peru presents you with a whole lot of choices.

I spent 2.5 weeks there and absolutely loved it. However even at a quick tempo, I nonetheless felt like I barely noticed something (though I crammed a whole lot of actions into my journey).

So, in such a big nation, how do you break up a visit? How do you choose what to see and do? What sort of itinerary do you make?

Nicely, after all, a whole lot of that has to do with what you’re going for: the Amazon, the climbing, the historical past, or the meals?

Most first-time guests to Peru do the southern route: Lima, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, and Cusco/Sacred Valley. This route has probably the most historic websites and the largest sights. However there’s additionally the Amazon, the seashore cities, and smaller ruins within the north.

To offer you some concepts on potential routes, listed below are my steered itineraries for visiting Peru:

Peru Itinerary: One Week

I might solely go to Peru for one week if you happen to’re simply planning to hike the Inca Path. If that’s the case, I’d fly to Cusco, spend two days acclimatizing (and seeing the sights I like to recommend beneath), after which do the hike. After that, you may spend a pair days enjoyable in Cusco earlier than flying dwelling.

Peru Itinerary: Two Weeks

Two weeks lets you get a very good (albeit barely rushed) really feel of the nation. You’ll want to maneuver rapidly (flying and in a single day buses can be a should), and also you received’t get a whole lot of down time, nevertheless it’s a doable itinerary.

Days 1–3: Lima
Fly into Lima (if you happen to’re coming from the USA, you’ll land within the morning, so that you’ll get a full day) and spend your first day sightseeing and consuming as a lot as potential. The capital is a big metropolis dwelling to over 11 million folks. Most guests consider the neighborhoods of Miraflores, Downtown, and Barranco, as these are the place nearly all of the sights are and since they’re the most secure districts.

My steered issues to do in Lima are as follows:

Free strolling tour – I really like free strolling excursions, as they’re an effective way to get to know a brand new place and its historical past, to get your bearings, and to attach with a neighborhood information who can share their insider suggestions and data. Lima has a whole lot of free strolling tour corporations, however two I like to recommend are Milky Way and Free Walking Tours Peru.

Airbnb Experiences – Airbnb has a whole lot of unimaginable meals excursions, cooking lessons, and historical past walks price trying out. I believe they’re an underrated useful resource as I’ve carried out some superb actions through the platform. Irrespective of your curiosity, you’ll have the ability to discover one thing distinctive.

Museo Larco – This non-public museum options an intensive assortment of pre-Columbian artwork, gold, and jewels in an outdated 18th-century mansion with a good looking café with a pleasant backyard. There’s additionally a piece that includes pre-Colombian erotic artwork. Spanning over 5,000 years of historical past, it’s an important place to get a primer on Peru’s previous.

Huca Pucllana – It is a large adobe and clay pyramid inbuilt seven staggered platforms. It’s large and straightforward to get to because it’s in Miraflores, the primary district everybody stays in, so it’s very easy to see. It served as an essential ceremonial and administrative heart for the Lima tradition (a society that existed between 100 and 700 CE). Your ticket comes with a tour that lasts about an hour.

Surquillo Market – Situated within the district with the identical identify, Surquillo is my favourite market on the town. It’s large and there are a whole lot of little eating places right here. Should you’re trying to buy groceries and eat some unimaginable and cheap meals, that is the spot.

Museo de Arte de Lima – Opened in 1961, the Lima Artwork Museum is the primary artwork museum within the metropolis and has a group that features ceramics, textiles, sculptures, and work spanning over 3,000 years, from pre-Columbian occasions to the current, with a give attention to native artists. Additionally they have a rotating checklist of non permanent exhibitions from worldwide artists, so there’s all the time one thing new to see.

LUM Museum – Formally known as the “The Place of Reminiscence, Tolerance, and Social Inclusion,” this academic museum is devoted to the Peruvian inner battle of Nineteen Eighties and Nineteen Nineties and honors its victims. There have been over 50,000 casualties from the battle, which occurred between the federal government and the Maoist guerilla group Shining Path (60,000 folks had been displaced as effectively). It’s a sobering however must-visit museum.

Furthermore, Lima has among the finest meals scenes on the earth, so you’ll want to eat, eat, and eat some extra. The primary restaurant is right here as are a number of the different prime ones. Simply remember that a majority of those higher-end spots shut on Sunday and that you just’ll must make reservations months prematurely (although if you happen to arrive after they open, you would possibly have the ability to get a seat because of a last-minute cancelation). Some which are well worth the expense are:

• La Mar (seafood)
• Mercado (seafood)
• Maido (Japanese)
• Woman Bee (cocktails)
• Contraste (Peruvian)
• Central (Peruvian)

Subsequent, relying in your pursuits, you could possibly spend a pair extra days in Lima sightseeing and consuming (it’s a cool metropolis), or head down the coast to Paracas, Haucachina, and Nazca earlier than both coming again to Lima to fly to Arequipa (or simply taking the in a single day bus from Nazca). Paracas is known for its mangroves, Haucachina for its sand dunes, and Nazca for the Nazca traces and the archeological website, Cahuachi. You don’t really want greater than an evening in every place in case you are brief on time.

Days 4–7: Arequipa
I completely love Arequipa. The White Metropolis (known as that due to the white volcanic stone used for the buildings) has an unimaginable, energetic vibe, actually vibrant meals scene, and wonderful Spanish structure. It additionally makes for a very good base to discover the close by canyons and mountains the area is known for. I may have spent weeks within the metropolis I cherished it a lot (as did my mates). However, if yo solely have just a few days, I like to recommend spending two days exploring the town after which an in a single day journey to the Colca Canyon, which is Peru’s Grand Canyon.

Right here’s what’s to not miss within the metropolis of Arequipa:

Free strolling tour – There are a few nice free strolling excursions run by the identical two corporations as in Lima.

Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa – Located in the primary plaza, that is a very powerful Catholic church within the metropolis. Excursions right here take about 45 minutes (although you may go by yourself), encompassing the attractive work, ornate decorations, and large organ.

Mundo Alpaca – This free museum provides you a whole lot of details about alpacas, their significance to Andean tradition, and the way their fur is made into garments. (The indicators are actually detailed and effectively carried out.) Plus, you may even feed a number of the animals on the heart.

Santa Catalina – Taking over a whole metropolis block, this convent is to not be missed. Based in 1580, it was lively for hundreds of years. You get to discover a collection of putting cloisters, chapels, and even an artwork gallery. I might suggest getting a information for 20 soles, so that you get extra historical past and context. The excursions final about an hour (however you may see it by yourself after as effectively).

Yanahuara Mirador – Situated exterior the town heart, this viewpoint provides you sweeping vistas of the town and surrounding countryside. The district of the identical identify can also be a quiet, fairly neighborhood typically freed from vacationers that’s price exploring (take a look at La Nueva Palomino, an unimaginable restaurant serving cheap Peruvian meals).

The Church of the Firm – That is one in every of Arequipa’s most iconic church buildings, with imposing Baroque façade (the unique was destroyed in an earthquake within the 1800s) and inside. Inside, you’ll discover unimaginable work by native artists (and Virgin and Youngster by Bernardo Bitti) and gold altarpieces. Plus, you may go to the cloisters, which at the moment are a gallery!

For high quality eating, my two favourite spots had been China and Indigo, which each function revolutionary Andean meals. For a scrumptious Peruvian holes-in-the-wall, take a look at Picanteria La Mundial. I additionally suggest a breakfast spot known as Isidro, run by two Peruvians who hung out coaching in NYC. And Munanqui (a café) has a number of the finest sandwiches and tea choice I got here throughout within the nation.

For the Colca Canyon, there’s a whole lot of operators round. I went through the corporate Peru Hop. Most in a single day excursions value round $40 USD.

Days 8–12: Cusco
From Arequipa, you may both take an in a single day bus or fly to Cusco, an enormous metropolis with a whole lot of actions and sights to discover. Don’t attempt to rush it. In reality, spend as a lot time right here as you may! It lives as much as all of the hype, and it’s stuffed with world-class eating places, plenty of artwork museums, fascinating historic websites, and exquisite structure.

I might spend two days on the town to acclimatize your self earlier than doing any main hikes, because it’s 13,000 ft above sea degree!

A few of my favourite issues to see and do listed below are as follows:

Free strolling tour – As you may inform, I really like a free strolling tour, and there are half a dozen corporations right here. Your resort or hostel can join you with one, or you should use the businesses talked about in earlier sections. Simply keep in mind to tip on the finish!

Saqsaywaman – This citadel advanced on the northern outskirts of the town was constructed within the fifteenth century, although the earliest occupation of the location dates again even earlier, to round 900 CE. A UNESCO World Heritage Website, it’s a vastly spectacular construction and is certainly a must-see. You’ll be able to rent a information exterior the doorway, as there’s no signage right here. It’s additionally tremendous simple to get to (you may stroll there or take the bus).

Qorikancha – An important Incan temple in Cusco is positioned within the coronary heart of the town. Named “The Golden Temple” (as a result of the partitions had been as soon as coated in sheets of gold), it was the place the Excessive Priest resided and the place numerous sacrifices had been held. It was demolished and become a church by the Spanish, however a whole lot of the unique partitions are nonetheless there. It additionally options rotating artwork reveals.

The Pre-Columbian Artwork Museum – Opened in 2003, this museum devoted to the show of archaeological artifacts and examples of pre-Columbian artworks. There are virtually 500 gadgets on show right here, lots of that are n load from the Larco Museum in Lima (its guardian museum). Should you missed the museum in Lima, this can be a good one to see as an alternative since they cowl a whole lot of the identical stuff.

Coca Museum – Museo De La Coca is a tiny museum that goes into nice element in regards to the historical past of coca and its significance to native tradition, in addition to the way it grew to become outlined by cocaine over the centuries. I used to be actually impressed by the extent of element within the descriptions. Should you’re going to climbing, chances are high you’re going to be chewing cocoa leaves, so you’ll want to cease by. It’s small, however attention-grabbing!

Machu Picchu Museum – Make sure to see this museum earlier than you go to the location because it provides a whole lot of historical past in regards to the website and its rediscovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. There are informative shows, academic movies in regards to the unique excavations, and artifacts from the location. It’s a pleasant primer to visiting the precise ruins.

Franciscan Convent – This lovely convent is stuffed with majestic tapestries, work, and cloisters, and includes a ornamental church. There’s little or no signage, however the pamphlet they offer you is absolutely detailed. It was inbuilt 1572 by order of Viceroy Francisco de Toledo. Don’t miss the library, which has a polyglot bible written in 5 languages.

Regional Historic Museum of Cusco – Opened in 1946, this museum does an honest job of explaining the historical past of the area, particularly earlier than the Spanish arrived. There’s an honest assortment of textiles, work, and ceramics. The opposite sections go away a bit to be desired, nevertheless it makes for a brief cease if you wish to be taught extra in regards to the area’s historical past.

San Pedro Market – That is the most important and most vibrant market on the town. If you wish to do any procuring, get some native produce, or simply wander round and snack, that is the place to do it!

San Blas – This space of Cusco is known for its artwork and eating places (enjoyable reality: the Incas initially settled artists from across the empire right here, and it’s been an artsy district ever since). The world has a bohemian vibe and it’s up on a hill, so there are just a few good viewpoints too.

Then spend as many days you need climbing. Everybody goes to go to Machu Picchu, however I wouldn’t suggest doing it in a single day, as a result of you must stand up soooooo early from Cusco. As an alternative, I might go to Ollantaytambo the night time earlier than after which both take the practice or you are able to do hike from Km104. (For extra info on trekking Machu Picchu, check out this post.)

Should you’re curious about different treks, there are additionally hikes to Palcoyo, Waqrapukara, Huchuy Qosqo, Pumamarca, and so, so, so many others. Actually, you may have a ton of choices!

After that I might, come again to Cusco for a day and calm down or fly to Lima for a day there earlier than your flight.

Days 13 & 14: Lima
Spend your last day or two sightseeing and consuming earlier than flying dwelling.

Various Two-Week Itinerary

Conversely, if you happen to needed to go to the Amazon, you could possibly reduce out Arequipa, preserve the identical itinerary for Lima and Cusco and go to both Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos to see the Amazon. Puerto Maldonado has extra high-end jungle lodges, whereas from Iquitos you could possibly do some multiday river cruises. Each locations require flights to get to.

Peru One Month Itinerary

When you’ve got a full month, I might comply with the above two-week itinerary but in addition add within the following:

Do extra climbing – There are such a lot of hikes within the Sacred Valley (and round Peru basically) that you probably have the time, you could possibly hike as a lot as you need. You’ve gotten those I discussed about in addition to multi-day treks within the Colca Canyon, up north within the Amazon, and many different locations!

Go to the Amazon – Peru is the place the Amazon River begins its journey to the Atlantic. Undoubtedly take a look at both Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos to discover and be taught in regards to the jungle and river. In Iquitos, you may take 3-5 day river cruises.

Puno/Lake Titicaca – You’ll be able to spend a few days in Puno, which is considerably between Cusco and Arequipa, and take within the famed Lake Titicaca, the very best lake on the earth. There’s not a lot in Puno however the lake is super. I’d spend 2-3 days right here.

Mancora – Situated up north, Mancora is a well-known seashore city and an important place for world-class seafood. It’s type of a celebration spot, however you may also go to with out partying. It’s additionally fairly distant, so the easiest way to get there’s to fly.

Spend extra time within the different areas – You may also add in additional days within the Colca Canyon, Nazca, Lima, or actually some other a part of the nation that fits your pursuits!

Peru is a big nation. You’ll by no means have sufficient time, irrespective of how a lot you may have (until you progress there). There’s far more to see than you would possibly assume, so, as you make your itinerary, don’t stress an excessive amount of or attempt to jam all of it in. See what you may and use the above recommendations as a place to begin. Do this, and also you’ll you’ll want to have a tremendous journey!