{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@sort”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Is 3 weeks enough for Peru?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Three weeks is the right amount of time to see the highlights of southern Peru: Lima, the desert coast, Arequipa, the Colca Canyon and the Cusco region including Machu Picchu. You will not reach the Amazon or Huaraz in three weeks, but you will not feel like you missed anything essential either. However, we will definitely be back to explore the Huaraz and Iquitos region.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How much does a 3-week trip to Peru cost?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Budget u20ac1,400 to u20ac1,800 per person for three weeks, without the international flight. The Salkantay Trek is by far the biggest line on that list at u20ac350 to u20ac650 per person, so leaving it out takes roughly a quarter off the total. The rest of Peru is cheap. A menu del du00eda costs a few euros, the hotels on this route start between u20ac25 and u20ac70 a night, and even a comfortable Cruz del Sur night bus stays under u20ac50 on the long legs. On dorms and street food you can do the same route for around u20ac900. The one thing I would not cut back on is the altitude nights in Cusco and the Colca Canyon. A warm room and a good bed are worth every euro there.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Do I need a visa for Peru?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”No, not for most passports. Travelers from the EU, the UK, the US, Canada and Australia get a tourist stay on arrival, normally 90 days, with a maximum of 183 days in any 12-month period. Three weeks is nowhere near that limit. Two things to sort out before you fly. Your passport has to be valid for at least six months after you leave Peru, and airlines check this at the departure gate, not only immigration. You may also be asked to show a return or onward ticket. The old paper Andean Migration Card (TAM) is gone. It is created digitally from your passport and flight details when you pass through immigration, so there is nothing to fill in on the plane.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Is Peru safe to travel?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes, with the same city sense you would use in any big capital. The real risk on this route is petty theft, not anything dramatic. Lima is where to pay attention. Stay in Miraflores, Barranco or San Isidro, and use Uber or Cabify instead of flagging down a taxi on the street. That one habit takes care of most of it. Keep your phone out of sight in traffic, because scooter riders do reach through open windows. Arequipa, Cusco and the smaller stops are calmer than the capital, and the whole southern circuit is used to travelers. Do check the news before you book if there is talk of protests, since roadblocks can close a route for a day.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Is it safe to travel by bus in Peru?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The main long-distance company (Cruz del Sur) is reliable and comfortable. For overnight routes on mountain roads, book the premium or business class seats where the seats recline fully. Avoid budget operators for overnight mountain journeys.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is the best time to visit Peru?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The dry season from May to October is the most reliable for trekking and clear skies. April, May and September are the sweet spot: good weather without the peak crowds of June through August. The wet season from December to March means greener landscapes but muddier trails and less predictable weather in the mountains. I wouldn’t recommend the wet season.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Should I skip Puno and Lake Titicaca?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”We did, and we would make the same call again. Most travelers we spoke to who went were disappointed by the experience, and the extra days are better spent in the Colca Canyon or Cusco. If Bolivia is on your itinerary, you pass Titicaca from the bus window on the way to La Paz anyway.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”We recommend the Salkantay. There is no permit lottery, it is generally cheaper, and the landscape covers more ground, going from high alpine terrain to cloud forest before reaching Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail has more historical significance but requires booking months in advance through a licensed operator with limited permit availability.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Can I do the Salkantay Trek independently?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Technically yes, but most travelers book a guided tour for the logistics, camping equipment and meals. The route is not difficult to navigate, but carrying full camping gear over a 4,650 meter pass is significantly harder than trekking with a support team. Also, most of the guesthouses on the trip belong to one of the tour groups. Therefore, a guided tour is the right choice.”}}]}