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 seaside cities to the ruins of the Sacred Valley, Peru presents you with a whole lot of choices.

I spent 2.5 weeks there and completely cherished it. However even at a quick tempo, I nonetheless felt like I barely noticed something (although 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 decide 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 essentially the most historic websites and the most important sights. However there’s additionally the Amazon, the seaside cities, and smaller ruins within the north.

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

Peru Itinerary: One Week

I’d solely go to Peru for one week in the event you’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 under), after which do the hike. After that, you’ll be able to spend a pair days enjoyable in Cusco earlier than flying house.

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 will probably be a should), and also you gained’t get a whole lot of down time, nevertheless it’s a doable itinerary.

Days 1–3: Lima
Fly into Lima (in the event you’re coming from the US, 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 huge metropolis house to over 11 million folks. Most guests think about 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 advised issues to do in Lima are as follows:

Free strolling tour – I like free strolling excursions, as they’re a good way to get to know a brand new place and its historical past, to get your bearings, and to attach with an area information who can share their insider ideas and information. Lima has a whole lot of free strolling tour firms, 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 courses, and historical past walks value testing. I believe they’re an underrated useful resource as I’ve achieved some superb actions by way of the platform. Irrespective of your curiosity, you’ll be capable of discover one thing distinctive.

Museo Larco – This non-public museum options an in depth assortment of pre-Columbian artwork, gold, and jewels in an previous 18th-century mansion with a gorgeous 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 amazing place to get a primer on Peru’s previous.

Huca Pucllana – It is a big adobe and clay pyramid in-built seven staggered platforms. It’s huge and straightforward to get to because it’s in Miraflores, the principle district everybody stays in, so it’s very easy to see. It served as an vital 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 title, Surquillo is my favourite market on the town. It’s big and there are a whole lot of little eating places right here. For those who’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 principle 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 concentrate on native artists. In addition they have a rotating checklist of non permanent exhibitions from worldwide artists, so there’s at all times one thing new to see.

LUM Museum – Formally known as the “The Place of Reminiscence, Tolerance, and Social Inclusion,” this instructional museum is devoted to the Peruvian inner battle of Eighties and 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 nicely). It’s a sobering however must-visit museum.

Furthermore, Lima has among the best meals scenes on this planet, so you should definitely eat, eat, and eat some extra. The primary restaurant is right here as are a number of the different high ones. Simply remember that a majority of those higher-end spots shut on Sunday and that you simply’ll have to make reservations months prematurely (although in the event you arrive once they open, you would possibly be capable of get a seat resulting from a last-minute cancelation). Some which are definitely worth the expense are:

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

Subsequent, relying in your pursuits, you can 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 legendary for its mangroves, Haucachina for its sand dunes, and Nazca for the Nazca traces and the archeological web site, Cahuachi. You don’t really want greater than an evening in every place if you’re 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 beautiful Spanish structure. It additionally makes for a very good base to discover the close by canyons and mountains the area is legendary for. I might have spent weeks within the metropolis I cherished it a lot (as did my pals). 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 firms as in Lima.

Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa – Located in the principle plaza, that is a very powerful Catholic church within the metropolis. Excursions right here take about 45 minutes (although you’ll be able to go by yourself), encompassing the gorgeous work, ornate decorations, and big organ.

Mundo Alpaca – This free museum offers 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 nicely achieved.) Plus, you’ll be able to even feed a number of the animals on the heart.

Santa Catalina – Taking over a complete metropolis block, this convent is to not be missed. Based in 1580, it was energetic for hundreds of years. You get to discover a sequence of placing cloisters, chapels, and even an artwork gallery. I’d suggest getting a information for 20 soles, so that you get extra historical past and context. The excursions final about an hour (however you’ll be able to see it by yourself after as nicely).

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

The Church of the Firm – That is one among 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 Little one by Bernardo Bitti) and gold altarpieces. Plus, you’ll be able to 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 characteristic modern Andean meals. For a scrumptious Peruvian holes-in-the-wall, try Picanteria La Mundial. I additionally suggest a breakfast spot known as Isidro, run by two Peruvians who frolicked 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 by way of the corporate Peru Hop. Most in a single day excursions value round $40 USD.

Days 8–12: Cusco
From Arequipa, you’ll be able to 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. Actually, spend as a lot time right here as you’ll be able to! It lives as much as all of the hype, and it’s stuffed with world-class eating places, a number of artwork museums, fascinating historic websites, and delightful structure.

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

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

Free strolling tour – As you’ll be able to inform, I like a free strolling tour, and there are half a dozen firms right here. Your lodge or hostel can join you with one, or you should use the businesses talked about in earlier sections. Simply bear 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 positioning dates again even earlier, to round 900 CE. A UNESCO World Heritage Web site, it’s a vastly spectacular construction and is unquestionably a must-see. You may rent a information exterior the doorway, as there’s no signage right here. It’s additionally tremendous simple to get to (you’ll be able to 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 displays.

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, a lot of that are n load from the Larco Museum in Lima (its mother or father museum). For those who missed the museum in Lima, this can be a good one to see as a substitute 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 turned outlined by cocaine over the centuries. I used to be actually impressed by the extent of element within the descriptions. For those who’re going to climbing, likelihood is you’re going to be chewing cocoa leaves, so you should definitely cease by. It’s small, however fascinating!

Machu Picchu Museum – You should definitely see this museum earlier than you go to the positioning because it offers a whole lot of historical past in regards to the web site and its rediscovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. There are informative shows, instructional movies in regards to the unique excavations, and artifacts from the positioning. It’s a pleasant primer to visiting the precise ruins.

Franciscan Convent – This stunning convent is stuffed with majestic tapestries, work, and cloisters, and incorporates a ornamental church. There’s little or no signage, however the pamphlet they offer you is basically detailed. It was in-built 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 a good job of explaining the historical past of the area, particularly earlier than the Spanish arrived. There’s a good assortment of textiles, work, and ceramics. The opposite sections depart 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 biggest and most vibrant market on the town. If you wish to do any purchasing, get some native produce, or simply wander round and snack, that is the place to do it!

San Blas – This space of Cusco is legendary for its artwork and eating places (enjoyable truth: the Incas initially settled artists from across the empire right here, and it’s been an artsy district ever since). The realm 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 need to stand up soooooo early from Cusco. As an alternative, I’d go to Ollantaytambo the evening earlier than after which both take the prepare or you are able to do hike from Km104. (For extra data on trekking Machu Picchu, try this publish.)

For those who’re focused on different treks, there are additionally hikes to Palcoyo, Waqrapukara, Huchuy Qosqo, Pumamarca, and so, so, so many others. Actually, you’ve got a ton of choices!

After that I’d, 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 remaining day or two sightseeing and consuming earlier than flying house.

Different Two-Week Itinerary

Conversely, in the event you needed to go to the Amazon, you can minimize out Arequipa, hold 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 can do some multiday river cruises. Each locations require flights to get to.

Peru One Month Itinerary

You probably have a full month, I’d 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 on the whole) that when you have the time, you can hike as a lot as you need. You may have 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. Positively try both Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos to discover and be taught in regards to the jungle and river. In Iquitos, you’ll be able to take 3-5 day river cruises.

Puno/Lake Titicaca – You may 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 this planet. There’s not a lot in Puno however the lake is large. I’d spend 2-3 days right here.

Mancora – Situated up north, Mancora is a well-known seaside city and an amazing place for world-class seafood. It’s type of a celebration spot, however you can even 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 as well 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 huge nation. You’ll by no means have sufficient time, regardless of how a lot you’ve got (except 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’ll be able to and use the above strategies as a place to begin. Do this, and also you’ll you should definitely have a tremendous journey!