From 1 Week to 1 Month

Peru is a large nation. To do it justice, you want a variety 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 variety of choices.

I spent 2.5 weeks there and completely beloved it. However even at a quick tempo, I nonetheless felt like I barely noticed something (although I crammed a variety 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?

Effectively, in fact, a variety 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 provide you some concepts on potential routes, listed below are my prompt itineraries for visiting Peru:

Peru Itinerary: One Week

I might solely go to Peru for one week should 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 an excellent (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 variety of down time, but it surely’s a doable itinerary.

Days 1–3: Lima
Fly into Lima (should you’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 attainable. The capital is a big metropolis house to over 11 million individuals. 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 prompt 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 an area information who can share their insider ideas and data. Lima has a variety of free strolling tour corporations, however two I like to recommend are Milky Manner and Free Strolling Excursions Peru.

Airbnb Experiences – Airbnb has a variety of unimaginable meals excursions, cooking lessons, and historical past walks price trying out. I feel they’re an underrated useful resource as I’ve accomplished some wonderful actions through the platform. Regardless 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 previous 18th-century mansion with a ravishing 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 excellent place to get a primer on Peru’s previous.

Huca Pucllana – This can be a big adobe and clay pyramid inbuilt seven staggered platforms. It’s huge 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 title, Surquillo is my favourite market on the town. It’s big and there are a variety of little eating places right here. For those who’re seeking 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 concentrate on native artists. In addition they have a rotating record of short-term exhibitions from worldwide artists, so there’s all the time one thing new to see.

LUM Museum – Formally referred to as the “The Place of Reminiscence, Tolerance, and Social Inclusion,” this academic museum is devoted to the Peruvian inside battle of Nineteen 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 individuals had been displaced as nicely). It’s a sobering however must-visit museum.

Furthermore, Lima has among the finest meals scenes on the earth, so you should definitely eat, eat, and eat some extra. The primary restaurant is right here as are a few of the different high ones. Simply understand that a majority of those higher-end spots shut on Sunday and that you simply’ll must make reservations months upfront (although should you arrive once they open, you would possibly have the ability to get a seat resulting from a last-minute cancelation). Some which might be 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 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 in case you are quick on time.

Days 4–7: Arequipa
I completely love Arequipa. The White Metropolis (referred to 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 an excellent base to discover the close by canyons and mountains the area is legendary for. I may have spent weeks within the metropolis I beloved it a lot (as did my pals). However, if yo solely have a number of days, I like to recommend spending two days exploring 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 an important Catholic church within the metropolis. Excursions right here take about 45 minutes (although you’ll be able to go by yourself), encompassing the attractive work, ornate decorations, and big organ.

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

Santa Catalina – Taking on 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’ll be able to see it by yourself after as nicely).

Yanahuara Mirador – Situated outdoors town heart, this viewpoint offers you sweeping vistas of town and surrounding countryside. The district of the identical title 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 certainly one 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 Baby by Bernardo Bitti) and gold altarpieces. Plus, you’ll be able to go to the cloisters, which at the moment are a gallery!

For wonderful eating, my two favourite spots had been China and Indigo, which each characteristic progressive Andean meals. For a scrumptious Peruvian holes-in-the-wall, take a look at Picanteria La Mundial. I additionally suggest a breakfast spot referred to as Isidro, run by two Peruvians who frolicked coaching in NYC. And Munanqui (a café) has a few of the greatest sandwiches and tea choice I got here throughout within the nation.

For the Colca Canyon, there’s a variety 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’ll be able to both take an in a single day bus or fly to Cusco, an enormous metropolis with a variety 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 might spend two days on the town to acclimatize your self earlier than doing any main hikes, because it’s 13,000 toes above sea degree!

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 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 bear in mind to tip on the finish!

Saqsaywaman – This citadel advanced on the northern outskirts of 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 Website, it’s a massively spectacular construction and is unquestionably a must-see. You’ll be able to rent a information outdoors 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 – A very powerful Incan temple in Cusco is situated within the coronary heart of town. Named “The Golden Temple” (as a result of the partitions had been as soon as lined in sheets of gold), it was the place the Excessive Priest resided and the place varied sacrifices had been held. It was demolished and was a church by the Spanish, however a variety 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 dad or mum museum). For those who missed the museum in Lima, it is a good one to see as a substitute since they cowl a variety of the identical stuff.

Coca Museum – Museo De La Coca is a tiny museum that goes into nice element concerning 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. For those who’re going to climbing, chances are high you’re going to be chewing cocoa leaves, so you should definitely cease by. It’s small, however fascinating!

Machu Picchu Museum – Make sure you see this museum earlier than you go to the positioning because it offers a variety of historical past concerning the web site and its rediscovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. There are informative shows, academic movies concerning the authentic excavations, and artifacts from the positioning. 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 provide you is de facto 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 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, but it surely makes for a brief cease if you wish to be taught extra concerning 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 legendary 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 a number of 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 a substitute, I might go to Ollantaytambo the night time earlier than after which both take the prepare or you are able to do hike from Km104. (For extra info on trekking Machu Picchu, take a look at this publish.)

For those who’re all in favour of 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 chill out 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.

Various Two-Week Itinerary

Conversely, should you wished to go to the Amazon, you can reduce 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

In case you have a full month, I might observe 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 if in case you have the time, you can hike as a lot as you need. You’ve 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 concerning the jungle and river. In Iquitos, you’ll be able to 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 great. I’d spend 2-3 days right here.

Mancora – Situated up north, Mancora is a well-known seaside city and an excellent 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 one of the simplest ways to get there may be 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 big nation. You’ll by no means have sufficient time, regardless of how a lot you may have (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. Try this, and also you’ll you should definitely have an incredible journey!