From 1 Week to 1 Month

Peru is a large nation. To do it justice, you want loads 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 loads 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 (regardless that I crammed loads 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?

Properly, after all, loads of that has to do with what you’re going for: the Amazon, the mountaineering, 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 most important points of interest. However there’s additionally the Amazon, the seashore cities, and smaller ruins within the north.

To provide you some concepts on potential routes, listed here are my urged itineraries for visiting Peru:

Peru Itinerary: One Week

I might solely go to Peru for one week when 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 stress-free in Cusco earlier than flying residence.

Peru Itinerary: Two Weeks

Two weeks means that you can get a superb (albeit barely rushed) really feel of the nation. You’ll want to maneuver shortly (flying and in a single day buses shall be a should), and also you gained’t get loads of down time, however it’s a doable itinerary.

Days 1–3: Lima
Fly into Lima (when 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 residence to over 11 million individuals. Most guests focus on the neighborhoods of Miraflores, Downtown, and Barranco, as these are the place nearly all of the points of interest are and since they’re the most secure districts.

My urged 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 loads of free strolling tour firms, however two I like to recommend are Milky Way and Free Walking Tours Peru.

Airbnb Experiences – Airbnb has loads of unimaginable meals excursions, cooking courses, and historical past walks value trying out. I feel they’re an underrated useful resource as I’ve accomplished some superb actions by way of the platform. Irrespective of your curiosity, you’ll be capable of discover one thing distinctive.

Museo Larco – This personal museum options an intensive assortment of pre-Columbian artwork, gold, and jewels in an previous 18th-century mansion with a fantastic café with a pleasant backyard. There’s additionally a bit 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 large adobe and clay pyramid in-built seven staggered platforms. It’s large and simple 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 necessary 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 – Positioned within the district with the identical identify, Surquillo is my favourite market on the town. It’s large and there are loads 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 set that features ceramics, textiles, sculptures, and work spanning over 3,000 years, from pre-Columbian occasions to the current, with a deal with native artists. Additionally they have a rotating listing of momentary 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 instructional 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 effectively). It’s a sobering however must-visit museum.

Furthermore, Lima has the most effective meals scenes on the planet, so you should definitely eat, eat, and eat some extra. The primary restaurant is right here as are a number of the different prime ones. Simply understand that a majority of those higher-end spots shut on Sunday and that you just’ll have to make reservations months upfront (although when you arrive after they open, you may be capable of get a seat on account 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 legendary 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 quick 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 superb base to discover the close by canyons and mountains the area is legendary for. I may have spent weeks within the metropolis I cherished it a lot (as did my buddies). However, if yo solely have just a few 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 firms 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’ll be able to go by yourself), encompassing the attractive work, ornate decorations, and large organ.

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

Santa Catalina – Taking on 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 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 effectively).

Yanahuara Mirador – Positioned outdoors town heart, this viewpoint provides you sweeping vistas of town and surrounding countryside. The district of the identical identify can also be a quiet, fairly neighborhood typically freed from vacationers that’s value exploring (take a look at 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 are actually a gallery!

For advantageous 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 greatest sandwiches and tea choice I got here throughout within the nation.

For the Colca Canyon, there’s loads 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 loads of actions and sights to discover. Don’t attempt to rush it. In reality, 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 crammed with world-class eating places, a lot 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 here 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 firms right here. Your resort or hostel can join you with one, or you need to use the businesses talked about in earlier sections. Simply bear in mind to tip on the finish!

Saqsaywaman – This citadel complicated on the northern outskirts of 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 Web site, it’s a massively spectacular construction and is certainly a must-see. You possibly can 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 – An important 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 become a church by the Spanish, however loads 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, a lot of that are n load from the Larco Museum in Lima (its guardian museum). For those who missed the museum in Lima, it is a good one to see as a substitute since they cowl loads 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 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 mountaineering, 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 to see this museum earlier than you go to the location because it provides loads of historical past concerning the website and its rediscovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. There are informative shows, instructional movies concerning the authentic excavations, and artifacts from the location. It’s a pleasant primer to visiting the precise ruins.

Franciscan Convent – This stunning convent is crammed with majestic tapestries, work, and cloisters, and includes a ornamental church. There’s little or no signage, however the pamphlet they provide you is admittedly 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 go away a bit to be desired, however it 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 buying, 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 mountaineering. Everybody goes to go to Machu Picchu, however I wouldn’t suggest doing it in a single day, as a result of it’s important to rise up soooooo early from Cusco. As a substitute, I might go to Ollantaytambo the evening 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.)

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 will 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 ultimate day or two sightseeing and consuming earlier than flying residence.

Various Two-Week Itinerary

Conversely, when you wished to go to the Amazon, you could possibly 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 could possibly 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 additionally add within the following:

Do extra mountaineering – There are such a lot of hikes within the Sacred Valley (and round Peru generally) that if in case you have the time, you could possibly 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. 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 possibly can 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 planet. There’s not a lot in Puno however the lake is large. I’d spend 2-3 days right here.

Mancora – Positioned up north, Mancora is a well-known seashore city and an excellent place for world-class seafood. It’s form of a celebration spot, however you may as well 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 can too add in additional days within the Colca Canyon, Nazca, Lima, or actually another a part of the nation that fits your pursuits!

Peru is a huge nation. You’ll by no means have sufficient time, irrespective of how a lot you will have (except you progress there). There’s far more to see than you may 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 solutions as a place to begin. Try this, and also you’ll you should definitely have a tremendous journey!