From 1 Week to 1 Month

Peru is a large nation. To do it justice, you want numerous 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 numerous 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 numerous 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, after all, numerous that has to do with what you’re going for: the Amazon, the mountain 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 largest 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 here are my prompt itineraries for visiting Peru:

Peru Itinerary: One Week

I’d 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 house.

Peru Itinerary: Two Weeks

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

Days 1–3: Lima
Fly into Lima (when you’re coming from america, 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 huge metropolis house to over 11 million individuals. 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 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 suggestions and information. Lima has numerous free strolling tour firms, however two I like to recommend are Milky Manner and Free Strolling Excursions Peru.

Airbnb Experiences – Airbnb has numerous unbelievable meals excursions, cooking lessons, and historical past walks value trying out. I believe they’re an underrated useful resource as I’ve performed some superb actions by way of the platform. Regardless of your curiosity, you’ll be capable 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 stupendous 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 amazing place to get a primer on Peru’s previous.

Huca Pucllana – This can be a enormous 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 identify, Surquillo is my favourite market on the town. It’s enormous and there are numerous little eating places right here. When you’re trying to buy groceries and eat some unbelievable 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 instances to the current, with a concentrate on native artists. Additionally they have a rotating listing 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 academic museum is devoted to the Peruvian inside 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 individuals have been displaced as properly). It’s a sobering however must-visit museum.

Furthermore, Lima has among the finest meals scenes on this planet, so be sure you 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 simply’ll have to make reservations months prematurely (although when you arrive after they open, you may be capable to get a seat as a consequence of a last-minute cancelation). Some which might be definitely worth the expense are:

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

Subsequent, relying in your pursuits, you would 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 strains and the archeological web site, Cahuachi. You don’t actually need greater than an evening in every place if you’re 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 unbelievable, energetic vibe, actually vibrant meals scene, and wonderful Spanish structure. It additionally makes for a great 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 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 firms as in Lima.

Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa – Located in the principle plaza, that is crucial 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 provides you numerous details about alpacas, their significance to Andean tradition, and the way their fur is made into garments. (The indicators are actually detailed and properly performed.) 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 hanging cloisters, chapels, and even an artwork gallery. I’d advocate 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 properly).

Yanahuara Mirador – Situated exterior 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 (try La Nueva Palomino, an unbelievable restaurant serving cheap Peruvian meals).

The Church of the Firm – That is considered 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 unbelievable 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 high-quality eating, my two favourite spots have been China and Indigo, which each function modern Andean meals. For a scrumptious Peruvian holes-in-the-wall, try Picanteria La Mundial. I additionally advocate 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 numerous operators round. I went by way of the corporate Peru Hop. Most in a single day excursions price 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 numerous 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, numerous artwork museums, fascinating historic websites, and exquisite structure.

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

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 should 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 positioning 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’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’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 have been as soon as lined in sheets of gold), it was the place the Excessive Priest resided and the place varied sacrifices have been held. It was demolished and became a church by the Spanish, however numerous 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). When you missed the museum in Lima, it is a good one to see as an alternative since they cowl numerous 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. When you’re going to mountain climbing, likelihood is you’re going to be chewing cocoa leaves, so be sure you 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 provides numerous historical past concerning the web site and its rediscovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. There are informative shows, academic movies concerning the unique 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 incorporates a ornamental church. There’s little or no signage, however the pamphlet they provide you is de facto 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 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 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 reality: 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 a number of good viewpoints too.

Then spend as many days you need mountain climbing. Everybody goes to go to Machu Picchu, however I wouldn’t advocate doing it in a single day, as a result of it’s important 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 info on trekking Machu Picchu, try this publish.)

When you’re excited about 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 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 house.

Various Two-Week Itinerary

Conversely, when you needed to go to the Amazon, you would lower out Arequipa, maintain 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 would do some multiday river cruises. Each locations require flights to get to.

Peru One Month Itinerary

When you have a full month, I’d comply with the above two-week itinerary but additionally add within the following:

Do extra mountain climbing – There are such a lot of hikes within the Sacred Valley (and round Peru typically) that when you’ve got the time, you would 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 try 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 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 form of a celebration spot, however it’s also possible to go to with out partying. It’s additionally fairly distant, so one of the best ways to get there’s to fly.

Spend extra time within the different areas – You can even 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 may suppose, 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 ideas as a place to begin. Do this, and also you’ll be sure you have a tremendous journey!