Tourists to Peru often wonder if the regions outside of Machu Picchu and Cusco are worth visiting. As someone who once lived far off the Gringo Trail, my answer to this is OF COURSE! There are countless destinations that offer memorable adventures in this incredibly diverse, colorful country. For off the beaten path adventures -after much discussion- we chose the Central region for a Peru sample itinerary.
The region of Central Peru is especially overlooked by international tourists. But here you can zipline in the jungle, hike ancient Incan trails, and whitewater raft for the fraction of the cost in other areas. Just like the North and South, Central Peru is divided by coast, mountains, and jungle. And this itinerary takes you to all three.
Feel free to use this sample itinerary for a trip to Central Peru. Or, mix-and-match experiences; pick one of the destinations below and add it to an itinerary for Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Sample Itinerary: Central Peru
Day 1- Play, Eat & Learn Lima
Lima is overcast and grey 8 months of the year. But being home to 1/3 of Peru’s population, the city offers museums, surfboard and bike rentals, and a world-class gastronomy. Get your ceviche on, check out Museo Larco to learn about Peru’s long history, and walk around the Bohemian Barranco neighborhood.
At night take a fully-reclining seat on a buscama to Oxapampa. This trip will take 10 hours.
Where to stay
Consider Kaminu Backpackers in Barranco. They follow sustainable water practices (Lima’s located in a giant desert) and offer bike rentals. For hotels, I like Casa Andina in Miraflores.
Top experiences in lima
- Surfing the costa verde
- Renting a bike on the malecon (boardwalk) in Miraflores
- Parasailing in Miraflores
- Visiting the creepy catacombs at San Francisco Cathedral
- Getting your history on at Museo Larco
- Eating the local fruits and dishes at Mercado Surquillo in Miraflores
- Ceviche…. always ceviche
Day 2-4: Extreme Sports in The Central Jungle
Now you’re in the Central Jungle. This area is known for the German settlements of Pozuzo and Oxapampa. It’s my favorite area in Peru; the weather is warm, the architecture Austrian, and the coffee and beer local and tasty. The weather is warm but not hot, and it gets slightly chilly at night.
Day 2: Stay a night at Ulcumano Ecolodge, a beautiful ecolodge on the outskirts of Oxapampa. Take advantage of the ziplines, rappelling, and hiking opportunities.
Day3: Check out Rio Tigre waterfall near Oxapampa. Take a taxi ride and make the short hike and get soaked under the falls. After lunch take a combi mini-bus to Yanachaga Chemillen National Park. You can take a guided hike (free) and finish searching for Peru’s national bird, the Cock of the Rock. Hundreds of them come out at 4pm every day!
The park rangers can also show you where to camp. You’ll need your own tent, however. Otherwise catch the next combi back to Oxapampa or continue on to the old German settlement of Pozuzo for the night.
Day 4: Take time to check out the German architecture in the plaza. If you’re looking for something to do, there is a cave near Oxapampa called Tunqui which makes for a good short adventure. After lunch head to Huancayo, a 6 hour trip.
Where to stay
I recommend Carolina Egg Gesthuas in Oxapampa. The wooden cabins are big and comfy, and they have a pool and bonfire area.
Top Experiences in the Central Jungle
- Outdoor activities at Ulcumano ecolodge
- Hiking to the area’s waterfalls
- Hiking, camping & birdwatching at Yanachaga Chemillen National Park
- Drinking German beer and food at Dorcher brewery
- Trying the self-proclaimed “best coffee in world” from nearby Villa Rica
Day 5: Rest Up In Huancayo
Spend day 5 in Huancayo. Huancayo is a bustling, authentically Andean city and the jumping-off point to the North Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve. Take it easy today. You’ll probably need to adjust to the altitude (10,692 feet or 3,259 meters). So, have a coca tea and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Huancayo does provide some adventure options. A day hike to the snowcapped Huaytapallana mountain is the most popular option. The city is also famous for its artisans and is the region’s cultural capital. Definitely go to an artisan market for souvenirs.
Where to stay
Since you’re only in Huancayo to pass through, stay at a convenient place downtown like Junco y Capuli.
top experiences in huancayo
- View the city and Mantaro Valley at Cerro de la Libertad
- Souvenir shopping at the artesian collective next to the main plaza
- Learning about the Peruvian internal conflict at the art museum Yalpana Wasi
- Visiting Parque de la Identidad (Wanka Identity Park). This small park pays tribute to local culture with stone structures, statues and native flora. Buy a chicha drink from the woman at the front door!
Days 6-8 YOLO in Yauyos!
Day 6: If you’re going to make a sample itinerary for Peru based on off-the-beaten path areas, the beautiful region of Yauyos must be considered!
Catch an early morning combi mini bus or shared taxi (collectivo) to the Nor-Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve. Here the weather will be cold at night and warm in the afternoon, much like Huancayo. Go to the centrally-located town of Alis to start your day.
You can stay at a local bed and breakfast-type of location (hospedaje) and make day trips to other villages. Or, you can spend the night at the other towns (which is easier). Either way, you have a few options:
Laraos
- Take a bus or shared taxi to Laraos. Laraos has UNESCO world heritage-listed terraces, a famous disappearing lake, and impressive archaeological sites.
Miraflores
- Take a bus or shared taxi to Miraflores. There you can hike for a couple of hours alongside a mountain to the old town of Miraflores, abandoned in 1912. The Central Mountain Range of Peru runs through Miraflores. So you’ll get even more excellent views of snowcapped peaks. You can hike down from the town to catch a car to Huancaya.
Huancaya
- Take a bus or shared taxi to Huancaya. Huancaya is the most popular destination in the Reserve because of its blue cascades and turquoise lakes. Next door, Vitis offers a 3-hr hike to a pre-Incan site called Cochaswasi. Further past Huancaya (about 2 hours in car) is the village of Vilca, which has more lakes and an impressive Quenual forest. The trees are straight out of a fairy tale. You can camp in Huancaya next to the waterfalls or book a room at a locally-run spot like Hostal Huancaya.
Days 7 & 8: Spend two days in the destination of choice or split your time among multiples places.
Day 9 & 10: Raft & Bike in Lunahuaná
Day 9: Take one of the buses or shared cars that leave every morning for Lima. But, instead of getting off at the end of the line, stop at the weekend warrior spot of Lunahuaná. Here you can whitewater raft, mountain bike, and taste local wines and Pisco.
Lunahuaná is about 5 hours from the center of the Reserve downhill, so the weather is dry and warm. Lima is only 3 hours away.
Where To Stay in Lunahuaná
Hotel Quilla Wasi is reasonably priced and offers services that you’ll appreciate after being on the road for so long (HELLO, laundry service!!!)
Day 10: Finish up any activity you want to try in Lunahuaná, then take a shared car or bus to Lima.
If You Have More Time
- Take a shared car or bus from Oxapampa to Villa Rica for a coffee tour, in arguably Peru’s best coffee town.
- Hike in the Forest of Love (Bosque de Amor) in Vilca. This is 2 hours from Huancaya.
- Further on from Vilca, visit the village of Tanta. The village provides guide and porters for a 2-day trek to the snow-capped mountain deity (Apu in Quechua) named Pariacaca. You’ll be on an ancient Incan path the entire time- a true Inca Trail.
- Before ending your trip in Lima, get off the bus from Lunahuaná at the surfing hotspot Punta Hermosa. Here you can rent a board to catch some waves, or just enjoy the delicious seafood!
Best Time to Go to Central Peru
Try to avoid the rainy season from November through April. Especially avoid the rainiest months, January and February. Transportation can be dangerous, and towns in general shut down in these months. Of course, since the coast is a desert, this only applies to the Andes and jungle.
Conclusion
I hope this sample itinerary for Peru helps you in planning your adventure. Do you have questions or comments? Email us at GringoInca@gmail.com or comment below. Gracias!
