Why should you start your itinerary for Peru right now?
Well, if you want it, Peru probably has it. World class hikes, of all types of length and adventure? Check. Indigenous traditions and ancient cultures? Yup. Awe-inspiring nature and outdoor activities? You bet.
And to keep you energized throughout all that, it’s even a globally-recognized food destination.
So Peru is an excellent destination for adventure. It’s also perfect for appreciating nature and different cultures. Many visitors describe parts of their trips as spiritual for these reasons.
Plus, I’d say it’s the best country to cure anxiety and self-doubt that arise from boring office jobs.
If you’re interested in ever visiting Peru, this website will help plan your trip. First, this article will go over background and basic need-to-know travel information.
Afterwards, I recommend selecting a region to start with. That’s because Peru is so large, you might only have time to visit one area. For this reason I’ve written adventure guides for each: The North, Central, and Southern Peru.
Here is all you need to break the boring routine of daily life and start your itinerary for Peru:
Why You Need An Itinerary for Peru
Peru has been climbing in status for adventure travel (and for checking off bucket lists) since relative stability entered the country in the early 2000’s. The great majority of tourism is funneled to the southern region of the country.
Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Manu, Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines, and Arequipa are all in the southern region. So is the more-recently “discovered” backpacker haven of Huacachina and the Instagram-famous Rainbow Mountain.
The country has been earning accolades and superlatives at an astonishing pace. National Geographic considers several of the treks there among the very best in the world. The jungle of Manu has the highest level of biodiversity ever recorded. There are more tropical galciers in Peru than any other country.
The country is also recognized as the South American food capital, and Lima now competes with New York City and Paris for the most number of restaurants in the top 10 world rankings. And this isn’t even a complete list!
When I first arrived to Peru, it was my first time out of the United States. Peace Corps sent me to a small village on the top of the mountain in the Andes of Lima, and my life was never the same. Now I can’t imagine my life without knowing Peru; it opened my eyes to new perspectives and adventures that other parts of the world can’t offer.
It can do the same for you.
How to Start Your Itinerary for Peru
Popular Destinations to Visit in Peru
To decide which destinations to visit, focus on one region of Peru at a time; the south, central, or north. Start out by knowing how limited you are timewise. Time will likely be the most limiting factor for any itinerary for Peru.
For example, don’t visit more than two regions if you only have a week (and even that is tight). Otherwise you’ll find yourself spending a lot more money on plane tickets or much more time in buses than you may like (Peru is the size of 3 Californias!). So I recommend figuring out what you absolutely have to see, and work from there.
If you definitely want to start with the big-ticket destinations like Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Sacred Valley in the South, here’s an overview on Southern Peru.
Other Excellent Destinations
For a long-overlooked region that deserves consideration for any Peru itinerary, check out Central Peru. This is home to old German colonies in the jungle, rural communities holding on to traditional ways of life in the Andes, and beaches and hikes just a day’s trip from Lima.
The Andes and jungle of this region have been recognized for holding onto their ancient customs a bit longer. Here you’ll be off the beaten path where only a few intrepid backpackers, Peruvian and international, venture. It’s a great place to reset your perspective and take in unbelievable landscapes and cultural experiences.
And last, but definitely not least, Northern Peru, including its beaches, has been gaining in popularity over the past few years, yet is far from being overrun by tourists. The cultures of Northern Peru left behind pyramids on the coast and fortresses in the clouds, and all are worthy of consideration.
The North also has the country’s tallest waterfalls and large lakes for hiking opportunities. Peruvians from other regions often admit the North has the best food, too (a hard thing to admit!).
Top Experiences by Region
Here are the top activities in each region of Peru to help you figure out what to consider for your itinerary:
Southern Peru
- Machu Picchu, Cuzco and the Inca Trail
- If you’re looking for something less populated with Gringos, there are several great Inca trail alternatives that get you to Machu Picchu with similar sights and experiences, such as the Lares, Salkantay, and Extreme Inca hikes
- The mountain made famous by Instagram, Rainbow Mountain in Cuzco
- Hiking in Arequipa, such as the El Misti volcano or Colca Canyon to see the condors in action
- Sandboarding Cerro Blanco (near Nazca) or dune buggying in Huacachina
- Staying in an ecolodge in the Amazon jungle
- Getting mesmerized by the world’s highest freshwater lake and the fascinating night sky at Lake Titicaca
- Flying over the Nazca Lines
Central Peru
- Visiting the museums of Lima
- Eating food in Lima
- Day tripping to surf spots north and south of Lima
- Taking a side trip from Lima to the waterfalls of Matucana and the mysterious rock formations of Marcahuasi
- Going deep into the Andes to the culture- and artesian-rich bastions of Huancavelica and Huancayo
- Eating German food, drinking Peruvian coffee, ziplining, and birdwatching in the Central Jungle
- Dipping in the frigid waters of the cascades in Nor-Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve
- Doing an ancient Incan hike to the sacred mountain Pariacaca from Tanta in the Nor-Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve
Photo by Hans Luiggi on Unsplash
Northern Peru
- Exploring world-class treks and glaciers in Huaraz
- Enjoying the ever-more popular sites of Chachapoyas: the ancient fortress of Kuelap, the waterfalls of Gocta and Yumbilla (2 of the highest in the world!), mysterious sarcophagi overlooking hikers, and various multi day hikes to archaeological sites and lakes
- Visiting Iquitos, the largest non-road accessible city in the world, by boat
- Surfing or just chilling in the coast of Northern Peru
- Checking out ancient Moche pyramids and the giant Chimu city of Chan Chan
- Visiting the top-10 globally ranked museum of Sipan
- Eating ceviche
- Partying on the beach in Mancora
Common Questions for Peru
So now we’ve gone over basic information to start your itinerary for Peru. In addition, let’s check out the most common traveler’s questions for Peru:
Photo by Aline Rodrigues on Unsplash
When to Go to Peru
The peak season for Peru is from June through August. This coincides with the dry season in the Andes and much of the jungle. You may find good deals in the shoulder season during the months of April, May, or October.
Lima is grey and dry all year except from late November through March, when it is warm and sunny. The rest of the coast is sunny year-round.
Budgeting
No matter your budget, you can make an itinerary for Peru. You can find a hostel for S/ 10-15 per night. Or end up paying US-style rates to be spoiled by the big chains and expensive hotels.
Day-to-day costs are intermediate but considerably lower than in the US, UK, and Canada.
Prices in peru
The Peruvian Nuevo Sol tends to be worth about 1/3 of a US dollar.
Food & drink
- Set price lunches at menus can cost S/ 10 or less and include an appetizer and juice.
- A liter of Cusquena beer can go from S/ 5 at a store to over S/ 10 at some restaurants.
- Freshly squeezed juice goes for S/ 1 at city markets and sidewalks
transportation
- Uber and Easy Taxi operate in Lima and can be cheaper (and safer) than haggling on the street. A taxi from the airport to most touristy areas of Lima goes from S/ 40-70 depending on the time of day. Cross-city costs up to S/ 15, also depending on traffic. The intracity buses are very complicated but charge up to S/ 5. I prefer the Metropolitano, a series of efficient buses that costs S/ 2.50 per trip. This goes through the neighborhoods of Barranco, Miraflores, San Isidro, and the center of the city (Lima Centro).
- Minibuses for intracity trips in cities outside of Lima charge up to S/ 3, depending on length of travel. Taxis are also cheaper outside of Lima. Many towns have mototaxis which are more rickety but cheaper, at maximum 2-3 soles per person. They are best for shorter trips.
- Intercity bus rides of 6+ hours have different levels of service. You can find tickets for basic seats and service for as little as S/ 30. But a fully 180 degree reclining seat can go for S/ 100+ for overnight journeys. These prices depend greatly on the destination.
Note: Prices for everything spike during Holy Week, Independence Day (July 28th), and the last half of December.
Currency
The Peruvian Nuevo Sol is symbolized as S/. It is normally worth about one-third of a US dollar.
Languages
Peru has several official languages, the most common of which are Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Spanish is spoken widely throughout the country. Quechua is common in the Andes and Aymara is almost exclusively spoken in the region of Puno around and in Lake Titicaca.
Vaccinations For Peru
This is per the United States’ Center for Disease Control, PHAC, and WHO’s recommendations:
- All visitors should have routine vaccinations up to date
- All visitors should have their measles and yellow fever vaccinations
- They also recommend visitors to get the vaccinations for typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis B
- If going to the jungle, talk to a doctor about preventing malaria
- Travelers should consider a rabies shot if they are doing adventure travel, caving, will be working with animals, or are going to remote areas
Let’s Start Your Itinerary for Peru Now
Are you already picturing your trip? First, let’s decide on where to visit in Peru: Check out what to do in the South, North or Central.
I developed these adventure guides to help you get the most out of your time traveling, and to save you from hours of time spent researching and planning.
Comment below: What’s your inspiration for travel? When do you want to visit Peru?
Let’s start your adventure today!