From 1 Week to 1 Month

From 1 Week to 1 Month


The sweeping vista overlooking Machu Picchu in Peru

Peru is a large nation. To do it justice, you want quite a lot 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 quite a lot 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 quite a lot 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, quite a lot of 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 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 present you some concepts on potential routes, listed below are my steered itineraries for visiting Peru:

Peru Itinerary: One Week


I might solely go to Peru for one week if you happen to’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 dwelling.

Peru Itinerary: Two Weeks


Two weeks permits you to get a great (albeit barely rushed) really feel of the nation. You’ll want to maneuver shortly (flying and in a single day buses will probably be a should), and also you received’t get quite a lot of down time, but it surely’s a doable itinerary.

Days 1–3: Lima
Fly into Lima (if you happen to’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 dwelling 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 points of interest are and since they’re the most secure districts.

My steered issues to do in Lima are as follows:

Free strolling tour – I like free strolling excursions, as they’re a good 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 quite a lot of free strolling tour firms, however two I like to recommend are Milky Means and Free Strolling Excursions Peru.

Airbnb Experiences – Airbnb has quite a lot of unbelievable meals excursions, cooking courses, and historical past walks price trying out. I feel they’re an underrated useful resource as I’ve achieved some wonderful actions by way of the platform. Regardless of your curiosity, you’ll be capable of discover one thing distinctive.

Museo Larco – This personal museum options an in depth assortment of pre-Columbian artwork, gold, and jewels in an previous 18th-century mansion with a lovely 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 a terrific place to get a primer on Peru’s previous.

Huca Pucllana – This can be a large adobe and clay pyramid inbuilt 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 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 – Positioned within the district with the identical title, Surquillo is my favourite market on the town. It’s large and there are quite a lot of little eating places right here. In the event you’re seeking 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 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 academic museum is devoted to the Peruvian inside battle of Nineteen Eighties and Nineteen 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 properly). It’s a sobering however must-visit museum.

Furthermore, Lima has the most effective meals scenes on the earth, so you should definitely eat, eat, and eat some extra. The primary restaurant is right here as are a number of the different high ones. Simply take into account that a majority of those higher-end spots shut on Sunday and that you simply’ll must make reservations months upfront (although if you happen to arrive after they open, you would possibly be capable of get a seat as a consequence of a last-minute cancelation). Some which can be definitely worth the expense are:

  • La Mar (seafood)
  • Mercado (seafood)
  • Maido (Japanese)
  • Girl 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 if you’re brief 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 beautiful Spanish structure. It additionally makes for a great base to discover the close by canyons and mountains the area is legendary for. I might have spent weeks within the metropolis I beloved 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 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 gorgeous work, ornate decorations, and big organ.

Mundo Alpaca – This free museum provides you quite a lot of details about alpacas, their significance to Andean tradition, and the way their fur is made into garments. (The indicators are actually detailed and properly achieved.) Plus, you’ll be able to even feed a number 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 sequence 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 properly).

Yanahuara Mirador – Positioned exterior town heart, this viewpoint provides you sweeping vistas of town and surrounding countryside. The district of the identical title can also be a quiet, fairly neighborhood usually freed from vacationers that’s price exploring (try La Nueva Palomino, an unbelievable 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 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 advantageous eating, my two favourite spots had been China and Indigo, which each characteristic modern Andean meals. For a scrumptious Peruvian holes-in-the-wall, try 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 finest sandwiches and tea choice I got here throughout within the nation.

For the Colca Canyon, there’s quite a lot 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 quite a lot of actions and sights to discover. Don’t attempt to rush it. The truth is, 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, plenty 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 stage!

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 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 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 Web site, it’s a vastly spectacular construction and is certainly a must-see. You possibly can 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 positioned within the coronary heart of town. Named “The Golden Temple” (as a result of the partitions had been as soon as coated in sheets of gold), it was the place the Excessive Priest resided and the place varied sacrifices had been held. It was demolished and changed into a church by the Spanish, however quite a lot of the unique partitions are nonetheless there. It additionally options rotating artwork displays.

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 mum or dad museum). In the event you missed the museum in Lima, this can be a good one to see as an alternative since they cowl quite a lot of the identical stuff.

Coca Museum – Museo De La Coca is a tiny museum that goes into nice element in regards to 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. In the event you’re going to mountain climbing, likelihood is you’re going to be chewing cocoa leaves, so you should definitely cease by. It’s small, however fascinating!

Machu Picchu Museum – You’ll want to see this museum earlier than you go to the positioning because it provides quite a lot of historical past in regards to the website and its rediscovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. There are informative shows, academic movies in regards to the unique excavations, and artifacts from the positioning. It’s a pleasant primer to visiting the precise ruins.

Franciscan Convent – This stunning convent is stuffed with majestic tapestries, work, and cloisters, and encompasses 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 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 depart a bit to be desired, but it surely makes for a brief cease if you wish to study extra in regards to 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 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 mountain climbing. Everybody goes to go to Machu Picchu, however I wouldn’t suggest doing it in a single day, as a result of you must stand up soooooo early from Cusco. As an alternative, 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 data on trekking Machu Picchu, try this submit.)

In the event you’re considering different treks, there are additionally hikes to Palcoyo, Waqrapukara, Huchuy Qosqo, Pumamarca, and so, so, so many others. Actually, you could have a ton of choices!

After that I might, come again to Cusco for a day and calm down or fly to Lima for a day there earlier than your flight.

Days 13 & 14: Lima
Spend your last day or two sightseeing and consuming earlier than flying dwelling.

Different Two-Week Itinerary


Conversely, if you happen to needed to go to the Amazon, you could possibly reduce 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 could possibly do some multiday river cruises. Each locations require flights to get to.

Peru One Month Itinerary


If in case you have a full month, I might comply with the above two-week itinerary but in addition add within the following:

Do extra mountain climbing – There are such a lot of hikes within the Sacred Valley (and round Peru on the whole) that you probably have the time, you could possibly hike as a lot as you need. You have got 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. Positively try both Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos to discover and study in regards to 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 earth. 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 a terrific 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 the easiest way to get there may be to fly.

Spend extra time within the different areas – You can even 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 big nation. You’ll by no means have sufficient time, irrespective of how a lot you could 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 recommendations as a place to begin. Try this, and also you’ll you should definitely have a tremendous journey!

E book Your Journey to Peru: Logistical Suggestions and Tips

E book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to discover a low-cost flight. They’re my favourite search engine as a result of they search web sites and airways across the globe so that you all the time know no stone is left unturned.

E book Your Lodging
You possibly can ebook your hostel with Hostelworld as they’ve the most important stock and finest offers. If you wish to keep someplace aside from a hostel, use Reserving.com as they constantly return the most affordable charges for guesthouses and low-cost lodges.

Don’t Neglect Journey Insurance coverage
Journey insurance coverage will defend you in opposition to sickness, harm, theft, and cancellations. It’s complete safety in case something goes flawed. I by no means go on a visit with out it as I’ve had to make use of it many occasions up to now. My favourite firms that supply the most effective service and worth are:

On the lookout for the Greatest Corporations to Save Cash With?
Take a look at my useful resource web page for the most effective firms to make use of once you journey. I listing all those I exploit to save cash after I’m on the highway. They are going to prevent cash once you journey too.

Need Extra Data on Peru?
You’ll want to go to my sturdy vacation spot information on Peru for much more planning suggestions!

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