From 1 Week to 1 Month

Peru is an enormous nation. To do it justice, you want a number 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 a number of choices.

I spent 2.5 weeks there and completely liked it. However even at a quick tempo, I nonetheless felt like I barely noticed something (though I crammed a number of actions into my journey).

So, in such a big nation, how do you break up a visit? How do you decide what to see and do? What sort of itinerary do you make?

Properly, in fact, a number of that has to do with what you’re going for: the Amazon, the 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 most important sights. 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 urged itineraries for visiting Peru:

Peru Itinerary: One Week

I might solely go to Peru for one week for those who’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 may spend a pair days enjoyable in Cusco earlier than flying dwelling.

Peru Itinerary: Two Weeks

Two weeks permits you to get a superb (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 a number of down time, nevertheless it’s a doable itinerary.

Days 1–3: Lima
Fly into Lima (for those who’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 potential. The capital is a huge metropolis dwelling to over 11 million folks. Most guests focus on 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 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 an area information who can share their insider suggestions and information. Lima has a number of free strolling tour corporations, however two I like to recommend are Milky Approach and Free Strolling Excursions Peru.

Airbnb Experiences – Airbnb has a number of unimaginable meals excursions, cooking lessons, and historical past walks price testing. I believe they’re an underrated useful resource as I’ve executed some wonderful actions through 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 outdated 18th-century mansion with a phenomenal 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 ideal place to get a primer on Peru’s previous.

Huca Pucllana – It is 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 primary district everybody stays in, so it’s very easy to see. It served as an necessary ceremonial and administrative middle 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 a number of little eating places right here. When you’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 instances to the current, with a deal with native artists. Additionally they have a rotating record of momentary 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 inner 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 folks had been displaced as properly). It’s a sobering however must-visit museum.

Furthermore, Lima has probably the greatest 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 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 for those who arrive once they open, you would possibly be capable of get a seat on account of a last-minute cancelation). Some which are 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 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 unimaginable, energetic vibe, actually vibrant meals scene, and beautiful 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 liked it a lot (as did my associates). However, if yo solely have a couple 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 corporations 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 may go by yourself), encompassing the gorgeous work, ornate decorations, and big organ.

Mundo Alpaca – This free museum provides you a number 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 executed.) Plus, you may even feed a number of the animals on the middle.

Santa Catalina – Taking over 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 sequence of placing cloisters, chapels, and even an artwork gallery. I might advocate getting a information for 20 soles, so that you get extra historical past and context. The excursions final about an hour (however you may see it by yourself after as properly).

Yanahuara Mirador – Situated outdoors town middle, 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 price exploring (take a look at La Nueva Palomino, an unimaginable restaurant serving cheap Peruvian meals).

The Church of the Firm – That is one in all 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 Youngster by Bernardo Bitti) and gold altarpieces. Plus, you may go to the cloisters, which are actually a gallery!

For high quality eating, my two favourite spots had been China and Indigo, which each function progressive Andean meals. For a scrumptious Peruvian holes-in-the-wall, take a look at 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 greatest sandwiches and tea choice I got here throughout within the nation.

For the Colca Canyon, there’s a number of operators round. I went through the corporate Peru Hop. Most in a single day excursions value round $40 USD.

Days 8–12: Cusco
From Arequipa, you may both take an in a single day bus or fly to Cusco, an enormous metropolis with a number of actions and sights to discover. Don’t attempt to rush it. In actual fact, spend as a lot time right here as you may! It lives as much as all of the hype, and it’s full of 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 may inform, I really like a free strolling tour, and there are half a dozen corporations 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 massively spectacular construction and is unquestionably a must-see. You may rent a information outdoors the doorway, as there’s no signage right here. It’s additionally tremendous simple to get to (you may 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 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 was a church by the Spanish, however a number 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 nearly 500 objects on show right here, lots of that are n load from the Larco Museum in Lima (its father or mother museum). When you missed the museum in Lima, this can be a good one to see as an alternative since they cowl a number 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 turned 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 climbing, likelihood is you’re going to be chewing cocoa leaves, so you should definitely cease by. It’s small, however attention-grabbing!

Machu Picchu Museum – Be sure you see this museum earlier than you go to the positioning because it provides a number of historical past in regards to the web site 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 lovely convent is full of majestic tapestries, work, and cloisters, and encompasses a ornamental church. There’s little or no signage, however the pamphlet they offer you is actually 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 depart a bit to be desired, nevertheless it 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 biggest and most vibrant market on the town. If you wish to do any procuring, 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 a couple of good viewpoints too.

Then spend as many days you need 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 a must to stand up soooooo early from Cusco. As an alternative, I might go to Ollantaytambo the night time earlier than after which both take the practice or you are able to do hike from Km104. (For extra data on trekking Machu Picchu, take a look at this put up.)

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 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 ultimate day or two sightseeing and consuming earlier than flying dwelling.

Various Two-Week Itinerary

Conversely, for those who wished to go to the Amazon, you would minimize out Arequipa, preserve 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’ve got a full month, I might observe the above two-week itinerary but additionally add within the following:

Do extra climbing – There are such a lot of hikes within the Sacred Valley (and round Peru typically) that in case you have the time, you would hike as a lot as you need. You’ve gotten those I discussed about in addition to multi-day treks within the Colca Canyon, up north within the Amazon, and plenty of 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 study in regards to the jungle and river. In Iquitos, you may take 3-5 day river cruises.

Puno/Lake Titicaca – You may 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 super. I’d spend 2-3 days right here.

Mancora – Situated up north, Mancora is a well-known seashore city and an ideal place for world-class seafood. It’s form of a celebration spot, however you too can 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 too can 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, regardless of how a lot you could have (until 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 may and use the above solutions as a place to begin. Try this, and also you’ll you should definitely have a tremendous journey!