Peru, located in the western part of South America, is renowned for its rich culture and diverse landscapes. From the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu to the vibrant city life of Lima, the breathtaking Amazon rainforest, and the dramatic Andes mountains, Peru offers a unique blend of history, adventure, and natural beauty. I had dreamed of visiting this destination for so long, and finally, in 2024, we made it! The landscapes, I had only seen in photos were even more breathtaking in person. The food, from high-end restaurants in Lima to quaint cafes on remote islands, was phenomenal and truly organic. This trip has definitely pushed Peru into our top three travel destinations. Honestly, I’d return just to savor more of the incredible food! 😀
We spent 16 days in Peru, and here’s how our trip unfolded:
Day 1: Arrival in Lima
We arrived in Lima early in the morning after a red-eye flight. Immigration was a breeze. With just one day in Lima, we stayed in the Miraflores area. After checking into our hotel and resting, we explored this vibrant coastal city.
Lunch: We dined at La Mar Cebichería, renowned for its ceviche. Arriving at opening time is crucial here as they don’t take reservations and can have long wait times.
Sightseeing: We visited the Huaca Pucllana Site Museum to see the impressive clay pyramid and ceremonial pits, then wandered through Kennedy Park, famous for its many cats. We strolled along El Malecón, though we missed parasailing due to the weather. We ended the day at Larcomar Mall and had dinner at Osaka, where the Nikkei cuisine truly blew us away.
Day 2-4: Amazon Rainforest
The next day we took an early morning flight from Lima to Puerto Maldonado. We were very excited to embark on one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems in the Amazon rainforest. We stayed at Tambopata Research Center which is located deep in the forest. The journey from the airport to the hotel was equally thrilling, as we navigated winding rivers, spotting wildlife adding an adventurous twist to the start of our stay.
Each day during our stay was filled with excursions starting at 5:00 AM. We hiked through a mesmerizing world of towering giants and lush undergrowth, offering a close-up view of the rainforest’s incredible biodiversity. Guided tours revealed the ecological significance and unique adaptations of these ancient trees, making for an unforgettable adventure. We encountered unique wildlife such as playful monkeys, capybaras, and caimans. The highlight was spotting vibrant macaws, parrots, and parakeets on a clay lick.
Day 5-6: Cusco
On Day 5, we checked out of the Amazon hotel in the morning, and our hotel had already arranged our transfer to the airport. With some time before our departure to Cusco, we visited the local market in Puerto Maldonado. This is a great place to buy native fruits and Brazilian nuts at a cheaper price.
We arrived at Cusco in the afternoon and spent the rest of the day relaxing at our hotel to acclimate to the altitude. In the evening, we went out to the city center, Plaza de Armas, to check out some shops. We had a lovely dinner at Kusykay, and I recommend reserving a table in advance as it is quite a popular place.
From this day onward, I booked daily excursions with Alpaca Expeditions. They have glowing reviews on TripAdvisor, and I can attest to their quality.
The next day, we had a Cusco city tour that started with a visit to the Cathedral and then to Q’oricancha. At Q’oricancha, we witnessed the building methods of the Incan culture. This was the key spiritual center of the Incas, which led to all four quarters of the Inca Empire. Our next stop was Sacsayhuamán, a majestic Inca site with its enigmatic 200-ton monoliths. After that, we visited Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
On this day we had lunch at Ofrenda and dinner at Organika restaurant. We liked Ofrenda more.
Day 7: Sacred Valley
We started the day by visiting Awanacancha, a weaving center and alpaca farm. It was so much fun. We saw llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos all in one place. Following that, we drove to the Pisaq Inca Ruins. There, we witnessed hundreds of terraces used for agriculture, where the Incas farmed corn, potatoes, and quinoa.
Next, we stopped at the Pisaq Market. I highly recommend this market for buying handcrafted souvenirs at affordable prices.
We had lunch in Urubamba at Café Su Laurent, where we tried their empanadas and coffee. Their Tres Leches cake was also delicious. Afterward, we drove to Ollantaytambo, an Incan checkpoint that protected Machu Picchu from enemies. Ollantaytambo is an excellent example of an intact Inca village, with its waterways running through the quaint streets of the town. We stayed at a hotel in Ollantaytambo that night, as we had a train to catch the next day for Machu Picchu.
Day 8: Maras, Moray, and Train Ride to Machu Picchu
Today, our first stop was the Maras Salt Mines. There are 3,000 salt pools, which act as evaporation chambers. They spill out of the mountain and cascade down the mountainside at 12,000 feet above sea level.
Next, we headed to the Moray Inca Archeological Center. The Inca used Moray to study farming. They built terraces and experimented with different vegetables.
After enjoying these circular terraces, we went to see Chincheros Incan terraces which were used as the perfect location to farm potatoes. This place also had a unique, colonial church, that was built by the Spaniards.
We drove back to Ollantaytambo to catch a train to Aguas Calientes which is a closest town to visit Machu Picchu. I had booked “Vistadome Observatory” train tickets for us and that was the best decision. This train ride offers an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Sacred Valley. With panoramic windows providing breathtaking views of the lush landscapes and ancient ruins, the train transforms the trip into a scenic adventure.
Day 9 & 10: Machu Picchu
This was the day I had been eagerly waiting for. We woke up early and joined the line to catch the very first bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu. We had booked a 6:00 AM ticket to see the sunrise over the ruins. Although it was raining that day, and the Machu Picchu ruins were initially covered with dense clouds, we were determined to wait. After some time, the rain stopped, and we saw Machu Picchu rising majestically from the cloud-kissed mountains, with its intricate stone terraces and temples blending seamlessly with the surrounding green peaks. Despite the initial disappointment, it turned out to be one of the best experiences of our lives.
We explored circuits 2, 3, and 4 with our guide. At 11:00 AM, we had booked an additional ticket to hike Huayna Picchu. This is an extremely strenuous hike, but if you can manage it, I highly recommend it. The climb rewards you with stunning panoramic views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding Andes with every step.
Due to its popularity, daily only 200 tickets for the Huayna Picchu hike are sold. Please make your booking well in advance.
The hike took us 2 hours to complete. We returned to town by 3:00 PM. That day, we had lunch at Ponchos Machupicchu Restaurant and dinner at Chullos Restaurant & Craft Beer. Both places served delicious food.
To fully appreciate Machu Picchu, I dedicated two days to the visit. The first day was guided, allowing us to explore with expert insight, while the second day was reserved for us to leisurely soak in the stunning vistas at our own pace.
We caught the afternoon train on our favorite “Vistadome Observatory” service back to Ollantaytambo. Our driver was waiting there to take us back to Cusco, where we arrived around 8:00 PM.
Day 11: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley
Today was the day we had been preparing for months: the hike to witness the awe-inspiring hues of Rainbow Mountain. With its surreal, vivid colors set against the backdrop of the Andes, it offers a breathtaking view. Adjacent to it, the Red Valley’s striking crimson terrain adds to the region’s dramatic beauty, creating a landscape that is both extraordinary and unforgettable. At an elevation of 16,000 feet, the hike is quite challenging. Fortunately, our acclimatization in Cusco helped us manage well, though I did experience a temporary headache.
To make the most of the experience and avoid the crowds, start your tour early, between 2:30 AM and 3:00 AM.
Day 12: Humantay Lake & Cusco Market
Nestled high in the Andes, Humantay Lake’s vibrant turquoise color contrasts beautifully with the snow-capped mountains. To visit the lake, we left Cusco at 4:00 AM, as it is a 3-hour drive. After a delicious breakfast, we started the hike at 8:00 AM. Although the hike is tough, the stunning views and peaceful atmosphere were worth every step. After spending some time marveling at the beauty and taking hundreds of pictures, we returned from the hike at 1:00 PM. Our tour company had arranged a delicious lunch for us. We arrived back in Cusco at 5:30 PM.
Since it was our last day in Cusco, we did some more shopping. The Cusco market is another excellent place to buy souvenirs.
Day 13: Train ride to Puno
Traveling from Cusco to Puno on the Titicaca Train was truly unforgettable. We were treated to stunning views of the Andean plains, sparkling lakes, and charming villages, along with sightings of herds of alpacas and llamas. The journey was made even more special with delicious local cuisine and lively cultural dances, making it both scenic and culturally enriching.
The Titicaca Train operates only on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. To check the latest schedule, visit this link.
Day 14: Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world so off course I had to add it in my itinerary. With its vast blue waters and stunning high-altitude views, the whole experience was breathtaking.
A highlight of the visit was the Uros Islands, where we had the opportunity to walk on the floating islands crafted entirely from reeds and experience the unique lifestyle of the Uros people. On Taquile Island, one of the local families served us the most delicious home-cooked lunch. I still dream about their quinoa soup.
In the evening, we flew back to Lima and stayed overnight.
Day 15: Ica, Ballestas Island, Sand dunes
Our trip to Ica was a thrilling adventure, beginning with a boat tour to Ballestas Islands, where we saw playful sea lions, smallest penguins, and seabirds in their natural habitat. Next, we visited the breathtaking sand dunes of Huacachina. Here, we enjoyed exhilarating dune buggy rides and thrilling sandboarding, all set against the stunning backdrop of endless desert sands. The real gem was the picturesque oasis of Huacachina, a lush, green haven nestled amid the vast golden dunes. The sight of this tranquil oasis against the dramatic desert landscape was truly unforgettable.
We wrapped up the day by driving to Nazca, where we spent the night.
Day 16: Nazca and Fly back home
Today, we took a small plane ride that offered an incredible aerial view of the Nazca Lines, revealing their vast scale and intricate designs. Seeing these ancient geoglyphs from above was mesmerizing, providing a unique perspective on the mysterious symbols etched into the desert. It was truly an unforgettable highlight of our trip.
The flight lasted about 45 minutes, and afterward, we drove back to Lima to catch our night flight home.
I know this itinerary is long, but I wouldn’t skip a single part of it. Each experience was unique and unforgettable. Peru is truly magnificent. If you have more time, consider exploring Lima to see even more of what the city has to offer.