Put simply, Peru is an exhilarating destination that has a habit of casting a spell over travelers. Encompassing an astounding range of extraordinary landscapes, cultures and attractions — Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, and the Peruvian Amazon, to name but a few — traveling to Peru takes some effort. So, keep reading for detail on how to plan a trip to Peru. Covering how to choose where and when to go, along with advice on when to do what throughout the process, it’ll make planning your perfect Peru trip a whole lot easier.
Before covering specific detail on how to plan a trip to Peru, we’ll take a moment to share tips that are applicable to all destinations that offer a similar level of diverse experiences i.e. places that require travelers to make a whole lot of decisions through the planning process.
First up, it’s best to plan your trip over several months to give yourself time to research your options and make informed decisions.
Planning in advance will also help keep costs down, and make sure you don’t miss out on popular experiences. For example, tickets for Machu Picchu have a daily limit.
If you’re traveling with your significant other, or as part of a group, we suggest setting up Google doc, or WhatsApp group so everyone can share ideas and keep abreast of plans as they take shape.
Lastly, through the planning process, be mindful of the fact that less is often more. That is to say, don’t overstretch your itinerary, give yourself a decent amount of time in each location, and leave yourself time to chill and seize opportunities to enjoy chance experiences.
That way you’ll really appreciate the joy of travel, as opposed to ticking places off your list as you rush from A to B.
Put off by the sound of the planning process? No problem. Explore our expert-curated Peru itineraries for inspiration and ready-made itinerary ideas. There are options covering 7 days in Peru, 10 days in Peru, plus an immersive 14 days in Peru itinerary.
Then contact our travel experts to have them curate your perfect Peru vacation for any duration.
Wondering how to plan a trip tp Peru? Set off on your planning journey early © Shutterstock
When to do this: at least 6 months before your trip to Peru
The first part of the planning process is to give thought to big-picture questions around what you want from your trip, including what you most want to see and do, and figuring out when’s the best time to do them.
Factors to consider while planning your trip to Peru
Cusco, Peru © Marco Alhelm/Shutterstock
When trying to decide when to go to Peru, the May to September dry season is, on balance, the best time to visit.
Weather conditions at this time of year are ideal for visiting top attractions like Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Cusco. In addition, Peru’s coastal areas experience mild temperatures and minimal rainfall through these months.
And the catch? This is also Peru’s high season for tourism, which means bigger crowds and higher costs.
Unsurprisingly, the low-season wet season (November to March) sees the lowest costs and smallest crowds, but heavy rainfall makes many trekking routes inaccessible, including the Inca Trail.
For a good balance of crowds, costs and weather, visit in the April or October shoulder season months. Just come prepared for unpredictable conditions, and keep your itinerary flexible to you can work round any rain.
Cusco, Peru © Shutterstock
Ideally, we recommend a 10-day Peru itinerary that covers key highlights like Lima, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca. This gives you enough time to experience Peru’s diverse landscapes without feeling too rushed.
Even better, a 14-day itinerary lets you dive deeper into each destination or squeeze in a few extra stops — perfect if you prefer a slower pace or want to explore beyond the usual hotspots. It all depends on your travel style — are you happy with frequent transfers and new accommodations, or do you prefer settling into one or two bases?
That said, if time is tight, a well-planned 7-day Peru itinerary can still pack in major sights. And if you're wondering how long to stay in Lima, at least a couple of days will let you experience its world-class food scene and historic districts. On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re backpacking through South America, a month in Peru will let you experience everything from Amazon jungles to Andean peaks at a relaxed pace.
Still not sure how long you need? Our local experts can guide you to your perfect Peru itinerary
As with the question of how long you need in Peru, costs are also pretty wide open, depending on your accommodation preferences (upscale, budget, or somewhere in between?), and the number of trips and tours you want to take.
Overall, Peru is considered to be an affordable destination, not least if you visit outside peak season, book flights and accommodation well in advance, and give yourself time to compare the costs of tours and trips.
In terms of the numbers, here’s an estimate of travel costs for 14 days in Peru.
Total: $1300–$2500 USD per person, excluding international flights.
Lima, Peru © Shutterstock
Depending on how long you decide to visit for, it might not be possible to include all of the following in your itinerary, but read on to discover some of the best places to visit in Peru during a first-time trip to Peru.
Capital of Peru, Lima is rightly celebrated for its food scene, historic sights, and coastal scenery.
While you’ll most likely only want to devote a couple of days to it, Lima is well worth lingering in for a little while before heading off on other adventures.
Perched high in Peru’s Andes Mountains, the iconic UNESCO-designated 15th-century Incan citadel of Machu Picchu is an absolute must-see.
Accessible via train to Aguas Calientes followed by a bus ride or a hike, you’ll need to book tickets well in advance.
Once the centre of the mighty Inca Empire, Cusco serves a stunning mix of archaeological sites and Spanish colonial architecture.
Tucked between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley is beloved by hikers and culture vulture alike — think picturesque villages, spectacular terraces, and notable Incan sites, including Ollantaytambo and Pisac.
Straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake.
A wildlife-rich natural reserve, visiting the Uros floating islands (they’re fashioned from reeds and home to unique indigenous cultures) is a highlight of any Peru itinerary
Located at the foot of an ice-capped volcano, El Misti, and known as the White City due to its sillar stone buildings, Arequipa is loaded with beautiful architecture, including the Santa Catalina Monastery. It also serves as a gateway to the Colca Canyon — more on that a little later.
Lovers of nature and wildlife will want to visit places like Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado in the Peruvian Amazon.
Citizens of many countries — including the US and UK — don’t need a visa for visits of under 90 days.
You just need a passport that’s valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date.
Want more practical guidance? Read our Peru travel advice.
Arequipa resident © Shutterstock
When to do this: 5 months before your trip
The first stage of planning the detail of your Peru itinerary is to make a list of everything you’re keen to experience.
Break this down, thinking about destinations you’re desperate to include, and the kind of experiences you’re looking for. For example, hiking, spending time in local villages, discovering Peruvian food, or surfing.
If you're not traveling solo, have each person in your travel party suggest, say, three must-see destinations.
Questions to ask and decisions to make:
Aguas Calientes Perurail train, which brings visitors to the base of Machu Picchu © Shutterstock
If you’re looking to cover several destinations and have limited time, getting around Peru is best done by internal flights.
And the good news is, all Peruvian cities lie within a two-hour flight from Lima.
If you have more time, and are on a budget, buses are a very affordable alternative to fights.
For short journeys and transfers, taxis, colectivos (shared vans) and local buses are easy to find in towns and cities.
Major cities are also served by taxi apps.
At the very least, you’ll want to spend 2-3 days in each place on your Peru itinerary.
Even then, you'll most likely barely touch the surface — something to consider when deciding how long to spend in each location, not least if you’re planning the likes of hikes, when it’s advisable to factor in time to rest up and enjoy cultural activities.
Rainbow Mountain, Peru © Shutterstock
Peru’s principle attractions were covered in our run-down of the best places for first-timers to visit — Lima, Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca and the Peruvian Amazon. So, here are more locations to consider adding to your itinerary long-list:
Nasca Lines, Peru © Shutterstock
Here’s an overview of the kinds of activities you can enjoy in Peru.
Top of Peru’s hiking tree is the iconic multi-day trek Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which takes you through Andean landscapes of ancient Incan ruins and cloud forests to the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu.
A word of warning — permits are strictly limited and must be booked months in advance.
Other top hikes include Colca Canyon — one of the world's deepest canyons, no less — and taking a trip from Cusco to hike Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca).
Keen to explore lesser-traveled trails? Check out the challenging Choquequirao hike, and other alternatives to the Incan trail.
Regions like Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado serve as gateways to the Peruvian Amazon, while the Ballestas Islands — often referred to as the “Poor Man's Galápagos” — aren’t at all poor when it comes to wildlife.
Take a boat tour from Paracas to see sea lions, penguins, and stacks of bird species.
Peru's northern coastline boasts lots of superb surfing spots, with towns like Huanchaco and Chicama, near Trujillo, known for their consistent waves.
Read up on the best things to do in Peru.
Colca Canyon, Peru © Shutterstock
When to start: at least 5 months before
To spread costs, secure your ideal schedule and accommodation — and stand a better chance of bagging a bargain — it’s best to book your main travel components early.
At this stage, you'll want to book:
Major U.S. airlines — including United Airlines and American Airlines — operate direct flights to Lima from Miami, New York, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Atlanta and Dallas.
Flight times are 6-6 hours, depending on your departure city.
From the United Kingdom, British Airways offers direct flights from London to Lima, with a flight time of 12-13 hours.
For the most favorable rates, use tools like Skyscanner's "Whole Month" feature
Discover more in our guide to getting to Peru.
When it comes to choosing where to stay in Peru, you’ll find a full range of offerings, from upscale international hotels, to basic rooms or shared dorms in hostels.
In recent years, in response to a growth in tourism, Peru has seen a rise in mid-range options.
Read our guide to Peru accommodation.
Inca Trail, Peru © Shutterstock
When to do this: at least 4 months before
Peru’s most popular attractions and activities get booked up quickly, and well in advance of the peak season.
To make sure you don’t miss out — and to save yourself stress and time when you arrive — be sure to pre-book all your must-do activities.
Decisions to make: what Peru attractions and experiences should be booked in advance?
Island and canoes on Lake Titicaca, Peru © saiko3p/Shutterstock
When to do this: three months in advance
A few months ahead of your trip, it’s a good idea to take care of some admin type tasks to avoid last minute panics, and to give yourself time to consider different options.
Decisions to make:
Travel insurance is 100% advised. Get peace of mind with a policy that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.
While many of Peru’s hotels, cafes, restaurants and airports offer free Wi-Fi, you might want to buy a local SIM card to enjoy reliable internet access throughout your stay.
Alternatively, pre-buying an eSIM offer the convenience of activating a mobile plan without needing a physical SIM card.
They're especially useful for travelers who want the peace of mind of setting up connectivity before arrival, such as the great-value service offered by Travelsim.
Aerial view of the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Peru © Shutterstock
When to do this: one week before
Around a week ahead of your flight, you’ll want to start pulling out stuff to pack, consider getting cash, and check your travel documents.
It’s a good idea to have digital and physical copies of booking confirmations to hand. You could also compile details of your day-to-day itinerary — with confirmation numbers, addresses and phone numbers — into one document, so you have everything in one easy-access place.
Decisions to make:
While major cities and tourist areas accept credit and debit cards, cash is essential for transactions in remote areas and local markets. It's also advisable to carry smaller denominations.
Peru's diverse geography results in varying temperatures, so your packing list will need to suit the different destinations you’re visiting, as well as the kinds of activities you have planned.
Temperatures can also fluctuate, especially in the Andes, so we suggest packing base layers, mid-layers, plus a waterproof outer layer.
You’ll also want sturdy hiking boots and water bottles for treks, and comfy shoes for city exploration.
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are essential due to Peru’s high altitudes and strong UV rays.
Insect repellent is particularly important if you’re visiting the Amazon region.
Peruvian market © Shutterstock
While you might not need a reminder to enjoy your trip, it can be easy to get caught up in thinking about the likes of transfers, checking into new hotels, and checking you really did book that all-important tour.
So, throughout your trip, be sure to give yourself time to relax, and to factor in flexibility to enjoy spur of the moment experiences.
Another way to increase your chance of relishing every moment of your trip is to enlist the support of our local travel experts to have them curate your ideal Peru itinerary.
That way, you can forget having to follow all the aforementioned tips on how to plan a trip to Peru. Our experts will take care of planning and booking every detail of your journey — including transfers, accommodation and tours — leaving you to free to (you guessed it!) relish every moment.
Rough Guides connects you with vetted Peru travel agents who create personalized trip plans from scratch based on your travel style, pace, interests, and budget. Instead of choosing from fixed packages, you can receive up to 3 different itinerary proposals, compare approaches from different local agents, and refine the preferred trip together until it fits the way you want to travel.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Peru