Peru Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips

Cusco is Peru’s most compelling city, combining layers of history from the days of the Incan empire, through the Spanish colonial period and right up to modern times. It is a place of grand monuments from the Spanish period juxtaposed with atmospheric Incan alleys. A city imbued with an almost tangible sense of history and a special mystical charm — a not-to-miss during a trip to Peru.In no particular order, here are the top 12 things to do in Cusco from visiting ancient ruins to attending weaving classes! 

Lima is one of the largest cities on the South American continent, a vast agglomeration and home to an estimated 10 million people. Founded in 1535, it is a city that is rich with history, cultural heritage and culinary traditions and it is also one of the most exciting destinations to visit on a Peru trip. Here is a list of ten things to keep you busy while you are there.

Aaah. Peru. Where do we even begin? The heart of the Great Inca Empire. The Land of the Incas. Home to the world-famous Machu Picchu. Not interested? How about sheer natural beauty in the form of the Great Amazon, exotic jungles, or breathtaking peaks. Still, need inspiration? What about fascinating walking trails. Rich and varied Peruvian gastronomy. Resurgent cities.Irrespective of where your interests lie, Peru always manages to entertain you with all sorts of sights and attractions that are sure to transform you into one of the most influential travel personalities on social media. Provided you manage to come back to reality and remember to click photographs! While the options are just about endless when it comes to things to do in Peru, we have managed to shortlist a few that become a part of most traveler itineraries in the country. Don't blame us if your hands are itching to book your next tour to Peru after reading this article! 

Located in the region where the tropical Andes meet the Amazonian lowland forest and covering almost two million hectares, Manu National Park in Peru is one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspots. Recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1977, the area is home to a staggering variety of plant and animal species, including giant otters, capybaras, peccaries, tapirs, jaguars, caiman, 13 different species of monkeys, over 1000 species of birds and over 1300 species of butterflies.Manu National Park is divided into three zones, the ‘cultural zone’, the ‘reserved zone’ and the ‘restricted zone’. Visitors are permitted to enter the cultural zone independently, where there are several native communities that welcome tourists. Access to the reserved zone is only possible through one of a very small number of tour companies that are allowed to operate there. The restricted zone is an area of pristine forest still home to a number of uncontacted tribes and is not open to tourists.

Machu Picchu is undeniably Peru’s premier tourist attraction and few visitors to the country fail to make their way to the hilltop ruins of the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Almost everyone has seen pictures of the enigmatic ruins nestling on their perch on top of a mountain, surrounded by swirling wisps of cloud. However, not everyone is so familiar with the highlights and unmissable sights within the complex. Here are 13 things to do in Machu Picchu to make your visit worthwhile (in no particular order). Note: Since Machu Picchu has seasonal weather, please do read our guide on the best time to visit Machu Picchu that can help plan your next adventure! 

Whether you’re planning a trip to Peru for outdoor adventures or history and culture, the best months to visit Peru will depend on the experiences you want. For a well-rounded holiday experience, the best time to visit Peru is during the dry season from May to September. The weather conditions are excellent around this time if you want to trek the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Visiting during the wet season from December to March provides lush landscapes and fewer crowds. However, some trekking routes may be challenging.Read on for a season-by-season analysis so you can pick your best time to travel to Peru.

Is there any city on earth more mysterious than Machu Picchu? Despite being one of the ‘New’ Seven Wonders of the World, the Peruvian citadel ruins date back to 1450 and were hidden away for nearly four centuries. You don’t need to be an archaeologist to appreciate a visit to this “lost” city of the Inca civilisation. Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the UNESCO World Heritage Site each year to explore the beautifully restored temples of Machu Picchu’s upper urban sector and the agricultural warehouses of its lower sector—not to mention the incredible Andes views. Reachable by train or, if you’re feeling adventurous, a trek via the Inca Trail, the spectacular views are a must-see during your visit to Peru.

January is the best time to explore Peru’s Pacific coastline at the height of summer. However, while coastal towns allow for ample beach activities, the Andean highlands are different. Expect frequent rainfalls in the region throughout the month if you are heading there. However, this is also the last month to hike the Inca Trail before the hiking route closes in February when the monsoon peaks.Take this opportunity to explore the Sacred Valley — usually packed to the brim during high seasons. Frequent downpours in the Amazon this month cause a swell in the water level, allowing visitors to embark on a boat tour to previously inaccessible parts of this jungle.

Since some of Peru’s most popular hiking trails are closed due to rain in February, this month is the best time to hit off the beaten tracks and explore the country’s hidden gems. Escape the capital to embark on a trip through lesser-known trails across the country. Take a cable car to the ruins of Kuelap Fortress, considered to be a religious center of the Chachapoyas people, or head for the arid Arequipa, which offers perfect mountain-biking conditions. For those interested in nature, there is Gocta Waterfall, while those into culture and history will feel at home among the mummified remains of the Leymebamba Museum.

Rain can be a hassle if you are heading for Peru in March as this is the last month of the wet season. However, if you can stand a bit of rain, the month still offers abundant travel opportunities to some of the best Peruvian destinations.

April marks the end of the wet season and the beginning of sunny days in Peru. This is one of the best months to visit the country as the weather is perfect for hiking. However, despite this being an ideal time to explore highlights like the Sacred Valley, the tourist traffic is still sparse compared with other months, making your trip much more enjoyable.

Peru is home to several wondrous sights that are the top of many travelers’ bucket lists. This complex and stunning country is home to colonial-heritage cities, dense Amazon rainforest, and a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and cultural attractions. Things to do in Peru range from exploring the dense jungle and deep canyons of the north to city-hopping and admiring pre-Columbian artwork on the coast so you will need a Peru travel itinerary that focuses on your tastes. Whether you’ve got just a few days spare to focus on one area of Peru, or you’re lucky enough to have a few weeks set aside for traveling, there’s plenty of Peru adventures to choose from. Peru itineraries will have you hiking through Manu National Park, one of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet, sampling ceviche, the country’s national dish and finding your way to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu on an adventure of a lifetime!

A 10-day Peru trip offers an ideal timeframe to explore the country's diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, from the colonial streets of Cusco to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, 10 days in Peru allows you to experience the country's most iconic sights.  Whether you’re after history, natural beauty, or thrilling adventures, our Peru 10-day itinerary ideas ensure you see the best this South American gem offers.

With 2 weeks in Peru, it is possible to enjoy some of the finest destinations that this country has to offer at a leisurely pace. Wander through the lively streets of Cusco, sail across Lake Titicaca, and explore Machu Picchu. Add a bit of nature to your 2-week Peru trip with a trip to the Colca Canyon and the cloud forests of Chachapoyas. Or explore the jagged, weathered cliff of Paracas National Reserve. For the venturesome, there is a trip to Huascaran National Park, located high in the Andes, while food lovers will find themselves at home in Lima. 

A week-long tour of Peru is enough to tick off the country’s top sites and attractions. You can go on a whirlwind tour around Lima and cover Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Alternatively, you can head into the high Andes or the humid rainforests of the mighty Amazon during your one week in Peru. In between, you can sample the best of Peruvian cuisine, absorb the ambiance of Cusco, or drift sedately across the world's highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca. 

Embark on an exhilarating 5-day trip through Peru, a land steeped in ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture. From jungle escapes to the enigmatic Machu Picchu and the diverse streets of Lima, our meticulously crafted Peru tours show off the highlights of Peru's attractions. Savor world-class Peruvian cuisine like tangy ceviche and flavorful lomo saltado along your journey. Whether you're drawn to the ancient mysteries of the Sacred Valley or the vibrant culture of Lake Titicaca, spending around 5 days in Peru guarantees an enriching travel experience!

From stark coastal desert landscapes to towering Andean mountains and lush Amazon forest, and from vibrant cityscapes of Lima and Cusco to ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru has much to offer its visitors. Ideally, you need at least two weeks to explore this megadiverse country properly. But if you are short on time, you can take a more focused approach to your Peru trip by honing in on specific destinations and activities. Over nine days, you could trek through the ancient Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu, zip-line through verdant rainforest canopies, and tour Lima and Cusco's historical and cultural sites. Here are some unique itinerary ideas for taking a trip of 9 days in Peru.