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Peru in 3 Weeks: 3 Recommended 3-week Itineraries to Peru

The floating reed islands of Los Uros visited when spending 21 days in Peru.
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Peru 3-week Itinerary options

Below are some Peru 3-week itinerary suggestions that will take you from the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu and the wildlife-rich Amazon rainforest to the mysterious Nazca Lines and the pristine beaches of the north coast.

Itinerary #1: Inca Trail and Beyond

Machu Picchu ruins with tourists with dramatic clouds.
Hiking the Inca trail, you will reach the ultimate tourist attraction of Peru which is the majestic Machu Picchu.
  Overview Activity Overnight
Day 1-2 Arrive in Lima to explore the colonial center and museums. Arrival and museum visits Lima
Day 3-4 Fly to Cusco, acclimatize, and tour the city. Transfer and sightseeing Cusco
Day 5-8 Trek the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Hiking Inca
Day 9 Explore Machu Picchu, then return to Cusco. Exploration Cusco
Day 10-11 Embark on a Sacred Valley tour, then visit Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Exploration Sacred Valley
Day 12-13 Journey to Puno and visit Uros floating islands on Lake Titicaca. Island exploration Puno
Day 14-15 Fly to Puerto Maldonado and prepare for an Amazon jungle lodge stay. Exploration Amazon
Day 16-17 Enjoy Amazon wildlife spotting and canopy walks. Wildlife spotting Amazon
Day 18-19 Fly to Arequipa and explore the White City and Santa Catalina Monastery. City sightseeing Arequipa
Day 20 Tour the Colca Canyon and return to Lima. Colca Canyon tour Lima
Day 21 End tour trip in Lima Departure  

This comprehensive 3 weeks in Peru itinerary offers a deep dive into the country's rich history and natural wonders. Begin in Lima before heading to Cusco and embarking on the iconic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. Explore the Sacred Valley's Incan sites and traditional markets, then journey to Lake Titicaca to experience the unique floating islands. Venture into the Amazon rainforest for wildlife encounters and canopy adventures. Conclude your trip to Arequipa and the stunning Colca Canyon. This route provides a perfect blend of archaeological marvels, cultural immersion, and natural beauty, allowing you to experience Peru's incredible diversity across various regions and ecosystems.

Itinerary #2: Cross-Country Adventure

An aircraft flying over the Nazca Lines as a part of a 21 day Peru trip.
Fly over the pre-Columbian geoglyphs insribed in the South Peruvian desert known as the Nazca lines.
Aerial view of Amazon Rainforest with a boat on a cloudy day
 Sail through the Amazon's wonders, encountering diverse ecosystems, wildlife, and indigenous communities in an unforgettable journey of exploration.
  Overview Activity Overnight
Day 1 Touch down in Lima and tour its historic center Arrival Lima
Day 2 Soar over Lima's Costa Verde, paragliding Paragliding Lima
Day 3 Fly to Cusco and acclimatize by sipping coca tea Transfer Cusco
Day 4 Investigate Cusco, then marvel at Qorikancha and the Cathedral Sightseeing Cusco
Day 5 Pedal through Sacred Valley on mountain bikes Mountain biking Sacred Valley
Day 6 Hike to Soraypampa Hiking Soraypampa
Day 7 Climb Salkantay Pass and descend to Chaullay Trekking Chaullay
Day 8 Trek through Lucmabamba Trekking Lucmabamba
Day 9 Complete the trek and arrive at Aguas Calientes Trekking Aguas Calientes
Day 10 Scale Machu Picchu, then return to Cusco Exploration Cusco
Day 11 Raft Urubamba River's white waters Rafting Cusco
Day 12 Fly to Iquitos Transfer Iquitos
Day 13 Master Amazon jungle survival skills Exploration Amazon
Day 14 Traverse canopy walkway and head out for a jungle cruise at night Canopy walk and night cruise Amazon
Day 15 Fly to Ica and sandboard Huacachina's dunes Transfer Ica
Day 16 Soar over Nazca Lines Flight Nazca
Day 17 Race dune buggies in Paracas National Reserve Dune buggying Paracas
Day 18 Jet to Mancora Flight Mancora
Day 19 Ride waves during surf lessons Surfing Mancora
Day 20 Bask on the beach or explore Mancora Beach relaxation Mancora
Day 21 Return to Lima for your departure Departure  

This action-packed Peru in 3 weeks itinerary combines this South American country’s most iconic sights with adrenaline-pumping activities, ensuring an unforgettable journey for adventure lovers. Start with paragliding over Lima's coastline, then head to Cusco for mountain biking in the Sacred Valley. Take on the challenging Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, followed by exhilarating whitewater rafting. Experience an Amazon jungle survival course near Iquitos, then sandboard the massive dunes of Huacachina. Fly over the enigmatic Nazca Lines and race through the desert in dune buggies. Conclude your adventure with surfing in the beach town of Máncora.

Itinerary #3: Nature and Wildlife Expedition

Rocky coast of the Palomino Islands.
Sail from between the stunning rocky formations of the Palomino Islands.
  Overview Activity Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Lima Arrival Lima
Day 2 Sail to Palomino Islands Boat tour Lima
Day 3-4 Fly to Puerto Maldonado for hiking, then venture into Amazon Lodge Hiking and Amazon stay Amazon
Day 5-6 Explore Tambopata National Reserve and observe macaws at the clay lick Wildlife spotting Amazon
Day 7-8 Fly to Cusco. Transfer Cusco
Day 9-10 Tour Sacred Valley and climb Machu Picchu Exploration Cusco
Day 11-13 Travel to Manu National Park and trek its cloud forest Hiking Manu National Park
Day 14 Cruise to Ballestas Islands Cruise tour Paracas
Day 15 Traverse Paracas National Reserve Scenic tour Paracas
Day 16 Fly to Iquitos, board the Amazon River cruise Cruise tour Amazon
Day 17 Sail the Amazon River, interact with native communities Community visit Amazon
Day 18 Investigate Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve Wildlife excursion Amazon
Day 19 Fly to Arequipa and drive to Colca Canyon Scenic drive Colca Canyon
Day 20 Explore Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge Wildlife spotting Lima
Day 21 Departure from Lima Departure  

This nature-centric 21-day Peru itinerary showcases the country's incredible biodiversity. Start with a boat trip to the Palomino Islands near Lima to see sea lions. Venture deep into the Amazon rainforest from Puerto Maldonado, exploring Tambopata National Reserve and witnessing the spectacular macaw clay licks. After a cultural interlude in Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, immerse yourself in the varied ecosystems of Manu National Park. Explore the marine life of the Ballestas Islands and the desert landscapes of Paracas National Reserve. Experience an Amazon River cruise from Iquitos and visit the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Observe Andean condors in the Colca Canyon before concluding your trip at the Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge near Lima.

Need help in planning your 3-week itinerary to Peru?

With 3 weeks in Peru, you can delve deep into the country's rich history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant culture. From ancient Incan citadels to lush Amazonian rainforests, from coastal deserts to Andean peaks, Peru offers an incredible array of experiences. Whether you're a history buff, adventure seeker, culture enthusiast, or nature lover, Peru has something to captivate every traveler.

If you are looking for more Peru 3-week itinerary options, contact our travel experts to create your own customized Peru trip that meets your specific interests and travel style. For a seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit Peru. For more duration-related article, check out our guide on how many days to spend in Peru.

Other related articles:
10 days in Peru
12 days in Peru
2 weeks in Peru

Plan a trip to PeruWe offer different tour types. You can also chat with a local travel specialist if you want a customized tour to Peru.
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