📍 Peru

PERU ESSENTIALS: FROM PACIFIC COAST TO MACHU PICCHU WONDER

Q: What weather should you expect?

Dry Season (May-September): Peak tourist season with minimal rainfall, clear skies, and excellent conditions for Machu Picchu and highland trekking. Highest prices but best weather. Shoulder Season (April, October): Good weather with moderate crowds and prices. Excellent balance of conditions and value, still dry enough for most activities. Wet Season (November-March): Higher rainfall, especially in highlands, but lush landscapes and fewer tourists. Inca Trail closed in February, coastal areas remain accessible. Regional Variations: Coast has minimal rainfall year-round, highlands have distinct wet/dry seasons, Amazon rainforest hot and humid with variable precipitation.

Condors soaring above abysses, Inca stones fitting without mortar, cloud forests enveloping lost citadels. Peru's ancient spirit.

≈ 16

Days

2172

Stops

📖 7 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Taste Lima and its ceviche, then glide to Paracas and its bird-filled cliffs. Race down the dunes of Huacachina, reach Arequipa and its white stone, then follow Colca Canyon to meet the condors. End on Lake Titicaca with the Uros, before Cusco and Machu Picchu, where Inca stone touches the clouds.

Machu Picchu: lost citadel clouds
Cusco: Inca walls colonial splendor
Colca Canyon: condors soar deep
Huacachina: desert oasis golden dunes

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day

Lima

ceviche capital colonial centre pacific clifftop

9 photos

Day 1

🔍

Discover

Discovery of the Miraflores district and the Costa Verde promenade

Visit to the Museo Larco, famous for its pre-Columbian collections

Exploration of the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site

🎯

Activities

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Dinner in the bohemian neighborhood of Barranco

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Walk through the Surquillo market to discover local products

Day

Lima

ceviche capital colonial centre pacific clifftop

9 photos

Day 2

🔍

Discover

Visit to the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI)

Discovery of the LUM Museum dedicated to memory and tolerance

🎯

Activities

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Gastronomic tour or cooking class via Airbnb Experiences

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 260 km

Travel time: 4h

Day

Paracas

desert peninsula marine life ballestas islands

9 photos

Day 3

🔍

Discover

Excursion to the Paracas National Reserve to observe marine wildlife

🎯

Activities

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Cruise to the Ballestas Islands

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Relaxation by the sea in Paracas

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 75 km

Travel time: 1h30

Day

Huacachina

oasis dunes sandboarding buggy adventure lagoon

10 photos

Day 4

🔍

Discover

Exploration of the Huacachina oasis

Discovery of the Nazca Lines from a viewpoint or by overflight

🎯

Activities

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Sandboarding session on the dunes

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Dinner in a traditional picanteria

🚗

Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 570 km

Travel time: 10h

Day

Arequipa

white city volcanic stone santa catalina

8 photos

Day 5

🔍

Discover

Visit to the historic center of Arequipa and the Basilica-Cathedral

Discovery of the Santa Catalina convent

🎯

Activities

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Hot springs in the Colca valley

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 114.9 km

Travel time: 1h55

Day

Colca Canyon

condor cross sunrise terraced depths ancient

10 photos

Day 6

🔍

Discover

Day trip to the Colca canyon

Observation of Andean condors at the Cruz del Condor viewpoint

🎯

Activities

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Walk in the artistic district of San Blas

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Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 420 km

Travel time: 8h

Day

Cusco

inca foundations spanish churches altitude magic

10 photos

Day 7

🔍

Discover

Discovery of the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral of Cusco

Visit to the Qorikancha temple

🎯

Activities

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Discovery of San Pedro market and tasting of local products

Day

Cusco

inca foundations spanish churches altitude magic

10 photos

Day 8

🔍

Discover

Visit to the fortress of Sacsayhuamán

Exploration of the pre-Columbian art museum

🎯

Activities

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Walk in the Inca village and its cobblestone streets

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 70 km

Travel time: 1h30

Day

Ollantaytambo

living inca town fortress terraces sacred

9 photos

Day 9

🔍

Discover

Visit to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo

🎯

Activities

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Optional hike to the Sun Gate or Huayna Picchu mountain

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 45 km

Travel time: 1h

Day

Machu Picchu

lost citadel sunrise huayna picchu clouds

10 photos

Day 10

🔍

Discover

Exploration of the mythical site of Machu Picchu with local guide

🎯

Activities

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Festive dinner and free evening in the historic center

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 45 km

Travel time: 1h

Day

Cusco

inca foundations spanish churches altitude magic

10 photos

Day 11

🔍

Discover

Return to Cusco and visit to the Machu Picchu museum

Visit to the Franciscan convent of Cusco

🎯

Activities

→

Farewell dinner at a seafood restaurant in Miraflores

→

Vol prochaine étape

🚗

Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 572 km

Travel time: 10h

Day

Lima

ceviche capital colonial centre pacific clifftop

9 photos

Day 12

🔍

Discover

Last stroll in Barranco and visit to art galleries

🎯

Activities

→

Farewell dinner at a seafood restaurant in Miraflores

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

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🛡️ Travel advice - Peru

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Dry Season (May-September): Peak tourist season with minimal rainfall, clear skies, and excellent conditions for Machu Picchu and highland trekking. Highest prices but best weather.

Shoulder Season (April, October): Good weather with moderate crowds and prices. Excellent balance of conditions and value, still dry enough for most activities.

Wet Season (November-March): Higher rainfall, especially in highlands, but lush landscapes and fewer tourists. Inca Trail closed in February, coastal areas remain accessible.

Regional Variations: Coast has minimal rainfall year-round, highlands have distinct wet/dry seasons, Amazon rainforest hot and humid with variable precipitation.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 13 and 19 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Peru?

Incan heritage with Machu Picchu, Amazon rainforest, and incredible cuisine. Experience ancient civilizations, traditional cultures, and natural beauty. The country offers cultural immersion with adventure activities and culinary excellence. Peru provides transformative experiences with historical significance and natural wonders. ⚠️ SAFETY NOTE: Peru is generally safe in tourist areas with good infrastructure along main tourist routes. Exercise standard precautions regarding petty crime in cities, avoid displaying valuables, use official transportation, and stay in established tourist zones. Some remote areas and certain Lima neighborhoods should be avoided.