Peru is considered a great place to visit, offering a diverse range of attractions and experiences. It boasts a rich cultural history, stunning natural landscapes, and a vibrant culinary scene.
Peru is a country full of magic and charm. It is a country that has it all. A magnificent coastline with beautiful beaches and beautiful cities starting with Lima, its capital. A jungle with incredible experiences in the Amazon and aboard the majestic cruise ships. A highland with so much culture and history, with fascinating Lake Titicaca full of charm and the great Seventh Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu. And much more; Peru is a country not to be missed!
Now, how many days do you need in Perú?
It all depends on your availability and preferences. If you like history, archeology and culture, you could spend between 10 and 15 days touring the north and south of the country.
If you like fun, sightseeing and good food, it could be about 7 days.
And if you like everything, if you want to get involved in the day-to-day life, customs, historical and tourist sites, I would say about three weeks.
But let’s be a bit more detailed and see what could be done in different lengths of stay
To get a good sense of Peru’s diverse attractions, a 7–14-day trip is often recommended. However, shorter trips of 3-5 days can still be rewarding, particularly if you focus on specific areas like Lima and Cusco, or just Machu Picchu. If you’re interested in exploring multiple regions, like the coast, highlands, or Amazon, a two-week trip allows for a more comprehensive experience.
One week suggested itinerary
As mentioned above, in one week you can visit:
- Lima – 3 days
- Cusco – 4 days with Cusco City, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Lima is a vibrant and bustling capital city with a fascinating blend of history, culture, and modernity. It’s known for its diverse neighborhoods, delicious cuisine, and lively nightlife.
You can’t miss a tour of the various restaurants in the capital. Peruvian food is a luxury; it is one of the best foods in the world without any doubt. Lima is renowned as the “gastronomic capital of the world,” offering a diverse range of culinary delights from Peruvian cuisine to international flavors. Expect to be impressed by fresh seafood, unique ingredients, and fusion dishes.
Cusco is a vibrant and historical city located high in the Andes mountains of Peru. It’s renowned for its Inca and colonial architecture, its rich cultural heritage, and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves as a gateway to Machu Picchu and other ancient sites, attracting tourists seeking to explore the Inca Empire and its legacy.
Two weeks suggested itinerary
We could suggest:
- Lima – 3 days
- Arequipa – 3 days
- Puno – 3 days
- Cusco – 5 days
Lima – Visit the downtown and colonial area, visiting the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, the Plaza de Armas, museums and old mansions.
In the residential and bohemian neighborhoods, Miraflores full of life and things to do. Barranco, full of magic, bohemian area where many artists live and has several museums. San Isidro, very elegant neighborhood full of parks and tourist areas.
Arequipa – Arequipa, the legendary White City, where its noble history can be felt in the air, beneath the eternal watchful gaze of its volcanoes. This is apparent in the walls of its streets, buildings and churches; in the wonderful geography that has created a fertile valley.
The Colca Canyon with a depth of about 1000 – 2000 m (3300 – 6600 ft) (whereas bottom is at cca 2000 m and edges are at 3000 – 4000 metres above the sea level), it is one of the deepest canyons in the world.
Puno – Where the highest navigable lake in the world is located, Lake Titicaca with its own life and its native islands full of charm and where Local communities believe that the shape of the lake depicts that of a puma hunting the rabbit. Puno is also the capital of Peruvian folklore and known for its vibrant dances and festivities, particularly the Festival of the Virgin of La Candelaria.
Cusco – It is a vibrant and historical city located high in the Andes mountains of Peru. It’s renowned for its Inca and colonial architecture, its rich cultural heritage, and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves as a gateway to Machu Picchu and other ancient sites, attracting tourists seeking to explore the Inca Empire and its legacy.
The Incas considered Cusco to be the “navel of the world”, capital of the Empire and the center from which lines of spiritual power, or “ceques” radiated to all key points of their cosmological universe.
Magic city, with a life of its own, full of charm in every corner. Churches, nearby monuments, colors, aromas and flavors. Cusco is that and much more including its bars and restaurants and an intense night life.
With its experiential Sacred Valley that includes towns and experiences as specific as Pisac, Chinchero, Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo and so on.
These villages are the way to the most enigmatic and full of emotions citadel, the seventh wonder of the modern world, Machu Picchu.
Try the famous Inca Trail.
Three weeks suggested itinerary
Well, in this long stay you can visit much more and more calmly and enjoy every corner of the country where you will learn about culture, customs, colors, flavors and much more.
We could suggest:
- Lima – 3 days
- Paracas & Nazca – 3 days
- Arequipa – 3 days
- Puno – 3 days
- Cusco – 5 days
- Amazon Jungle – 4 days
We have already mentioned the highlights of Lima, Cusco, Arequipa & Puno. Let’s take a look at the other cities.
Paracas. Town very close to Lima, in the near south. Paracas a very important place for the history of Peru, full of wild fauna and flora, a natural paradise on the coast, preserved in the Paracas National Reserve, making the area the only protected area in the country. You can observe animals such as dolphins, Humboldt penguins, sea lions or parihuanas, among others, thanks to the different excursions offered to tourists.
Nazca. Nazca, on the other hand, offers the mysterious glyphs that were imprinted in the Peruvian desert 1,700 years ago. Traced on one of the driest deserts in Latin America, the Nazca Lines have human forms. Mystical birds. Sacred animals. Impossible geometric shapes. And all on a grand scale, traced on the desert in south-central Peru over hundreds of hectares.
The Amazon Jungle
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Peru. Explore pristine wilderness, encounter exotic wildlife, and immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity of one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems.
We offer cruises of different days of duration. Experiences mostly very glamorous. The best Amazon cruises explore the remote reaches of this fairytale forest. Witness the playful pink river dolphins in the headwaters of the Amazon in Peru; Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve aboard some of the most luxurious Amazon cruises available, or see the kaleidoscopic colors of the clay licks in the Ecuadorian Oriente.
