Tips for visiting Peru on this itinerary

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Peru and have estimated how many days I’ll spend in each place. Any advice on must-see sights and tourist traps to avoid? September–October

5 days in Lima

Bus: 07:00→13:30 or 06:00 to 09:30 (express) (3 hr 30 min journey) 3 days in Paracas (beach)

3 days in Nazca

3 days in Arequipa

3 days in Puno (Lake Titicaca)

5 days in Cusco

Thanks in advance

Hi Isabelle,

One initial thought everyone will share with you: Spend fewer days in Lima and **much, much, much** more in Cusco, which—along with the Sacred Valley—holds the top highlight of your trip. Eight days is the absolute minimum.

https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=7776366;#7776366 – I share my trip details here.

Hi,

Like Bruno, I think 5 nights in Lima is way too much.

It’s not the most exciting capital, nor the most interesting thing Peru has to offer. 2 nights upon arrival seems plenty to me.

I’d add more nights in Cusco and around Lake Titicaca—maybe even a side trip to the Bolivian side of the lake.

Make sure to check that there’s no coastal fog during the season you’re planning to visit.

Hi there,

Like Bruno, I think 5 nights in Lima is way too much. It’s not the most exciting capital, nor the most interesting thing Peru has to offer. 2 nights upon arrival should be enough. I’d add more nights in Cusco and around Lake Titicaca—maybe even a quick trip to the Bolivian side of the lake. Just make sure to check if there’s no coastal fog during the season you’re planning to visit.

I’d considered Copacabana in Bolivia, with Isla del Sol. But I’ve lost track of how much the visa costs now... Plus, you can already visit Amantani and Taquile, which keeps you busy on that side of the lake. 3 days is even a bit tight there.

Thanks everyone for your replies! It took me a while to update so I could fit in some excursions up north. I’ll take your advice into account

Hi there,

Right now, the political situation is even more tense in Bolivia... a few days ago, there was a fire on a bridge separating Bolivia from Peru.

Hello,

One day in Lima was enough for me. Why not spend 2 nights there (max) on the way back instead of at the start?

While the Pacific coast is worth a visit just to get to Arequipa, I wouldn’t spend too much time there. (A matter of taste!) It’s not in your itinerary, but I much preferred the Cordillera Blanca (Huaraz, Caraz). For the rest: Okay

Thanks, got it. I’ll check out all the options before finalizing

Thanks for your reply! I saw it. We’ve decided to postpone the trip until June next year. That’ll give me time to finalize the spots to visit.

Thanks, I’ll check it out.

Good resolution.

Hi there, As "Jalma" mentioned, 1 night in Paracas is enough for a boat trip—if you want to... Definitely avoid the Huacachina oasis; it’s a tourist trap and unsanitary. If you enjoy hiking, visiting Choquequirao is worth it—it’s the "little Machu Picchu." For us, crossing the Cordillera Vilcanota (Tinki-Phinaya) was unforgettable. We had time and preferred local buses. Happy planning...

Hi there, Well, I think Lima deserves more than a day or two. It's a huge city, of course. Crazy traffic, honking... but still, there’s quite a bit to see: the Lima Cathedral, Plaza Mayor, a long walk along the Pacific. You get lost, keep going until the "natural border" of the Rimac River—avoid that area, we didn’t stick around, just like Vargas Llosa... Pachacamac by bus, which lets you explore neighborhoods you wouldn’t have seen otherwise. The Larco Museum is great for archaeology, Huaca Pucllana, and taking the trambus packed like sardines as it speeds down part of the Pan-American Highway... Just keep wandering around randomly. It depends on how much time you have, but it’s worth it. At the same time as us, another tourist—an official one—Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia, didn’t see the same things we did. Then we headed to the "Cruz del Sur" company to go further south... slowly, though the speed and driving are more like R&R. Happy trails

Hello,

I think Lima deserves more than a day or two

I completely agree, and I think it's a shame that most travelers in Peru overlook the capital.

This gigantic metropolis may not be very beautiful, but it hides some real gems, especially in the historic center. This district is packed with architectural treasures: numerous churches and monasteries, beautiful patrician mansions with imposing Baroque portals and latticework balconies in the Mudéjar style. Lima is the city of balconies, which gives it a special charm. Wandering around the pedestrian streets of the center with your head in the clouds is a real pleasure. There are plenty of other pleasant neighborhoods south of the city: San Isidro, Miraflores, Barranco. The food scene there is also really interesting.

And then the museums are among the richest in Latin America for their pre-Hispanic collections, after Mexico City and Santiago (another capital that’s too often overlooked). If there’s only one museum to see in Lima, it’s the splendid Larco Museum. I think these museums are an essential complement to visits to Inca archaeological sites (Sacred Valley) and pre-Inca sites. I learned a lot there, for example, about the Nazca and Paracas cultures.

We spent two full weekends there at the beginning and end of our stay in Peru.

See HERE

For me, Colca Canyon is a must. But only if you like hiking. We were there in April this year and the blooming was stunning. It looked like huge living paintings when we looked at some of the canyon walls. We were also very lucky with the condors. We saw some during the ascent of the canyon and the next day at several viewpoints before hiking to the Chimpa fortress.

For Lima, I think it depends on your interests. For us, half a day by the ocean and another half-day in the city center was enough.

Five days in Cusco is indeed too short if you want to visit the Sacred Valley.

Three days in Paracas—I don’t see the point.

Between Lake Titicaca and Cusco, there’s also quite a bit to do. But again, it depends if you like hiking.

We also found the April-May period perfect for visiting southern Peru. There were flowers everywhere, few tourists, and the landscape wasn’t yet arid.

For Lake Titicaca, I recommend staying on the Capachica Peninsula. The locals can arrange a small boat to take you to the islands, and there’s also a water taxi to Amantani Island. We visited the Uros Titinos Islands, which are less touristy than the Uros Islands near Puno. We also spent a day on Taquile Island and a day and night on Amantani Island.

For me, Colca Canyon is missing. But only if you like hiking. We were there in April this year and the blooming was gorgeous.

Absolutely! We were there in May—it was stunning, and we were really lucky with the weather the whole trip.

For Lima, I think it depends on your interests. For us, half a day by the ocean and another half-day downtown was enough.

Unless you have a lot of time (at least 3 weeks), Peru is really all about the Andes: the Sacred Valley. So much to see between Lake Titicaca and Cusco/Machu Picchu. Then Arequipa, and if you love hiking, Colca Canyon! Lima didn’t leave me with any unforgettable memories, nor did the Pacific coast! For hiking, though, I’d also recommend the Cordillera Blanca (Huaraz/Caraz region). It’s amazing!

For hiking, though, I’d also recommend the Cordillera Blanca (Huaraz/Caraz region)

This region must be really nice for hiking.

We did a three-day trek to Ausangate Mountain. We loved it—the scenery was amazing. Sleeping in a tent at nearly 5,000 m was quite the experience. The trek let us reach Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain, early in the morning before the crowds arrived.

The food in Lima is to die for. But once you’ve seen the main archaeological sites, I think it’s better to spend more time in Cusco or Arequipa.

Our story here https://frenchiesinamerica.travel.blog/

hey Dede what do you mean by "à tomber"?

Gonna get sick for sure?😏

ah maybe yeah, that must be what that expression means 😉

Peruvian cuisine is recognized by professionals as one of the best.

Hi there, Here’s what I’d recommend seeing during your road trip. Lima: - Barranco (street art, local vibe) - Miraflores + Costa Verde (walks, sunset) - Historic center (Plaza Mayor, San Francisco convent) Avoid the "gastronomic tours"—they’re overpriced and not necessarily super interesting.

Paracas: - Ballestas Islands (for marine wildlife) - Paracas National Reserve - Sunset at La Mina / Lagunillas Watch out for overcrowded "express" combo tours and tourist-trap restaurants by the port.

Nazca: - Flight over the Nazca Lines (early morning) - Free terrestrial viewpoints - Antonini Museum One day there is enough, plus the two nights before and after. There isn’t much else to do in the area, in my opinion. This could let you spend an extra day in Paracas, for example.

Arequipa: - Santa Catalina Monastery - Plaza de Armas + colonial center - Colca Canyon (1 or 2 days)

Puno: - Uros Islands (short visit) - Taquile Island (more authentic) - Sunset over the lake

The city center isn’t very interesting.

Cusco: - Machu Picchu (book your ticket in advance if possible) - Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo) - Cusco + Sacsayhuaman All-inclusive Machu Picchu excursions are particularly expensive. The artisan markets are tourist traps.

Hope this helps!

Happy travels! !