Your Perfect Peruvian Adventure
Looking to plan the perfect Peru trip? Whether you’re a budget backpacker, planning a few weeks holiday or simply interested in visiting this wild and wonderful country - I’ve got you covered. Read on to hear about my top places to visit, recommended places to stay, how to get around, the most fun activities and more!
Must-see places to visit:
Huaraz
Info:
This northern Peruvian city is known for its snowy-capped peaks, crystal blue lagoons and a kingdom for Andean adventure. A hikers paradise, immerse yourself in the mountains and trek to your hearts content.
Lake 69, Huaraz
Things to do:
Lake Paron. 1 day visit which costs around £11 per person for a tour. The trip includes a guide, national park entry and transport to and from the lake. Take a packed lunch because food is not included and the journey is long and not for the faint hearted - prepare yourself for getting driven down some pretty hair raising roads!
Lake 69. If you have done a bit of research into Peru you will likely have come across this astounding lake (and it really does look like the pictures). It is a must see in Huaraz. Similarly to Lake Paron, it is a 1 day visit, costs around £11 per person and includes all the same things. Please take care when doing this hike and make sure you acclimatise to the altitude prior - it is not easy, it consists of 3 hours of uphill walking to get there and the lake sits at a hefty 4600m above sea level.
Pastoruri Glacier. 1 day, £10 per person again same things included in the tour as above. Interesting spot but sadly this glacier is retreating at a very fast rate and it is not as impressive as it used to be. Worth the visit if you have time but not worth compromising either of the above lakes if you don’t.
Santa Cruz. 4 day trek through the Cordillera Blanca. Just over 30 miles and costs anywhere between £100-£250 for the whole trek. We skipped this as we planned to trek elsewhere in Peru.
Huauhuash Cordillera. 10 day trek. Do your research on this one - its a hell of a distance and 10 days trekking is extremely intense, again we didn’t do this but would recommend if you are big on trekking and want to see some spectacular mountainous views.
Where to stay:
Aldo’s Guesthouse. £6.60 per night for a private room including breakfast. Located right in the town centre, has hot water showers and the owner can organise all your trips for you. Also provides a washing service for cheap.
Food/ Drink:
Cafe Andino. Bit of a tourist hotspot but there’s a reason - great food, lively atmosphere and craft beers.
Mercado Central de Huaraz. Local market to pick up fresh food for cheap.
How to get there:
If you flew into Lima your best option is to take the overnight bus. We used a company called Cruz Del Sur (we used this company throughout most of our time in Peru and found them really comfortable and reliable). You can catch the bus from the Javier Prado stop in Lima, and can also book your tickets online in advance using their website: https://www.cruzdelsur.com.pe/
Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days
Huacachina
Info:
This place is a desert oasis located just outside of Ica. Centred around a tiny village with a green lagoon, it really is like something from a fantasy novel. Perfect for adrenaline seekers, and those who like a good sunrise. Definitely don’t miss out on this unique location.
Birds Eye view of Huacachina
Things to do:
Sand boarding & Dune buggying. An essential activity whilst in Huacachina. A guided tour will cost you £7 per person for a 2 hour race across the sand on a buggy. Trust me when I say these drivers do not go easy - you will be heading over the edge of sand dunes at full speed, and plummeting down the other side. After the dune buggying, you can hop on a sand board and surf down the side of some pretty steep dunes. So much fun and probably one of the best things we did in Peru! To top it all off, you are driven back to the village to watch the sunset.
Walk up to the top of the dunes for sunrise or sunset (though I’d recommend sunrise more), it’s tough but the reward is worth it. The most unbelievable views of desert for miles around and a birds eye view of the village.
Ica Winery Tour. £7 per person for 3 hours of booze induced laughs. You are taken to 3 wineries, starting at the most prestigious and pleasing on the eye, followed by a traditional winery where you can sample Pisco straight from the pot. The final stop is where you really get to taste a variety of different wines and liquors. On arrival we were asked ‘are you ready to get drunk?’ to which we replied ‘why do you think we came on this tour?!’.
Where to stay:
Desert Nights hostel. £12.50 per night for a private room. You can use the pool of the gorgeous sister property next door for free.
Food/ Drink:
Ecocamp Huacachina. Great cheap breakfasts and serves food poolside all day long for a decent price.
Desert Nights Restaurant. Nice food with a terrace where you can sit and look out onto the crazy dunes while you eat. Food a little more pricey but worth it for outdoor seating with a view.
Wild Olive. Really great pizzas.
Note: If you want to cook for yourself during your time here you should visit a supermarket in Ica before heading into Huacachina, because there are literally no shops to pick up essentials to cook a decent meal. You’re limited to a tiny corner shop with things like crisps and fizzy drinks.
How to get there:
You will need to take a bus to the nearest town called Ica. There are transport links there from other major cities in Peru like Lima, Arequipa or Cusco. Again we used the company Cruz Del Sur to book our tickets. Super comfortable buses and always on time. From Ica you can take a taxi to Huacachina which takes 10 minutes and should cost about £2.
Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days
Cusco
Info:
Once the capital of the Inca Empire, the base for trekking to Machu Picchu, Cusco is known as the historical centre of Peru. An unmissable stop on your journey around the country. If you only have a limited time here - you absolutely HAVE to stop in Cusco.
Rainbow Mountain
Things to do:
Rainbow Mountain. 1 day trek, actual hiking time takes around 3-4 hours depending on your ability and how well you cope with the altitude. Rainbow Mountain sits at a breathtaking (literally) 5200m above sea level. The altitude here hits you hard and you need to take it seriously. Drink plenty of coca tea the morning of your hike, rest up and acclimatise in Cusco for at least a day before if you haven’t been in altitude before. Tour costs around £11 per person which includes experienced guides (needed due to the altitude), transport, breakfast, lunch and entry. You can arrange your tour in Cusco through your hostel or by visiting one of the vendors on the main square (more about that further down the blog).
Wander round the Plaza De Armas (main square). Check out the historical centre, meander down the beautiful streets, grab a coffee or do some window shopping. Spend an afternoon just enjoying the historical centre of Cusco, how about checking out local artists or even getting your shoes shined/cleaned?
San Pedro Market. Really cool market in Cusco, free to enter and you can find pretty much any Peruvian wares and food inside. Lots of different sections on offer including clothing, jewellery, fruit/veg stalls, mini food stalls for lunch, there’s even a section dedicated to making smoothies - you can select the fruit you want in your smoothie and the vendor will make it fresh right there in front of you! So tasty and super cheap.
ATV Tour. Costs around £10 per person for 2 hours of galavanting around on ATVs through the Sacred Valley. Our tour included a visit to the Salt Mines near Urubamba, and return transport from Cusco.
Visit the Sacred Valley. Lots of options here but the 2 main towns I would recommend are Urubamba or Ollytaytambo. Great little areas to explore - Ollytaytambo particularly has a lovely town square with plenty of places to eat and shop.
Where to stay (A few recommendations are as follows):
Chusay Rooftop Hostel. £4 per night private room. The cheapest price we paid for a private room for our whole time in Peru and this place did not disappoint. Super busy and sociable, 10 minute walk from the main square and a really great rooftop looking over the city. A must stay.
Samay Wasi Hostel. £12 per night for a private room. Again really great location in the historical centre, includes breakfast and has really nice hot showers. Similarly to Chusay it also has a lovely outdoor terrace area looking over the city.
Airbnb Apartment. £14 per night for an entire apartment. As Cusco was slap bang in the middle of our Peru trip we had a few things to cover here. We opted to refresh ourselves in an apartment and have our own space for a few days. This place was absolutely perfect, hot showers, 5 minute walk from the centre, fully equipped kitchen and heater. Link: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/11928729
Sol Y Luna. The Sol Y Luna is a stunning property encircled by the majestic Andes Mountains of the Sacred Valley, specifically Urubamba This very special hotel creates an unforgettable experience for their guests, their generosity towards hosting really knows no bounds. I would seriously recommend booking to stay here for a few nights during your trip, this magical place is somewhere we will cherish forever. During your stay it is also possible to visit the Sol Y Luna Association - a school and home for the most vulnerable children in the Sacred Valley region, if you get the opportunity to visit here it is such a heartwarming and eye opening experience.
Food / Drink:
Organika. Beautifully presented and tasting food, great for veggies, reasonable price for what you get.
Cappuccino Cafe. Slightly pricey but you are paying for the gorgeous view over the main square. Get a coffee with a window seat and people watch over the terrace!
How to get there:
Bus. You can take a bus from many major cities in Peru (Lima, Arequipa, we even came from Ica), usually overnight buses.
Fly. You can opt to fly from Lima if you are short of time, multiple airlines fly this route so check out Skyscanner for the best deals.
Recommended length of stay: 7-8 days
Machu Picchu
Info:
The infamous wonder of the world, a symbol of the Inca Empire, the mysterious Machu Picchu. There is a reason it is world renowned for its spectacular beauty, a truly remarkable place and an absolute ESSENTIAL on your Peru itinerary - but I’m sure you already knew that!
Machu Picchu
Options on how to get there:
Trekking
Jungle Inca (Personal recommendation). In my opinion this is the BEST option to get to Machu Picchu. The trek includes 4 days and 3 nights of adrenaline filled madness! Each day is filled with a new and exciting activity. Day 1 includes Mountain Biking and White Water Rafting. Day 2 includes an 18km trek through the jungle, we stopped at lots of interesting places along the way including eating chillies right from the plant, trying fresh coca leaf, being made local passionfruit juice and iced coffee, tasting homemade tequila and chicha, riding a dodgy cable car across the river and finishing the day at some beautiful hot springs. Day 3 includes Zip Lining and some more hiking down the Machu Picchu train track, and on the final Day 4 you hike up to Machu Picchu! Whole tour is much cheaper than the other multi day treks and typically costs between £120-£250 per person. Plus you stay in comfortable hostels each night. If you have an ounce of thrill seeker in you trust me when I say this tour is your best option!
Classic Inca. 4 days 3 nights. Walk in the footsteps of the Incas as you discover astonishing archeological treasures. The most popular and well known trek to Machu Picchu, but also the most expensive option, typically prices are between £600-£1000 for the entire tour.
Salkantay. 5 days 4 nights. Another alternative to the classic Inca trek. This one is for the hiking lovers - snowy peaks, beautiful scenery and incredible hiking trails is what you’re in for. You’re typically expected to walk around 20km per day. Costs anywhere between £250-£500 per person.
Train
Day trip. Want to just visit Machu Picchu for the day? Of course it’s possible. You can book a day trip which includes your train ride to and from Ollytaytambo (where the trainline to Machu Picchu starts), your entry and a tour guide to go with you. Prices for this drastically vary depending on season and if your tour includes any extras.
Other trips:
2 day 1 night tour. This particular tour doesn’t have a standard name and the itinerary varies between tour operators, but it is possible to do a Machu Picchu ‘highlights’ tour where if you are short on time but want to experience more than just a day, you can do a fast track tour of various sights on route to the mountain. Typically between £100-£200 per person.
If none of the above tours like they fit your needs, there are a huge variety of tours on offer to Machu Picchu so shop around in Cusco main square and online to see what type of thing you want to do. There is something for everyone.
Advice and important information:
How and where should you book your tour?
If you are looking to book the Classic Inca Trek its advised that you book this tour online or through a tour operator over 4 months in advance, and in high season sometimes even 6 months in advance to secure a spot.
For other trekking options it is possible to book them when you arrive in Cusco. The best place to book is in the Plaza De Armas (the main square in the historical centre). There are countless vendors around the square, I would recommend actually going into one of the travel agents as opposed to the street sellers. Remember there is always room to barter down from the first price you are quoted and have in mind the prices I mentioned above for each trek. We paid £180 per person for our Jungle Trek and we booked 1 week before in the main square.
What should your tour include?
Whichever tour you book it is important to discuss with your vendor or tour operator exactly what is going to be included in your tour, this is because its possible to get stung by hidden prices along the way which can make a great price much more expensive by the end of your tour. Here is a list of the things your tour should typically include:
Bus transportation on your first day out of Cusco
Experienced guide (make sure you request English speaking if needed - but most guides are English speaking anyway, just as a precaution)
For trekking - 3 nights minimum in a hostel or if you choose the Classic Inca trek 3 nights camping equipment
Most meals should be included (excluding ones mentioned below)
Entrance to Machu Picchu
Transport returning from Machu Picchu on your last day (Shuttle or Train - if you opt for the train this should also include a transfer from Ollytaytambo train station back to Cusco)
What does your tour usually NOT include?
Drinks, INCLUDING WATER! This is something that bugs me but it is what it is - water is not included in most tours but there are countless vendors, shops and areas to buy water on your trek / route to Machu Picchu, your tour guide will stop at these places and point them out to you.
Lunch on your last day is usually not included.
Breakfast on your first day is usually not included (but tours stop at a breakfast stop on the way to the starting point and you can pick up something cheap).
IMPORTANT NOTE: When you book your tour you should be asked to choose which option you want to go with to return to Cusco on the final day after visiting Machu Picchu - either Train or Shuttle. With either option you need to make your way by yourself to either the train station or the shuttle pick up point. The train station is located in the town nearest Machu Picchu called Aguas Calientes (very easy to get to not much walking required). However the shuttle bus pick up point is usually around a 2 hour hike to a town further away (this varies across treks and tour operators), so you need to make sure you leave Machu Picchu with enough time to hike back to make the shuttle on time. The train is obviously the more expensive option but personally we felt it was worth it - we were not rushed at Machu Picchu (our worst nightmare given the reward of finally getting there), after 4 days of extensive exercise we didn’t want to have to walk any further after seeing Machu Picchu and finally the train is a great experience in itself!
Bus up to Machu Picchu. On some treks (excluding the Classic Inca) it is possible to take a bus from the bottom of Machu Picchu mountain to the top, to avoid the thousands of steps on your final ascent. Your tour guide should explain this option on the 3rd evening of your trek and the prices associated but it costs around $24 per person up and down.
Arequipa
Info:
Arequipa is at the heart of southern Peru. This colonial gem is home to beautiful architecture and a wonderful year-round climate. Framed by 3 snowy-capped volcanoes, Arequipa’s colourful monasteries and cobblestone streets filled with limitless food and beverage options make for the perfect city to add to your itinerary.
Colca Canyon
Things to do:
Santa Catalina Monastery. £6 per person entry. Spend half a day exploring this historical gem. Colourful colonial buildings filled with intriguing stories, and the picture perfect place to get your Insta shots. You can explore by yourself of opt for a guided tour.
Aimlessly wander round the historical centre. Be sure to visit the Plaza De Armas (main square).
Colca Canyon Tour. Around £30-35 per person for a 1 day tour or £40-50 per person for a 2 day 1 night tour. One of the world’s deepest Canyon’s and a recommended sight to visit. Arequipa is the closest base from which tours run to this impressive sight. 2 day tours include multiple stops on the way including to the rock forest, alpaca & llama spotting, visiting several traditional Peruvian towns and dinner with a show in the evening. Tour includes transport throughout the trip, English speaking tour guide and some meals.
Where to stay (couple of recommendations):
CIRQA - Relais & Chateaux. The most PERFECT location in the historical centre, just one street away from the main square. The building itself is unbelievably beautiful and steeped in the cities heritage, it is even partly made from volcanic rock! This hotel is literally to die for and if I could persuade you to treat yourself at least once during your trip it would be to stay here. Our whole experience here was faultless. Think about it!
Arequipay Backpackers Hostel. £12 per night for a private room. Great location 10 minutes walk from the historical centre and has multiple terraces with views over the volcanoes. Really lovely staff and breakfast included.
Food/Drink:
Visit Passage De La Catedral. A beautiful bustling street filled with cafes, restaurants, and bars.
Lokanta. Really great breakfasts, you can get a full breakfast meal, orange juice and coffee for around £2.50.
Pasta Canteen. Amazing homemade pasta restaurant, you create your own dish by selecting a sauce and ingredients and they make it fresh for you. £4 per dish and you get a free mini salad and garlic bread when you order!
Deja Vu Bar. Rooftop bar overlooking the volcanoes, great place to meet people and drink 241 cocktails. Also plays electronic music.
How to get there:
Bus. Arequipa is a great option to visit in between Huacachina & Cusco. You can take an overnight bus from major cities in Peru like Lima, Ica or Cusco.
Fly. Flying is also an option as Arequipa has a small airport. You can fly from Cusco or Lima.
Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days (potentially 4 if you opt for the multi-day Colca Canyon tour).
Lima
Info:
Peru’s capital which lies on the Pacific Coast. One of South America’s largest cities filled with colonial riches. This bustling Metropolis makes it a great stop on your Peru tour.
Atemporal Hotel, Lima
Things to do:
Visit the Plaza De Armas. Scenic main square, birthplace of Lima and the core of the entire city.
Huaca Pucllana. These are pyramid ruins which are located right in the Miraflores district.
Explore Miraflores. Best area to stay in Lima. Upscale area with a huge choice of restaurants, bars and shops. It also has a gorgeous coastline and impressive sunsets which dawn over this part of the city.
Visit a night market. There are plenty to choose from around the city, we visited the Inca Market in Miraflores. Typical market vibes where you can shop for handmade traditional Peruvian items. I picked up a great bumbag and hair bobble!
Where to stay:
Atemporal Lima. This sophisticated hotel has a home-like, intimate atmosphere and it is the perfect place to relax and unwind after spending the day exploring the city. Would seriously recommend staying at this gorgeous hotel during your time in Lima.
Airbnb Apartment. £24 per night for entire apartment. Really great apartment in the heart of Miraflores, close to all the best shops, cafes and restaurants.
Food/ Drink:
Mercado San Martin. Really cool street food market filled with food stalls that sell a variety of different cuisines. From Mexican, to American, Peruvian and Italian - anything you can possibly want!
Bao. Great cheap eat option serving a variety of Bao Buns.
How to get there:
Most likely you will have flown into Lima Airport. Take a taxi from the airport into the centre!
You can also travel by bus from Chile or Ecuador depending on your departure destination.
Recommended length of stay: 2 nights (Lima is what you make it! If you love exploring cities you can easily spend more time here but if you prefer to be out in nature Lima probably isn’t for you).
General Peru Travel Advice & Information
Language:
The most common spoken language in Peru is Spanish.
Is it common for people to speak English? In main cities and tourist areas like Cusco & Lima it is common for locals to speak English, however in less popular areas like Huaraz it is less common. A basic understanding of Spanish would be beneficial for your trip, but don’t worry too much.
Google translate is a great app which allows you to download a language to use offline. That way if you don’t understand certain words or phrases you can translate on the go!
Currency:
The currency of Peru is the Sol.
Exchange rate is around 5 soles to every £1 (dated May 2021).
Typical accommodation costs:
Hostel
Dorm room £5-6 average per night
Private room £10-12 average per night
Typical meal costs:
Budget restaurant £2.50-£3 per meal
Mid range restaurant £4-£6 per meal
High end restaurant £10-£12 per meal
Recommended trip duration:
Holiday
You can experience a great holiday in Peru by doing a whistle stop highlights tour of the country. I would recommend 2 weeks and visit: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima (and possibly Huacachina if you move fast!).
Backpacker
I would recommend spending 1 month here. Visit all the places I have mentioned above and you will have the trip of a lifetime!
Transport Company Recommendation:
Cruz Del Sur was the most comfortable and reliable bus company we used. I have mentioned this company a few times in this blog already because we ended up using them for the majority of our trip. We took multiple overnight and daytime buses with them and felt extremely safe and arrived at our destination on time. They have a bus station at every location I have mentioned above. You can book tickets in advance through their website or at the bus station prior to your trip. They run buses multiple times a day every single day. I would recommend booking a week in advance of your journey to ensure you get a ticket, but most of the time you should be ok to book a day or two before.
Should you book tours in advance?
With the exception of the Classic Inca Trek to Machu Picchu, NO you DO NOT need to book any tours in advance, in fact if you do you will be faced with much higher prices. You only need to book tours a day or two before you hope to depart on that particular trip. We usually arrived in our destination (for example Cusco) and headed to the main square to book the tours we wanted to do during our stay. If you have time you should try to shop around and get price quotes from multiple operators in the area before going with one price, keep in mind the prices I have quoted on this blog too which are a great guide to what price you should be paying. You can also book tours through your hostel which we did lots of times - super easy and straightforward and you know you are getting a reliable company.
if you would prefer the security of having your itinerary all worked out and booked in advance you can book online, but please note the price will be considerably higher (and in our opinion it is really unnecessary - you can still have your trip itinerary and days planned without having the tour actually booked!).
Altitude:
One thing to consider for your visit is that lots of areas of Peru are located at a HIGH altitude (Cusco, Arequipa, Huaraz etc). This means it is possible for you to get altitude sickness and feel generally unwell. It is really important that you prepare accordingly for these situations to prevent you feeling ill and missing out on those all important travel days! A few tips I would recommend are:
If it is your first time in altitude make sure you have a day or 2 to acclimatise (give your body time to adjust to change in altitude you’re not used to). Make sure you don’t do anything which requires high exertion, try to rest, maybe have a walk around the town square or go out for a meal.
Do not drink alcohol and avoid smoking for at least the first 24 hours you reach a high altitude location, you do not want to put any extra strain on your body until you have acclimatised properly.
Drink coca tea! Coca tea is widely used and accepted as a method to relieve symptoms of altitude sickness, it is available all over Peru - in hostels, supermarkets etc. Even if you don’t have any symptoms of altitude sickness it is a great preventative measure to drink a coca tea prior to doing a hike in altitude or similar. We drank coca tea most days in Huaraz, Cusco and Arequipa.
Weather
The weather in Peru is extremely unpredictable! We found that one minute it was bright sunshine and hot, and the next it was freezing cold! Make sure you prepare for all weather eventualities, clothes which are suitable for both warm and cold climates. Don’t forget your hat, gloves and scarf because lots of the high altitude areas can get very cold!
Make sure you regularly apply suncream to areas exposed to sunlight, even if its cold. UV rays are much more powerful the higher up you are and given lots of Peru sits at a high altitude it means your risk of burning is very high.
COVID Restrictions in Peru
**Please note that the below information is valid for the month of May 2021. You must check the current COVID travel restrictions and requirements of your departure country, and the current requirements for the date you plan to arrive in Peru**
Entry requirements:
You must present a negative COVID PCR or Antigen test taken within 72 hours of your departure (this means within 72 hours of your test being taken by a medical professional NOT when your results were given to you).
You must fill out a health declaration form: https://e-notificacion.migraciones.gob.pe/dj-salud/
If you present a negative test result on entry you do not need to quarantine.
You can find the latest travel advice for Peru on the Peru Tourism website: https://www.peru.travel/pe
You can find the latest COVID entry requirements for May in Peru here: https://www.peru.travel/archivos/PROMPERU-INFORMA-PER-10MAY21.pdf
Current restrictions:
A mask and facial visor must be worn at all times when travelling on public transport (Airport, Train, Bus).
A mask must be worn at all times in public spaces (other than when you are sitting down to eat and drink). Some hostel owners are more relaxed and do not require masks to be worn inside the hostel space.
A national curfew is in place from 21:30 to 06:00.
A regional lockdown is in place in different locations on Sundays.
Thank you for reading!
I really hope you enjoyed my first ever blog post! I don’t do anything by half measures, and I wanted to include absolutely everything I could think of which would make for the perfect information ‘booklet’ you need to travel Peru. Everything I have written is from my own knowledge and experience of travelling this beautiful country, so you can be rest assured that the information has been gathered first hand. If you really loved this blog post and found it useful, please help me out by sharing it with your friends and peers!
Love & best,
Lizzy x
