Are you ready for an adventure filled trip? Peru is a total adventure seekers paradise and you are about to spend the best 3 weeks exploring this amazing South American country.
While we traveled on our 10 month trip around the world we were never as busy as we were then when we traveled throughout Peru.
Spending over a month in Peru we are able to put together what we think is the perfect 3 week Peru Itinerary.
There is so much to do including sunrise at the majestic New Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu, visiting Sacred Valley, spending time in the Amazon Rainforest, enjoying sunsets on top of sand dunes, trekking through the Andes Mountains and sipping on a few Pisco Sours to name a few things.
The amount of diversity you will experience in Peru is going to be mind blowing.
This post is all about the perfect Peru Itinerary & Guide-An Epic 3 Week Adventure.
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PERU FUN FACTS
- Official Language: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara
- Currency: Sol
- Population: 33 Million
- Capital City: Lima
- Major International Airport: Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima
- Best Time to Visit: Late April-October
- Machu Picchu was lost for over 400 years and rediscovered in 1911 and in 2007 was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
- Colca Canyon is twice the depth of Grand Canyon.
- Since 2012 Peru had been named the World’s Leading Culinary Destination.
- More than 3,000 types of potato grow in the country.
- Pisco sour is Peru’s national drink.
- Peru is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world.
- The Amazon rainforest covers almost two thirds of Peru.
Exploring Peru Itinerary & Guide
Iquitos: Day 1
From Lima or Cusco fly to Iquitos, the city with no land connection.
Immediately following your international flight catch a flight to Iquitos. I recommend landing in Lima which offers a direct flight to Iquitos. There is no way to drive to Iquitos so your choices are by river or air.
Our Amazon Tour Company included airport pickup and drop-off. I recommended including it as well. You’ll be exhausted and prearranging your transportation before landing is such a stress reliever.
Iquitos will be used as a base to the Amazon Rainforest and where the Amazon Tour Company will pick you up the following day.
I assume you will be just as tired as we were from the very long day of travel, so just rest, relax and grab something to eat.
Tomorrow you head into the Amazon Rainforest.
amazon Rainforest: Day 2-6
The Peruvian Amazon is home to the second largest area of the Amazon, after the Brazilian. Covering nearly 60% of Peru’s landscape, including 12,810 species. The Peruvian Amazon is not only vital to locals but also in the global fight against climate change as one of the most important carbon stores, containing over 49 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalents.
Connect with nature and locals and spend the next 5 days exploring the Peruvian Amazon.
Get picked up from your hotel (also included with our tour package) and meet your Amazon guide. If choosing the same lodge as us it will take approximately 3 hours by boat to reach Tahuyo Lodge.
I recommend booking a lodge with at least a one hour boat ride away from the major city of Iquitos. You want to have the best exposure to nature and being to close the city might disrupt your Amazonian experience.
We booked our Amazon Tour with Tahuayo Lodge. It included all lodging, meals, activities, transportation, and private guide.
Activities Included:
- Piranha Fishing
- Canoeing
- Dolphin Search – search for the rare Amazonian Pink Dolphin
- Swimming-in the Amazon River
- Amazon Village Visit
- Canopy Experience –Hike through Igapo forest to reach a canopy zipline complex
- Igapo Forest Exploration– Explore the Igapo forest in search of wildlife. Go by foot or canoe while searching for beautiful birds, primates, and other wildlife.
- Tahuayo River Exploration– Explore the Tahuayo River by boat, you can spot colorful birds (macaws, tanagers, hawks) sloths, and monkeys along the riverbank.
- Tabano Lake Excursion– Canoe in and around a flooded oxbow lake with a vast diversity of wildlife. Search for the spectacular hoatzin (one of the world’s most interesting and unique birds), black caiman, horned screamers, turtles, tamarins and titi monkeys.
- Amazon Research Center
- Frog Valley – Explore frog valley. Hike through the dense Terra Firme jungle searching for beautiful little poison dart frogs.
- Night Excursions– Night hikes or canoe ride in search for scorpions, tarantulas, snakes and other nocturnal wildlife. Explore by boat in search of caimans, snakes, and frogs.
Highly recommend this company, they were so professional and informative, the food was AMAZING and I am not lying when I say they make some of the best Pisco Sours we had on our entire trip.
Cusco: day 7-9
Sitting within the Andes Mountains at 11,152 feet above sea level Cusco was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Gateway to many day trips, backpacking trips and of course Machu Picchu.
From Iquitos catch a flight to Cusco.
There is no direct flights from Iquitos to Cusco so your flight will be stopping in Lima first then continuing to Cusco.
Spend your first day or two acclimating to the high altitude. Many tourist suffer from altitude sickness and so it’s recommend to avoid booking any tour or excursion that require strenuous physical activity. Take it slow.
SIGNS OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS:
- Lost of Appetite
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Shortness of Breath
- Problems Sleeping
Be aware of these symptoms as ignoring these symptoms can lead to death.
TIP: To help alleviate mild symptoms do as the locals do and drink coca leaf tea, coca candy or suck on a handful of coca leaves. We found these methods to be very helpful in relieving mild symptoms.
THINGS TO DO IN CUSCO
- Explore the charming cobblestone City of Cusco, take a stroll through the trendy district of San Blas, visit the famous Sacsayhuaman, people watch at Plaza de Armas and grab some local goodies at San Blas and San Pedro Market.
- Take a Full Day Sacred Valley Tour
- Visit Rainbow Mountain
We did both these tours with Sam Travel Peru and can not recommend this company enough! Our guide name Raymer known as Ray was one of the best guides we’ve ever had, I highly recommend requesting him, he was the best!
PLACES TO EAT IN CUSCO
- Morena Peruvian Kitchen
- Stands at San Blas Market
- Jack’s Café
- Cicciolina
- Organika
natura vive: day 10
Spend the night at one of the coolest hotels you’ll probably ever stay at, Skylodge Adventure Suites with Natura Vive.
These suites hang 1200 feet above the ground overlooking Sacred Inca Valley and the only way to get to your room is Via Ferrata. It is an adrenaline filled day with some of the most beautiful unobstructed views of the valley.
To come down you have an option to zip-line or rappel down. We decided to rappel as it was included and have zip-lined plenty of times before and let me tell you, what a rush! I personally think rappelling is the way to go.
Transportation, guides, equipment, dinner, wine, breakfast and snack is included with the room rate. Zip-lining comes at an additional cost. Natura Vive will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and bring you to their location and will drop you back off in Cusco the following day.
This experience is not to be missed!
Tip: If your budget allows keep your AirBnb or Hotel an additional night in Cusco while you’re at Nature Vive for the night. That way you can bring one small overnight bag and will have a room avaliable when you arrive before noon at your hotel. Giving you plenty of time to rest and relax before getting picked up for your evening transfer to camp on day 11. This is recommend if you are following this exact itinerary.
salkantay to MAchu Picchu with Humantay Lake: day 11-15
Listed as one of the 25 best treks in the world by National Geograhic Adventure Travel Magazine. Trekking Salkantay offers spectacular views of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, colorful valleys, cloud forest, coffee farms and wildlife.
If you need to shave off some time you can always do the 3N/4D Salkantay option or the more traditional alternative like the 1N/2D Inca Trail. We went with the Salkantay Trek and although not one of my most favorite hikes we’ve done we were very happy we did it. There was some very beautiful moments, day 1,3, and 5 were absolutely gorgeous!
We went with Alpaca Expeditions, they took very good care of us and made the most delicious food, they will keep you very well feed. Our guide was….. we will say unique! The first two days took some getting use to his humor and personality but after spending 6 days with him we actually grew to really like him. He was a character, that’s for sure.
The star of the show of course was on the morning of day 6, the 15th century Incan citadel Machu Picchu. I will forever and always remember as the sun slowly came over the mountain range lighting up the once lost city. A magical moment that we will remember forever!
cusco: day 16
Following your visit to Machu Picchu it’s time to head back to Cusco. Take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Almost all companies include the train transfer and the transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. You will arrive in Cusco sometime in the late evening.
Rest, relax and enjoy your last night in Cusco.
TIP: For your return to Cusco from Aguas Calientes upgrade your train ticket to the glass dome seats, the views are worth it.
Arequipa: day 17-19
Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru with one of the most beautiful back drops. This city is framed by 3 volcanoes while the city is filled with colonial style architecture.
From Cusco take a flight to Arequipa. If budget doesn’t allow for this, take the bus.
Bus Information and Rates can be found and purchased on Cruz del Sol.
This beautiful city is often skipped but I think it deserves to be visited.
THINGS TO DO IN AREQUIPA
- Plaza de Armas
- Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa
- Santa Catalina Monastery
- Museo Santuarios Andinos
- Claustros de La Compañía
- Mundo Alpaca
- Mercado San Camilo
- Yanahuara Scenic Overlook
- Eat at a Picantería
- Chaqchao Chocolates Making Class
- Colca Canyon ( my least favorite as we only had time to do a day trip, maybe a better experience if you do a multi-day hike) If you would like a chance to see a Condor then Colca Canyon is a good place to see them.
BEST EATS IN AREQUIPA
- La Nueva Palomino
- Picantería La Capitana
- El Tigrillo
overnight bus to Ica on DAY 19
Purchase your overnight bus ticket at least 2 days before your desired date of departure. Either online or at any travel agency in Arequipa.
We used Cruz del Sol and found the buses to be clean, comfortable and punctual.
huacachina day 20-21
You will need to grab a taxi at the bus terminal to the tiny desert oasis of Huacachina. It’s a short 10 minute taxi ride to Huacachina, home to the largest sand dunes in South America.
An early morning arrival at Ica Bus Terminal will give you plenty of time to rest and do some activities today.
THINGS TO DO IN HUACACHINA
- Dune Buggy & Sandboarding
- Enjoy a Sunset on the Dunes
- Pisco Sour Tour
- Flight over the Nazca Lines
- Paracas National Reserve Tour and Ballestas Islands “poor mans Galapagos” Boat Tour
On the morning of Day 22 take a guided tour to Paracas. They will be able to accommodate your luggage so you don’t have to come back to Huacachina.
The plan is to enjoy your morning and afternoon in Paracas and take an evening bus to Lima.
Take a boat tour around Isla Ballestas, visit Paracas National Reserve and have some fresh ceviche from one of the small tiny restaurants near the reserve.
On Day 22 take the 4hr evening bus ride to your final stop, Lima. Again we used Cruz del Sol and book your ticket at least 2 days before your desired departure date.
lima: day 22-24
Welcome to the capital of Peru and the 5th largest city in South America, Lima. Lima, being a desert city and sitting along the coastline never experiences proper rain, rather, it experiences some drizzle but it’s most famous for having some of the best gastronomy in the world.
Spoiler alert, it is *chefs kiss. We came to Lima with one thing in mind, FOOD!
THINGS TO DO IN LIMA
- Take a walk through one of Lima’s coolest districts, Barranco
- El Parque del Amor
- Miraflores Lighthouse
- Surfing
- Paragliding
- Puente de Los Suspiro
- Huaca Pucllana
- Mercado de Surquillo
BEST EATS IN LIMA
- Isolina
- La Preferida
- Maria Almenara
- Osaka
- Mercado 28
- Siete Sopas
- El Pan De La Chola
- Panchita
- Barra Chalaca
- Mérito
We loved our time in Peru and highly recommend a visit, you will have so many amazing moments and memories. Hope our Peru Itinerary helps you plan the most epic trip.
Only have exactly 21 days? Opt for the 3N 4D Salkantay or Inca Trail. Take one day away from the Amazon and one day from Arequipa.
Happy Travels! That concludes this post, Peru Itinerary & Guide-An Epic 3 Week Adventure.
but wait, there’s more:
Travel resources
Here you can find all the travel site links that we personally use and recommend.
ACCOMMODATION: We find the best deals with BOOKING.COM. The more you book the better the perks like free breakfast with your stay, room upgrades and even higher discounted room rates.
CAR RENTALS: We have always used RentalCars.com and find them to have the best deals, customer service and selection of locations.
FLIGHTS: Our go too for booking flights has always been SKYSCANNER. We always find the best prices on this site.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: GET YOUR GUIDE and VIATOR are two very reputable sites with easy and hassle free bookings.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s so important to travel with insurance and for this we use World Nomads or Safety Wing.
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