Peru: Inca heritage, Andean valleys and the Amazon

A trip to Peru takes you from a coastal desert on the Pacific, over the high Andes and down into the Amazon basin, often within a single week. The best Peru tours weave these landscapes together with an archaeological heritage spanning thousands of years, from the adobe cities of the ancient north coast to the Inca Empire, whose capital was Cusco. Add a food culture that draws travellers to Lima in its own right, and Peru becomes a country that rewards careful planning: altitude, distances and timed entry to the best-known sites all shape how a good route fits together.

Where to go in Peru

Cusco and the Sacred Valley

Cusco, at around 3,400 metres, was the capital of the Inca Empire and is now the base for most journeys in southern Peru. Colonial churches and mansions rise on finely fitted Inca stone walls, and the historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Just outside the city lie the ceremonial complex of Sacsayhuamán and a ring of smaller sites. Below Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River sits several hundred metres lower, at around 2,800 to 2,900 metres. Its markets, terraces and the Inca sites of Pisac and Ollantaytambo make it a relaxed first base, and the lower altitude helps the body adjust before you spend nights in Cusco.

Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail

The 15th-century citadel of Machu Picchu stands on a ridge above the Urubamba, at around 2,400 metres, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most visitors take the train from Ollantaytambo or near Cusco to the town of Aguas Calientes, then a short bus ride up to the site. Entry is by timed ticket on set circuits, so the visit needs to be booked in advance and matched to train times. Walkers can arrive on foot instead: the classic Inca Trail takes about four days over high passes and ends at the Sun Gate. Permits are limited, and the trail closes each February for maintenance.

Lima and the coast

Lima is where most international flights land, and it deserves more than a night in transit. The historic centre is UNESCO-listed, while the clifftop districts of Miraflores and Barranco face the Pacific with parks, galleries and cafés. Lima is also the place to understand Peruvian cooking, from ceviche to Nikkei and chifa, which blend local ingredients with Japanese and Chinese traditions. South of the capital, the desert coast leads to Paracas, with boat trips to the wildlife of the Ballestas Islands, and to the Nazca Lines, giant figures etched into the desert and best seen on a short scenic flight.

Lake Titicaca, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon

Lake Titicaca lies at around 3,800 metres on the border with Bolivia. From Puno you can visit the floating reed islands of the Uros and stay with or meet families on Amantaní or Taquile, where weaving traditions remain strong. Arequipa, at around 2,300 metres and built largely of pale volcanic stone, has a UNESCO-listed historic centre and the vast Santa Catalina Monastery. It is the starting point for the Colca Canyon, a few hours’ drive away over a high pass, where terraced villages line the valley and Andean condors are often seen in the morning.

The Peruvian Amazon

Rainforest covers a large share of Peru. The most practical option for most itineraries is Tambopata, reached by a short flight from Cusco or Lima to Puerto Maldonado and then by boat to a riverside lodge. Days follow the rhythm of the forest: early walks, canoe trips on oxbow lakes, clay licks visited by macaws and night walks with a naturalist guide. Iquitos, in the north and reachable only by air or river, is the base for river trips deeper into the Amazon.

Northern Peru

The north sees far fewer visitors than the Cusco region. Near Trujillo, Chan Chan was the capital of the Chimú kingdom and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the largest adobe cities in the Americas. Around Chiclayo, the royal tombs of Sipán revealed the treasures of the Moche culture. Inland, the cloud-forest region of Chachapoyas holds the walled fortress of Kuélap and the tall Gocta waterfall.

Best time to visit Peru

There is no single best time to visit Peru, because each region has its own pattern. In the Andes, the dry season from about May to September brings clear skies and cold nights, which is ideal for Machu Picchu and trekking. The rainy months, roughly November to March, turn the mountains green and bring fewer visitors. Lima is sunniest from about December to April and often grey in the cooler months, while the Amazon is warm and humid all year.

For a detailed month-by-month guide, read Mejor época para viajar a Perú: clima mes a mes.

For a wider view of the seasons across the continent, see our guide to the best time to visit South America.

How many days do you need? Sample Peru itineraries

Most first visits focus on the south, with Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu at the core. Allow time to acclimatise: a rushed schedule at altitude is the most common reason travellers feel unwell. These Peru itinerary ideas show how the country fits different lengths of trip.

• 9 to 10 days: Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco at a comfortable pace, as in our 9-day Peru Classic. Walkers can swap the train for the trail on the 9-day Inca Trail trip, which starts with days in the Sacred Valley to acclimatise. Add four days at a Tambopata rainforest lodge to bring in the Amazon.
• About 2 weeks: continue from Cusco to Lake Titicaca and across into Bolivia for the salt flats, as on our 15-day Peru and Bolivia journey. Alternatively, explore the archaeology and cloud forests of the north on the 11-day Northern Peru trip.
• 3 weeks or more: combine Peru with its neighbours. Our 21-day Galápagos, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca trip pairs the Andes with Ecuador’s islands, while the 24-day South America Grand Tour continues through Bolivia and Chile to Argentina.

Getting around Peru

Peru is a large country, and the Andes make overland journeys slow. Domestic flights do most of the work: Lima to Cusco takes about an hour and a half, and Lima also links with Arequipa, Juliaca (for Lake Titicaca), Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos and the northern cities. Within the south, private transfers connect Cusco and the Sacred Valley in about an hour or two, and trains run along the Urubamba to Machu Picchu. The route between Cusco and Puno is a full day by road, with stops at villages and sites along the altiplano, or a long scenic train journey on certain days.

Altitude is the factor that shapes the order of a southern Peru trip. Starting low in the Sacred Valley, keeping the first day gentle and leaving Lake Titicaca or high excursions such as Rainbow Mountain until later all help. Our guide to altitude in the Andes explains how to plan, and it is wise to talk to your doctor or a travel clinic before you go.

Travelling safely in Peru

Many travellers ask whether Peru is safe. Most visits pass without problems, and the usual precautions for any large country apply. Petty theft such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is the most common issue, especially in busy markets, bus stations and crowded streets in Lima and Cusco.

• Use pre-arranged private transfers, or taxis booked through your hotel or a licensed app, rather than hailing cars on the street.
• Keep valuables out of sight, carry only the cash you need and use hotel safes for passports and spare cards.
• Explore with a local guide in unfamiliar areas, and ask your hotel which neighbourhoods suit an evening walk.
• Take care at altitude, on trails and on mountain roads, and follow your guide’s advice on weather and conditions.
• Check your government’s official travel advice before you book and again shortly before you leave.

Why plan your Peru trip privately with a specialist

Peru rewards good sequencing. A private, tailor-made trip lets you set the pace, with acclimatisation days where you need them and train, ticket and site times that fit together. Your own driver and guides handle airport pick-ups and transfers, explain the history behind the stones and adjust the day when the weather or your energy changes. Whether you are planning Peru holidays around Machu Picchu, a honeymoon or a longer journey through the Andes, we work with trusted local partners to shape a route around you. If this is your first time on the continent, our guide to planning a first trip to South America is a useful place to start.

Best time to visit: For the Andes, including Cusco and Machu Picchu, the dry season from about May to September brings clear days and cold nights, while November to March is the rainy season. Lima and the central coast are sunniest from roughly December to April and often overcast during the cooler months. The Amazon is warm and humid all year, with more rain from around November to April.

Climate: Peru's climate is shaped by altitude and the cold Humboldt Current offshore. The coast is mostly desert with little rain; the highlands have warm sun by day and can be near freezing at night in the dry season. Cusco and Lake Titicaca are at high altitude, so plan gradual ascents and consult your doctor or a travel clinic about altitude before you go.

• Currency: Peruvian sol (PEN). Cards are accepted in many hotels and restaurants; cash is useful for markets and small purchases.
• Languages: Spanish is the main language; Quechua and Aymara are also official and widely spoken in the Andes.
• Time zone(s): Peru Time (UTC−5) nationwide, with no daylight saving time.
• Getting around: Domestic flights link Lima with Cusco, Arequipa, Juliaca (for Lake Titicaca) and the Amazon gateways; scenic trains and private transfers cover routes in the south.
• Good to know: Entry requirements and site regulations, including those for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, can change; check official sources and your government’s travel advice before booking.