Are you currently planning a Peru trip, but need expert advice or are not sure how to get it right?
One of the most diverse and interesting countries you can visit in South America, Peru has tons going for it. Here you can go hiking in the snow-capped Andes, see exotic wildlife in the Peruvian Amazon, as well as explore mysterious ruins along the Pacific Coast. As such it can be difficult to know how much time you should have to travel around Peru, and how to create a realistic itinerary for your dates.
In this guide we’ll explore how you can plan the perfect Peru trip, as well as important considerations you should think about before booking your flights. Later we’ll also answer your most frequently asked questions in our FAQ section.
Table of Contents
Everything You Need To Know To Plan The Perfect Peru Trip
Choosing The Best Destinations In Peru
There’s dozens of incredible places worth visiting in Peru. First we have Lima, which is the main gateway into the country and is full of beautiful colonial buildings, rich gastronomy and nearby ruins like Caral and Huaca Pucllana. Nearby we can also visit the Huacachina Desert and Paracas, as well as the infamous Nazca Lines with a flight tour.
Then we have the Amazon Rainforest, which is the most biodiverse region on the planet. Iquitos is best for deep jungle trekking and seeing the native Pink River Dolphins, where cruises can also be taken along the Amazon River. Puerto Maldonado, which is close to Cusco, is another ideal choice for the jungle – and is home to Jaguars, Monkeys, Tapir and many other exotic animals.
Finally, the Andes stretch all throughout Peru, however Cusco is the major highlight – with the former Inca city a hotspot for those who want to visit Machu Picchu, see picturesque colonial streets and other highlights such as the ancient Inca Trail. Huaraz is another good contender, which has alpine lagoons like Lake Parón and the famous Huascarán National Park.
Planning Enough Time For Your Peru Trip Itinerary
As we’ve seen above, there’re tons of worthwhile places to visit in Peru – and that’s just scratching the surface. Now we’ll need to factor in time, and usually a good rule of thumb is that you’ll need at least 3-5 days in each major city (such as Lima and Arequipa – whereas Cusco you would ideally have more time in given there’s so much to see and do here and in the nearby Sacred Valley.
If you want to see just the main highlights of Peru quickly, then you’ll need between 6-8 days travelling at a fast pace, using well-timed flights to get between destinations. For those who want a more balanced trip with both major highlights and enjoying culture without rushing, then ideally you’ll need 10-12 days in Peru to really make the most of your Peru trip, with a spare day or two to use flexibly as you make your way around the different destinations.
Consider Local And Regional Factors
While designing the perfect Peru trip seems easy on paper, there’s also a couple of important regional considerations to take into account. The first is the altitude, which mostly affects travellers up in the Andes regions. Places like Cusco and Huaraz sit up at over 3000m, where altitude sickness can be a risk. For this reason you’ll want to spend slightly longer in these mountainous areas, using the first two days to acclimate before taking on challenging treks and higher-altitude sights.
Logistics and getting between destinations is another important factor to be flexible with. While flying between major destinations is reliable all times of the year, using public transport in the more rural areas can sometimes cause delays – and especially when travelling during the rainy season (between November and April). While this doesn’t mean you need to avoid any of these areas as such, it’s worth adding an extra couple of days into your itinerary as backup days – just in case you have a couple of minor delays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planning The Perfect Peru Trip
In this section we’ll now explore the most frequent questions we get about how to plan the perfect Peru trip, as well as anything else you need to know.
What Is The Best Month To Go To Peru?
Every month offers something unique here in Peru. The most popular months for travel are between June and September as they are dry season months and have better touristic atmospheres in cities such as Cusco and Lima. However shoulder season months like October and April are great for quieter periods, while the wet season (November until April) is brilliant for scenery and wildlife spotting in regions of the Andes and Amazon Rainforest.
How English Friendly Is Peru?
In more developed areas where tourism is common (such as the historic centre of Cusco, as well as Miraflores in Lima), English is spoken by many locals, and especially those working in the tourism industry. However outside of these areas, many locals understand little to no English, so going with a reputable tour company is key for making your way around the more remote destinations of Peru.
Is It Better To Use Cash Or Card In Peru?
Cash is the most reliable form of payment when travelling around Peru. While in restaurants and hotels using a credit card is common, once you head out of the big cities it becomes much less common. Having cash is therefore the best option, and especially when heading to remote sights or taking public transport since there’s usually no way for cards to be accepted. Local banks like BCP, Scotiabank and Interbank are good options for tourists to withdraw the local Soles currency.
Overview Of How To Plan The Perfect Peru Trip
And that’s all for this guide on how you can plan the perfect Peru trip.
Choosing Peru as your next vacation is always a good idea, where we can explore many beautiful and scenic areas, as well as historical ruins in a country that has over 5000 years of deep ancient history. Planning Your Peru trip is very exciting given the amount of things you can see and do here – and in this guide we’ve outlined everything you should keep in mind for the most memorable trip.
Here at TravelBuddiesPeru, we can help you design your very best Peru itinerary when booking with us. Get in touch with us now, and let our expert guides plan your next trip exactly how you want it to be.
