South America
A country of lost Inca cities, high-altitude lakes and desert oases, where three thousand years of history sit in plain sight above the clouds.
Photo: Martin St-Amant (S23678) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Peru is a country where extraordinary history is never far from the surface — Inca stonework still forms the foundations of colonial buildings in Cusco, and Machu Picchu remains one of the only major ancient wonders the Spanish conquest never found.
That history sits within dramatic geography, from Andean peaks over 4,000 metres and the world's deepest canyons to the Amazon basin's dense rainforest and a Pacific coastline hiding lines in the desert visible only from the air.
It's also a country that rewards a slower pace — high altitude in Cusco and Lake Titicaca demands real acclimatisation time, and the distances between the coast, the Andes and the jungle are considerably greater than a map first suggests.
Where to go
Ordered roughly by how strongly we would recommend each for a first visit — though the Amazon and the far south coast reward a second trip just as much as a first.
Cusco Region
The former capital of the Inca Empire, a high-altitude city where colonial architecture sits directly on Inca foundations, and Peru's essential gateway to Machu Picchu.
Don't miss Running a hand along Sacsayhuamán's massive stone walls, some blocks weighing well over 100 tonnes, fitted together without mortar so precisely a knife blade still can't slip between them.
Explore Destination — CuscoCusco Region
The Inca citadel high above the Urubamba River, one of the only major ancient wonders the Spanish conquest never found, and Peru's single most iconic sight.
Don't miss Watching the first sunlight hit the citadel's stone terraces from the classic overlook, Huayna Picchu's peak still wrapped in morning mist behind it.
Explore Destination — Machu PicchuCusco Region
The Inca Empire's fertile agricultural heartland, a valley of ruins, salt pans and living villages between Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Don't miss Standing at the rim of Moray's perfectly concentric circular terraces, each level once its own distinct microclimate for testing crops.
Explore Destination — The Sacred ValleyLima Region
Peru's coastal capital, a sprawling city of colonial grandeur, pre-Inca pyramids and a food scene now recognised among the best in the world.
Don't miss Watching the sun set over the Pacific from Huaca Pucllana's ancient clay pyramid, the modern skyline of Miraflores rising just beyond its earthen walls.
Explore Destination — LimaPuno Region
The world's highest navigable lake, home to the Uros people's floating reed islands and the traditional weaving villages of Taquile and Amantaní.
Don't miss Stepping onto a Uros floating island for the first time, the spongy reed ground shifting slightly underfoot, unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Explore Destination — Lake Titicaca & PunoArequipa Region
Peru's beautifully preserved white volcanic-stone city, paired with Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest, and reliable Andean condor sightings.
Don't miss Watching an Andean condor rise on a thermal at eye level from Cruz del Cóndor, close enough to see every feather of its three-metre wingspan.
Explore Destination — Arequipa & Colca CanyonMadre de Dios Region
Peru's easiest gateway into the Amazon rainforest, home to giant river otters, macaw clay licks and some of the most biodiverse jungle on Earth.
Don't miss Watching dozens of macaws descend on a riverbank clay lick at dawn, a chaotic wash of red, blue and green against the mud.
Explore Destination — The Amazon (Puerto Maldonado)Ica Region
Massive ancient geoglyphs etched into Peru's southern desert, so large they're only fully legible from the air, and still not fully explained after a century of study.
Don't miss Watching the Hummingbird geoglyph resolve into perfect focus from a small plane window, a shape etched into the desert floor by people who never saw it from above.
Explore Destination — The Nazca LinesIca Region
A small, genuine oasis village surrounded by towering desert dunes, built almost entirely around dune buggy rides, sandboarding and desert sunsets.
Don't miss Cresting a towering dune at sunset in a dune buggy, the whole oasis suddenly visible below, a tiny green circle in an ocean of sand.
Explore Destination — HuacachinaCusco Region
A real mineral-striped mountain at over 5,000 metres above sea level, its bands of colour among the most photographed natural sights in the Andes.
Don't miss Cresting the final ridge after hours of high-altitude hiking to see Vinicunca's full band of colours spread out below, more vivid in person than in any photo.
Explore Destination — Rainbow MountainExperiences
The experiences that recur across the country and that make a Peru trip feel like more than a checklist of ruins.
The essential Peru experience, watching the first light reveal the Inca citadel's full scale from the classic viewpoint.
Tip Book the first entry slot of the day for both the best light and the thinnest crowds.
A living tradition, not a museum piece, visiting the Uros people's floating islands built entirely from woven totora reeds.
Tip Combine with a stay on Taquile or Amantaní island for a fuller, less rushed experience.
One of the world's great treks, following stone paths laid by the Inca themselves toward Machu Picchu.
Tip Book months ahead — permits for the classic four-day trail sell out well in advance.
A thrilling sight, Andean condors riding thermals at eye level from the canyon's rim at Cruz del Cóndor.
Tip Arrive by 8am — the condors' morning flights are far more reliable than later in the day.
A thrilling desert detour, racing dune buggies and sandboarding towering dunes around a palm-fringed oasis.
Tip Go in the late afternoon for cooler sand and dramatic desert light.
One of the most biodiverse places on Earth, with real chances of macaws, monkeys and giant river otters.
Tip A multi-day lodge stay reveals far more wildlife than a rushed day trip.
Food and drink
Peruvian food's growing global reputation is well earned, built on serious seafood, Andean ingredients and centuries of cultural fusion.
Peru's national dish, fresh raw fish cured in citrus with onion and chili, best eaten fresh at midday.
Where to try it Coastal cevicherías nationwide, especially in Lima.
A beloved fusion dish, beef stir-fried with onions, tomatoes and soy sauce, served with fries and rice.
Where to try it Restaurants nationwide, from street stalls to fine dining.
Peru's national cocktail, a frothy mix of pisco brandy, lime, egg white and bitters.
Where to try it Bars and restaurants nationwide.
A Lima classic, mashed yellow potato layered with chicken, avocado or seafood, seasoned with lime and chili.
Where to try it Restaurants throughout Lima and nationwide.
A beloved street food, marinated and grilled beef heart skewers with a real depth of smoky flavour.
Where to try it Street stalls nationwide, especially in the evening.
A common remedy for altitude sickness in the Andes, a mild herbal tea made from coca leaves.
Where to try it Hotels and cafés throughout Cusco and Puno.
Before you go
The essentials, current for 2026. Peru is straightforward to travel in, with altitude and long distances between regions the two practicalities that most often catch visitors out.
Excludes international flights. Figures are typical rather than absolute — cities and peak season run higher.
When to go
Peru's diverse geography means the best time varies by region, though the dry Andean season suits most first-time itineraries.
The best window for Machu Picchu, Cusco and the Andes, with clear skies and reliable trails, also the busiest season.
Fewer crowds with still-decent weather odds across the Andes.
Lush and green, though trails can be muddy and the Inca Trail itself closes each February for maintenance.
The easiest time for jungle lodges and wildlife spotting, with lower water levels concentrating animals near rivers.
Worth planning around: Attempting the classic Inca Trail in February, when it closes nationwide for annual maintenance.
Trip length
Peru's long distances and high-altitude acclimatisation needs make a rushed itinerary the most common planning mistake.
Getting around
A mix of domestic flights, trains and buses is the standard way to see Peru — the country's scale and mountainous terrain make overland travel alone impractical for most itineraries.
Sample route
A classic route from Lima into the Andes for Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, with Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca added on. Covers six of the ten destinations in this guide.
Culture
Peruvian culture is shaped by a genuine blending of Andean, Spanish colonial and Amazonian traditions, with real, living pride in Inca heritage rather than treating it as distant history.
A handshake is standard, and a light cheek kiss between women or mixed pairs is common in social settings.
Locals expect visitors to rest and hydrate on arrival in Cusco or Puno, not push through symptoms.
Politely negotiating prices at craft markets is normal, though fixed-price shops don't expect it.
Especially in traditional dress at markets or festivals — a small tip is often appropriate.
Around 10% at restaurants, and small tips for guides and porters on tours.
Tours and buses in rural areas may run behind schedule — build in buffer time.
Travel tips
The things that most often go wrong on a Peru trip, in rough order of how much they cost people.
FAQ
Ten to fourteen days covers Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca comfortably, which is the itinerary on this page. A week is enough for Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu alone, and still worthwhile.
May to September, the dry season, offers the most reliable weather for Machu Picchu and the Andes. The Amazon has its own separate dry season, roughly June to October.
Yes in Cusco and Puno, both above 3,300 metres — rest on arrival, stay hydrated, and consider coca tea or medication if you're prone to symptoms.
Moderate overall, affordable outside Machu Picchu's own costs — mid-range travel runs about S/300–550 per person per day, with tickets and trains to Machu Picchu the trip's biggest single expense.
Yes, essential — daily visitor numbers are capped, and tickets, especially for popular time slots, sell out well ahead in peak season.
Generally yes for tourists in the main destinations, with sensible precautions around petty theft in Lima and Cusco's busier tourist areas.
The full travel guide covers routes, budgets, regional differences and how to string these ten destinations into a trip that actually works.
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