Travelling is an exciting adventure, and if you choose to spend your vacations in Peru, it will undoubtedly be a wonderful experience. Peru is a diverse country that has it all, from its Coast, where you can enjoy extensive beaches and deserts, to its Andean Mountain Range, which spans an imposing, majestic territory, to its Jungle, which boasts incredible exotic vegetation and wildlife. Incredible!
Your Peru itinerary will definitely be varied and full of unforgettable moments, and if you’re looking for inspiration, the Best Peru Itinerary will help you make the most of every destination. The people of Peru welcome you with kindness and enthusiasm, eager to share their rich culture. Here, you’ll find the best tips and Peru tours to make your visit to this beautiful land truly memorable, with the expert guidance of Machu Travel Peru.
Best recommendations for good planning in the Andean country:
- Which is the best month to visit Peru
- The top 6 destinations you cannot miss out on
- How to stay safe in Peru
Which is the best month to visit Peru
The best time to visit Peru will depend on the destinations or cities you desire to include in your Peru itinerary. Due to the country’s varied geography, location near the Equatorial line and cold Pacific Ocean currents, temperature and weather notably change from one region to another. The Coast has really two seasons: warm and cool. It is sunnier in summer from December to March, with spring weather from September to November, and it might be foggy in winter from April to August. It rarely rains. A fine misty drizzle is the most precipitation you can experience.
In the Andean Mountain Range, the air tends to be very dry, and the heat from the sun travels easily through the atmosphere. There are two well-marked seasons: rainy season, which corresponds to the months from November to March, but with warmer days, and dry season, which runs from April to October, where even when the mornings are warm, the nights are cold, especially in June and July. However, the dry season has a beautiful blue sky and the most splendid landscapes, making it one of the best times to plan a Peru travel itinerary and explore the region’s natural beauty.
The Jungle is hot and humid, and usually it rains throughout the year, but in its wet season, from November to March, it is truly rainy (with heavy downpours).
The top 6 destinations you cannot miss out on
Lima
Called the City of Kings is one of the most beautiful capitals in South America and one of the few cities that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Lima is a hub for many destinations throughout Peru, with just a short flight away from its airport. Indispensable to include it in your travel to Peru itinerary. This city respects its past and achieves the perfect harmony between tradition and contemporary architecture.
Walking through its streets is to admire its churches, archaeological sites, and mansions with balconies that coexist with modern buildings. Also, it is at the epicenter of the Peruvian gastronomic boom, with a huge variety of restaurants, many of which have won recognition around the world, a must-stop for anyone looking for tips on traveling in Peru.
Consider the following places to visit in Peru; for sure, you will love them all!
Ica
The City of the Eternal Sun is known for having a great historical legacy from which important pre-Columbian civilizations arose. With its great deserts, beaches, oases, and valleys, it is a territory full of magic that surprises its visitors. This region houses places such as the Huacachina lagoon, characterized by the emerald green color of its waters, bordered by abundant and beautiful vegetation.
Besides, it has the enigmatic Nazca Lines and the Ballestas Islands, the largest marine reserve in Peru. Ica is also famous for its wine cellars, where the best wine and pisco crops are made. When learning how to plan a trip to Peru, try to include Ica in your Peru tour budget; it’s truly a captivating destination.
You might also be interested in: Tips to budget the best tour to Peru
Arequipa
Recognized as the charming White City for its many baroque-style colonial buildings made out of white volcanic rock called sillar. Arequipa is located between the Coast and the Southern Andes Mountain Range of Peru. It’s a must-see destination featured in the best travel guide through Peru, offering history, architecture, and breathtaking scenery.
Surrounded by three imposing volcanoes, such as Ampato (6,288 meters above sea level), Chachani (6,075 meters above sea level), and Misti (5,825 meters above sea level), this last one is the most outstanding. This city also has its incredible canyons, such as Cotahuasi and Colca, the world’s deepest canyon. A wonderful chance to sightsee Condors flying very close to you. And finally, Arequipa has excellent gastronomy and wonderful beaches.
Puno
It is located in the southern Andes mountain range of Peru and shares a border with Bolivia. This city is dominated by the presence of the wonderful Titicaca Lake, a sacred Inca place and populated by natural and artificial islands, which nowadays attract much tourism, especially experimental or community tourism.
In addition, Puno has prehispanic archaeological sites of circular constructions called, from their origin, chullpas, very visited every year. Its churches are characterized by marked colonial architecture. It is a great city, proud of its Quechua and Aymara past and its folkloric tradition that overflows every year in dances and rites during the Candelaria Virgin Feast. Puno is a legend, a multicolored party, and a place full of traditions and culture.
Cusco
The prime destination on your Peru itinerary. Mystic sacred city, known to be the territorial center of the Inca Empire, has a great historical and architectural legacy. Surrounded by green valleys, magnificent geographical variety from natural mountain ranges and reliefs, including rivers like the Urubamba or Vilcanota. Also, with extensive culture, tradition, and faith still dormant.
Cusco has several tourist attractions, for example, the San Blas neighborhood, famous thanks to its artisans, great popular artists, then Maras, a striking place that houses salt mines. Likewise, the Sacred Valley is full of crops, a magic place to relax, unwind, and explore, and the must-see majestic archaeological complexes. Some examples that we can mention are Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, and Choquequirao. Finally, the most precious architectural jewel is Machu Picchu, the fascinating Wonder of the World.
You might also be interested in: When is the best time to visit Peru?
Madre de Dios
It shelters infinite forests, sinuous rivers, and abundant wildlife. It is a reserve of flora and fauna, as well as a refuge for endangered species such as the crin wolf and the deer of the fens. This region is home to native communities that promote ecotourism in one of the world’s most biodiverse areas. Among them are Lake Sandoval, Lake Valencia, Manu National Park, Tambopata National Reserve, and Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, the only ecosystem in the world of wet tropical savanna that exists in Peru. This experience can only be done with guides and specialized travel agencies. Anyway, don’t discard the idea that this place can be on your Peru itinerary.
How to stay safe in Peru
Feeling safe is always something basic when traveling. While preparing your Peru itinerary, you might be questioning how to take precautions in order to prevent unwanted situations. Below is the answer:
- Always bring your passport or ID. When walking around in a city or town, at least a copy is enough. Most tourists keep their original documents and valuables in the safe box of their hotel. For some tours is mandatory to present original documents before entering the sites.
- If you wish to get a cab, it is better to take one that belongs to a company (you have to call them by phone or app). Receptionists at hotels or staff from airports/bus stations will recommend a good one.
- Take proper precautions to protect yourself from purse-snatchers. Don’t flaunt expensive jewelry or belongings around. Lock your bags before going to one place or another. Don’t exchange money in the street; use the banks or exchange bureaus.
- It is strictly forbidden to take photographs of airports, military bases, areas near electric power towers, and police stations. Therefore, be cautious when filming or photographing during your visit.
- Purchase good travel insurance; it will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and trip cancellations.
“GOOD PLANNING IS ENOUGH TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE”
Peru has so much to offer; it can be hard to know where to start. With many years of experience in the tourism sector, Machu Travel Peru is happy to help with anything regarding your trip to Machu Picchu and any tours around it. Make your Machu Picchu experience an unforgettable one! Contact us today to plan your dream adventure!
