Peru
Everything you need to plan a great trip — from Machu Picchu's Sun Gate to Lima's world-class ceviche — without the guesswork.
Peru rewards 12-16 days: Lima (2-3 days), Cusco and the Sacred Valley (5-7 days including altitude acclimatization and Machu Picchu), and optionally Lake Titicaca or an Amazon eco-lodge (2-4 more days). Best months for the Andes are May-September (dry season) — but book Machu Picchu tickets, trains, and any Inca Trail permit 3-6+ months ahead for that window, since it's also when everyone else visits. Most Western nationalities get 90-183 days visa-free. Budget from $35/day backpacking, $80-150/day mid-range.
Peru gets reduced to a single postcard — Machu Picchu at sunrise — and that postcard undersells almost everything else going on here: a coastal capital with a genuinely world-class restaurant scene, a still-living Inca town you can actually walk through, the highest navigable lake on the planet, and more than half the country buried under Amazon rainforest most visitors never see.
This guide covers everything: where to go, how many days, when to fly around the real booking-window logic (not just 'go in the dry season' — the timing of when you buy tickets matters as much as when you travel), what it actually costs in USD, the visa rule for your specific passport, and an honest, non-scary breakdown of altitude sickness, which is the one practical issue that catches more travelers off guard here than anywhere else on this site. Written to be genuinely useful, and updated through the season.
Destinations
All Destinations ←
Cusco
3-4 days, take the altitude seriously, and let the city itself surprise you.
The Sacred Valley
Lower and warmer than Cusco — a smart first stop, not just a day trip.
Lima
2-3 days, stay in Miraflores or Barranco, and come hungry.
Lake Titicaca
The world's highest navigable lake — plan an extra acclimatization day.
Arequipa
Peru's most underrated city — and the launchpad for Colca Canyon's condors.
Paracas and the Ballestas Islands
A short, easy detour south of Lima — sea lions, penguins, and desert-meets-ocean scenery.
Attractions
All Attractions ←Machu Picchu
Book months ahead in peak season — this is the single biggest planning mistake to avoid.
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
Genuinely stunning, genuinely tough — a serious altitude day, not a casual walk.
Colca Canyon
Andean condors riding thermals over one of the world's deepest canyons.
The Nazca Lines
Enormous desert geoglyphs, 1,500+ years old — see them by air or from a tower.
Sacsayhuamán
An archaeological marvel showcasing Inca engineering.
Lake Titicaca
The world's highest navigable lake with rich culture.
Experiences
All Experiences ←
Inca Trail Trekking
The classic 4-day route to Machu Picchu — but you must book through a licensed operator, months ahead.
Amazon Eco-Lodges: Tambopata vs. Iquitos
Two very different ways to experience the world's largest rainforest.
Huacachina: Sandboarding and Dune Buggies
A real desert oasis surrounded by towering dunes — the most fun 2 hours on Peru's south coast.
Food
All Food ←
Peruvian Food: Ceviche, Pisco Sour and Lima's World-Class Scene
Arguably South America's best food city — and a cuisine that rewards real attention.
Andean Food in Cusco: Alpaca, Cuy and What to Actually Order
Lima gets the food-world fame — Cusco's Andean kitchen deserves its own trip too.
Practical Info
All Practical Info ←
Peru Visa and Entry Requirements (2026)
The real answer, broken down by passport — not one generic rule.
Altitude, Money, Safety and eSIM in Peru
Altitude is the practical issue most guides underrate — here's the honest playbook.
What to Pack for Peru
One country, three climates — the packing list that actually accounts for that.
Articles & Comparisons
All Articles & Comparisons ←
Inca Trail or Alternative Treks: How to Choose
An honest decision guide — not just 'they're all great.'
Best Time to Visit Peru and Machu Picchu
The Andes run on a dry-season calendar, not a summer-vacation one.
Colca Canyon or Rainbow Mountain: How to Choose
Two of Peru's most photogenic day trips — from two different base cities.
The Biggest Mistakes First-Time Peru Travelers Make
Nearly all of these are fixable with about 10 minutes of planning.