One of my all-time favorite trips has been trekking through Peru. I spent three amazing months in Cusco completing an internship at a local school. After finishing the internship, Kelvin joined me in Cusco and together we began our three-week adventure exploring the very best that Peru has to offer. By the end of this post, you’ll know the top places to visit in Peru and be ready to start planning your own journey using our detailed three-week itinerary!
After reading this blog post, you’ll have the best Peru travel advice before embarking on your journey.
This post is all about the Best 3 week itinerary: Peru.
Best 3 week itinerary: Peru
Why should Peru be on your bucket list?
Peru deserves a spot on your bucket list thanks to its breathtaking natural diversity — from beaches and mysterious desert oases to lush jungles and impressive Andean mountain ranges. This incredible landscape is complemented by rich biodiversity and a food culture rooted in powerful superfoods like yacón, as well as maca and camu camu. Lima is actually considered one of the world’s top gastronomic capitals and has one of the best cultural food scenes in South America. There truly is something in Peru for every type of traveler. Whether you’re trekking ancient Inca trails, celebrating traditional festivals like Inti Raymi, or simply soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of its historic cities, Peru offers a unique blend of beauty, culture, and adventure that will leave you inspired.
12 Quick Facts about Peru
Currency: The national currency is the Peruvian Sol (PEN).
Time Zone: Peru is in the Peru Time (PET) zone — GMT/UTC -5 (no daylight savings).
Weather: Climate varies by region (coast, Andes, Amazon) — insider tip: pack plenty of layers and comfortable trekking shoes, as temperatures can change quickly throughout the day.
Flights to Peru: LATAM Perú is the largest airline operating domestic and international routes.The main international gateway is Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport.
Machu Picchu: One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, located in the Andes near Cusco. Advance booking is required to enter.
Inti Raymi: The Festival of the Sun, celebrated every year on June 24th in Cusco.
Trains in Peru: Scenic trains run to popular destinations like Machu Picchu (through companies like PeruRail and Inca Rail).
Adventure Activities: Peru is a playground for adventurers — from trekking the Inca Trail and sandboarding in Huacachina to kayaking in the Amazon and paragliding over the Andes.
Traditional Food: Dishes like ceviche, lomo saltado, chicha morada, causa, and rocoto relleno showcase the diversity of Peruvian cuisine.
Wildlife: Peru is incredibly biodiverse, home to animals like llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, jaguars, monkeys, colorful birds, and unique Amazonian species. Peru is home to around 80% of the world’s alpaca population.
People: Peru has a rich mix of cultures, including Indigenous groups (Quechua, Aymara), mestizo communities, and Spanish influences — all proudly preserving their traditions.
Music: Traditional music includes Andean folklore (quenas, zampoñas) and música criolla with Spanish and African influences.
Peru itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco
Your Peruvian adventure begins with a flight into Lima, followed by a short domestic flight to Cusco, the historic heart of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and take it easy—your body will need time to adjust to Cusco’s high altitude (around 3,400 meters / 11,200 feet). Spend the afternoon sipping coca tea, strolling lightly around the nearby Plaza de Armas, or simply resting while soaking in the Andean atmosphere.
In the evening, treat yourself to a delightful dinner at one of Cusco’s renowned restaurants.
- República del Pisco
- Mama Seledonia
- Il Olivo Trattoria Restaurante
- Fuego, Burgers and Barbecue Restaurant
- La Bo’m Cusco
Insider tip
Avoid strenuous activity on your first day, drink plenty of water, and consider eating small, light meals.
Day 2–5: Explore Cusco
Cusco is packed with history, culture, and vibrant local life, making it worth spending a few days exploring. Start with highlights in the city like the Museo y Catacumbas del Convento de San Francisco, the bustling San Pedro Market (don’t miss the lucuma juice!), the artsy San Blas neighborhood, Choco Museo for chocolate tasting, and Plaza de Armas, where Incan foundations meet Spanish colonial architecture. The Inka Museum is a great stop to dive into Incan and pre-Incan history.
Beyond the city, the Sacred Valley offers incredible Incan and natural sites: Tambomachay, Puka Pukara, Qenqo, Sacsayhuamán, Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo, Pisaq, Pillku Urku, the salt mines, Siete Lagunas, and Rainbow Mountain. At Huayllaracocha, you can even buy handmade souvenirs like a traditional poncho. For adventure seekers, consider a quad biking experience through the valley for a fun, off-road way to explore the landscape.
Insider Tip:
Cusco has many organized tours for these attractions, and you can easily book through local agencies or if you prefer to book in advance, we suggest platforms like GetYourGuide. If you have extra days beyond the three-week itinerary, consider adding Lake Titicaca for a stunning Andean lake experience.
Day 6–10: Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
For a truly unforgettable adventure, we booked the Salkantay Trek in advance with ExploorPeru, and we couldn’t have been happier with their service. This guided group tour included all accommodations and meals, making it a stress-free and immersive experience.
The trek was surreal—starting in snowy Andean landscapes and gradually moving into lush jungle terrain, creating a truly unique contrast. Sleeping in domes with snow-capped mountain views, Andean huts, and jungle domes was iconic—and an incredible way to meet fellow travelers from around the world.
We visited Humantay Lake, crossed the challenging Salkantay Pass, trekked through Collpapampa, explored a coffee farm, and relaxed in the hot springs of Cocalmayo. Our journey ended in Aguas Calientes, where we witnessed the unforgettable sunrise at Machu Picchu. Standing among the ancient Incan ruins, Machu Picchu was nothing short of magical.There’s also an option to climb Huayna Picchu, though it’s a steep and challenging 3–4 hour round trip (we didn’t attempt it). Afterward, we took the train back to Ollantaytambo and were brought back to our hotel.
We personally chose the Salkantay Trek over the Inca Trail. While the Inca Trail is famous, the Salkantay offers a more varied and adventurous route with fewer crowds, and the snowy-to-jungle transition made it perfect for us.
Insider Tip:
Bring plenty of layers, thick socks, and quality trekking shoes to stay comfortable across the changing climates.
Day 11: Rest and Relax in Cusco
After the Salkantay Trek, take a well-deserved day to rest and recharge in Cusco. You can enjoy a relaxing spa treatment, wander through local markets for souvenirs, or do some light sightseeing around the city. It’s the perfect way to recover your energy before continuing your adventure. We stayed at the Cozy Room Cusco.
Day 12: Fly from Cusco to Lima
After flying from Cusco to Lima, spend the afternoon exploring the vibrant neighborhoods of Miraflores or Barranco. We stayed in Miraflores and highly recommend booking your hotel in this area for its central location. Our stay at Green House was perfectly situated for easy access to shops, parks, and the coast. For a delicious treat, don’t miss Veda, where we had the best tiramisu we’ve ever tasted—still a highlight of our trip!
Day 13–17: Iquitos and the Amazon
Now it’s time to travel from Lima to Iquitos (direct flights are typically around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours).
For an unforgettable jungle adventure, we booked a 4-day Amazon tour in Iquitos in advance with ExploorPeru, having been so satisfied with our Salkantay Trek experience. The tour was incredible! We visited La Isla de los Monos, a sanctuary where your visit directly helps the monkeys (more info at laisladelosmonos.org). Our lodge was right on the Amazon River, surrounded by jungle sounds and wildlife, making it a truly immersive experience.
We went on guided jungle treks, spotting fascinating wildlife like sloths, monkeys, bullet ants and even a pink dolphin! We saw giant lily pads and trees that looked straight out of Avatar. We enjoyed serene sunsets on the Amazon, canoeing, and a visit to a local community, where we purchased beautiful handmade products. Other highlights included piranha fishing and witnessing the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon up close—it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Day 17- 18: Lima
After your Amazon adventure, you’ll fly back from Iquitos to Lima and spend the night of Day 17 in Lima to rest and prepare for the next leg of your trip.
Day 18–20: Paracas & Huacachina
We booked a package tour that included the bus transfer from Lima to Paracas, a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands, and a visit to the desert oasis of Huacachina.
In Paracas, the Ballestas Islands are home to sea lions, penguins, and a variety of seabirds, earning them the nickname “Galápagos of Peru.”
Huacachina offers sandboarding and dune buggy rides across the stunning desert landscape. This was seriously so much fun!
While we didn’t stay overnight in Huacachina, in hindsight, spending a night there would have been ideal to enjoy the desert sunset and peaceful atmosphere. That’s why we have added a night here in this Peru itinerary.
Day 20–21: Return to Lima and Wrap-Up
After your desert and coastal adventures, it’s time to return to Lima. Use this day to revisit any neighborhoods you missed earlier, enjoy a final Peruvian meal, or simply relax before your flight home. Lima’s vibrant food and cultural scene is a perfect way to close your journey, offering a mix of history, art, and gastronomy.
By the end of these three weeks, you’ll have experienced Peru’s breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, incredible wildlife, and unforgettable adventures—from the snowy Andean peaks to the lush Amazon, the golden desert dunes to the bustling streets of Lima. Whether it’s tasting superfoods, exploring ancient Incan sites, or spotting pink dolphins in the Amazon, Peru is a destination that truly has something for every type of traveler.
This post was all about the Best 3 week itinerary: Peru
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