Backpacking Peru itinerary
Welcome to our best backpacking Peru itinerary.
Peru has become a popular travel destination because it’s full of history, culture, outdoor adventure, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes.
In short, Peru is a quintessential stop on any South America trip or itinerary.
Backpacking Peru Itinerary
There’s so much to do here, but we’ll narrow it down to the essentials and put together an itinerary that will take you to the spots you simply can’t miss.
You’ll be left wanting more, but you can always visit Peru several times to discover as much as you can about this wonderful country.
Is Peru worth visiting?
One of the most varied and geographically diverse countries in all of Latin America, Peru is home to pretty much everything.
From the harsh desert and wild pacific beaches to legendary Incan ruins, remote settlements deep in the Amazon and soaring Andean peaks, this Latin American nation is certainly not one to be missed.
Peru is also one of the cheapest to travel around, making it one of the classic staples for backpackers heading to South America.
BLATAM backpacking data:
- 💰 Currency: Sol
- 🇵🇪 Language: Spanish
- 🌎 Population Size: 33 Million
- 📍 Best Secret: Chachapoyas
- 🍴 Eat: Lomo Saltado, Papa Rellena
- 🥛 Drink: Pisco Sour
- 💸 Average Daily Budget: $20-25
See our tips of the the cost of travel in Peru for more advice on the different costs that you’ll have when visiting Peru, as well as tips on how to set the perfect budget.
Peru itinerary Map
Lima → Huacachina → Arequipa → Cusco
Is Peru Safe?
This is one of the most common questions people make when they consider traveling to Peru and the answer is yes. Generally, it’s safe to visit Peru.
Our basic tips for safety in Peru include:
- Don’t flaunt your valuables while you’re out, including mobile devices and even AirPods.
- Keep expensive belongings in your accommodation, preferably locked up with this Prosafe Padlock.
- Never leave your belongings unattended when you’re out and about.
- Don’t hand your mobile phone or camera to anyone who randomly offers to take a picture.
- Avoid rough neighborhoods and stay in safe areas.
You won’t get murdered or kidnapped while you’re there, but you will need to be vigilant and take certain precautions. Tourists are often the target of petty crimes, which is something that happens in many countries.
But don’t worry, we’ll provide a few useful tips later on so you can stay safe!
Safety facts about Peru
- The best way to evaluate safety is by looking at the 2020 Global Peace Index. This measures the state of peace of each country in comparison with the rest of the World, by evaluating both tangible and qualitative indicators.
- Peru ranked 84th out of the 163 nations measured, which is similar to that of Bolivia and Morocco. For comparison, The United States ranked as 121st.
- Overall Peru is a pretty safe country to travel to, with a lot of the major destinations pretty well looked-after. Perry theft is usually the biggest issue here, so be sure to take extra care of your belongings, avoid heading to the more seedy areas and to dress down when heading out.
- Also it goes without saying, but when heading out late at night try to avoid being out alone, especially if you’re not familiar with a certain area or neighborhood.
- The capital Lima is less safe than the rest of the country, so this advice applies even more here. The districts of Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco are by far the safest to travel around.
- Be careful when in Callao, the Historic Centre and in Chorillos, as there tends to be more poverty here, which means there are more opportunistic thieves who target tourists.
Peru Itinerary: Places to Visit
There are many unique places to visit in Peru too, but in this itinerary, we’ll look at the spots you simply can’t miss.
You can read this in conjunction with our popular South America travel guide which shows you even more epic tourist attractions in Peru.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is one of the most important highlights Peru has to offer and you simply can’t miss it.
It’s an ancient Incan city that’s located high up in the Andes, so it’s definitely an adventure.
Explore Machu Picchu with a small group with a full-day tour – the most convenient way if you want to skip the hassle of buying tickets!
The site was discovered by accident and since then, it has become an extremely popular destination. You can get to it by train or by foot through the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trail.
It’s not difficult to see why this landmark is one of the best places to visit in South America and why it made it onto our bucket list.
Inca Trail
You might as well kill two birds with one stone by trekking the Inca Trail to get to Machu Picchu.
Along with other famous hikes in Peru this is one of the most well-known trails in the world and it will take you 4 days to complete.
It begins at Cusco, another must-visit destination we will discuss below, and it ends at Machu Picchu. You’ll go through ancient stone paths laid by Incans and you’ll also discover incredible ancient ruins along the way.
We recommend going with this highly-rated Inca Trail tour when in Cusco. It includes all meals, camping equipment as well as a local porter to help carry extra bits (and trust us – the altitude will make things tougher even for the fittest of hikers)
Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley used to be the heart of the Inca Empire and it’s an incredible valley near the Andes.
If you enjoy outdoor adventures, you will love to go to the Sacred Valley where you’ll be able to go trekking, rafting, rock climbing, and much more.
This all-action tour is great for those who want to make the very most of their day exploring, where you’ll visit the ruins of Moray, Ollantaytambo, Pisac and more. The nearby towns of Urubamba and Yucay are also perfect for spiritual relaxation.
Lima
Lima is the capital of Peru and it’s the largest city in the country, which means it’s perfect for people who want a more metropolitan experience filled with history, delicious food, and a lot of culture.
Traditional and colonial architecture is mixed with modern buildings, the Centro is filled with craft markets, and you’ll be able to discover antique shops and bars in the suburb of Miraflores, among many other things.
A unique way to explore and discover Lima is through a Peruvian food tour – a perfect treat to those who are food enthusiasts!
Cusco
Cusco is a colorful city and it’s known as the archaeological capital of the Americas.
It’s one of the most popular destinations in the country because it’s home to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.
Not to mention you’ll also get to visit the Plaza de Armas, the San Pedro Market, and places such as Sacsayhuaman, which is an amazing Inca site. There are also plenty of restaurants and churches to discover!
Arequipa
Last but not least for today’s Peru itinerary, we have Arequipa, the second-largest city in the country.
It’s worth a visit because it’s surrounded by volcanoes such as El Misti and there are also Inca sights like the Lady of Ampato.
While in Arequipa, take the panoramic bus tour and you’ll also find Spanish colonial architecture, amazing bridges such as the Puente Bolognesi, and the Plaza de Armas, among many other great places.
Backpacking Peru itinerary (2 Weeks)
Here we’ll now cover our very best itinerary of Peru.
As well as keeping an eye on the time, it’s also been designed to keep things fresh and exciting for you too.
Lima (Days 1-3)
First, we’ll kick off with the lively capital of Peru. Getting here is very easy, with Lima being one of the best-connected cities in LATAM, with numerous worldwide flights arriving daily.
This city tends to be glossed over, however, we think it’s great as not only is it full of authentic Peruvian culture and gems, but is also the upcoming culinary capital of the world. There are two great areas we recommend staying in.
The historic center is the best for culture and seeing Lima’s best monuments, whilst Miraflores is a more commercial and walking-friendly district with great amenities, restaurants and nightlife.
Whichever you choose there are tons of good value hostels to pick from. During these first few days, we’ll explore some of the best things to do in Lima
First of all, the must-visit is to the Museo Larco, which is home to one of the biggest collections of pre-Colombian artifacts and art on the continent. You can head here with this tour which includes all transport as well as a visit to the Casa Aliaga and the Cathedral
The Plaza de Armas and its impressive architecture is another gem in itself, and also be sure to walk or hire a bike to explore the rolling cliffs of the Costa Verde, which extends further south into the popular bohemian district of Barranco.
Huacachina (Days 4-5)
From Lima we’ll now head into the arid desert, and to one of the top, upcoming Peruvian destinations. Huacachina is that oasis you’ve probably already heard of, and boy is it a must for its incredible, massive dunes.
To get here, first, take a bus from Lima to Ica which is around 5 hours, and then a mototaxi to Huacachina which takes around 15 minutes.
The town itself is tiny – you can walk around the entire perimeter in about 20 minutes.
As a result, everything is ridiculously close, with a tonne of good value hostels to choose from.
Some of the best things to do in Huacachina include the Sandboarding and Buggy Tour, where you’ll get up and close with the massive dunes (which are some of the biggest in Latin America).
And when you’re at the top of the dunes? Grab a board and launch yourself back to earth head-first of course.
Aside from the dunes and also the stunning oasis lake which is great to chill around (be sure to hike up to the dunes to the north of town for the best views), there’s not too much more to do so we feel 2 days is a decent amount of time before moving on.
Arequipa (Days 6-9)
From Huacachina we’ll then head to the bus terminal in neighboring Ica to catch a long bus over to Arequipa (approximately 13 hours, so is best done during the night to save daytime hours).
Arequipa in our opinion is the most beautiful city in all of Peru. The “white city” has some stunning buildings that are made entirely from volcanic rocks, such as the Cathedral and those in the Plaza de Armas.
Be sure to head to the Yanahuara mirador, where you can breathe in the best panoramic views of the city, along with the awesome backdrop of the three volcanoes that surround Arequipa.
The Colca Canyon is a very popular trip to take from Arequipa, with this 2-Day Tour one of the very best for exploring all of the epic scenery and sites here.
It’s more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and here you’ll also be able to spot Condors soaring above and into the sprawling canyons.
The Sillar Valley is great to see too for its rock formations, and whilst here why not hike one of the surrounding volcanoes, too?
El Misti is the most popular for a hike, however those who like a challenge should consider Chachani which has some incredible views although it’s pretty high altitude – so be sure to prepare properly for high altitude.
Cusco (Days 10-15)
Last on our journey through Peru we arrive at one of the most impressive colonial cities on the continent. You can arrive here from Arequipa on a night bus, which takes around 10 hours.
Cusco is an architect’s dream, with winding narrow pathways surrounded by charming colonial buildings on most corners.
The Plaza de Armas here is also very beautiful, and a worthwhile area to hang out in to eat and also browse for novelties. We recommend staying in the historic center, where there are lots of cheap hostels dotted around.
The reason this city deserves most of the time on this itinerary is due to the sheer amount of things to do and see. Machu Picchu can be seen within two days from here, which is an absolute must when in Peru. The best way to explore Machu Picchu is with this highly-rated tour, which includes the admission ticket, the incredible train ride as well as a private guide once in the legendary Inca site
Check out our 7 days in Cusco itinerary for a step-by-step guide of the region. Other great trips include heading into the Sacred Valley and seeing its highlights, which include Ollantaytambo, Pisac and the circular Moray Ruins.
We also recommend the Ausangate Hike, where you’ll see seven incredibly colored lakes with an imposing backdrop of snowy mountains.
And there we have our short but sweet 2 week Peru itinerary. Now let’s move on to our most important tips, so you can have the best experience possible here.
Backpacking Peru: Travel + Safety Tips
As we mentioned eariler, Peru is safe to visit, but you still need to take certain precautions.
To help you out, here are some useful travel safety tips to follow!
⬇️ Below you can find a list of our top recommendations for Peru:
- Pickpockets are common, so watch out for that when you’re in crowded places or when you’re using public transportation.
- Look out for the top rated hostels in Peru for the most comfortable rooms and meeting like-minded people etc.
- The Miraflores district in Lima is great for a night out. Head to Calle Manuel Bonilla, which has a good variety of bars lining the street.
- Don’t travel or walk the streets alone at night and avoid dark areas.
- Make sure you travel with a reputable bus operator you can trust, don’t just go for the cheapest option.
- We highly suggest learning some Latin American Spanish before you arrive in Peru or take some lessons while in Cusco as it can really help you out in different situations.
- Peru is renowned for its Ceviche and seafood, which are rated among the top in the World. For those who want to try more adventurous foods, then try out Cuy in Cusco.
- Machu Picchu, The Amazon, Huacachina, Colca Canyon (Arequipa), Lake Titicaca. See this list of top rated tours in Peru
- Avoid using drugs! People can take advantage of you because if caught you can be detained for up to 15 days if you’re caught by the police.
- When withdrawing money, you’ll most likely be taking out Sols (although some can dispense Dollars, however, limited places accept this currency). Different banks in Peru usually have withdrawal and international fees, however, BCP tends to not have a charge so try to find their ATM’s!
- Purchase travel insurance. If anything goes wrong, you’ll have support.
Practice these tips and you will be able to successfully avoid the most common risks of being a tourist in Peru. Stay safe!
Traveling Around Peru
Traveling around Peru by bus is one of the best ways to enjoy the incredible landscapes the country has to offer.
You don’t want to be a typical tourist, you want to enjoy this country authentically. Traveling by bus in Peru definitely helps you do that.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Prepare for high altitudes, so make sure you’re always hydrated and bring altitude sickness pills with you.
- It can also get chilly, so layer up.
- Do your research, choose a reputable bus company, and book bus tickets in advance to save time.
- Consider luxurious coach buses for greater comfort and safety during your trip, especially if you’re going on long trips.
- When purchasing your bus ticket from a vendor, ask about the conditions of the vehicle to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Some of our favourite hostels in Peru include:
Selina Miraflores (Lima), Banana Hostal (Huacachina), Inkas Garden Hostel (Cusco).
Best time to visit Peru
We’ve spoken a lot about the best time to visit Peru on this blog (George is absolutely obsessed with checking the weather when we travel).
Peru is actually a great destination to visit year-round. However, with many different micro-climates, some areas are better to visit at different times of the year which we’ll take a look at now.
When in Lima, the summer season (which runs from December until April) is the best time to visit, with an average temperature of between 72-75°F. The nights are comfortable at this time, whereas during the winter it can get chilly.
Rainfall is pretty rare regardless of when you visit the capital, although the summer season again is a better time to visit where there has been less recorded (2-4mm per month compared to between 5-10mm throughout the rest of the year).
The Andean highlands and mountains tend to get a lot chilly as you’re located at a higher altitude. The popular destination of Cusco is warmest from October until April, with an average temperature of 52°F, and lows of 39°F.
May until August can get bitterly cold, with averages of between 45-48°F, and lows that drop to 27°F on the coldest days. High temperatures vary between 63-66°F regardless of the time of year.
Rainfall is extremely seasonal in Cusco, with the wet season running from December until March with between 110-150mm falling throughout each month. May until August only has between 5-10mm of precipitation.
The humid Amazon Jungle is another popular area to explore in Peru. The main tourist destination of Iquitos is hot year-round, with averages never really changing from between 79-81°F.
Highs can reach up to a sultry 90°F, with lows ranging between 70-72°F. Rainfall is pretty wild in the Amazon. Most months of the year see a downpour of between 250-330mm for each month.
July into September is slightly drier (if we can get away with saying that!) with around 200-230mm of rainfall throughout each.
What to pack for Peru?
Peru is a vast country, with climates that range extremely from the hot Pacific coast to the bitterly cold Andean mountains. As a result it can be confusing what to pack, but here we’ll do our best to help you.
If you are thinking of traveling the whole hog, then you are going to need a range of clothes that cover pretty much every scenario.
This includes light wear for the coast and jungle, as well as several layers (including a thick coat) for when exploring in the higher altitudes.
A good raincoat is also important as rainfall can get quite heavy, especially in the jungle year-round.
As well as the above, you’ll also want to pack all the essentials which include toiletries, a document holder, towels, a water bottle as well as a daypack for any excursions you’ll be taking part in.
Got travel insurance for Peru?
Backpacking Peru Itinerary
If you want to travel to Peru, this itinerary will help you visit the best places this wonderful country has to offer.
Use this guide before and during your travels as a trusty reference, and you’ll have a great time! Also, see our backpacking South America guide for more travel inspiration!
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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