Note: this guide to Peru contains affiliate links. Thank you for the support!
Peru is a country of wild contrasts. From the Amazon rainforest to the Andes, to the windswept desert coast, it’s one of the most diverse destinations in South America — and one I’d been desperate to visit for as long as I could remember.
As well as ticking off Machu Picchu, seeing the jungle was high on my bucket list. And the more I researched Peru, the more the list kept growing, until I had an itinerary that could have lasted months! And that’s without counting its neighbours of Ecuador and Bolivia.
But true to my travelling spirit, I pulled back and focused on what was doable in three weeks without exhausting myself.
This guide is a slightly more chilled-out itinerary, designed to let you see all the highlights without feeling too rushed, while giving you time to acclimatise to altitude (something I’m grateful for in hindsight).
If you want to experience the best of Peru — from ancient ruins and desert oases to wildlife encounters and local culture — this 3-week itinerary is for you.
Table of Contents
Is 3 weeks in Peru enough?
Yes, three weeks is the perfect amount of time to see Peru’s highlights at a comfortable pace. You’ll cover the capital Lima, the desert towns of Paracas and Huacachina, the Amazon rainforest, the Sacred Valley and Cusco, plus of course Machu Picchu. If you’d like to extend, you could add Arequipa, Colca Canyon, and Lake Titicaca -– or save a few days from the Amazon and Cusco.
If you only have two weeks, you can also condense this itinerary by cutting back on days in Cusco or skipping the Amazon (although heads up, it was my trip highlight!). A popular two-week route is: Lima – Paracas/Huacachina – Cusco & Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu. It’s faster-paced but still lets you tick off Peru’s big highlights.
How to get around Peru
Distances in Peru are long, so mixing transport is key. I mostly used internal flights for longer legs to help speed things along (Lima to Puerto Maldonado, Puerto Maldonado to Cusco).
On the coast, PeruHop was a fantastic option for safe and seamless transfers between Lima, Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca — especially as a solo traveller. Taxis are common in towns, while trains take you to Machu Picchu from Cusco or Ollantaytambo.
3-week Peru itinerary
Days 1–2: Lima
After flying into the city, you can base yourself in either Miraflores or Barancos. I stayed in both for one night each.
Miraflores is a safe, vibrant neighbourhood with parks, shopping and great food. Don’t miss:
- Kennedy Park (with its resident cats)
- A churro from Manalo
- Mercado San Martin for local eats
- A tour of the Old Town — including San Francisco Basilica and the catacombs
Down by the coast you’ll also find Parque del Amor, Parque Chino de Miraflores and Larcomar if you want to shop.
I chose to do an open bus tour on my first day in Lima, a great way to cope with jetlag and get a sense of the city without too much walking! As well as seeing the Basilica and walking around the town, we were invited for a local Pisco sours tasting. You can book tickets at the last minute here.
Stay at: Hotel Antigua Miraflores. This beautiful boutique hotel has quiet, stylish rooms, local-inspired interiors and excellent food.
The next day, head to Barranco, Lima’s bohemian quarter. This area is perfect for a self-guided walk around, stopping off in the many coffee shops and craft stores. Here were my highlights:
- A café sit-in along Jirón Domeyer: I went to Demo Café, but there’s also Awicha and Rue
- Chocolate tasting at Ukaw Chocolate or El Cacaotal
- Shopping and dining at Dédalo art gallery
- Dinner at Isolina or El Muelle Cevichería
Stay at: Casa Caceres, a peaceful self-check-in guesthouse where I never saw a soul and had some excellent R&R. They don’t have food onsite but the local café, Maridá Café, is excellent.
Day 3-4: Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca
Time for your first tour. Peru Hop makes it incredibly easy to get around and I highly recommend doing so to reach the desert coastline. After a few hours, you’ll reach Paracas, a seaside town with little to do, but lots of striking landscapes.
In Paracas, explore:
- Ballestas Islands boat trip (“the Poor Man’s Galapagos”) — see sea lions, Humboldt penguins and pelicans, as well as the Paracas Candelabra geoglyph
- The Paracas National Reserve – cycle, hike and enjoy the stunning landscapes
Tip: Skip the group lunch offered on tours — I had an excellent lomo saltado at a local seafront restaurant.
Then it’s on to Huacachina, Peru’s desert oasis where little more than 100 residents live. It’s a little touristy, but the sight of the lagoon among the sands is unmatched. And there’s plenty to do:
- Dune buggy ride — PeruHop offers a longer experience which is well worth it!
- Sandboarding or sand surfing — even if you’re hesitant, it’s one of the most fun things to do in Peru
- Sunset over the sand dunes
Stay at: Viajero Kokopelli Hostel — social but not too party-heavy, with good food and comfy beds.
The next morning it’s off to see the Nazca Lines, a mysterious collection of geoglyphs etched into the countryside. You can view a few from a tower or opt for a 45-minute flight. I went for the latter and I’m not sure it was worth it — it’s definitely not a smooth ride and I spent more time wishing it was over than enjoying the view! An opinion that was shared by about 50% of my group.
Find out more about my tour of Huacachina including how to book tickets.
Days 5–9: Puerto Maldonado & the Amazon
After travelling back to Lima, you can carry on to Puerto Maldonado for your Amazon adventure. I stayed in Barranco for one night before catching an internal flight.
There’s plenty of lodges in the Puerto Maldonado region of varying budgets. But after doing a lot of research, Sotupa Lodge was a standout. Slightly more luxurious, but still accessible from the main town, it was a family-run set-up with the most incredible people and views of the river.
Spotting wildlife is always a highlight of a trip, so I stayed at Sotupa Lodge for 4 nights to allow myself enough time to explore, relax and make the most of this bucket list location.
The lodge is all-inclusive with incredible food and surrounding activity including morning trips to see the parrot clay lick, kayaking on the river, caiman spotting, and guided walks both in the day and the dark.
I also ventured to the nearby animal sanctuary where we had a lovely tour of the incredible work being done to release captured monkeys, sloths and birds back into the wild. I also signed up for a day trip to Lake Sandoval which was absolutely unmissable. Going deeper into the Amazon, it’s a must if you want the best chances of witnessing the jungle’s wildlife, including the rare giant otters.
Sotupa Lodge wasn’t the cheapest option in Puerto Maldonado but it was well worth it. If you want something more affordable, check out these 2-3 night tours.
Days 10–14: Cusco
From Puerto Maldonado you can catch a quick flight to Cusco. Many tours will only give you 1-2 days of downtime to acclimatise to the altitude, but I highly recommend taking a couple more.
There’s plenty to do in Cusco and it’s a good chance to rest before hiking. Highlights include:
- The Religious Circuit Ticket covering Cusco Cathedral, Church of the Triumph, San Blas and more
- Local markets like San Pedro Market
- Ancient ruins: Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay
- Weaving and pottery workshops with local artisans
- Viewpoints: Cristo Blanco and San Blas
Stay at: Casa Andina Premium Cusco, a 4* hotel with lovely interiors, onsite activities and one of the best hotel breakfasts.
Discover my full list of things to do in Cusco.
Days 15–16: Sacred Valley
Your tour of the Sacred Valley begins with a stop off in Ollantaytambo, an Inca archaeological site that’s incredibly charming and the perfect place to begin your journey to Machu Picchu.
Make sure to go via the Maras Salt Mines on route, an ancient, family-run salt extraction site. Whilst I didn’t have time, you can also squeeze in a visit to the Moray ruins in Maras, a collection of circular agricultural terraces believed to be an ancient crop laboratory.
Ollantaytambo itself is a small town with little to do but enjoy a good meal, local beer and chance to mingle with locals. Climbing to the Temple del Sol is worth the hike as an Inca Trail practice run and to enjoy views over the town.
We also took part in a shaman ceremony which was truly breathtaking. I’d also assumed there’d be ayahuasca involved, but this experience was very much based on religion, nature and connecting with each other. We breathed, chanted and danced with local musicians, making offerings of chosen coco leaves to the gods who would grant us protection for our upcoming hike.
Day 17–18: Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
After an early night, you’ll walk to the Inca Rail station to join other hikers on the train to KM 104. It’s a lovely ride, with beautiful views and an energetic atmosphere.
From here, the one-day Inca Trail takes you to Sun Gate for your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. It’s a moderately challenging trek that takes approximately 6-8 hours through dry, dusty trails and shady jungle.
We passed a few stops where those tackling the full 4 day hike rested. Part of me was envious, but I found this trail to be reasonably tough and equally rewarding. Nothing quite beats that first sight of a wonder of the world.
After a restful evening, the next day take a guided tour of Machu Picchu itself to learn about the ancient site and those who miraculously lived there. Take your time exploring — and of course, getting the ultimate Machu Picchu shot!
Day 19–21: Cusco
Returning to Cusco, make sure to have an easy-going day in the town after a strenuous few days. A cooking class is the perfect activity where you’ll learn to make ceviche, lomo saltado and a classic Pisco sour. It’s also the perfect chance to stock up on souvenirs. Peru is known for its coffee and chocolate (of which there is plenty), but Cusco is one of the only places you’ll get genuine alpaca knitwear.
Top tip: Alpaca wool is cold to the touch, so make sure to have a feel before buying jumpers. Many markets and sellers will sell sheep’s wool as baby alpaca.
The following day, join a tour to Rainbow Mountain, the famous colourful peak. It sits at about 5,200 metres above sea level, so it’s best to hike to the top after re-adjusting to Cusco’s altitude. It’s a tough route, so if you’re after something a little gentler, Humantay Lake is also spectacular.
FAQs about a 3-week Peru itinerary
What’s the best time of year to go to Peru?
I went in October and loved it — mild, sunny, and shoulder season so a little less busy. May–September (dry season) is also ideal for trekking and visiting the Amazon.
How much does 3 weeks in Peru cost?
My 3 week trip cost around £4,500 including international flights, tours, mid-range accommodation and internal flights. You can do it cheaper with budget stays, buses and getting around Cusco yourself.
Is Peru safe?
Yes, I felt safe throughout, even travelling solo. Stick to well-trodden areas, avoid flashing valuables, and use trusted transport.
How to avoid altitude sickness?
Take it slow — don’t head straight to hikes. Coca tea and tablets can help. But make sure to drink plenty of water and rest when needed. I took altitude medication to help me adjust on arriving in Cusco, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. Those on my tour who didn’t were fine, and I suffered visual side effects returning to Cusco after being dehydrated from the hike.
Want to know anymore about my trip to Peru? Let me know if the comments! And don’t miss my guide to Huacachina and what to do in Cusco.
