PERU
This is a sample itinerary
It is for 10 days and can be flexed for longer. For restaurant, tour, transportation recommendations, please contact us.
DAY 1
Depending on your time of arrival into LIMA
Start exploring the Miraflores or Barranco areas
"walk the Malecon"
hold your breath on the Bridge of Sighs
enjoy the ocean view at the Larcomar Shopping Center
grab a coffee at one of the trendy cafes in the area
Relax by the water in a park (see the famous sculpture The Kiss)
Take a bike tour
Spend some time in Parque Kennedy (followed by a coffee at Arabica)
Visit the Mercado de Brujas (Witches Market) in the Gamarra Market
DAY 2 Lima and the Historic Center
Try a walking tour (we think the "free" ones - be prepared to tip the guide though!)
Visit the San Francisco Church and the Catacombs (and the many other churches and convents)
Stroll in the Plaza de Armas
Enjoy one of the many museums with pre-Columbian and Colonial pottery and art
Watch the changing of the guard at Palacio de Gobierno
Indulge in a famous Churros
Watch the sunset at Mangos Restaurante
Walk around Barrio Chino and enjoy the local Chaufa
Paraglide
Sign up for a walking foodie tour
DAY 3
After a morning flight from Lima to Arequipa, you have the whole day to enjoy this beautiful city surrounded by volcanoes.
The main plaza is stunning, surrounded by the white buildings the city is known for, all built from sillar- a white volcanic rock.
Be dazzled as you look at the many churches in and around Plaza de Armas; many with beautiful and intricately carved facades
Explore the Monasterio de Santa Catalina- a massive colonial site from the 16th century
Visit the Museo Santuarios Andinos and learn about Juanita
Stroll the streets. It's one of the cleanest and prettiest cities in the country.
Enjoy the sunset from one of the cafes around the plaza
White water rafting on the Chili River
Eat lunch at a local picanteria
Adjusting the provided itinerary is simple if you have extra time to spend in Peru.
We recommend the following additions, by region and activity. Spend a few extra days in Arequipa and check out the following:
Salinas Salt Lagoon (day trip about 2.5 hours outside city)
Capua Waterfall (off the beaten track adventure). Bus from Arequipa to Yura (thermal baths) and then about 3-hour hike to the waterfall.
Trek the El Misti (options available for all levels including a half day trip; a full day sunrise trek; or a 2-3 day trip)
DAY 4
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake on Earth, at 12,4709 ft. And the famous floating islands are the reason we wouldn't miss this!
There are two options for visiting the islands. Given the time you will get into Puno, we suggest booking these in advance.
1. Day Trip
There are numerous tour companies offering a variety of day trips to include visiting one island, two islands, or combining kayaking with island visits. We recommend at least a two island visit as they are totally different from each other-specially to include a floating island make out of totora reed. The islands typically visited are Uros and Taquile Island.
Adding the kayaking is a fun start to the day.
2. Homestay
A couple of the islands offer overnight homestays that allow you to stay with a local family and see more of an "up close and personal" way of life. If you choose to book this, be prepared for a rustic stay-and understand the facilities you will have available in advance.
FLEXIBLE ITINERARY NOTE: As mentioned before, the itinerary is flexible to accommodate a two-day Canyon trek and/or a homestay on the lake. Given the limited amount of time on the shorter itinerary, it would be hard to fit in both. However, you could also cut the PISAC portion from CUSCO and add the homestay here. (Just some options as we all have different interests :)
DAY 5
As with almost every city in Latin and South America, the plazas are the central location. Cusco is no exception. The Plaza de Armas has amazing architecture all built on Inca stone walls. Be aware the Plaza is crowded with many "hawkers" selling all sorts of things. Also, manage your expectations. Cusco isn't a "clean" city. The San Blas area is OLD. Peru is OLD. The infrastructure is OLD. Don't be surprised to see garbage on the street, dog excrement on the sidewalks, and water barrels in bathrooms for manually flushing toilets.
Hang out in San Blas (Elevation Alert!) where you will find awesome restaurants, cafes, and views
Spend time in the Plaza. If you can fit in a sunset from a coffee shop or restaurant on the 2nd level, it's worth it.
Visit the San Pedro Market
Take a cooking class
Walk (or taxi) to Sacsayhuman (explore buying a "boleto turistico" depending on the number of sites you will be able to fit into your itinerary)
Enjoy a fixed price lunch at Greenpoint
Indulge (literally) at the Museo del Pisco
DAY 6
CUSCO- Day 2
DAY 7
By now, if you have haven't already seen our video on Machu Picchu (available on our Utube channel " ItsDrewandAlex "); or reviewed the checklist in the eBook- you should!! Both will provide you detailed information on the process of booking the many steps to visit Machu Picchu.
While you can do this as a day trip, we highly recommend leaving mid-day; staying the night; and visiting Machu Picchu on the earliest ticket in the morning.
DAY 8
After returning to Cusco from Machu Picchu, at some point during the day head on over to Pisac via a Collectivo. The best day to visit Pisac is on a Sunday for the craft market. However, there are crafts and art available every day, the hippy vibe is ever-present, and the 150-year-old Horno Colonial San Francisco empanada oven is fired up daily!
We stayed just a bit out of the town overlooking the countryside. It was beautiful and quiet and a good respite from a hectic few days and early morning wake ups.
Prices on tapestries, rugs, textiles were excellent; and there is a weaving community about 40 minutes away (Amaru). Just make sure it is open.
As with most places in Peru, Pisac also has Incan ruins. But just after Machu Picchu, you may just want to enjoy the coffee houses and laid-back vibe of the town instead.
FLEXIBLE ITINERARY NOTE: A day trip to Pisac is very manageable if you would rather spend extra time in the canyon or at the lake.
DAY 9
A visit to a rainbow mountain is a highlight you don't want to miss. Although the time to get there and the elevation may both knock you back a step, it's a sight to behold.
We chose to go to Palccoyo Mountain (over the more popular Vinicunca) for a number of reasons. Contact us and we will tell you why!
DAY 10
Fly out of Cusco to LIMA and Home OR Flex and stay longer with some of these options!
Adjusting the provided itinerary is simple if you have extra time to spend in Peru. We recommend the following additions, by region and activity.
Day Trips from CUSCO
Annaniso Puebla A tiny and very rural town with the only communication outside via radio. We highly recommend one provider for this trip.
Humantay Lake (Elevation Alert!)
Urubamba River Rafting
Chinchero
Southern Valley (Piqillacta Citadel/Temple of Timpon)
Multi-Day Treks (Elevation Alert! and Guides recommended)
Inca Trail (4 days)
Lares Trek (4 days)- relatively easy from Patacancha valley through to the Lares Valley (this is one you might do on your own)
Choquequirao (2 days)
Salkantay Trek (5 days)
Ausangate Trek (5 days)