Friends, ready for a country that changes every few hours by road? Peru layers Pacific cliffs, glacier-cut peaks, high-altitude lakes, and rainforest into one endlessly surprising journey.

The rewards are immense—think bucket-list icons and low-key villages on the same itinerary—if you stitch together transport, tickets, and timing with care. Use this guide to pick seasons, budget smartly, and move confidently.

Why Peru

Peru is built for variety: ancient stonework, canyon viewpoints, mirror-blue lagoons, and jungle waterways alive with color. Cities like Lima and Cusco fuel trips with museums, mercados, and inventive kitchens, while smaller towns base you near trails, boat docks, or sand-etched mysteries.

Best Seasons

May–Sep brings dry skies in the Andes—prime for trekking around Cusco, Arequipa, and Huaraz. The Amazon is friendliest Apr–Oct, when humidity dips and trails firm up. Coastal Peru shines Dec–Mar with warm beach days; May–Oct can be cool and misty. If hiking to Machu Picchu, know the classic Inca Trail closes in February for maintenance.

Getting In

Most travelers receive 30–90 days visa-free on arrival (passport valid 6+ months). Lima’s Jorge Chávez International is the main gateway. Pre-booked airport transfers to Miraflores or Barranco run about $15–$25; official stands inside arrivals quote fixed rates.

Key Routes

Domestic flights save days: Lima–Cusco 1h20 (typical fares $60–$150 if booked early). Trains from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (for Machu Picchu) cost $70–$180 one way depending on class and time. Buses vary from basic to plush; on major routes expect reclining seats and onboard restrooms for $15–$40 per long leg. Daylight travel is safer and more scenic.

Top Sights

Machu Picchu: Timed tickets and defined circuits keep capacity orderly; expect $40–$65 for entry. Shuttle buses Aguas Calientes ⇄ Citadel are ~$12 each way. Carry your passport, arrive early, and secure tickets well ahead in peak months.

Arequipa & Colca: Arequipa’s white-stone architecture dazzles; day trips to Colca Canyon to spot soaring silhouettes typically cost $20–$50, with optional hot-spring stops.

Lake Titicaca: From Puno, classic boat tours to floating and hillside islands run $15–$35 (half- or full-day). Overnight family stays with two meals are $20–$40 pp.

Nazca Lines: 30-minute overflights cost $80–$120 plus ~$10 airport tax. Morning slots offer smoother air.

Kuélap (Chachapoyas): The cable car plus site entry usually totals $10–$15.

Amazon Lodges (Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos): Three-day, two-night packages with guided outings and meals start around $250–$450 pp.

Food Guide

Coastal menus lean on ceviche ($8–$15) and bright causas ($4–$8). Andean kitchens warm you with quinoa soups, corn-based stews, potatoes in creamy sauces, and fresh trout near Titicaca ($6–$12). In the jungle, try juanes (seasoned rice and chicken wrapped in leaves) and palm-heart salads.

Save room for picarones (spiced dough rings with syrup) or mazamorra morada (purple-corn pudding). To drink: chicha morada (non-alcoholic purple-corn punch), fresh maracuyá juice, coca or herbal teas, and improving Peruvian coffee.

Health Tips

Altitude deserves respect. Fly into Cusco? Spend the first day strolling, sipping fluids, and eating light; many travelers add a night in the lower-lying Sacred Valley before steep trails. Sun is intense at elevation—use SPF 50, hat, and sunglasses. Stick to bottled or filtered water; peel fruit, and enjoy busy, well-reviewed eateries. Commonly suggested vaccines include tetanus/diphtheria/polio, typhoid, and hepatitis A; jungle itineraries may prompt additional advice from a travel clinic.

Safety Smarts

Peru is welcoming, yet petty theft occurs in busy areas. Use official taxis or ride-hail apps, keep phones zipped away in transit hubs, and carry small bills. Make digital copies of documents and store a backup card separately. On buses, keep valuables on your person; tag and photograph checked bags.

Stays

Lima and Cusco midrange hotels run $55–$120 with breakfast; boutique options go higher. Reliable hostels and guesthouses average $12–$30 for dorms and $30–$60 for privates. Andean homestays on islands or in rural valleys are a cultural highlight (typically $20–$40 with meals). Amazon lodges bundle guided excursions, transfers, and full board—excellent value when factoring logistics.

Sample Week

Day 1–2 Lima: Coastal viewpoints, museums, and a market-to-table lunch ($8–$15 set menus).

Day 3–4 Cusco: Fly in; acclimatize with gentle city walks and nearby sites (tour $15–$30).

Day 5 Sacred Valley: Pisac terraces or Ollantaytambo fortress; stay valley-side to sleep lower.

Day 6 Machu Picchu: Early train, mid-morning entry; return or overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 7 Fly home or add Lake Titicaca (1 extra night) or a short Amazon stay (2 nights).

Budget Moves

Buy intercity bus or flight deals a few weeks out, eat menú del día lunches, and bundle attractions with city tourist tickets where available. Splurge selectively—one scenic flight or a guided cloud-forest day can anchor the whole trip.

Conclusion

Peru rewards curiosity—one morning can start above the clouds and end with sunset over the Pacific. Which chapter calls you first: stone-built citadels, high-lake villages, desert geoglyphs, or rainforest lodges? Share your dates, comfort level, and “must-sees,” and a tailored route—with current prices and easy bookings—can be mapped to match your pace.