Peru
Essentials
The answers you need first
Best for
Archaeology, mountains, food, colonial cities, coastlines and trekking
Ideal first trip
10–14 full days
Main languages
Spanish, Quechua and Aymara
Currency
Peruvian sol
Emergency
105 police, 116 fire, 106 ambulance in Lima
Main transport
Domestic flights, intercity buses, trains, taxis and organised transfers
Climate
Coastal desert, Andean highlands and tropical Amazon regions
Power
220 V, 60 Hz
01
Is Peru right for your trip?
Peru is a strong choice for travellers who want archaeology, mountain landscapes, regional food, colonial cities, trekking and access to the Amazon.
Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon and the northern coast require very different planning.
A successful first trip usually combines Lima, Cusco and one carefully chosen extension rather than trying to cover the entire country.
- Excellent for archaeology, food, trekking and photography.
- Strong choice for culturally focused travel in South America.
- Altitude requires a slower pace.
- Domestic flights save substantial time.
- Ten full days is the practical minimum for a balanced first trip.
02
When should you visit?
The best season depends on whether you are visiting the coast, Andes or Amazon.
The Andean dry season is generally the easiest period for trekking and archaeological travel, while the coast follows a different weather pattern.
Rain, landslides, road closures and rail disruption can affect mountain routes during wetter periods.
- May to September: driest period in much of the Andes.
- October to April: wetter in the highlands.
- December to March: warmer and sunnier on the coast.
- Amazon conditions vary with rainfall and river levels.
- Check regional weather and transport alerts before travelling.
Important
Heavy rain, landslides and route closures can disrupt rail, road and trekking plans in the Andes.
03
What must you check before entering Peru?
Entry requirements depend on nationality, passport, travel purpose and permitted length of stay.
Border authorities may request proof of accommodation, onward or return travel and sufficient funds.
Use only official Peruvian government or consular sources for visa and immigration information.
- Check whether your nationality requires a visa.
- Confirm passport validity requirements.
- Carry accommodation and onward-travel details.
- Check the permitted length of stay granted at entry.
- Review customs and medication rules.
- Keep immigration documents available throughout the trip.
04
How many days do you need?
Ten to fourteen full days gives enough time for Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
The most common mistake is planning too little acclimatisation time before high-altitude sightseeing or trekking.
- 7 days: Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu at a fast pace.
- 10 days: add the Sacred Valley and more acclimatisation.
- 14 days: add Arequipa, Lake Titicaca or the Amazon.
- 21 days: combine several regions without constant transit.
05
What is a realistic first-time route?
A strong first route combines Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Open-jaw or multi-city flights can reduce backtracking when adding southern Peru or the Amazon.
- Days 1–3: Lima.
- Days 4–6: Cusco and acclimatisation.
- Days 7–9: Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
- Days 10–14: add Arequipa, Lake Titicaca or the Amazon.
06
How should you plan domestic flights?
Domestic flights are often the most practical way to connect Lima with Cusco, Arequipa, Juliaca and Amazon gateways.
- Compare total travel time, not flight duration alone.
- Check baggage rules before booking.
- Allow extra time during rainy-season disruption.
- Confirm the exact airport.
- Keep boarding passes available offline.
- Avoid tight self-transfers on separate tickets.
07
When do intercity buses make sense?
Long-distance buses are useful between many cities, but journey times can be very long.
- Use established operators.
- Choose higher-comfort services for overnight routes.
- Confirm the exact terminal.
- Keep valuables with you.
- Check road conditions before departure.
- Compare bus duration with domestic flights.
08
How should you plan train travel?
Train travel is important for Machu Picchu and selected scenic routes, but schedules and ticket categories require advance planning.
- Reserve popular Machu Picchu trains early.
- Check the exact departure station.
- Confirm luggage limits.
- Allow time for road-to-rail transfers.
- Keep tickets available offline.
- Monitor weather-related changes.
09
How should you choose accommodation?
Neighbourhood, altitude, heating, noise and transport access matter more than proximity to one landmark.
- Check the exact neighbourhood.
- Review heating in high-altitude destinations.
- Confirm late-arrival procedures.
- Check stairs and lift access.
- Review airport or station transfer options.
- Save the address offline.
10
How do payments and cash work?
Cards are widely accepted in cities and major tourism businesses, but cash remains useful in markets, villages and smaller businesses.
- Carry Peruvian soles.
- Use ATMs attached to established banks.
- Carry a second payment card.
- Keep small cash for markets and local transport.
- Check the amount before authorising payment.
- Avoid dynamic currency conversion unless you understand the rate.
11
How should you approach Peruvian food?
Peruvian cuisine is highly regional, combining coastal, Andean, Amazonian, Indigenous, African, Chinese and Japanese influences.
- Try ceviche from a reputable restaurant.
- Try lomo saltado and ají de gallina.
- Explore Nikkei and chifa cuisine.
- Try Andean potatoes, corn and quinoa dishes.
- Visit markets and bakeries.
- Reserve high-demand restaurants.
12
How should you manage altitude?
Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca and many trekking routes are at high altitude and require acclimatisation.
- Plan a slower first day.
- Hydrate regularly.
- Avoid heavy exertion immediately after arrival.
- Eat lighter meals at first.
- Know the symptoms of altitude illness.
- Seek medical help if symptoms become severe.
Important
Do not ignore severe headache, confusion, breathing difficulty or loss of coordination at altitude.
13
How should you plan Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu requires coordinated entry tickets, train or trekking arrangements, local transport and timed access.
- Book official entry tickets early.
- Choose the correct circuit.
- Reserve trains and accommodation together.
- Carry passport details matching the booking.
- Check current luggage and access rules.
- Allow flexibility for weather disruption.
14
How should you plan trekking?
Treks require permits, acclimatisation, qualified operators and realistic physical preparation.
- Book permit-controlled routes early.
- Use reputable operators.
- Confirm guide and porter conditions.
- Pack for cold, rain and strong sun.
- Carry travel insurance covering trekking altitude.
- Do not underestimate elevation gain.
15
What are the real safety risks?
The main visitor risks are theft, unsafe taxis, altitude illness, road accidents, protests, landslides and weather disruption.
- Use authorised taxis or recognised ride services.
- Keep valuables secure in crowded areas.
- Avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
- Monitor demonstrations and road closures.
- Follow weather and civil-protection alerts.
- Use local emergency numbers when needed.
16
What should you know about health?
Altitude, foodborne illness, sun exposure, mosquito-borne disease and long road journeys are the main practical concerns.
- Purchase travel medical insurance.
- Carry prescription documentation.
- Use mosquito protection in tropical regions.
- Use high-SPF sun protection.
- Drink sealed or properly treated water.
- Keep insurer contact details available offline.
17
What do travellers usually discover too late?
These planning mistakes most often make a first Peru trip harder.
- Altitude changes the pace of the trip.
- Machu Picchu tickets and train seats sell out.
- Domestic distances are much larger than expected.
- Rain can disrupt Andean transport.
- Cash is still useful in many situations.
- Trekking requires more preparation than a normal day hike.
- Ten full days is the practical minimum for a balanced first trip.
18
Before you go checklist
Complete these checks before departure.
- Confirm visa and passport requirements.
- Choose a realistic regional sequence.
- Reserve domestic flights and major buses.
- Book Machu Picchu tickets and trains.
- Plan acclimatisation days.
- Carry soles and a second payment card.
- Purchase travel medical insurance.
- Download tickets and offline maps.
- Pack sun, rain and altitude-appropriate clothing.
- Review trekking and luggage rules.
- Check weather, protests and route closures.
- Keep emergency contacts available offline.
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