Hey everyone,

Just spent 15 days trekking in Peru with my wife. Absolutely beautiful country, top sights and nature, nice people, nice food. This is my first time in Peru.

Did the following treks:
- Salkantay trek (4 days)
- Short Inca Trail (1 day)
- Montana de Machu Picchu (few hours)
- Ausangate + Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley (3 days)
- Colca Canyon (3 days)

Once again, absolutely beautiful, loved every single bit of it. Did everything independently except the Short Inca Trail where you legally need a guide.

Talked to lots of people on the trails, mostly from Western Europe and the US. Lots of French in their 20s for some reason. However, we noticed that we didn’t meet a single Peruvian who was trekking for leisure and not working (as part of a guided trip for foreigners).

Why is that? Is it not the right season (did this this month - May) or some other reason?

Where I’m from, most of the people you meet on the trails are locals trekking for leisure in the mountains.

Hi all, looking to buy a flight home from Lima. Interested in the 2:50 a.m flight, but do have a concert that evening that will let out just before 11 p.m.

Staying directly next to the venue, could be showered and in an Uber by midnight - with hopefully a drop off by 1 a.m (venue is the national stadium).

Is 2 hours enough time to get through security and to my gate? It is LIM to BOG, and then BOG back home to the US. I only use a carry on bag and dont need bag drop. Only other option leaves at 11:45 a.m and gets me home quite late which isnt ideal.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hello

I am planning a trip to Peru from late August to mid September and am thinking of the following itinerary. Does this make sense or seem too intense? I am interested in a combination of learning about Peruvian culture and lots of nature/hiking. My budget (excluding flights to lima) is about 3500 dollars so also wondering if this doable.

I am from Colorado and love hiking and backpacking. I tend to do pretty well with altitude and only start to feel symptoms of altitude sickness at 14,000 feet. I am in decent shape but not extremely athletic but am planning on jogging and hiking over the summer to train.

Day 1: Fly to lima

Day 2: bus to Huaraz

Day 3-5: day hikes near Huaraz

Day 6 - 15: 10 day HuayHuash (guided)

Day 16: rest day in Huaraz

Day 17: bus to lima, fly to cusco

Day 18: explore cusco

Day 20- 23: choqiuero 4 day treck (guided)

Day 24-25: rest/ explore in cusco

Day 26 - 30: 5 day Asungante treck (guided) or 4 day Lares treck (unguided)

Day 31 - 50: workaway near Cusco, explore sacred valley on days off

Day 51: fly Cusco to lima to home

Hi! I’m going to Peru for about a week and would love honest feedback/reassurance on whether my itinerary is reasonable or way too packed 😭

I’m excited but also starting to get anxious that I’m trying to do too much and won’t actually enjoy the trip or absorb Peru properly.

Current itinerary:

Day 1:
Fly into Lima, stay at airport hotel and rest

Day 2:
Early morning flight to Puerto Maldonado
Amazon lodge tour, Monkey Island, night riverside walk

Day 3:
Amazon hikes/boat tour
Evening flight to Cusco

Day 4:
Mostly relaxed Cusco day — cafés, wandering around, acclimating, nice dinner

Day 5:
Full-day Sacred Valley tour

Day 6:
Machu Picchu day trip (it’s circuit 3 unfortunately and bus not hike - i’m worried i won’t get to see if as much is it still good?)

Day 7:
Humantay Lake hike (4:30am pickup 😭)
Night flight back to Lima

Day 8:
Relaxed Lima day

Day 9:
Fly home

My biggest concern is whether this is TOO much, especially the Machu Picchu day followed immediately by the Humantay Lake hike the next morning.

For context:
- We’re females in our early 20s
- Generally healthy
- Not hardcore hikers but moderately active
- Trying to experience different parts of Peru (Amazon, Andes, city, culture, food, etc.)
- Not trying to party heavily

Does this sound:

1. Fun and manageable?

2. Too rushed?

3. Like we’ll still get a good feel for Cusco/Peru overall?

4. Do I have to be very worried about diseases in amazon and do I have to talk altitude meds?

Also any tips for altitude, exhaustion, or pacing would be appreciated lol. I think I’m psyching myself out reading too many intense travel posts online.

ALSO let’s say just I wanted to skip lake humantay if I am too tired - is Cuzco completely safe for a girl to walk around alone exploring the city?

Be honest with me.

Am I overdoing this Peru + Bolivia itinerary or is this just “normal backpacker chaos”?

Sept 19 → Oct 7

Goal: Machu Picchu + Uyuni (non-negotiable)

Plan:

Lima → Cusco (acclimatize)

Sacred Valley (2 days)

Machu Picchu (booked)

Cusco → Puno → La Paz (bus + lake route)

Uyuni 3-day tour

Fly back La Paz → Lima → home

I’m fine with some long bus rides… but Cusco → Puno (9h) + Uyuni → La Paz (10h) back-to-back is what’s making me question my life choices.

So I need honest opinions:

👉 Is this a normal Peru/Bolivia itinerary

👉 Or am I secretly planning a suffering simulator?

Also curious: Would YOU remove Puno / lake route, or is it worth it?

15 days itinerary

Hi everyone! I’m planning a 15-day Peru trip end of Sept and would love feedback on whether this itinerary looks reasonable:

Day 1–2: Lima
Day 3: Fly to Cusco, taxi straight to Ollantaytambo
Day 4–5: Ollantaytambo / Sacred Valley
Day 6: Aguas Calientes
Day 7: Machu Picchu, then stay in Cusco
Day 8: Cusco
Day 9: Overnight bus to Arequipa
Day 10–11: Arequipa (not doing Colca Canyon)
Day 12: Overnight bus to Nazca
Day 13: Nazca Lines, then stay in Paracas
Day 14: Paracas
Day 15: Back to Lima for fly home

Also, for the Cruz del Sur overnight buses, when is the best time to book to get the best lower-deck seats? Thank you!

Hi everyone,
I’ll be traveling through Peru from the last week of May into the first week of June. My main stops are Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, and Arequipa.
I already have the major sites on my list — Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, a few museums, etc.

But I’m especially interested in places that go beyond the usual tourist checklist. I’m looking for hidden gems, lesser-known historical or cultural sites, local experiences, neighborhoods, markets, traditions, or anything that offers deeper insight into Peru’s anthropology, social fabric, and everyday life.
I’m also planning to write a travelogue about Peru in my native language, so I’m hoping to experience the country in a more layered and observant way rather than just rushing between attractions.
Would love recommendations for:
— lesser-known archaeological or historical sites
indigenous or local cultural experiences
—interesting markets, cafés, bookstores, or neighborhoods
—places with strong storytelling value or atmosphere
—anthropological or sociological points of interest
—unique food experiences beyond the standard tourist spots
—anything that made you feel like you understood Peru more deeply

Open to day trips as well.
Thanks in advance — would really appreciate any suggestions or insights.

My boyfriend and I are going to Peru for the month of June. We are big shoppers, love museums and cultural activities, and CRAVE FOOD. We’ll be in Lima, AC, and Cusco. Anything you have to say, I’m willing to read, I just want to do everything! Thank you so much!

Hi All! Husband and I are headed to Peru next week and I need some packing suggestions. I'm understanding I need to pack layers as we are staying in Lima, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, & Cuzco.

I'm thinking typical athletic clothes (leggings, shorts, athletic joggers, shirts, tanks, pull overs) for our adventure activities which include

- Machu Picchu

- Machu Picchu Hike

- Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike

- Sand boarding/ATVing

Nice outfits for dinner and then some casual outfits for city/town exploring.

- Lima city tour

- Touring Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo & Alpaca Farm

- Touring around Sacred Valley (Pisac, Textile Markets etc)

My biggest question is - are Hokas okay for our hikes?? We're not avid hikers so I'd like to avoid buying hiking shoes we won't really use in the future.

What are some thing you wish you brought but didn't?? Thanks in advance!!

Hello everyone,

In a few weeks, I will be travelling to Peru. First, I will spend four days in Arequipa.

My itinerary for Arequipa and Puno currently looks like this:

- - - AREQUIPA - - -

- two days in Arequipa to explore the city

- one day to visit some villages and towns around Arequipa, such as Tingo, Tiabaya and Paucarpata

- one day to visit the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve

Do you think this itinerary makes sense? I would be grateful for any recommendations. Is the Salinas y Aguada Blance worth a visit? Or you recommend Laguna de Salinas or something elae?

- - - PUNO - - -

After that, we will drive to Puno, where we will stay for about 1.5 days. So we only really have one full day to explore the area.

Many people recommend visiting Taquile or Amantaní Island, but we have booked an apartment in Puno with a great view of Lake Titicaca.

Therefore, I am wondering whether it might be better to do a half-day trip on the lake instead, so that we still have time to visit another place, such as Sillustani.

Do you hae any recommendations for a tour on the lake? Is it easy to get a tour during the morning hours at the harbour or near the lake?

Do have recommend other places around Puno for visiting?

After Puno, we will continue driving to Cusco.

Thank you very much for your help :)

Hi everyone,

I am planning to travel to Peru in July 2026 with my husband. We are very excited for this trip. My only concern at this time is the possibility of experiencing altitude sickness. I am somebody that sometimes does experience dizziness and am "sensitive" to pressure changes on an airplane.

I am wondering what I need to do to prepare my body for Peru/what medications I need to take prior or while in Peru, to limit my chances of experiencing Altitude sickness? We are planning to acclimatize in Cusco for a few days prior to doing MP. I am assuming I will get sick, but what can I do to ensure that I don't get too sick? I read that limiting alcohol helps, so I will not be drinking while there. I really want to enjoy my time there.

Thanks so much!

Hi everyone

I finished the Colca Canyon hike yesterday (2D1N) and I woke up in the middle of the night feeling warm, had a sore throat and there was dark mucus clogging up my throat and nose. It came on rather suddenly. Is this from the dust on the hike? Or do you think I’ve caught a viral illness and inflating the two. Not asking for medical opinions just other people’s experiences.

Hola! Tengo 20 años, soy mujer y estoy pensando en por mudarme a Lima para hacer mis prácticas profesionales y un semestre de intercambio en la autónoma. Agradecería mucho que me ayuden a solventar un poco las dudas que esto me genera.

Cualquier aporte lo agradecería muchísimo.

Tengo varias preguntas al respecto:

1. Voy a estar entre surco, chorrillos y pues imagino que los alrededores de la autónoma. Referente a esto me gustaría saber qué tal son esas zonas, en seguridad, transporte y recreación.
   1.1. En relación al transporte público tengo curiosidad en si hay transbordos o cada que te subas a un bus, metro hay que pagar el pasaje. También sobre la eficiencia y si me recomiendan alguna app para planear rutas o si hay alguna donde te diga por GPS por donde viene el transporte (tipo transmiapp en Bogotá). En temas de conectividad, ¿todos los transportes se pagan igual? ¿Con una tarjeta?
   1.2. Qué aplicaciones de movilidad recomiendan (ej. uber, inDrive…) ¿es común que haya servicio de motos o es solo carros? ¿Es seguro?

2. Quiero saber un poco cómo es la cultura, tanto profesional como personal. ¿Es fácil hacer amigos? ¿Son reservados o más bien extrovertidos? ¿Cómo es normalmente el trato a extranjeros? ¿Algún detalle específico que deba saber? (Ej. no es muy bueno llamar “señora”, es mejor llamar de “señorita”independientemente de la edad) Y si hay algún colombiano que haya vivido en Lima aprecio mucho su experiencia.

3. La última vez que fui a Lima no hice la debida investigación y me fui con ropa muy ligera para el frío que hace las mañanas y las noches. ¿Tienen temporadas climáticas/meteorológicas marcadas? ¿En qué meses son extremas estas condiciones? ¿Qué ropa me sugieren llevar?¿Recomendaciones para ir a playa?

4. En cuanto a la compra de bienes y servicios, ¿cuál es la mejor empresa para mi plan de telefonía? ¿En qué lugar me conviene más comprar mis alimentos mensuales? ¿Recomiendan marketplace para comprar? ¿Hay lugares tipo thrift store o goodwill? ¿En todos los lugares reciben tarjeta? ¿Me recomiendan abrir una cuenta de banco allá?

5. Esparcimiento y hobbies. Agradecería mucho si me cuentan sobre la oferta cultural en Lima. Soy un “sí a todo” en planes, fiestas, recitales, teatro, talleres. Me gustan mucho las artes de cualquier tipo y también me gusta el running, yoga, danza. Estoy abierta a probar varias opciones. Hay un montón de parques hermosos ¿cuáles son los mejores?

6. ¿Conocen una buena residencia estudiantil? ¿Cuál podría ser un aproximado en coste de vida mensual en mi caso? ¿Consideran que Lima es costoso?

7. ¿Tienen alguna recomendación más? Agradezco mucho que hayan leído.

Estoy muy emocionada por regresar a esa bella ciudad. Realmente quiero llegar y vivir la experiencia e ir aprendiendo conforme vaya pasando el tiempo pero también me gustaría dejar este espacio para otras personas que están considerando mudarse, sean o no extranjeras.

Hey all, I'm headed to Peru next month and while in lima am planning to take a day trip to Huacachina to go sand boarding, have any of you gone to do that, and if so what company did you book it with? And do you have any other tips or recommendations?

Looking for help on luggage selection for a two week trip this September. My usual set up is a 40L rolling duffel as my carryon, plus a 20L daypack as my personal item. Wondering if this is advisable for Peru or if I should consider a travel backpack, like an Osprey Fairview 40L or a Sherpani Santiago 35L.

Itinerary is roughly: 3 nights Arequipa; 2-3 nights Lake Titicaca; 6 nights in Sacred Valley/Cusco area.

Traveling by bus/plane.

Activities: architecture/museums; hiking/ruins.

Not planning on any multi-day treks.

Hey everyone,

I’m planning on travelling to Peru this summer (late July and early August) primarily for surfing for a week or two and then trekking inland. My main question is would you recommend the weather for surfing in August? Gracias!

Hello! Do any of you have recommendations for private taxi or tour companies to visit Salt Mine of Maras and Zona Aequeologica Moray from Ollantaytambo?