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If you have ever wondered what it would be like to travel to Peru- this 3 weeks in Peru Itinerary is the perfect guide!

Traveling to Peru is a “once in a lifetime” kind of trip. The cultural experiences alone are enough to make this trip worth it, and if you love outdoor adventure you will be hard pressed to find a better country to travel through. 

Peru boasts a vibrant culture, kind hearted people, wonderful food and an endless array of mountain adventures! 

This blog post is your go-to guide for your 3 weeks in Peru!

Disclaimer: This blog post features affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you :))!

Peru Travel Guide – FAQ

Quick Facts

Language: Spanish

Currency: Soles- 1 Sole equals roughly .25 cents USD

Continent: South America

Is Peru Worth Visiting?

Absolutely 100% YES

Peru is a country rich with history, beautiful architecture, wonderful people, spectacular food and so much to do that you could be here for months and not get bored. 

You have everything from spectacular ruins ( Yes- Machu Picchu is here!), the Andes Mountains, desert sand dunes and even the Amazon! Peru offers tons of gorgeous adventures and cultural experiences you will never forget. 

Who Is This 3 Week Peru Itinerary For?

Adventurers and Photographers will adore this trip!

This trip was specifically planned to take in as much amazing scenery and embark on as many exciting adventures as possible in a 3 week time frame. 

It includes a desert oasis, a 5 day trek through the Andes Mountains, the famous Machu Picchu, a stunning luxury stay and so much more! 

My friends and I are all travel photographers and make our living through capturing stunning landscapes and amazing adventures. If you are anything like us you will thrive on this trip!

In saying that, Peru truly is a mecca for so many different things. I believe that anyone- history buffs, spiritual seekers and food lovers alike can find something that they love in Peru. This 3 week Peru Itinerary is only a small chunk of what Peru offers.

Cost Of Visiting Peru

A perk of traveling through Peru is that it is much cheaper compared to places like the US or Europe. As you will see below- the main expenses come from additional tours that you add on, such as Humantay Lake and Machu Picchu. 

Hotels Average: $25 per night (for mid range accommodation) 

Food Average: $12 for Dinner 

Machu Picchu Train: $77 one way- $154 Round-trip

Machu Picchu Entrance: $40 for normal entrance ticket

5 Night Trek Tour: $500 per person

Rainbow Mountain Tour: $100 per person

Humantay Lake Tour: $100 per person ($25 per person if you do it on your own!)

Peru Travel Guide:

What Month Should You Go To Peru?

June- Mid September

Peru Weather

There are essentially two seasons in the Andes region of Peru- rainy season and dry season.  

Dry season lasts from April to October and is the best time of year to visit this region of Peru. June through mid-September tends to be the warmest and best for the treks in the region. 

I visited from mid June to the end of June and we got lovely weather.

While it wasn’t blazing hot it was nice enough to be walking around in a sundress some days and jeans and a tank top on others. It was sunny almost every day and we got wonderful weather on our treks and day trips outside of the city.

Rainy Season lasts from November to April and brings with it more rain and extreme weather. While the weather isn’t constantly rainy like it may sound- it does shift quite a lot and can vary hugely in a given week.

This makes it difficult to plan treks and does bring snow to the mountains which can close roads and make treks undo able. 

How Many Days Do You Need In Peru?

It ranges! From 5 days-a month or even longer! 

This is a terribly difficult question to answer- and it really depends on you!

In this itinerary we suggest a 3 week trip– this gives you time to explore parts of the coast as well as the main Cusco region. You get a taste of pretty much everything in 3 weeks and you can leave Peru knowing you explored much of what it has to offer!

If you have more time to spare, I sincerely believe you could fill months basing yourself in this country. With wonderful places to work, cheap food, international travelers to make friends with and endless outdoor landscapes and cultural wonders to explore. 

How Many Days Do You Need For Cusco and Machu Picchu?

If you are only looking to come to Peru for Machu Picchu then I would say 5 days is the minimum amount of time you should be here.

This allows your body to adjust to the altitude and gives you a solid amount of time to explore all of the top spots in the city of Cusco as well as take the train ride to Machu Picchu.

What To Pack for 3 Weeks In Peru

During this specific trip Itinerary to Peru, you will be heading to a variety of climates- layering is key! 

When packing for this trip remember you will need to be warm and bundled up while on your trek but also have options for the desert. 

Here is a sample of what I brought: 

• 3 sundresses
• 1 jean jacket
• 1 pair of jean shorts
• 2 parks of athletic shorts
• 3 pairs of full length leggings
• 4 tank tops
• 2 short sleeves
• Sleeping shirt and shorts
• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 puffy jacket
• 1 fleece
• 1 Gortex Shell Jacket
• 1 long sleeve merino wool top
• 1 short sleeve base layer
• 1 pair of merino wool pants
• 5 pairs of hiking socks
• 2 pairs of gloves 
• 1 beanie
• Converse
• Hiking boots
• Birkenstock
• Some medicine- Dramamine, ibuprofen, tums etc (I like to carry these with me since it can be hard to know what you are getting in different countries with a language barrier)
• A plug converter
• A sleeping mask 

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Fly Into Lima

Day 2: Explore Lima: Miraflores and Barranco

Day 3: Drive To Paracas

Day 4: Explore Paracas & Ballestas Islands

Day 5: Explore Huacachina- Go Dune Buggying & Sand Boarding

Day 6: Travel Day-Drive Back to Lima and Fly Into Cusco

Day 7: Acclimate In Cusco

Day 9: Start Your Journey To Machu Picchu! Train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes

Day 9: Visit Machu Picchu

Day 10: Relax at Stardome Peru

Day 11: Travel Day: Bus back to Cusco

Day 12: Explore Cusco

Day 13: Hike to Humantay Lake

Day 14: Visit Rainbow Mountain

Day 15: Explore Cusco & Get Ready For Your Trek

Day 16-20: Ausangate Trek

Day 21: Fly home in the morning from Cusco

Check Out My Peru Wall Art!

Day 1: Fly Into Lima, Peru

If you are arriving to Peru from an International Destination you will be flying into Lima, Peru. This is the main airport in Peru and has connecting flights daily to Cusco. 

Our trip begins here in Lima! This coastal city is the capital of Peru. We will only spend a day and a half exploring here in Lima before heading off to our next destination but I found that was more than enough time. 

The first day you get here is all about recovering from your flight and getting ready for the days ahead! 

I also want to mention that you will be renting a car here in Lima for the next portion of your trip- you will want it for 6 days.

Day 2: Explore Lima: Miraflores and Barranco

For your one full day in Lima, Peru you have a couple of neighborhoods to explore- Barranco and Miraflores. 

If you took my recommendation on hotels you will already be in the Miraflores area. This is a wonderful place to stay as it is along the coast and is one of the more affluent areas in Lima. 

During the day you can explore Miraflores- walk along the “El Malecon” the scenic cliff walkway or explore the cat park! The “cat park” ( AKA Parque Kennedy) is a park where over 100 strays and friendly cats live. They even have a cat food dispenser for you to buy from! 

Later in the day you will want to make your way over to the neighborhood of Barranco. This is Lima’s hippest neighborhoods. Vibrant street art covers the houses, and fun restaurants are tucked away in the neighborhood. 

Start your visit to Barranco at the Bridge of Sighs– a wooden bridge and a famous landmark in the area. Grab dinner at Chifa Chung Yion– Chifa is Peruvian-Chinese food! It was really yummy,  and while your at it drink an Inka Kola- tasted like bubble gum to me, and is the most popular soft drink in Peru! 

End your night with a Pisco Sour (basically a Peruvian margarita) at Dada Bar in Barranco- a colonial mansion turned funky bar! 

Day 3: Drive To Paracas

Wake up bright and early the next day- you are headed to Paracas! If you haven’t found out already, Lima has some crazy drivers so be careful. You will also want to carry cash on you as their are several toll stops. 

From Lima to Paracas it is a 4 hour drive– adding in toll stops brings it to around 4.5 hours. 

Once your at Paracas you will want to unload your stuff at the hotel and then head to your next destination for sunset- Playa Roja! Only a 17 minute drive from your hotel into the Paracas National Reserve- here you will need to pay around $3 per person to get into the Reserve. 

This gorgeous red beach is the perfect place to watch the sun sink over the horizon. We brought drones to capture it as well!

Day 4: Explore Paracas & Ballestas Islands & Drive To Huacaca

Today (if the weather holds up) you will be going on a boat cruise to the Ballestas Islands or fondly called “The poor man’s Galapagos” here you will be able to see penguins, tons of sea birds and sea lions! We had planned to do the tour but sadly the weather was not on our side. 

You can easily book this tour at your hotel the night before or online! 

After your cruise, you are headed to your next destination- Huacachina! Only an 1 and 20 minute drive- Huacachina was the craziest place I have ever been! If you get there early enough you can squeeze in a sunset dune buggy, or climb the dunes and watch the sunset!

READ MORE: Explore Peru’s Secret Desert Oasis: Huacachina Peru

Day 6: Travel Day-Drive Back to Lima and Fly Into Cusco

The next day you will leave Huacachina bright and early to make the nearly 5.5 hour drive back to the Lima airport to drop off your car and board your plane to Cusco. 

Luckily, the plane ride to Cusco is only an hour and a half so you should have time to drop your stuff at the hotel and grab a bite to eat once you get into the city. 

If you feel a bit woozy the first day after landing, don’t be too worried- you just went from sea level to 11,152 ft.!! Cusco lies really high up in the Andes mountains and it is absolutely normal to feel  out of breath while walking and a little light headed. Your hotel should provide some coca tea- drink that and take it slow while adjusting for the next couple of days.

Day 7: Acclimate In Cusco

This day is meant for you to lay low and explore the city of Cusco. Acclimating may make you really tired or make it hard to walk around for too long- listen to your body and drink a lot of coca tea. 

Personally, before I left for Peru I asked my doctor what I should do. She gave me some altitude meds to take for the first 48 hours I was at altitude and it really helped. I would recommend talking to your doctor before you leave! 

Take a look at my Cusco Travel Guide to see my other tips for Cusco! 

READ MORE: Cusco Peru Travel Guide

Day 8: Start Your Journey To Machu Picchu! Train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes

Today you will be heading to Machu Picchu- how exciting! First you will need to head to Aguas Calientes.

Since you are only allowed to bring a bag of 11lbs or less with you on the train to Machu Picchu you will need to separate out one night’s worth of clothes and everything you will need into a bag. The rest of your luggage can stay at the hotel- they will hold it for free in a safe place!

If you plan on heading directly from Machu Picchu to Stardome or another hotel in the Sacred Valley you will want to book a train that has a bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. 

This allows you to bring your luggage with you and either store it at the train station there or communicate with your hotel to see if they can come pick it up for you. 

Another way to do this would be to book Machu Picchu through Stardome and integrate it into your stay. This means today you would simply head to Ollantaytambo and Stardome and then Machu Picchu the next day!

Day 9: Visit Machu Picchu

Starting bright and early- board the earliest bus from Aguas Calientes at 5:30 in the morning. This will get you up to Machu Picchu right around the sunrise- a gorgeous time to explore the area! 

Read my Machu Picchu Guide (linked below) for more information on all the tickets you need and places to explore at Machu Picchu!

After your early morning at Machu Picchu it is time to catch the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo where you will head to an insane dome hotel in the Sacred Valley!

READ MORE: How To Get To Machu Picchu: The Complete Guide

Day 10: Relax at Stardome Peru

After all of that travel- you deserve a day or two of pure relaxation and Stardome is perfect for that. You can take the whole day to yourself or opt-in to one of their many cultural activities.

READ MORE: Stardome- A Geodesic Dome In Peru’s Sacred Valley

Day 11: Travel Day: Bus back to Cusco

Time to head back to Cusco! You can either book a bus ticket from Ollantaytambo or take a taxi. The taxi cost each of us $25 so around the same as a bus ticket.

You will get back mid-day so find something yummy to eat (I loved Jacks Cafe, Avocado Toast and More, Green Point and Morena Peruvian Kitchen) and explore the Plaza de Armas!

Day 12: Explore Cusco

Today is all about exploring Cusco!

My ideal day here would involve grabbing a coffee at Three Monkeys Coffee Cusco, walking around the shops and looking at cute boutiques- I loved Concepto Raiz and Pushka!

Head to brunch at Jacks Cafe– (the huevos rancheros and banana pancakes were to die for!) and then people watching in the different squares. 

End the day with dinner at Morena Peruvian Kitchen and then grab a cocktail on the Limbus Restobar overlooking the city! Now that is a day well spent in Cusco, Peru!

READ MORE: Check Out these 15 Unique Things To Do In Cusco, Peru

Day 13: Hike to Humantay Lake

Humantay Lake is a gorgeous alpine lake in the Andes Mountains! This spot is worth the trek it takes to get there and is great acclimatization for your 5 day trek you have coming up. You can either book a tour (there are tons all around but I love Salkantay Trekking!) or you can take a taxi there and do it on your own like we did.

Read my Humantay Lake Guide below for more information on how we did it by ourselves!

READ MORE: Humantay Lake Day Trip

Day 14: Take a Tour To Palcoyo Mountain- The New Rainbow Mountain

Today you will be heading to one of the famed “rainbow mountains” in Peru! These mountains have stunning color gradients in the sand making the mountains appear to be rainbow-colored. 

We booked through Salkantay Trekking for this tour and they were great! We even lucked out and found a pack of llamas and alpacas to hangout with and take photos of- there were so, so many! 

Palcoyo Mountain does sit at around 13,000 ft so be prepared you may feel a bit different from the altitude. If this feeling gets worse you can ask to be taken down and the feeling should quickly get better when descending. The entire tour doesn’t require tons of hiking (maybe half a mile or so) but does have a lot of driving involved to get to the location. 

Day 15: Explore Cusco & Get Ready For Your Trek

After a couple days of adventure, today is your final day to hangout in Cusco and get ready for your trek. You will have a meeting with the trekking company today to go over everything you need to do to be prepared and it is your last time to go shopping for anything you forgot. 

Pack and lay low today- you will need your energy for the next 5 days of trekking! 

Day 16-20: Ausangate Trek

If you thought you had seen some stunning scenery before this- get ready for it to be taken to the next level! 

Circumnavigating Ausangate Mountain is no lowly feat. Climbing up to 14,000 ft in elevation you will experience some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Peru. You will hike over multiple mountain passes, sleep under stars so bright they feel like a lantern and make great friends!

This was by far the highlight of my trip and I am sure you will enjoy it just as much as I did! 

I wrote all about the trek in ridiculous detail if you want to know more about what you are getting yourself into! Link below.

READ MORE: Check out the 5 Day Ausangate Trek we did while in Cusco!

Day 21: Fly Home From Cusco

Sadly, today is your last day- time to fly back to reality 🙁 

Over the last three weeks you will have visited one of the wonders of the new world, hiked up to 14,000 ft in elevation, tried amazing food, met wonderful people, sand boarded down insane dunes and made memories that will last for life!

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