The “ideal” number of days for a visit to Peru will vary depending on where you want to go. Getting to know the capital city of Lima and doing some gastronomic tours around here may not require more than a couple of days, but visiting Cusco, or the highlands in general, may need more than that. For instance, you must consider that you’ll need at least one day to get your body adapted to the altitude, so going less than three or four days might not be the best idea. Even though a month-long trip to Peru wouldn’t be enough to get to know all the wonders of this country, any trip can be unforgettable if you choose your activities wisely, especially if you do so with the help of the boutique travel experts at Venturia.
How to Spend Five Days in Peru
With just five days, you can already get a pretty good sample of what Peru has to offer. You can spend 1-2 days in Lima, where, in short tours, you can learn all about the history of the country through the mesmerizing iconic monuments and preserved buildings of the Plaza de Armas de Lima. You can easily fit a gastronomic tour in this time frame (you’ll have 2-5 meals to enjoy Peruvian delicacies in two days), you can go to Barranco to try the famous Ceviche (raw fish cured with citrus juices) and Lomo Saltado (stir-fry strips of sirloin served with rice and fries). At night, eat your heart out with a dinner buffet while enjoying a dinner show with local dances and music or visiting the iconic water fountains at Parque de La Reserva – Circuito Mágico del Agua.
After doing this, you can use the remaining four or three days to visit another city. If you’re a first-timer, perhaps Cusco would be the most obvious option, as it hosts one of the seven wonders of the world and Peru’s most symbolic touristic attraction: Machu Picchu. Although three days won’t be enough to visit all the touristic hubs of Cusco, you can go straight to the Sacred Valley (minimizing altitude exposure), get a full-day tour of Machu Picchu and perhaps enjoy a half-day bike or ATV tour in the valley. Make sure to check in the Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado for a deluxe experience.
How to Spend Eight Days in Peru
If you’re staying for eight days, you have more time to spend in Lima and get to know it’s main attractions, before heading off to a different city. For instance, you’ll have time to visit the ruins of Pachacamac, a wonderfully preserved, pre-Inca complex located in the outskirts of Lima. You could also go on a full-day tour to Caral, the oldest Latin American Ruins. On the remaining days, you could go on a trip to Cuzco and explore attractions beyond the Sacred Valley, such as the Rainbow Mountains of Vinicunca or Laguna Humantay. You could also opt for a 3-day train trip in the Belmond Andean Explorer (which you can book through Venturia), and you’d get to know three different cities: Puno, Arequipa, and Cusco.
How to Spend 15 Days in Peru
With an extended 15-day trip to Peru, there is enough time to explore many of the interesting spots. Start by staying a good three days in Lima to learn the rich history of the city and perhaps indulge in a full-day ruin tour. You could then visit Cusco for full five days, and have enough time to get adapted to the altitude, visit the emblematic attractions and even venture into lesser-known touristic experiences, such as hiking through the high-intensity Huchuy Qosqo trail to Machu Picchu. In the remaining seven days, you could consider visiting other places such as Paracas in the department of Ica, where you can enjoy various adventurous experiences, such as going on a 4×4 truck drive through the deserts or visiting Islas Ballestas. You would also have plenty of time to visit Puno and even stay overnight in the beautiful Isla Taquile, where locals are keen on receiving tourists in their houses and showing them their ancestral customs and traditions.
Confirm and Book Your Itinerary
When you’re satisfied with your itinerary, make sure to double-check that everything is in order. Then, you should book ahead key luxury activities for your unique experience before they get sold out. If you’re taking a train (especially in the case of Machu Picchu) do consider that there are various prices and options, as well as trains designed especially for tourism and others for local transport, and we don’t recommend the latter if you’re not a local, they can get crowded and uncomfortable.
Also, reserve your table when planning for a gastronomical adventure in Peru, especially in high-end restaurants such as Maido or Central Restaurante. Consider booking through Venturia to create your one-of-a-kind itinerary with a company passionate about contributing and generating a positive impact on the communities where they operate.
