Destinations · South America

Peru.

Inca wonders, Andean peaks & Amazon depths.

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The country

From the lost city of Machu Picchu to the colonial streets of Lima, Peru is a journey across ancient empires, soaring mountains and some of the most celebrated food in the world. Whether you are tracing Inca stonework through the Sacred Valley, drifting across Lake Titicaca, or watching condors ride the thermals above the Colca Canyon, we help you experience the best of Peru, your way.

Home to the heart of the Inca Empire and civilizations far older still, Peru wears its history openly: in temple ruins and terraced hillsides, in weavings and festivals, and in cities where Spanish churches rise over Inca foundations. Each region tells its own story, through landscape, language, food and living tradition.

Peruvian hospitality is warm and unhurried, inviting travelers to slow down, share a long lunch and savor each moment, a sense of pride, color and depth that stays with you long after you return home.

Capital: Lima
Currency: Peruvian sol (S/)
Ideal trip: 9–12 nights
Best for: Ruins, Andes & food

When to go

The best time to visit Peru.

Peru runs on three calendars at once — the Andes, the coast and the Amazon all keep their own time. We plan around the highland dry season, when Cusco and Machu Picchu are at their clearest, and read the rest of the country off that.

Prime season Shoulder Quieter & better value

May–September

The dry season and our favorite window for the Andes, Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail: clear skies, sunny days and crisp mountain nights, ideal for hiking and high-altitude views.

April & October

Shoulder months on either side of the dry season, with greener landscapes, thinner crowds and largely settled weather. A smart choice for value and a quieter trail.

November–March

The green, rainy season in the highlands brings lush scenery and the fewest visitors, though afternoon showers are common. The Inca Trail closes each February for maintenance, while the coast and the Amazon stay rewarding.

Where to go

The regions of Peru.

Peru rewards travelers who pace the altitude and choose a few regions to savor rather than racing the whole country. These are the areas we weave together most often, each with its own landscape, table and rhythm, from the coast at Lima up through the Andes to the depths of the Amazon.

Region

Lima

Peru's coastal capital pairs a handsome colonial old town with the cliff-top neighborhoods of Miraflores and Barranco, and a celebrated dining scene that ranks among the finest in the world.

Region

Cusco & the Sacred Valley

The Inca capital, where baroque churches rise over ancient stonework, opening onto a valley of ruins, terraced hillsides, market towns and the gateway to Machu Picchu.

Region

Machu Picchu

The most famous of all Inca sites, a citadel of temples and terraces wrapped in cloud forest high above the Urubamba River, reached by scenic rail or on foot along the Inca Trail.

Region

Lake Titicaca

The highest navigable lake in the world, a vast blue expanse dotted with traditional island communities, from the floating reed islands of the Uros to the weavers of Taquile.

Region

Arequipa & the Colca Canyon

An elegant white-stone city beneath snow-capped volcanoes, paired with one of the deepest canyons on earth, where Andean condors soar above terraced valleys.

Region

The Amazon

Peru's vast rainforest, reached by river and small lodge, where oxbow lakes, towering trees and abundant wildlife make for some of the richest jungle experiences in South America.

Signature experiences

Our favorite ways to experience Peru.

A sample journey

One way to spend a week in Peru.

1

Days 1–2
Lima

Open on the coast in Peru's capital, with the colonial old town, the cliff-top parks of Miraflores and Barranco, and a first taste of the country's celebrated cooking.
2

Days 3–4
Arequipa & the Colca Canyon

Fly south to the white-stone city of Arequipa, then head out to the Colca Canyon to watch Andean condors soar above the terraced valley.
3

Days 5–6
Lake Titicaca

Continue to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, with a day on the water among the floating reed islands of the Uros and the weaving communities of Taquile.
4

Days 7–8
Cusco & the Sacred Valley

Wind down into the Sacred Valley for Inca ruins, market towns and terraced hillsides, then up to the old Inca capital of Cusco itself.
5

Days 9–10
Machu Picchu

Take the scenic train to Machu Picchu for the great citadel above the clouds, with time to explore the temples and terraces before the day-trippers arrive.

Every itinerary we build is bespoke: this is a starting point, not a package.

Getting around

By domestic flight: Distances are long and the terrain dramatic, so we lean on short flights from the Lima hub out to Cusco, Arequipa, Puno and the Amazon. Flying saves long road days and leaves more time on the ground.
By train to Machu Picchu: The citadel is reached only by a scenic rail line that traces the river through the cloud forest. We reserve the premium services well ahead and time the run so you reach the ruins before the day-trippers.
By private driver-guide: Through the Andes a private driver-guide is the most comfortable way to explore, with the freedom to stop at ruins, weaving markets and condor viewpoints. It also lets us pace the altitude rather than race it.
On foot, with acclimatizing: The old cities reward walking, but the air is thin. We usually start lower in the Sacred Valley before Cusco and keep the first days gentle so you feel your best for the high points.

Where to stay

Lima: We favor characterful hotels in Miraflores or bohemian Barranco, close to the cliff-top parks, the dining scene and the coast, with classic addresses near the historic center for a more traditional stay.
Sacred Valley: A countryside hacienda or lodge in the valley sits at a gentler altitude than Cusco, making it the ideal first base to acclimatize while you explore ruins, markets and the Inca terraces.
Cusco: Converted colonial mansions and former convents put you steps from the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and the city's best restaurants, with plenty of character and warmth.
Colca & Lake Titicaca: Spa lodges near the Colca Canyon and lakeside hotels on Titicaca offer comfort and quiet at altitude, perfectly placed for the condors, the canyon and the island communities.

Internal flights, the Machu Picchu train and permits, driver-guides and a paced acclimatization plan are all arranged before you arrive — the altitude and the logistics are handled in advance.

Good to know

Peru travel questions.

How many days do you need in Peru?

Seven nights is enough to pair Cusco and the Sacred Valley with Machu Picchu at a comfortable pace, allowing time to acclimatize. Nine to twelve nights is the sweet spot for a fuller journey that adds Lima, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon or Lake Titicaca, and two weeks lets you reach into the Amazon as well.

When is the best time to visit Peru?

The dry season from May to September is prime for the Andes, Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, with clear skies and sunny days. April and October are good shoulder months with fewer crowds, while the green season from November to March is quiet and lush but wetter, and the Inca Trail closes each February.

How do you handle the altitude in the Andes?

Altitude is worth taking seriously, since Cusco, Puno and the Colca rim all sit well above 10,000 feet. We usually start lower in the Sacred Valley before Cusco, build in time to acclimatize, and keep the first day or two gentle, with plenty of water and rest, so you feel your best for the high points of the trip.

How do you visit Machu Picchu, and do you need permits?

Entry to Machu Picchu is by timed ticket with a set circuit, and numbers are capped each day, so it sells out in high season. We secure your entry, your train and a private guide well in advance, and we add the separate permits for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain if you would like to climb for the wider views.

Should we hike the Inca Trail or take the train?

Both reach Machu Picchu, and it comes down to time and appetite for hiking. The classic Inca Trail is a four-day trek with its own permits that sell out months ahead and closes each February, while the scenic train is comfortable and flexible and suits most travelers. We can also arrange shorter treks or the alternative Lares route as a middle path.

From the journal

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