Peru - 14 Days

Peru: Two Weeks of Adventure, Culture, and Controlled Chaos

Day 1-3: Lima – The City of Kings (and Really Good Food)

• Arrival & Getting Settled: Touch down in Lima and prepare your taste buds — this city is a food lover’s paradise. We stayed in Miraflores, a vibrant neighborhood with ocean views, parks, and cafes everywhere you look.

• Must-See: Wander the historic center to marvel at the Cathedral of Lima and the beautiful colonial architecture. Don't miss the colorful streets and lively markets.

• Tour Tips: Book a guided walking tour to soak up Lima’s history and sample ceviche from local spots. Pro tip: don’t skip the pisco sour!

• Chaos moment: Figuring out Lima’s traffic was a sport in itself — give yourself plenty of time to get anywhere.

Day 4-5: The Journey to Cusco – Altitude and Awe

• Flight: Catch a quick 1.5-hour flight from Lima to Cusco — the gateway to the Andes and Incan treasures.

• Adjusting: Cusco sits at over 11,000 feet, so take your first day slow. Hydrate, stroll the charming cobbled streets, and sip coca leaf tea to beat the altitude.

• Exploration: Visit the Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), and the bustling San Pedro Market.

• Chaos moment: Somehow, we got mixed up on the bus to our hotel and ended up sightseeing an unplanned neighborhood — bonus adventure!

Day 6-7: Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu – The Highlight Reel

• Sacred Valley Tour: Book a day tour to Pisac’s vibrant market and the impressive Ollantaytambo ruins.

• Machu Picchu: Rise early for the train to Aguas Calientes, then take the shuttle up to the iconic Incan citadel. Guided tours are worth it to unravel the history and stories behind the stones.

• Tips: Buy train tickets and Machu Picchu entrance well in advance (months ahead if you can!).

• Chaos moment: Our train was delayed, but it just gave us more time to practice our “Where’s my backpack?” dance.

Day 8-10: Amazon River Adventures – Jungle Time

• Getting There: Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (about 1 hour), the gateway to the Amazon basin.

• Tours: Stay at an eco-lodge and enjoy guided jungle treks, canopy walks, night safaris, and boat rides on the mighty Amazon River.

• Wildlife: Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, colorful birds, caimans, and maybe even a shy river dolphin.

• Chaos moment: Mosquitoes definitely outnumbered us, but the experience was 100% worth it.

Day 11-12: Huacachina Dunes – Desert Oasis Vibes

• Travel: Take a bus or private transfer from Puerto Maldonado back to Lima, then onward to Ica (about 4-5 hours total).

• Explore: Huacachina is a tiny desert oasis surrounded by massive sand dunes—perfect for sandboarding and sunset buggy rides.

• Relax: Sip a cold drink, watch the desert turn golden, and pretend you’re in an action movie.

• Chaos moment: Sand gets everywhere. Everywhere.

Day 13-14: Back to Lima – Final Strolls & Souvenirs

• Last Days: Return to Lima for last-minute shopping, a final round of ceviche, and maybe some museum visits (check out the Larco Museum).

• Departure Prep: Pack, reminisce, and mentally prepare for the return flight home.

How We Got Around:

• Flights: Lima ⇄ Cusco (quick and convenient) and Cusco ⇄ Puerto Maldonado to save time.

• Buses: For shorter legs like Lima to Ica/Huacachina, we took comfortable tourist buses.

• Tours: We booked most tours through trusted local operators recommended by fellow travelers and our hotel concierges. Always double-check safety and reviews!