This 15-day itinerary in Peru will take you around the country's most beautiful sites. It is balanced to include both natural landscapes and cultural discoveries. We've designed it to keep a pleasant pace, so you don't miss any of the country's treasures, without running around and missing out on all the fun. For each trip, we've recommended the best means of transport.
Days 1 and 2: Lima
This 15-day Peru itinerary begins and ends in Lima, where the country's largest airport is located. So you'll be able to find flights easily. What's more, the airport is well equipped and offers all the services you need to start your journey. Then book accommodation in Lima to stay for one or two nights, depending on the mode of transport you choose to reach your next stop.
To book : we recommend this guided tour of Lima's historic center including a visit to the famous San Francisco catacombs.
Explore the historic center
Lima's historic center is particularly rich in heritage and will give you a better understanding of Peruvian culture before you explore the country. Pass through the plaza Mayor, the symbol of the city. It is home to a number of important buildings, including the 17th-century cathedral, rebuilt after an earthquake, the town hall and the seat of government. Don't miss the San Francisco convent and its church, the most beautiful in Lima. Stop by the mercado central to familiarize yourself with Peru's excellent culinary destination and its fresh produce. You'll find other things too, such as watches, jewelry, eyewear..
Visit the Larco Museum
The Museo Larco is one of the best museums in Lima, if not Peru. It houses an important collection of pre-Columbian art, with 45,000 objects. You'll see thousands of years' worth of textiles, ancient sculptures and decorated ceramics. It's a must-see to start your 2-week itinerary in Peru.
Please note if you'd like to opt for a personalized travel itinerary in Peru, we recommend you request a free quote right here. A tailor-made, responsible trip, direct with the best local agencies, awaits you!
Days 3 and 4: Arequipa
Continue your 15-day itinerary in Peru by heading for Arequipa. There are two ways to do this: by plane or by bus. By plane, the domestic flight takes just an hour and a half. In this case, you can stay a second night in Lima. By bus, the journey takes 15 hours and is partly at night. In this case, you'll need to stay only one night in Lima, and leave on the second night for Arequipa. This is Peru's second-largest city, nestled at the foot of the volcanoes. Once you've arrived, spend two nights here.
Discover Arequipa's colonial charm by booking this guided walking tour that takes you through its historic streets, lively squares and architectural gems.
Explore the historic center
Take a stroll through Arequipa's sublime historic center, one of Peru's finest sights and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact, this district of colonial origin is characterized by exceptional architecture. Don't miss the Plaza de Armas, where the cathedral stands against a backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes. And don't forget to admire the immense 16th-century Santa Catalina convent. The world's largest convent, home to a community of Dominican nuns, is best explored on guided tours.
Visit the Santuarios Andinos museum
The Santuarios Andinos museum houses an exceptional archaeological collection. It is built around a discovery made in 1995 on the summit of the Ampato volcano, dubbed the Juanita mummy. The mummy is a young Inca girl, probably sacrificed in a religious ritual in the 1450's. To visit the museum, a guided tour is compulsory and free of charge, but a tip is expected.
Tip from Petit Futé: Take advantage of a discount by booking your your travel insurance and leave with peace of mind!
Day 5: Colca Canyon
Continue your 15-day Peru itinerary towards the Colca Canyon. To get there, you can either take a 4-hour bus ride, or use a local agency to take you there by shuttle. In the latter case, allow 3 hours, and try to leave early in the morning to make the most of the day on site. Spend the night in Chivay.
What to book Discover the Colca Canyon ona day trip from Arequipa that you can easily book right here.
Stop off at the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve
If you're traveling by motorcycle or car, or have opted for a private driver, make a stop en route at the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve. This protected area with its lunar landscapes is made up of saltwater lakes and volcanoes, and is home to a colony of flamingos, best seen in spring.
Explore the Colca Canyon
The Colca Canyon is a must-see on any 15-day itinerary in Peru. At 3,300 m deep, it's the second-deepest canyon in the world, offering a prime habitat for condors, which you're sure to spot. You can admire the site by hiking or driving to the various viewpoints.
Enjoy a thermal bath at La Calera
The area around the Colca Canyon is famous for its hot thermal springs. In the evening, to relax after an intense day, enjoy a thermal bath at La Calera, the region's best-known spa. The five pools are filled with water at temperatures ranging from 32 to 40°C.
Days 6 and 7: Puno and Lake Titicaca
To get to Puno, you can take a local bus for around 6 hours, or drive yourself or with a driver for around 5 hours. There are also tourist buses that make various stops along the way, so you can admire some of the interesting sites. Spend a night in Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Take advantage of your stay in Puno to visit the floating islands of Uros, where you can meet the local community and discover their fascinating way of life in the middle of the world's highest lake by booking this day trip.
Disembark on the Uros Islands
The Uros Islands are an archipelago on Lake Titicaca, very close to the city of Puno. What makes them special: these 89 artificial islands are floating! They were built from reeds by the Uros people, who have since abandoned them, integrating the peoples of the lake's shores. To reach the islands, you have to take a boat from Puno. On the islands, a guide will introduce you to the history of these floating islands and to life on them.
Visit Taquile Island
Taquile Island is further from the shore of Lake Titicaca, but can also be reached by boat from Puno. It's famous for the community's tradition of knitting and spinning. This textile art is even listed as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Knitting is reserved for men, while women weave. It's also possible to sleep on the island, as the community offers accommodation and a warm welcome.
Days 8 and 9: Cusco
Hop on a night bus from Puno to Cusco in 7 hours 30 minutes. You can also take the luxury Andean Explorer train or a sightseeing bus that makes several stops along the way. Cusco is a must on any 15-day itinerary in Peru, as for centuries it was the capital of the Inca Empire. As such, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay for two nights.
Discover Cusco's most beautiful spots by booking this bus tour, which takes you around the city on an itinerary designed to give you the best introduction to the city and its traditions.
Explore the historic center
The historic center is home to some of Cusco's finest sights. Start your stroll in the Plaza de Armas, Cusco's main square, surrounded by superb buildings such as the cathedral. Enter the Compañia de Jesus church, considered one of the most spectacular in Latin America, both for its volcanic stone facade and its gold-leafed interior. Take a look at the Temple of the Sun, once the most sacred site of the Inca Empire.
Discover the San Blas district
In Cusco, don't miss the San Blas district, renowned for its artists and craftsmen. Their studios and art galleries are set between old buildings and Inca ruins, forming the city's most picturesque area. You'll find plenty of souvenirs to bring back from Peru in this bohemian quarter. It's also here that you can admire the Twelve-Cornered Stone, a legendary stone built into the wall of an Inca construction, and carved to fit perfectly with the other stones and support the structure solidly.
Visit the archaeological sites around Cusco
As the ancient Inca capital, Cusco is packed with archaeological treasures. One of the most famous is Sacsayhuamanan ancient fortress on the outskirts of the city. It's famous for its thick wall of stones carved to perfectly match the shape of the others. It was here that the Spanish conquest of Peru ended in 1536, when an Inca captain chose to throw himself from a tower rather than surrender. Another archaeological site, Qenko is also well worth a visit. This sanctuary, 6 km from Cusco, is one of the oldest surviving Inca sites. It was probably a place of sun worship. Tambomachay is also interesting. It is an ancient temple probably linked to the cult of water.
Day 10: Valley of the Incas
You can drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in your own vehicle or join a tourist excursion. Stay overnight to avoid having to return to Cusco in the evening, and to stay close to Machu Picchu, which you'll visit the following day. Choose a base in Ollantaytambo, the most common starting point for a subsequent trip to Machu Picchu.
To book: to make sure you don't miss a thing, we recommend booking a guided tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas right here. You'll pass through magnificent landscapes and visit famous archaeological sites such as Moray, the salt mines of Maras, Pisaq, Urubamba and the superb town of Ollantaytambo.
Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Situated at an altitude of around 2,800 m, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is home to numerous archaeological sites. Visit in particular Pisaca town rich in ruins and equally renowned for its textile crafts. You can also admire Ollantaytambo and its fortress, which marked the only Spanish defeat of the Incas. You can also visit Moray, a former Inca agricultural experimentation site, and the nearby Maras salt flats.
Days 11 and 12: Machu Picchu
From Ollantaytambo, take a train to Aguas Calientes. The journey takes just 1 hour 40 minutes and is particularly scenic. Spend the night in Aguas Calientes, explore the town and relax before Machu Picchu. A one-night stay in Aguas Calientes saves you the hassle of travelling. On the second day, after your visit to Machu Picchu, you can return to Cusco and on to your next stop. You can also try one of the world's most incredible hikes by taking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, but then you'll need to dedicate four days to it.
The best excursion: Discover the magic of the Andes and Machu Picchu ona day trip from Cusco , bookable here.
If your journey takes you from somewhere else, go here to book your official ticket to Machu Picchu.
Relax in the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes
In Spanish, Aguas Calientes translates as "hot waters", as the city is bathed in thermal springs at 38 to 46°C. Take the opportunity to relax before your big day tomorrow. Some baths are more rustic, while others are more modern.
Conquer Machu Picchu
Get up very early to board a shuttle bus as soon as the service opens at 5:30 am. The shuttle departs every 5 minutes, but despite this, it's always crowded. The journey to Machu Picchu takes just 25 minutes. At sunrise, you'll be able to admire this spectacular site, which is one of our must-see sites before it disappears.
Days 13 and 14: Rainbow Mountain
From Cusco, opt for an organized excursion to Rainbow Mountain, also known as Seven-Color Mountain. Spend the night in Cusco, then head for Lima the following day.
The most popular excursion: go here to book your day trip to Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley from Cusco.
Admire Rainbow Mountain
South-east of Cusco lies the sublime Rainbow Mountain, whose real name is Vinicunca. It rises to an altitude of over 5,000 m, but it is above all its strata of colors that amaze visitors. Although it used to be discovered only on sporty treks, it is now more easily accessible thanks to day trips, which still include a hike, usually lasting 3 hours. Some tour operators also offer horseback riding, especially as the altitude can make it difficult to climb on foot.
Day 15: Lima
To return to Lima and complete your 15-day Peru itinerary, you can take an overnight bus or opt for a direct flight. The bus journey takes around 21 hours, so the internal flight is often a much more comfortable and inexpensive option. Then take advantage of your last few hours in Peru to stroll around Lima one last time, eat some good food in this capital, which is one of our top 5 Latin American cities for gastronomy, and buy your last souvenirs from Peru. The Miraflores craft market is an excellent option for this. You'll find a wide range of typical, handmade items: clothes, frames, paintings, statuettes, decorations, jewelry, and even alpaca reproductions.
So, tempted? Take a look at the airfares now, and book without delay !
