Peru is an incredible destination with breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and diverse adventures. Whether you’re here for the mountains, jungle, or history, this 3-week itinerary covers all the must-see spots while keeping a good balance between adventure and downtime. Here’s exactly how I spent my 3 weeks in Peru.
Lima (3 Days)
✈️ Fly into Lima and spend a couple of days exploring before heading south.
✔️ Things to do:
- Walk around Miraflores & Barranco – The best neighbourhoods for cafes, street art, and ocean views.
- Visit Huaca Pucllana – Ancient ruins in the middle of the city.
- Try ceviche & Pisco sours – Food is a huge highlight in Lima!
- Parque Kennedy – Famous for its resident cats and nearby local food spots.
🚌 Overnight bus to Huacachina
Tip: If you have time, stop in Paracas for a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands (a mini Galápagos experience!).
Huacachina (1 Night)
🏜️ This tiny desert oasis is the place for sandboarding and dune buggy rides.
✔️ Things to do:
- Dune buggy & sandboarding tour – So much fun and the sunset views are insane!
- Pisco tasting tour – Visit a local vineyard to try Peru’s national drink.
🚌 Overnight bus to Arequipa
Arequipa (4 Days)
🏔️ Arequipa is a beautiful colonial city surrounded by volcanoes. The highlight here is Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world.
✔️ Things to do:
- Explore the Santa Catalina Monastery – One of the most photogenic places in Peru.
- Visit Yanahuara Viewpoint – Stunning views over the city.
- Try Queso Helado – A famous Arequipeñan dessert (despite the name, it’s not cheese!).
🥾 Colca Canyon Trek
- Choose between a 2-day or 3-day trek – Amazing landscapes and you might spot condors!
- If hiking isn’t your thing, you can visit Colca Canyon on a day trip instead.
✈️ Fly or take an overnight bus to Cusco
Cusco (2 Weeks, with side trips)
Cusco is the base for some of the biggest highlights in Peru! We were in and out of Cusco for about 2 weeks while doing various excursions.
✔️ Things to do in Cusco:
- Take a city walking tour – Great for history, local markets, and hidden gems.
- Visit San Pedro Market – Cheap food, souvenirs, and fresh juices.
- Try alpaca steak – A must-try local dish!
🏔️ Machu Picchu
- Options to get there: Inca Trail (4 days), Salkantay Trek (5 days), Lares Trek (3 days), or take the train. (I did the Inca Trail, this one is the mot famous and you walk to Machu Picchu)
- No matter how you go, this is a bucket-list moment!
🌈 Rainbow Mountain & Humantay Lake
- Rainbow Mountain – A challenging but rewarding day hike at high altitude.
- Humantay Lake – Another stunning day hike with a bright blue glacier lake.
Week 3: The Amazon
🌿 Amazon Jungle (3/4 Days)
🐒 Tip: Do the Amazon after your hikes because of altitude sickness. The jungle is super low altitude, and it can be hard to go back up if you do this first.
✔️ What to expect:
- Stay in an eco-lodge deep in the jungle
- Wildlife spotting – Monkeys, caimans, pink river dolphins, and more!
- Canoe trips & night walks – The Amazon comes alive at night.
- Visit a local community – Learn about indigenous traditions and jungle survival skills.
✈️ Fly back to Lima and finish your trip!
Final Thoughts
Peru is one of the most diverse travel destinations—from deserts to mountains to the Amazon, this 3-week itinerary lets you see the best of it. If you love adventure, nature, and incredible food, Peru should be high on your bucket list! 🇵🇪✨
Planning a trip to Peru? If you would like to read more about my trip for more tips, you can see all my South America blogs here.
