Are you planning on heading to Peru soon?
Then in that case, you’re going to need a solid itinerary, and this two week plan is the perfect way to uncover this idyllic South American nation!
Peru was the second country I visited on my Latin American trip, where I would then end up spending over 4 months exploring.
And then choosing to live there too!
It truly is a breathtaking country, and one that I simply cannot stop raving on about.
From the sweltering Amazon Jungle to dizzying altitudes and snow-capped peaks, Peru is an absolute must-visit in South America.
Now if you only have a couple of weeks, then you can still definitely see the very best of Peru, despite what others might say.
In this two week itinerary, I’ll cover the best places to visit in Peru, in a way that’s the most time-efficient and productive for you.
But first up…
Before we look at where you’ll be heading, let’s actually make sure you can get into Peru without any problems!
Many countries in Latin America are pretty relaxed when it comes to visas (and whether they’re even needed).
Peru is no exception, and most travellers from Europe, The USA, Canada and Australia can enter with relative ease.
Upon arrival you’ll be granted a 90 day stay, which is more than enough time to see the very best this country has to offer.
The rules of the Peruvian Tourist Visa used to be even more relaxed, but in August 2021, a new government came into play making things just a little less helpful.
If you’re from anywhere else in the World, then you’ll want to read through this Peru visa guide which better explains what you’ll need.
If you have more than two weeks for your trip, or are flexible with dates, then you’d be surprised just how quickly you can rack the weeks up in Peru!
It was around week 9 or 10 for me where I started to realise I had to find a way to extend or leave.
Unfortunately now though, the latter is the only option.
Whilst they used to, Peru no longer does tourist visa extensions.
So if you want to stay longer, you’ll first need to leave Peru for a duration of 90 days before coming back again.
You can read more about their policy, which helped me to get my head around the whole (and often complicated) situation.
Whether by accident or intentionally, there is a somewhat mild punishment by overstaying your tourist visa.
At this time of writing (October 2022), for every extra day you overstay, you’ll have to pay a fine of roughly 4.60 Soles.
This is then payable once you leave the country in Lima’s international airport, where they catch you at immigration.
You’ll be sent to a different counter to pay the full fine, before you can pass security and then to hop on your flight.
This is what happened to me, and if you’re in a similar boat, I’d advise you to allow more time before your flight, in case the queue is long.
If leaving through the land borders into either Ecuador, Brazil or Bolivia, then I honestly don’t know if they’ll enforce this or not.
Peruvian immigration authorities tend to make up their own rules wherever they are, so if they don’t mention it, then I wouldn’t either!
Now that you’ve made it into Peru, it’s time to start exploring the very best of this awesome country.
The below map shows an overview of the different destinations, where we’ll be covering the south along this classic Peruvian loop.
Whilst you can enter via any of the land borders, the best way to start any Peruvian adventure is in the capital of Lima.
Home to the Jorge Chávez International Airport, it’s the best connected airport of all in Peru.
The only alternative that can be done (for this itinerary) is if entering Peru from neighbouring Bolivia in the south.
You’ll cross into Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, and from here I’d highly recommend going to Cusco, followed by Arequipa, Ica and then onto Lima.
So, let's take a look at your 2 weeks in Peru...
Lima is most likely the first place you’ll touch down on our route, and really is a great starting point and introduction to this 2 week Peruvian itinerary.
The capital of Peru is one of the most upcoming gastronomic destinations in the world, and here you can try out some tasty local favourites such as Papa Rellena and Lomo Saltado.
The best place to stay in Lima is in the more developed and safe district of Miraflores.
Here you can walk around safely both during the day and night, as there’s very little crime as well as boasting a more cosmopolitan vibe.
Make sure you head down to Larcomar, where you can hire a bike to ride along the stunning Costanera!
Afterwards you can head to Huaca Pucllana to get your very first taste of ancient Inca ruins, with this beauty just a few blocks from Kennedy Park.
From Miraflores you can easily use Uber to get to other popular destinations, unless you want to live like a local and catch the buses (these are very cheap here, although timetables and frequency can be hard to predict).
Other things to do in the capital include strolling around the pretty Plaza de Armas, as well as visiting the Larco Museum, which is one of the most comprehensive Incan museums on earth.
There are tons of fantastic things to do in Lima, but if you're short on time then why not check out this half-day city tour? It will take you to some of Lima's most popular spots including the San Francisco Monastery, Plaza Mayor, and Palace of the Union.
For those with a bit more time, you may want to take part in a Peruvian food tour where a local will show you all the best dining spots, and you'll get to taste the delicious local cuisine.
From Lima we’ll then take the 5 hour bus into the arid, desert region of Ica.
You can search for buses using RedBus, and most of them will depart from the Victoria Terminal.
Whilst on paper this seems like the busiest day of the two weeks (well, it kind of is to be fair), it’s actually pretty easy to do with a bit of strategic planning beforehand.
It’s best to leave Lima super early (like around 5/6am), and take the direct, 3-hour bus to the nearby fishing village of Paracas.
This is where you'll find the Paracas National Reserve which is home to unique desert landscapes, sandy beaches, and several islands.
The ultimate thing to do here is to see the Ballestas Islands, which are home to endless birds seemingly flying in and out of nowhere.
As well as this, here you can also watch penguins and sea lions strolling about their daily lives.
It’s a good idea to pre-book a scenic boat tour like this one to save you time (remember we don’t have too much time to rest between points today).
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From here we’ll then take the bus to Ica (around an hour), and then catch a moto-taxi ride to Huacachina.
This popular, oasis town truly is a scenic delight, with imposing giant dunes surrounding a tiny town from all corners. Here you can go for a stroll and relax by the lake.
Sandboarding is the most popular activity to do here, and we recommend booking yourself onto the 4:00pm slot, where you’ll see the sunset along the way (as well as giving you time between Paracas, and getting a nice lunch in).
After you’ve got your fill of adrenaline, watched the sun go down and then had dinner, it’s time to board the long bus from Ica to Arequipa, our next destination (around 13 hours).
If you'd prefer not to organize this all yourself, then this full-day tour runs from Lima and includes a boat tour from Paracas, a winery tour in Ica, and a visit to Huacachina.
This will take out the stress of having to get to the destinations yourself, and then you can just catch the bus to Arequipa rather than heading back to Lima on the tour.
Whichever way you decide to do it, make sure these destinations are included in your two week Peru itinerary! Trust me, you won't regret it.
Here's some more information on the best things to do in Ica...
Arriving into Arequipa, you’ll hopefully have rested up, since yesterday was somewhat hectic (remember these buses have the standard “semi cama” option, as well as the more comfortable VIP seats that recline 180°).
Arequipa is a stunning colonial city full of white architecture, crumbling volcanoes, and is also home to the second deepest canyon on earth.
To start with, I recommend basing yourself around the Plaza de Armas, which is the heart of the historic centre.
Here you’ll find all the best eating and nightlife options, as well as a range of affordable accommodations.
You’ll have plenty of time to see the best sites in the city, which include the Yanahuara Mirador as well as the Santa Catalina Monastery.
Other popular things to do in Arequipa include taking a guided food tour or going on a sightseeing tour of the city!
With 4 days, you’ll also be able to hike one of the picturesque volcanoes, or visit the Colca Canyon. These two destinations are a great option for those who'd prefer to get out of the cities!
Only one of these two beauties can be seen as a 2 day experience though (given our time frame), so be sure to look at both to see what best takes your fancy.
Whatever you do pick though, you’re in for a memorable experience.
If you're fancying a trip to Colca Canyon to admire the views and look out for condors, then check out this 2-day canyon tour. On this tour, you'll get to admire the breathtaking scenery of Sacred Valley, spend some time hiking, and explore the town of Chivay.
Not only will you get to visit a variety of locations in this area, but the tour also includes a transfer to Puno which just happens to be our next location...
Puno is relatively easy to get to from Arequipa, with the bus taking around 7 hours (the night bus is the best option again here).
Located on the northern shore of Lake Titicaca, our time in Puno is all about getting to witness the incredible landscapes of this lake, which is said to be the birthplace of the Incas.
It’s located at a pretty high altitude (3827m), so be sure to take your time walking around so your body can adjust to the less than ideal conditions.
Taking a boat ride out across the lake is an absolute must, and with two days you’ll have enough time to visit the Uros floating Islands (which are made entirely out of totora reed).
If you’re planning on visiting Taquile Island, then it’s best to leave early on your first day, and spend the night there (since the boat takes around 5 hours to get there from Puno).
If you'd prefer not to do that, then this fantastic tour will take you to the Uros Islands and Taquile Island.
Last but not least, bring extra layers with you when coming here!
Although the days in Arequipa and Ica were warm, don’t let this fool you (remember how high up we are!).
In Puno, it can actually be quite warm during the day given the altitude, and I actually got sunburnt on the boat ride around the lake.
However at night the temperatures drop drastically, to the point of your fingertips freezing!
If you haven’t packed extras, then you can visit some of the local markets there to pick up some jumpers, hats and gloves. In the night we’ll then take the 8 hour bus heading to Cusco.
For more information on things to do in Puno, I've included a link to an article that you might find helpful...
This fantastic city really is the highlight of any trip through Peru.
Cusco is the second most visited cities in the country, and attracts 1.5 million tourists annually.
Nestled within the Andes, there really is a tonne to see and do here, and these 5 days you’re going to be busy trying to fit it all in!
The heart of the historic centre is the best place to stay in Cusco, with both cheap hostels and luxurious hotels galore here. You’ll also find the best restaurants and busiest nightlife here too.
Since you’ve already been to Puno, the high altitude shouldn’t be too much of an issue (although there are many hills that will have you counting breaths).
You’ll want to use two of your days to visit Machu Picchu (this should be a given), which is the minimum time needed to visit the legendary citadel. If you've got the budget, then you can always take a day trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco but expect to part with some cash!
Otherwise, you'll want to head to Aguas Calientes and stay overnight to see this world wonder.
Whichever way you decide to visit, Machu Picchu is considered to be one of the best places to visit in the world so don't leave it off your itinerary.
Your other days in Cusco are best spent exploring the city and its highlights (such as the Plaza de Armas, San Blas and Sacsayhuamán) as well as venturing out into the Sacred Valley.
If you find that you've got a spare day or two then I'd recommend spending them here as there are plenty of day trip opportunities.
I really recommend visiting Ollantaytambo as well as the Ausangate National Park, which were some of my favourites!
You'll also find tours that run from Cusco to a variety of destinations including Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, and Maras & Moray.
With so much to do, you could easily spend 2 weeks in Cusco alone but luckily you can see the most popular spots within a few days!
Cusco marks the end of our Peruvian journey (for now!). From here you can either fly back to Lima for your international flight out, or bravely choose to take the 22-hour bus back to the capital!
And that’s the end of my itinerary through southern Peru.
I have to be honest and say that it really is pushing things timewise, and two weeks is the absolute minimum I’d recommend for anyone heading to Peru (and looking to explore around).
If possible, 3/4 weeks would be much better, and with this time you could even visit some other awesome destinations such as the iconic Nazca Lines or Huaráz (later in this article I’ll cover some alternative itineraries).
However regardless, this itinerary will prove to be incredibly memorable, and was actually my favourite part of backpacking through the entirety of South America.
As well as seeing some truly incredible ruins and landscapes, you’ll also meet lots of friendly locals.
This area of Peru also has a thriving backpacking scene in all of the destinations mentioned, so you’ll meet tons of people with ease too. Couldn’t have it any better!
The next important part of our Peru trip planning is how to get around this South American nation.
The bus and domestic flights are the only feasible options, which we’ll now cover below.
When it comes to travel in Peru, the bus will always reign king.
With the exception of the bus from Ica to Arequipa, most bus rides in this itinerary are somewhat short and manageable, and even then the longer ones can easily be done at night.
I always recommend catching these longer buses in the evening, since you can sleep whilst saving your precious daytime for exploring.
Every Peruvian city has a major bus terminal, which is usually called the Terminal Terrestre.
Whilst turning up to the bus station on a whim can save you money (they drop prices to get more passengers on departing buses), I recommend pre-booking as we haven’t got too much time to play with fire!
The best way to search for buses is using RedBus, and simply browsing the different options available. In the South of Peru, some of the best bus providers include Cruz del Sur and Oltursa.
Sometimes taking a flight is useful, especially on the way back from Cusco to Lima (otherwise it’s a 22 hour bus - not so good if you’re strapped for time).
Whilst buses are by far the cheapest and most available option, sometimes you can also find cheap flights too.
Skyscanner is a great tool to use when comparing domestic flights within Peru.
Whilst this itinerary doesn’t really call for using flights, this can come in very handy if travelling onwards to the north of Peru, or if heading to Iquitos (there’s no roads leading to here!).
Another way to improve your trip planning (and also save time) is to travel with PeruHop.
This official company is one of the leading tourism companies for backpackers in Peru, and you’ll quickly see why this is the case.
You can buy one of these flexible bus passes with PeruHop, with whom you can choose when you want to move onto your next destination (there’s many private buses daily between all of the destinations, so there’s no rush).
They also have discounts on some of the activities too which is another plus, and often time the departing buses to coincide with the end of a major activity.
Whilst on this itinerary, you’re going to visit some pretty awesome places.
Some of these (especially the bigger cities) have lots to see and do, so you’ll need to do some extra research.
I’ve covered the cities of Lima, Cusco and Arequipa in comprehensive detail which will come in handy for this trip.
Here’s a list of some of the top things you can do along this itinerary when in Peru:
When it comes to budgeting for Peru, it’s of course going to depend on your taste for comfort, as well other preferences.
For those living the true backpacker lifestyle, keeping costs as low as possible is the priority, and you can budget around $20-25 a day.
Peru is very good for cheap travel, and within many of these destinations you’ll find plenty of affordable hostels and AirBnb’s (even in the touristy heart of each city which is great too).
Eating cheap is more than possible in this Andean nation, and there are lots of tasty Peruvian foods to choose from in local restaurants (as well as an occasional visit to a nicer restaurant).
Buses also have the semi-casa option, which is less comfortable, however you’ll save quite a bit on travelling costs.
If you're on a shoestring budget then Peru is one of the cheapest places to travel so what are you waiting for?
For those who like a taste of luxury, then you can increase your budget to between $30-40 a day or even more if you wish.
With this budget you can stay in a nice private room in the best areas of each city, and I recommend aiming as close as possible to the Plaza de Armas.
You can also eat at nicer restaurants more frequently, and head out at night without fear of breaking the bank (unless you’re a heavy drinker, that is).
When it comes to travelling between destinations, with a higher budget you can opt for the more comfy VIP seats (these extend much more than usual seats, and it’s really easy to get a good night's sleep).
It’s important to mention here that the budgets mentioned above only cover accommodation and eating costs, with a local bus or extra here or there.
One of your top priorities (of course after you’ve decided where you’ll visit) is keeping yourself safe.
Many parts of Peru are not that bad, however you’ll still want to practice the best habits possible to lower the chances of any issues occurring.
You don't to risk anything going south whilst your enjoying this epic Peru travel itinerary...
Most who visit Peru tend to only stick to the south, as it’s the most popular area.
However this Andean country has much more going for it, from sprawling waterfalls and dense jungle to idyllic Pacific beaches in spades.
If you have 3 Weeks in Peru, then I recommend this below itinerary, where you’d then step into the great Amazon Jungle after your southern loop (you’ll need to first fly from Cusco to Lima, and then another to reach Iquitos).
You’ll also spend more time in some of the already mentioned destinations, making other worthwhile experiences possible.
For those who have much longer, then you’re in for a real treat!
When I first reached Peru, I honestly planned little more than just the south covered in this itinerary.
However I ended up spending a good 3/4 months, covering many unknown areas which I’d like to now share with you.
For those who have 4 weeks (or more), consider adding these incredible destinations into your Peru Itinerary.
If you only have 1 week, then what you can do and see really depends on your travel style.
If you want to get to know Peru without rushing around, then I would base your week in Lima, getting to know the capital and all of its gems.
From here you can also make day trips to Paracas and Huacachina.
For those intent on going as far as they can, then you could make it all the way to Arequipa (and then take a flight back to Lima). This particular itinerary would look like the following:
And that’s everything for this Peru 2 week itinerary!
I hope you found this post useful for your own trip planning, and that you make the most of your time in this stunning South American nation.
Whether you're looking to visit ancient Mayan sites or you'd prefer to look for wildlife in the Amazon, this amazing country has so much to offer.
To see the best of Peru in 2 weeks, you'll want to make sure you've got accommodation and tours booked in advance. This way, you won't have delay any plans as we don't really have time for that!
If you’ve got any questions or some of your own tips, feel free to comment below!
For help planning out your Peru trip, take a look at some of our other guides here:
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