Peru 2-week itinerary: short trip highlights

Peru is known for its Inca history in South America and the sacred archaeological site of Machu Picchu. The country’s attractions extend far beyond this legendary location and include archaeological treasures that predate Machu Picchu by hundreds of years, Peru’s Amazon rainforest; Lima’s delicious restaurants, beautiful architecture, and vibrant nightlife; the mountainous waters of Lake Titicaca; and the bustling city of Cusco, also known as ‘the center of the world’ by the Incas. Here is my Peru itinerary!

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@lifeofapassion
Here is my 14-day Peru itinerary! 🇵🇪 #peru #fy #travel #reizen #machupicchu #rainbowmountain
♬ UNWRITTEN X INTOXICATED – CarterWalsh

Our first stop in Peru is Lima. The capital of Peru is located on high cliffs. Amazing to behold and we were lucky as it wasn’t foggy! Visit the historic center, Miraflores, and our favorite: Barranco!

The colonial, white city is well-known for its architecture, built with white volcanic stone sourced from the four surrounding volcanoes. It’s the perfect stop to get used to the altitude of 2,400 meters.

header chivay colca canyon peru — ***2 days***

Chivay is the gateway to the Colca Canyon. Chivay is located in the highest area of the Colca Canyon and is 3,635 meters above sea level.

Puno is a small town at an altitude of 3.830m, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world! It is a gateway to the Peruvian islands of Uros and Taquile.

Cusco, the ‘Navel of the World’ and former Inca capital, is the perfect base to visit Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.

header machu picchu peru — ***1.5 days***

Machu Picchu will become one of the highlights of your Peru Route and you’ll see why Machu Picchu belongs to the world’s wonders in my Machu Picchu Travel Guide!

What is not on my Peru Itinerary?

Huacachina

Huacachina is the only desert oasis in South America! We didn’t have enough time to do this but would come back to spend a day here and marvel at the sand dunes, take a paddle boat out onto the lagoon, go for a ride on a dune buggy, or maybe go sandboarding.

The Nasca lines

The Nasca lines are known as geoglyphs – drawings on the ground made by removing rocks and earth to create a “negative” image. The rocks that cover the desert have oxidized and left a deep rust color, and when the top rocks are removed, light-colored, high-contrasting sand is exposed. Because there’s so little rain, wind, and erosion, the exposed designs have stayed largely intact for 500 to 2000 years.

Peruvian Jungle

Alright, Machu Pichu lies in the Peruvian Jungle but what I mean is the Jungle Jungle: the Tropical Amazon basin rainforest. Will have to come back to visit this place!

Fun Fact: the Amazon River finds its spring origin in Peru!