How Long Is The Ideal Peru Trip? (Itinerary Guide)

Planning a travel itinerary can be challenging. If a trip is too short, you risk feeling rushed, or missing out on what might be your only opportunity to do a particular extraordinary thing.

Yet, if it’s too long, you might find yourself fatigued, stressed, or homesick. When traversing a mountainous region like Peru, the risk of injury can also increase the longer a trip lasts.

Fortunately, planning and pacing a Peruvian adventure is possible. In this guide, learn what to consider when scheduling your itinerary, and which destinations might be highlights of your trip.

How Many Days In Peru Is Ideal? Key Considerations

Before choosing how to spend in Peru, ask yourself three questions.

How Are You Getting Around?

The ideal amount of time to spend in Peru varies, depending on your main modes of transportation. On a hiking and biking trip, it’s wise to plan for a several-weeks-long experience.

In contrast, if you’re traveling by train or taxi, it’s much easier to enjoy what the country has to offer in a short amount of time.

How Much Altitude Adjustment Time Will You Need?

If you’re visiting any Peruvian destination 6,000 feet or more above sea level, build in plenty of time to rest and adjust to the increased elevation. A good rule of thumb is, plan at least one full, 24-hour rest day after passing 8,000 feet, and limit ascension to no more than 1,000 feet higher daily after that point. Sleep at least eight hours per night.

For more insights, read The Smart Traveler’s Guide to Altitude Sickness In Peru.

Who Are You Traveling With?

Different traveling companions prefer different types of trips. Consider the best pace, the right balance of freedom vs. structure, and most beloved types of attractions for your specific group when planning your trip’s length.

For in-depth guidance by traveler type, check out “Best Places To Visit In Peru For Every Kind of Traveler.”

An Eight-Day Adventure Is Ideal For Most Travelers

Unless you’re hiking or biking, eight days is often the best length for a trip to Peru. It gives a group enough time to experience both the biggest attractions and smaller, more personal draws. It also builds in time to rest and travel between places.

At the same time, an eight day trip isn’t so long you risk getting worn out or overwhelmed. A few days of walking or hiking, broken up by plenty of restful accommodations and train or bus transit, is invigorating for most. Whereas, after nine or ten days, the risk of fatigue or injury starts to increase for regular folks.

Can’t-Miss Peruvian Destinations

A journey through Peru will often center around its coastal capitol, Lima; the vibrant mountainside city of Cusco; and the ancient sites and stunning natural landscapes spread across the country.

While every traveler is different, there are a few experiences and destinations most people wouldn’t want to miss.

☐ Experience Machu Picchu, an ancient site filled with the remnants of temples and beautiful Incan structures, considered one of the New Seven Wonders of The World.

☐ Tour the Incan fortress Sacsayhuamán, or explore the surreal terraces of Moray, to delve deeper into ancient mysteries.

☐ Step into the historic, preserved 16th century Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral of Cusco, and Lima’s historic Spanish colonial center.

☐ Explore The Sacred Valley on horseback, ATVs, or even enjoy a bird’s eye view by helicopter.

☐ Immerse yourself in the traditional alpaca weaving arts and culture of the Chinchero Arts District.

☐ Relax in the soothing natural springs of Banos Termales de Cocalmayo.

☐ Dine on iconic Peruvian ceviche—and try Suspiro Limeño for dessert.

☐ Dance the night away with iconic DJs on the beaches of Lima.

☐ Enjoy a scenic, romantic ride on PeruRail.

The Ideal Eight-Day Peruvian Adventure

How many days should be spent in Lima, vs how many days in cusco? And how much time should you budget for travel between cities and sites?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Yet, trying to determine the absolute best schedule yourself can be overwhelming!

Sometimes, the best answer is to leave it to the pros. At Caravan, our premier travel directors curate each aspect of our tours. From the jump, they hand-select and book every accommodation, meals, mode of transportation, tickets to events and attractions, so our guests get to skip the travel-planning stress.

Caravan’s Peru Tour offers guests eight days of curated culture, history, ancient mysteries, and natural wonders. We invite you to join us!

To book your spot, just call 1-800-227-2826. Or, phone our team at +1-312-321-9800 for more information.