🇵🇪 PERU TRAVEL GUIDE 2026

Travel in Peru

Q: How many days do you need in Cusco?

Three to four days is the sweet spot for Cusco itself, plus however long you spend in the Sacred Valley or on the Inca Trail. Day one to acclimatize and explore the historic center. A day or two for Sacred Valley sites like Ollantaytambo and Pisac. Then your trek. Any less and altitude will catch up with you before you've adjusted. Our 3-week Peru itinerary covers exactly how we structured it.

Q: Is Cusco safe for tourists?

Yes, Cusco is generally very safe. Petty theft and pickpocketing happen around busy tourist areas like Plaza de Armas and San Pedro Market, so keep bags zipped and in front of you. Violent crime targeting tourists is rare. We always felt comfortable walking around in the main tourist areas, including in the evenings.

Q: What is the best time to visit Peru?

The dry season, May to September, is best for trekking - clear skies and firm trails, though nights get cold at altitude. April and October are solid shoulder months with fewer crowds. Avoid planning a trek for February, when the Inca Trail itself closes for annual maintenance.

Q: Do you need to book the Inca Trail in advance?

Yes, and further ahead than you'd think. Permits are capped at 500 per day, including guides and porters, and popular months sell out 5-6 months ahead. If you want the classic 4-day trail, lock in your dates as soon as you can. Our agency guide covers exactly what to look for when comparing operators.

Q: Is Peru expensive?

No, Peru is one of the more affordable countries in South America to travel. A set lunch menu costs 15-25 soles (about $4-7), and budget accommodation runs $15-30 a night outside peak trekking season. The Inca Trail trek itself is the biggest single expense, but day to day costs in Cusco and the Sacred Valley stay reasonable.

Q: What are the best day trips from Cusco?

The Sacred Valley towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, Rainbow Mountain (long day, worth it), and the Maras salt pans with the Moray terraces are all excellent. We cover our honest picks and what's actually worth the early start in our full itinerary.

Q: Is Cusco worth visiting beyond Machu Picchu?

Absolutely. Machu Picchu gets all the attention, but Cusco's own historic center, the ruins scattered through the Sacred Valley, and the food scene are all worth slowing down for. Most people who rush through in 2 days wish they'd given it 4.

Three weeks, one country, and honestly? We wouldn’t change a single day. From Lima’s coastline to four days on foot along the Inca Trail, two nights at Sky Dome under the stars, and the seven colours of Rainbow Mountain on our very last day – here’s everything we know.

Currency

Peruvian Sol (S/)

Language

Spanish

Best entry cities

Lima (LIM)

Plug type

Type A / C

Best season

May–Sep (dry)

Visa (EU/US/UK)

Not required <90 days (most EU/US/UK)

Our coverage

3 articles

Honest guides from two people who've been there

Peru Travel Guides, as we lived them

Peru is the trip that made every other itinerary we’ve written feel small by comparison. Three weeks took us from Lima’s coastline to Colca Canyon’s condors, into the Sacred Valley for the best two nights of the whole trip, and four days on foot along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Right now our Peru coverage goes deep rather than wide – the Inca Trail and the Cusco region, covered properly across 3 articles, with the exact 3-week itinerary that ties it all together. Written from the trip we actually took.

Where we've been

Peru destinations we cover

Cusco & the Inca Trail

This is where our Peru coverage goes deepest – choosing the right agency, packing for four days at altitude, and the exact 3-week route that gets you there and back. Written from the trek we actually hiked with Alpaca Expeditions.

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All our Peru writing

Every Peru article

3 guides covering the Inca Trail end to end, plus the full 3-week route. All written from the trip we took, updated for 2026.

August 29, 2026

Best Things to Do in Cusco: Our Honest 2026 Guide

Read →

August 22, 2026

The Perfect 3-Week Peru Itinerary (2026): Everything We’d Do Again

Read →

August 21, 2026

How to Choose an Inca Trail Agency: What Actually Matters (2026 Guide)

Read →

August 16, 2026

What to Pack for the Inca Trail: The Complete 2026 Packing List (From People Who Just Did It)

Read →

Planning your trip

When to visit Peru

The Andes run on a dry season / wet season split, not four seasons – and it matters a lot if the Inca Trail is on your list.

Dry season

May — Sept

Our top pick

Clear skies, cold nights, and the best trail conditions of the year - which is exactly why it is also the busiest. June-August is peak Inca Trail season; book 6-9 months ahead rather than the usual 5-6.

Shoulder

Apr & Oct

Our top pick

Green landscapes left over from the wet season, thinner crowds, and still-reliable weather. A genuinely good compromise if you can not travel in the dry season proper.

Wet season

Nov — Mar

Go prepared

Afternoon rain is regular but rarely all-day. Machu Picchu and Cusco stay open and far less crowded - just know that the Inca Trail itself closes entirely every February for maintenance.

February

Trail closed

Plan around it

The Classic Inca Trail closes to all hikers every February for maintenance. Machu Picchu itself stays open via train, but if the multi-day trek is the point of your trip, avoid this month entirely.

MONEY & COSTS

Is Peru expensive? Here's the truth

Peru is genuinely good value against most of South America – but the Inca Trail itself is not cheap, since permits are capped and only licensed agencies can run it. Here is what to realistically budget.

Budget

S/150

–220 per person/day · ~€38–56

🛏 Hostels & budget guesthouses

🥘 Markets & local menus

🚌 Buses & colectivos

Mid-range · most common

S/350

–550 per person/day · ~€90–140

🏨 3-star hotels or nice guesthouses

🍽 Sit-down restaurants

🎟 Tours, entrance fees & domestic flights

Comfort / splurge

S/700

+ per person/day · ~€180+

🌟 Boutique stays like Sky Dome

🍷 Fine dining

🚗 Private drivers & premium tours

Our honest take: the trip itself is affordable - it is the Inca Trail that concentrates the cost, since permits are capped and only licensed agencies can run it. Multired ATMs are reliable and fee-free almost everywhere, capped at 400 soles (~€103) a day. Do not shop on price alone for the trek itself.

EXPERIENCES

Tours worth booking in Peru

The Cusco region has some genuinely great experiences – these are the ones we’d actually book ourselves.

TRAVEL IN PERU

What we wish we'd known before we went

Peru has its own pace and its own rules – most of them make sense once you know them. Here’s what we learned, some of it the hard way.

✓

Book your agency on porter welfare, not price

Weight limits, footwear, and staff benefits tell you more about an operator than any review does. We cover exactly what to ask in our agency guide.

✗

Don't leave Inca Trail booking too late

Permits are capped at 500 a day and sell out months out. Book 5-6 months ahead normally, 6-9 months for June-August.

✓

Acclimatize before you hike

Spend time in Arequipa and Cusco before starting the trek. Altitude affects everyone differently - give yourself more buffer than you think you need. Our 3-week itinerary shows exactly how we paced it.

✗

Don't skip the private toilet tent question

Not every agency offers one. After four days on the trail, this is a bigger deal than it sounds - ask before you book.

✓

Pack layers, not just warmth

Cold mornings, hot midday sun, freezing nights on the trail. Our packing list covers exactly what earned its space in the duffel.

✗

Don't shop on price for Huacachina dune buggying

Licensed drivers cost more for a reason - this is one place safety is worth paying for, not somewhere to cut corners.

✓

Pay cash when you're negotiating

In markets and with drivers, cash gets a noticeably better price than card almost everywhere in Peru.

✗

Don't do your souvenir shopping in Arequipa

Hold off - Cusco is cheaper with far more choice, and you'll pass through it anyway.

FOOD & DRINK

Must-try dishes in Peru

Peruvian food is one of the most underrated cuisines in South America – a mix of Andean, coastal and immigrant influences blended in a way you won’t find anywhere else. These are the dishes worth seeking out.

🏔 Peru 🐟

Ceviche

Peru's national dish, and rightly so - raw fish cured in citrus, with onion, chilli and coriander. Lima is considered the ceviche capital of the country; eat it for lunch, never dinner, the way locals do.

🏔 Peru 🥩

Lomo saltado

Stir-fried beef, onion, tomato and soy sauce served over fries and rice - the signature dish of Peru's Chinese-Peruvian (chifa) fusion cuisine, and a genuine national favourite.

🏔 Peru 🥔

Causa limeña

Layered mashed potato seasoned with lime and chilli, filled with chicken or tuna salad. Served cold, deceptively simple, and one of the best starters in Peruvian cooking.

🏔 Peru 🍢

Anticuchos

Grilled skewers, traditionally beef heart, marinated in a smoky spiced sauce. Sold from street carts all over Peru - don't let the description put you off, it's one of the best street foods in the country.

🏔 Peru 🌶

Rocoto relleno

A spicy red pepper stuffed with seasoned beef, egg and cheese, then baked. An Arequipa speciality and one of the more fiery dishes you'll find on a Peruvian menu.

🏔 Peru 🍸

Pisco sour

Peru's national cocktail - pisco (grape brandy), lime, egg white and bitters, shaken until frothy. Order one on your first night, it's practically a rite of passage.

Common questions

Peru travel FAQ

Answered honestly from what we’ve actually learned on this trip.

How many days do you need in Cusco?

Three to four days is the sweet spot for Cusco itself, plus however long you spend in the Sacred Valley or on the Inca Trail. Day one to acclimatize and explore the historic center. A day or two for Sacred Valley sites like Ollantaytambo and Pisac. Then your trek. Any less and altitude will catch up with you before you've adjusted. Our 3-week Peru itinerary covers exactly how we structured it.

Is Cusco safe for tourists?

Yes, Cusco is generally very safe. Petty theft and pickpocketing happen around busy tourist areas like Plaza de Armas and San Pedro Market, so keep bags zipped and in front of you. Violent crime targeting tourists is rare. We always felt comfortable walking around in the main tourist areas, including in the evenings.

What is the best time to visit Peru?

The dry season, May to September, is best for trekking - clear skies and firm trails, though nights get cold at altitude. April and October are solid shoulder months with fewer crowds. Avoid planning a trek for February, when the Inca Trail itself closes for annual maintenance.

Do you need to book the Inca Trail in advance?

Yes, and further ahead than you'd think. Permits are capped at 500 per day, including guides and porters, and popular months sell out 5-6 months ahead. If you want the classic 4-day trail, lock in your dates as soon as you can. Our agency guide covers exactly what to look for when comparing operators.

Is Peru expensive?

No, Peru is one of the more affordable countries in South America to travel. A set lunch menu costs 15-25 soles (about $4-7), and budget accommodation runs $15-30 a night outside peak trekking season. The Inca Trail trek itself is the biggest single expense, but day to day costs in Cusco and the Sacred Valley stay reasonable.

What are the best day trips from Cusco?

The Sacred Valley towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, Rainbow Mountain (long day, worth it), and the Maras salt pans with the Moray terraces are all excellent. We cover our honest picks and what's actually worth the early start in our full itinerary.

Is Cusco worth visiting beyond Machu Picchu?

Absolutely. Machu Picchu gets all the attention, but Cusco's own historic center, the ruins scattered through the Sacred Valley, and the food scene are all worth slowing down for. Most people who rush through in 2 days wish they'd given it 4.

Written by Ru & Tiago

The Nomadic Hearts

✈️ Peru since 2026 📍 Cusco 📝 3 articles

We're Ru & Tiago — the two people behind The Nomadic Hearts. We hiked four days along the Inca Trail, spent two nights at Sky Dome under more stars than we'd ever seen, and stood on Rainbow Mountain on our very last day in Peru. Every article on this page comes from the trip we actually took - no filler, no places we haven't been. Just honest guides from two people who keep going back.

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