South America

Peru

Machu Picchu among cloud-covered mountains

Inca trails, Andean markets and the Amazon, all in one country.

Most trips to Peru centre on Cusco and the Sacred Valley, whether you hike the Inca Trail or take the train to Machu Picchu. Give yourself a few days to adjust to the altitude first.

Lima has one of the best food scenes in South America, and the desert oasis of Huacachina and the canyons around Arequipa are easy additions.

Good to know

Time zone
GMT-5
Plugs
Types A and C, 220V
Emergency numbers
105 police, 106 ambulance, 116 fire
Tap water
Drink bottled or filtered
Traffic drives on the
Right
Tipping
Around 10% in sit-down restaurants in Lima and Cusco, and a tip for trekking guides, cooks and porters.
SIM cards
A Claro, Movistar or Entel prepaid SIM costs a few soles and 30–40 soles buys a month of data; bring your passport to register it.

When to go to Peru

Best months to go: May to September. Pick a month to see what it’s like.

Bars show rainfall; numbers are the average daytime high. Amber marks the best months to go.

SeptemberBest time to go

Still mostly dry, with fewer people after the summer holidays.

Daytime high
21°C
Rainfall
25 mm
Crowds
Busy

What Peru costs

Work out a budget for your trip, then check what everyday things cost.

How do you travel?

Dorm beds, street food and public transport.

14 days

$574for 14 days, about $41 a day (PEN 2,010 in total)

Bed$12$168
Food and drink$10$140
Getting around$6$84
Things to do$10$140
Everything else$3$42

Per person, in US dollars. Flights and insurance not included.

What things cost

  • Menú del día, a set lunchPEN 12, about $3.43
  • Ceviche in a cevicheríaPEN 30, about $8.57
  • Pisco sourPEN 18, about $5.14
  • Bottle of Cusqueña beerPEN 10, about $2.86
  • Hostel dorm bed in CuscoPEN 35, about $10
  • Overnight bus, Cusco to ArequipaPEN 80, about $23
  • Machu Picchu entry ticketPEN 152, about $43

Routes through Peru

Where to go and how long to stay, for the time you’ve got.

14 nights, 6 stops

A tight loop through the southern highlands, built around Cusco and Machu Picchu, with a canyon trek to finish.

Find a tour to join on the way

  1. Lima

    2 nights

    Ceviche for lunch and sunset on the clifftops of Miraflores.

  2. Cusco

    3 nights

    Adjust to the altitude among Inca walls and colonial churches.

  3. Sacred Valley

    3 nights

    Markets in Pisac, salt pans at Maras and the ruins of Ollantaytambo.

  4. Aguas Calientes

    1 night

    Catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu at dawn.

  5. Arequipa

    3 nights

    A white stone city ringed by volcanoes, with a vast convent to explore.

  6. Colca Canyon

    2 nights

    Trek to the oasis at the bottom and watch condors ride the thermals.

Getting around

  • Bus

    $15–40 for a long overnight trip

    Cruz del Sur and Oltursa run comfortable reclining-seat buses. Pay a little more for a reputable company on mountain roads.

  • Train

    $60–150 one way to Aguas Calientes

    PeruRail and Inca Rail are the only trains to Machu Picchu. Book early in the dry season.

  • Flight

    $50–120 one way

    LATAM, Sky and JetSMART link Lima with Cusco, Arequipa and Puerto Maldonado in an hour or so.

  • Minibus

    Under $3 a ride

    Colectivos run between towns in the Sacred Valley and leave when they are full.

  • Walk

    $650–800 for the four-day Inca Trail

    Permits sell out months ahead. Salkantay and Lares are cheaper treks that need no permit.

What to eat and drink

  • Ceviche

    Raw fish cured in lime juice with chilli and red onion. A lunchtime dish on the coast.

    PEN 30, about $8.57

  • Lomo saltado

    Beef stir-fried with tomato, onion and soy sauce, served with chips and rice.

    PEN 25, about $7.14

  • Ají de gallina

    Shredded chicken in a creamy yellow chilli sauce over rice.

    PEN 18, about $5.14

  • Anticuchos

    Grilled beef heart skewers from street carts in the evening.

    PEN 10, about $2.86

  • Cuy al horno

    Roast guinea pig, a festive dish in the Andes around Cusco.

    PEN 60, about $17

  • Pisco sour

    Grape brandy shaken with lime, sugar and egg white.

    PEN 18, about $5.14

Say it like a local

A few words go a long way. Tap “Hear it” to listen, where your browser can.

  • Hello

    Hola

    oh-lah

  • Thank you

    Gracias

    grah-see-ahs

  • How much is it?

    ¿Cuánto cuesta?

    kwan-toh kwes-tah

  • Can you give me a discount?

    ¿Me hace un descuento?

    meh ah-seh oon des-kwen-toh

  • Where is the bus station?

    ¿Dónde está el terminal?

    don-deh es-tah el ter-mee-nal

  • The bill, please

    La cuenta, por favor

    lah kwen-tah por fah-vor

  • Cheers!

    ¡Salud!

    sah-lood

Tours in Peru

See all tours in Peru

  • Peru, 3 days

    Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

    Pisac market, Ollantaytambo’s fortress and a sunrise at Machu Picchu, with the train through the Urubamba valley in between.

    Next date

Questions travellers ask

How do I deal with the altitude?

Cusco sits at about 3,400 metres, so take your first two days slowly, drink plenty of water and try coca tea. Many people start in the lower Sacred Valley and work up to Cusco.

How far ahead should I book Machu Picchu?

Entry tickets are timed and limited, so book a few weeks ahead, or months ahead from June to August. Inca Trail permits often sell out six months in advance.

Is Lima safe?

Miraflores and Barranco, where most backpackers stay, are fine with normal care. Use app taxis at night and keep your phone out of sight on the street.

Do I need cash?

Yes, for markets, colectivos and small restaurants. BCP and Interbank ATMs usually charge less, and some let you take out US dollars too.

Is the rainy season worth it?

It can be. The Andes are green and quiet from December to March, but expect daily showers, cloud over Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail closed in February.