Peru is an incredible place to stay. I absolutely LOVED visiting this amazing country and putting this Peru Travel Guide together to help others plan their trip! 3 weeks in Peru is the perfect amount of time to explore this country, so keep reading to find out the perfect Peru Itinerary in 3 weeks.
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Peru Background
- Location: Country in South America
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Sol
- Famous Drink: Pisco Sour
- Capital City: Lima
To Do Before Arriving in Peru
Before arriving in Peru, make sure to:
- Check Relevant Vaccines
- Yellow Fever is recommended for Iquitos and required if you continue to Bolivia
- Typhoid is recommended
- Take out some Peruvian Sols to have on arrival
- Download Spanish on Google Translate Offline Library
- If you are planning to hike the Official Inca Trail, you must book this in advance. There are only a certain number of people allowed on the trail at one time. There are other ways to get to Machu Picchu as well if you do not want to book in advance.
How to Get Around Peru
There are a few different options for travelling around Peru:
- Public Bus – There are buses available to travel within cities and between cities.
- Uber – Another option to travel within cities is with the Uber app.
- Flying – There are domestic flights to travel across Peru in a short amount of time. Popular routes include Lima -> Iquitos or Lima -> Cusco.
- Peru Hop – This is how I traveled between stops across Peru. It is a hop on hop off bus that I highly recommend to travel around Peru. This itinerary is based on travel with Peru Hop (as that is how I traveled Peru), but you can tailor it to work with public transportation as well!
I would recommend beginner travellers, or those that don’t want to worry about navigating Peru themselves, to buy a PeruHop pass before arriving. Read my Peru Hop Review here.
Peru 3 Week Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Arrive in Lima
Day 2: Lima
Day 3: Lima -> Iquitos (flight)
Day 4 & 5: Iquitos
Day 6: Iquitos -> Lima
Day 7: Lima -> Paracas
Day 8: Paracas -> Huacachina
Day 9: Huacachina
Day 10: Travel Day – Huacachina -> Nazca -> Arequipa
Day 11: Arequipa
Day 12: Colca Canyon
Day 13: Colca Canyon/Arequipa
Day 14: Arequipa -> Cusco
Day 15: Cusco
Day 16 – 19: Machu Picchu
Day 20: Cusco or Day Trips
Day 21: Fly Cusco -> Lima and depart Peru, or continue on to Bolivia from Cusco
Peru Itinerary: 3 Weeks
Day 1: Arrive in Lima
Lima is the capital city of Peru, which means most travellers will be arriving in Lima first. Depending on the time you land, you may or may not have a lot of time to spend on your first day exploring. Check in to your accommodation, grab a snack, and either relax before your fun-filled 3 weeks in Peru or start exploring!
If you have time to get a little exploring in, I would recommend a free walking tour to get a good initial look at the city.
Where we Stayed: Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport. We arrived in Lima at 11 pm, so we planned to stay at a hotel right beside the airport our first night. I didn’t want to have to worry about navigating a new city (let alone on a new continent to me!), in the middle of the night, especially after a super long flight. If you arrive during the day, I would recommend heading straight for the city.
Day 2: Lima
This is your full day in Lima to see everything you can. If you didn’t have time yesterday, I would highly recommend hopping on a free walking tour to see the main sights of the city (don’t forget to tip!).
Lima Highlights:
- Return to places of interest you visited on the Free Walking Tour
- Paragliding
- San Cristobal Hill for Awesome Views
- Barranco District
- Catacombs of San Francisco Church
Where we stayed: Pariwana Hostel Lima. During our 3 weeks in Peru, we were backpacking and on a budget. This hostel has a great location, was clean, friendly, and a great price.
Day 3: Lima -> Iquitos (flight)
The third day on your 3 week Peru trip is dedicated to traveling from Lima to Iquitos and heading to Peru’s Amazon Jungle. Iquitos is the main city in the Amazon Jungle of Peru and is where you’ll start your journey.
Depending on the time of your flight, you may have some time to finish exploring Lima before departing. If you can, head to Iquitos as early as possible to ensure you have a lot of time in the Amazon.
Depending on your budget, you can spend a lot for an absolutely amazing experience (all-inclusive treehouse tour), or try to keep your trip as budget as possible (hostel with a few tours). If there is one area to splurge on during your trip to Peru though, the amazon would be it.
A bucket list experience in Peru would be booking a 3 day, 2 night trip with the Treehouse Lodge. By booking with them, your transportation from the Iquitos airport is included, as well as 3 meals a day, a few excursions, a guide, and you get to stay in a literal treehouse in the jungle!!
Find out more from a fellow travel blogger who stayed at the Treehouse Lodge, Have Clothes Will Travel.
Things to Know Before Traveling to Iquitos:
- The Yellow Fever vaccine is highly recommended
- Check the area you are traveling to for risk of malaria and zika
- Bring Peruvian Sols (cash)
- Pack lightweight clothing that covers (pants and long shirts) to shield yourself from bugs (try to avoid cotton fabric!)
- Binoculars would be super handy to have, to spot animals
- Bring a good pair of shoes, hat, sunscreen, and insect repellant
Day 4 & 5: Iquitos
Explore everything the Amazon has to offer. Head out on a tour you booked yourself, or follow whatever your hotel has planned for you!
Make sure your camera is charged and you’re ready for the day.
Day 6: Iquitos -> Lima
After an amazing time in the Amazon jungle, it’s time to head back to Lima and start exploring the rest of Peru. Catch your flight back to Lima and see anything you missed the first time during your stay in Lima.
Day 7: Lima -> Paracas
Today, we are heading to Paracas, a beach town on the coast of Peru and around a 4 hour drive from Lima. Paracas is known for Ballestas Island, AKA a “Peruvian Galapagos”. Here, you can see sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and other wildlife. In Paracas is also the Paracas National Reserve – a huge, protected desert-like landscape.
If traveling with PeruHop, the bus leaves Lima at 7 am and stops at Slave Tunnel Tour at the Hacienda San Jose on the way to Paracas (included in the price of your PeruHop ticket). After the tour, you’ll arrive in Paracas around 2 pm.
Note: If you’re wanting to do the boat tour tomorrow, make sure to book your tour. For ease, we booked with PeruHop (although not operated by PeruHop).
Find a place to eat, explore the little town, and find a great spot to watch the sunset.
Where we Stayed: Paracas Backpacker House. We booked our accommodation here in advance through email. It is one of the recommended places to stay by PeruHop, meaning we received a discount here. I enjoyed my stay here and would recommend it!
Day 8: Paracas -> Huacachina
Today is an early day, as we want to pack in a lot before leaving Paracas and heading to Huacachina!
Take a boat tour to see the Ballestas Islands early in the morning – sign up for the 8 am tour (if with PeruHop) the day before, and head out! The Boat Tour is around 2 hours long. We booked our tour through PeruHop.
After your boat tour, prepare to leave Paracas at around 11 am. Included in your PeruHop ticket is a trip to the Paracas National Reserve. You’ll spend a short time here, but honestly, not a lot of time is needed here! It gives great viewpoints of the ocean and some nice little trails in the expansive desert landscape.
After your tour (1 pm), head to Huacachina – one of my favourite places in Peru.
Note: There is only 1 ATM in Huacachina and it can be unreliable! Make sure to take out money before leaving Paracas/arriving in Huacachina.
After arriving in Huacachina, explore the little town and venture out to the sand dunes to find a nice spot to watch the sunset. Also, be sure to book any tours you want tomorrow if you haven’t already (sand boarding and dune buggying!!).
Where we Stayed in Huacachina: La Casa de Bamboo. This was a nice place to stay! It was a great price for a private room. Location wasn’t a huge deal as Huacachina is so small anyway!
Day 9: Huacachina – You Can’t Miss This on Your 3 Week Peru Itinerary
Wake up early and try to catch the sunrise from the dunes. Then, enjoy your morning relaxing or take a mid-morning nap.
In the afternoon, the best thing to do in Huacachina is to sign up for a dune buggy tour to explore the sand dunes and go sandboarding! Most tours depart at 4 pm and last around 2 hours. Another popular thing to do is go paragliding here.
The town of Huacachina is very small but beautiful. Enjoy your down-time relaxing and just soaking it in.
Day 10: Travel Day – Huacachina -> Nazca -> Arequipa
The tenth day of your 3 weeks in Peru is spent as a long travel day. Wake up in Huacachina, find some breakfast and coffee in one of the local cafes, and enjoy your last morning in this unique place.
You’ll depart from Huacachina around 1 pm and head to a Pisco Wine Tour just outside of town (included in PeruHop’s price). After the tour, you’ll head to Nazca, to see the famous Nazca lines from the viewing tower. There is an optional add on, a flight over the Nazca Lines to see them even better (must be organized in advance if with PeruHop). We skipped this add-on and don’t regret it!
Around 5 pm you’ll head to dinner at a restaurant chosen by PeruHop (in Nazca), before heading on an over night bus journey to Arequipa. You’ll arrive in Arequipa around 5:30 am.
Day 11: Arequipa
Arequipa is a city in Peru nicknamed “The White City” because of all the white buildings here. You’ll arrive early in the morning (5:30 am), and a lot of places won’t let you check in this early. So, store your luggage at your accommodation and head out for some coffee and breakfast while the city wakes up.
Join a free walking tour in the morning to see the Historical Centre of the city.
After the tour, depending on your energy levels, head back to your accommodation, get checked in, and take a nap! If you have more energy (or after your nap), spend the rest of your time exploring the white city, Arequipa.
Arequipa Highlights:
- Museo Santuarios Andinos – the famous frozen mummy, Juanita, is here and super cool to see!
- San Camilo Market
- Eat at a Picanteria (local lunchtime restaurant) and try a local dish (Roco Rellento or alpaca steak)
- Alpaca World (Mundo Alpaca)
- Santa Catalina Monastery
- Drinks at a rooftop restaurant in the main square for an amazing view
Make sure your Colca Canyon tour is booked for tomorrow. We booked at a local tour operator in town called Colonial Tours, on their 2 day/1 night tour. We booked this when we arrive in Arequipa.
Have more time in your Peru itinerary than 3 weeks? Spend some extra time in Arequipa and take a few day trips:
- Ruta del Sillar Afternoon Tour
- Hike a volcano (Misti Volcano or Chacani Volcano)
- Chili River Rafting
Where we Stayed: Flying Dog Hostel Arequipa. This was a nice hostel and I would stay here again!
Day 12: Colca Canyon (2 day/1 night tour)
The Colca Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world and the best way to see some of Peru’s countryside and the largest flying bird in Peru, the condor.
Our tour picked us up from our hostel around 7:45 am, and we headed out on our tour!
Stops included:
- Local’s alpaca herd to get up close to some alpacas and llamas
- Mirador de los Andes (A viewpoint and small market)
- Other viewpoints
- Chivay (where your hotel is for the night)
- Optional Add-on: Chivay Hot Spring (we did this and it was so fun!)
- Dinner with a traditional dance and show – so much fun!!
The first day of the tour was awesome and such a unique experience.
Travel Tips for Your Tour of Colca Canyon:
- The elevation changes can cause altitude sickness – make sure to pack some colca leaves or colca candy chews – a natural remedy to help!
- Altitude sickness pills are available at pharmacies in Peru as well (Soroche)
- Bring cash with you – some costs are extra and must be paid on the tour, make sure you have enough! Your tour operator should tell you how much to bring in advance. If they don’t, ask!
- Pack a swimsuit, water bottle, sunscreen, hat, and clothes for the weather
Tour we booked: Colonial Tours 2day/1 night Tour – booked in town at Colonial Tours office.
Day 13: Colca Canyon/Arequipa
The second day of the tour takes an early start to get you back to Arequipa at a reasonable time.
Stops on Day 2 include:
- Flight of the Condor – you’ll see so many condors flying and amazing views!
- Stops at different viewpoints to see the Colca Canyon
- Lunch stop at a delicious restaurant with local food
We arrived back at our hostel around 5:15 pm. Grab some dinner and get to bed early, as the bus leaves early the next morning!
Where we Stayed: Flying Dog Hostel Arequipa (same as before!).
Day 14: Arequipa -> Cusco
The PeruHop bus from Arequipa to Cusco leaves SUPER early in the morning (between 5:15-5:45 am!). The drive to Cusco is relatively long, so an early start is important. Make sure to grab any snacks you might want for this journey sometime during your time in Arequipa.
On the ride, the bus stops at a breakfast stop around 8 am, a viewpoint around 9:30 am, a lunch stop around 2 pm, and finally arrives in Cusco around 6:30 pm.
After arriving in Cusco, settle into your accommodation, grab some dinner, and relax after a long day!
Spending time in Cusco before heading to Machu Picchu will also give you more time to acclimate to the elevation.
Where we Stayed: Cusco Packers Hostels. This place was nice, I wouldn’t mind staying here again, but also wouldn’t mind trying out a new hostel in Cusco as well.
Day 15: Cusco
I loved Cusco when visiting Peru during my 3 weeks of travel. It is such a beautiful place! I recommend starting the day with a free walking tour (one of my favourite things to do in every new city I arrive in – if you haven’t caught onto the trend already 🙂 ).
After your walking tour, return to any place you visited on the tour that you’d like to explore more in-depth, or go explore somewhere else that interests you.
Make sure to book your Machu Picchu tour, if you haven’t already. We booked the 4 day/3 night Jungle Tour through Peru Andean Hop – highly recommend it!
Cusco Highlights:
- San Pedro Market
- Plaza de Armas (main square)
- Sacsayhuamán historical site – hike from Plaza de Armas
- San Blas District
- Museo del Pisco
- Qoricancha
Day 16-19: Machu Picchu – A must-do in your itinerary during your 3 weeks in Peru!
Something on everyone’s Peru itinerary, whether it’s 3 weeks or 1 week, is visiting Machu Picchu!!
One of the seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu speaks for itself and is something that cannot be missed. One of the villages you visit before climbing Machu Picchu is Aguas Calientes. Make sure you bring your swimsuit with you on your tour, because the hot springs in Aguas Calientes are a nice way to relax!
There are multiple different ways to get to Machu Picchu, most of them being multi-day hikes (Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, etc.), but my favourite way (and the cheapest way!) was taking a multi-day Jungle Tour. This tour included ziplining, white water rafting, and hiking.
If you have limited time, check out this Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco.
Read more: Find out the 6 ways to Get to Machu Picchu!
Tour We Booked: Peru Andean Hop, 4 days/3 night Jungle Tour.
Day 20: Cusco or Day Trips
Spend your last full day of exploring during your 3 weeks in Peru visiting anything in Cusco that you may have missed, or take a day trip to surrounding sites!
Popular Cusco Day Trips:
- Rainbow Mountain
- Sacred Valley – Pisac Ruins and Ollantaytambo
- Maras Salt Mines (Salt Pools)
- Moray (Agricultural site)
Day 21: Fly Cusco -> Lima and depart from Lima or continue on to Bolivia
Once your 3 weeks in Peru have come to an end, travel by flight from Cusco, back to Lima, and onto your next destination. If you’re planning to stay in South America, a great option is to continue on to Bolivia!
PeruHop has buses that run from Cusco, stopping in Puno at Lake Titicaca, and help you cross the border into Bolivia. La Paz, Bolivia is the final destination if you opt for this option.
In La Paz, you can bike the famous Death Road, or continue on a multi day tour to the largest salt flats in the world, Salar de Uyuni.
We chose to continue on to Salar de Uyuni, and our tour took us all the way to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile.
If you can, I would highly recommend continuing your trip in this direction! From San Pedro de Atacama, we made our way to Santiago and flew back home from there.
More Time in Peru? Here are some more options:
- Visit Huaraz
- Humantay Lake day tour from Cusco
- Spend more time in the Amazon jungle
- Cordillera Huayhuash Trek
- Aguas Turquesas (do not visit during the rainy season!)
Best Time to Visit Peru
Peru is amazing any time of year, but for the best weather and experience, I would recommend visiting between May – October (the dry, winter season). The busiest time for tourists is July and August, so expect more crowds during these months. I spent three weeks in Peru in May and June, and thought that was the perfect time to go for nice weather and fewer crowds.
Keep Reading About Peru:
- Visiting Peru’s Colca Canyon on a 2 Day Tour
- PeruHop Review: The Best Way to Travel Peru
- 6 Ways to Get to Machu Picchu
- Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu: The Best Way to Get There
- Salar de Uyuni: Multi Day Tour to the Largest Salt Flats in the World
Peru FAQ:
I think 3 weeks in Peru is the perfect amount of time. It gives you enough time to explore different parts of the country, from trekking Machu Picchu to visiting the Amazon Rainforest. Of course, more time is always nice, but 3 weeks is a great amount of time to spend exploring the country.
During the dry, winter season, between May and October is the best time to travel to Peru. I visited in May and June and loved it! We were lucky with no rain and nice weather.
Typically, Peru is a cheaper country to visit! I found food, accommodation, transportation and activities to be very affordable. If you’re planning to hike the official Inca trail, expect to pay more. Otherwise opt for a Machu Picchu jungle tour to save money.
It can be easy to spend more on more extravagant experiences, food, and accommodation, but there is something in Peru for every budget.
Most countries do not require a tourist visa to enter Peru. Check on your country’s government travel website or Peru Travel’s website.
Have you visited Peru? Let me know what your favourite stop was! I hope this 3 week Peru Itinerary was helpful in planning your trip 🙂
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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
