3-week itinerary through the diversity of Peru

👀 You want to see everything ? You’ve always dreamed of visiting the most beautiful archeological sites of Peru ? The Machu Picchu ? You want to experience Lima’s busy atmosphere ? You dream of seeing the natural wonders of the world ? Get deep into the Amazon Rainforest ? You have a 21 days vacation to plan ?
Then this itinerary is perfect for you ! Go on a plane, bus and container ship trip, discovering the whole country of Peru ! 😍

Do not take what Google Maps calculated in account : plane, bus and train trip length are not correct. To book and estimate your itinerary on : https://www.busbud.com for busses, https://www.skyscanner.fr for flights.

To get to Iquitos, instead of a 2-day container ship cruise, you could also get on a plane. 

Itinerary of this three weeks to discover the diversity of Peru

Cuzco > Puerto Maldonado > Lima > San Ramón > Pucallpa > Iquitos

🚗 We recommend for this itinerary to rent a car from Hertz. , It’s possible to rent it in one city and return it in another without exorbitant prices and limiting hidden costs.

📗 You want to buy a paper travel guide ? We recommend this one ! In our opinion, it is the most complete, the most visual and the most up to date !

🗺 Need a road map to prepare your itinerary ? We recommend this one, the most detailed and the most pleasant to read !

The itinerary : step by step

What to do in Cuzco ?

Former center of the Inca Empire, at the top of the Andes. 

• Visit Plaza de Armas, the city’s cultural center with restaurants, bars, coffee shops … A good excuse to take the time to get used to the altitude on a patio ! You also like cultural experiences ? Good ! Head to the impressive cathedral Cuzco, symbol of the Spanish conquest.
• You love local markets ? Head to the spectacular Mercado de San Pedro, filled with fruits, veggoes and meat. Need a little vitamin C to make away ? There are over 30 fresh juice stands !
• Do not leave without having tasted the local dishes : alpaga steak will please your taste buds ! You will also get to taste cuy, or as we call it : guinea pig.
• Do not miss Sacsayhuaman, an Inca site with a stunning view over Cuzco and the mountains. And if you struggle to pronounce that name, just think it’s kind of pronounced like « Sexy Woman ». Easy, right ?

Day trip to Machu Picchu :

• Explore this religious site built in the 1450’s. UNESCO only alors 2500 visitors per day, between 6am and 4pm. So be sure to get your tickets before-hand otherwise you won’t be able to explore it !
• I hear you already asking « But how do I get up there ? ». The most popular and cheapest way to get up there is hiking through breathtaking landscapes. You are still hesitating ? Le moyen le plus populaire et le moins cher d’atteindre le sommet est le treck, à travers des paysages incroyables à couper le souffle. 
Vous hésitez encore ? « Ok Ok, the 4th Wonder of the World … but climbing up a mountains … ». Then chose the easy option : the train. You have two choices : Inca Rail or Peru Rail.

What to do in Puerto Maldonado ?

The front door to Tambopata National Park and lake Sandoval.

• In the city, relax on Plaza de Armas or stroll along the main street : Leon Velarde through the small squares, bridges and panoramic views.
• Go up the Obelisco de la biodiversidad, known as « one of the ugliest building in the world ». But you do want to gt ut that tower and get to enjoy the beautiful view over the city and its surroundings !
• For a slow exploring, go to Casa de las Mariposas (« Butterfly house » for those who don’t speak fluent Spanish). Walk through this garden and enjoy the many different butterfly species in their natural habitat. A colorful sight !
• Want to feel like Mike Horn ? Head to Tambopata park, in the middle of the Amazon. Go for a boat ride, dive in the rivers, fish, learn traditional archery or traditional médecine with a shaman. Live like a true Amazon !
• Lastly, go on an adventure to get to Lake Sandoval, in the middle of the jungle. To get there, walk between 45 min and an hour and a half (but depending on the season and the trail’s condition, it could be less of a fun trip … you know if its raining).

What to do in Lima ?

Peruvian capital and « City of the Kings ».

• Head to Lima’s historic center, go to Plaza de Armas also called Plaza Mayor and observe the colonial fountain, the Palacio de Gobierno, and the guard changing (at noon) or the capital’s Cathedral.
• Tired of the busy atmosphere ? Step in San Francisco Monastery, a true oasis of calm with a baroque architecture beautifully preserved. For a Harry Potter-y atmosphere, be sure to go to the monastery’s library. Want a more unique tour ? Go to the catacombs, down under the monastery where lie over 75 000 skeletons !
• Plan the next steps of your trip by learning about the Peruvian history in one of Lima’s many museum : Museo de la Nación, Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Perú, Museo Taurino…
• If you want to start exploring historic Peruvian sites, don’t leave Lima ! First go to Huaca Pacllana, a large brick pyramid built in year 300.
• Love panoramic view ? Head to the top of Cerro San Cristóbal hill in the North-East of the city and get a stunning view over Lima and the ocean.

What to do in San Ramón ?

A city at the heart of the coffee region. 

• San Ramón will mostly be the relaxing step between two long days on the bus.
• If you are motivated, go explore -a few km/miles away, the aboriginal community of Pampa Michi where over 50 families live. Meet the Ashaninka and discover the ancestral traditions, their way of life and their houses made out of palm tree wood.

What to do in Pucallpa ?

The forgotten city of the Peruvian Amazon jungle. 

• Enjoy the calm city of where people live at a slow pace. Relax and chill with the locals.
• Observe the locals exchanging merchandise from the river port, Amazon’s second largest !
• Besides its dirty water, the wild lagoon of Yarinacocha is really worth being seen.
• If you want to discover the local wildlife, go to the mini-zoo and meet turtles, fish, an anaconda and suris.
• Do not leave without trying Peruvian Amazon cuisine ! Delicious ! Head to one of the non-touristic restants like El Golf (this one is not even on TripAdvisor) and Orlando’s. A unique culinary experience !
• In the city’s port, get on a container/passenger ship for a 2 day trip to Iquitos, THE Amazonian city of Peru ! Book a cabin with beds (but beware of the heat !) or sleep on a hammock (enjoy the fresh breeze).

What to do in Iquitos ?

First destination of the Peruvian jungle.

• Have lunch in an iron house built at the end of the 19th century in Europe ! It was brought to Peru, through the jungle piece by piece !
• You love lepidopterology ? You’ll be glad to be in Iquitos where you will find one of the best butterfly farm in South America !
• I’m sure when you were a kid you asked your parents for a manatee … but they never said yes, did they ? Well now’s the time to get to meet one ! The Amazon rescue center is the home to those unique mammals where you can even bottle-feed the babies. A unique experience to tell your friends and family when you get back home !
• Big fan of Planet of the Apes ? Take the boat to Monkey Island, an island home to over 9 monkeys species !
• If you prefer humans to monkeys (to each their own !), go meet the Yaguas Indigenous, a couple minute boat ride away from Iquitos.
• You’ve always dreamed of living on water ? Perfect ! Have you ever heard of Belen ? It is a floating village !
• You thought you’d never try any drugs ? (Good, drugs are bad !) Well you might have to try Ayahuasca, a powerful potion that will take you on a deep psychedelic trip. So ? Are you up for this ?

To learning more…

• You want to know all the information about the country ? it’s here.
• Then, to rent a car at the best price, we advise you this website.
• Finally, to book a flight at the best price, we advise you this website.

If you have any information, good tips, or simply a comment about this itinerary, please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment at the bottom of the page! The whole team will be happy to hear from you !