Itinerary for Peru — Nomadic Virgo

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Machu Picchu had always been at the top of my bucket list. After years of planning, I finally found myself embarking on a new adventure to Peru. This new adventure was filled with rich cultural experiences and breathtaking moments that I want to share with you, including a detailed itinerary and tips for any one planning a trip to Peru!

Essential Tips

Passport- Bring your passport EVERYWHERE you go. You will need it for purchases, transportation, entry to Machu Picchu, literally everywhere, so it’s best to have it with you at all times.

Vaccinations and High Altitude Medicine- Come prepared! Make sure you have all the vaccinations needed. Bring altitude sickness medicine cause that shh*** is real.

Money- Bring cash, not every city or every place accepts cards, specially if you are taking cabs. You can easily exchange money at the airport at a fair rate. 1 Dollar = 3.33 soles

Restaurants- MAKE RESERVATIONS. If you want to go to one of the top restaurants in Peru, you better make those reservations 1-2 months ahead of time or else you will not get in. Central was definitely on our list, but we were unable to get a reservation and sadly missed out on the experience.

12 days in Peru Itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival to Lima
Day 2: Exploring Lima
Day 3: Puno
Day 4: Lake Titicaca
Day 5: Lake Titicaca and Puno
Day 6: Bus to Cusco & NYE in Cusco
Day 7: Cusco
Day 8: Machu Picchu
Day 9: Rainbow Mountain
Day 10: Cusco to Lima
Day 11: Lima Departure

Day 1 Arrival to Lima

Our first stop was in Lima. The flight from Mexico City to Lima took roughly about 7 hours with Interjet. After dealing with heavy traffic and a lot of construction we had finally arrived to Four Points in Miraflores.

Our first day was pretty uneventful, we were really tired from a long day of travels. So we settled for a nice diner at Punto Azul, which later became my favorite restaurant in Lima.

Day One Summary:

Flight: Interjet- $255 One way ticket per person
Transportation: Taxi from airport to Miraflores - 60 soles which is $20 + tip
Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton, paid with Sheraton reward points.
Restaurants: Punto Azul

Day 2 Exploring Lima

On our second day we ventured out to Larcomar, an outdoor shopping center in Miraflores, built alongside the cliff providing visitors with a breathtaking view of Lima. Also known for it’s great shopping and range of delightful restaurants. At night we made our way to San Isidro to check out the Magic Water Circuit. The dancing water fountains put on a 15 min show every 45 mins, so plan accordingly. The entry is fairly cheap, 4 soles per person and the easiest way to get there is by cab.

Day Two Summary:

Hotel: Four Points
Restaurants: Tanta de Larcomar
Places visited: Larcomar, Magic Water Circuit. Entrance Fee $1.50
Transportation: Expect to pay about 20-30 soles

Day 3 Puno

When putting together our Peru itinerary, Lake Titicaca was definitely one of the places we wanted to visit. Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake sitting at 13,000 feet above sea level. After a short flight from Lima, we had landed in Juliaca the nearest airport to Puno. We stayed at Xima Puno Hotel, located alongside the lake, for two nights. Because of the high altitude breathing, walking or even talking seemed 10 times more difficult in Puno. We had been forewarned on the effects altitude could have on us, so after arriving to Puno we took our coca tea, rested and got ready for our 2 day tour around the lake.

Lake Titicaca is one of South America’s largest lakes. The lake is divided by the Bolivian side and Peruvian side. On the Peruvian side, you have the option to visit the Uros Island, (if you are short on time this can be done in a 3-4 hour tour) Taquile Island(it is further out, but definitely worth the 2 hour boat ride), or do the 2 day trip and stay at Amantaní, which is what we opted to do.

The 2 day tour to the islands was actually recommended to us by our cab driver from Juliaca. The tour included breakfast, lunch and dinner on the first day, a homestay with a family at Amantaní and breakfast and lunch the following day at Taquile. All for the great price of $50 per person. If you wish to do this same tour, feel free to contact him his name is Alfredo Mamami and his whatsapp is +51986741337.

Day Three Summary:

Flight: Lima to Puno - 1:40 mins with Latam. One way ticket $157 per person.
Hotel: Xima Puno Hotel $69 per room
Transportation: 40 soles from Juliaca airport to Puno

Day 4 Lake Titicaca

Our 2 day tour started bright and early!

Uros Islands

Uros Islands are particularly unique because of their history and long living traditions. The Uros floating islands were created after the Inca’s invaded Lake Titicaca and forced the Uros people to leave their homes. Because the Uros did not want to be found by their enemies, they built floating islands out of totora reed, a plant that is prominent to the lake. Till this day the Uros community have continued with their traditions and welcome tourists on to the islands to learn and experience their culture. When we first arrived, we had a demonstration of how they built the islands, they brought us into their homes and even let us dress up in their traditional clothing. As we hopped from one island to another, we rode one of their traditional boats they like to refer to as the “Titanic”. Before you leave, make sure to bring your passport so you can get a stamp at the Uros Islands.

Amantaní Island

At our arrival at Amantaní, we were greeted by our host families. There are no hotels in Amantaní, so if you are planning on staying the night, the only way to stay there, is by staying with a host family. In order to get to our homestay we had to hike for about 30-40 minutes. It may not seem a lot, but a hike at a 13,000 feet altitude can feel strenuous, so make sure to pack light. Since we were going back to Puno we decided to leave our luggage back at the hotel. When we got to our homestay we were welcomed with a delicious meal, accompanied with coca and muña tea. Coca tea helps with altitude sickness and muña helps with an upset stomach. After the dinner our tour guide had planned a hike to the top of the mountain to visit the ruins. Amantaní is considered the highest island in the world, so hiking to the top was definitely challenging. At the top of the island, the view alone was the greatest reward. It was absolutely stunning! Definitely worth the effort. Make sure to bring a beanie and a jacket as it gets extremely windy and cold at the top.

Day 4 Summary:

Homestay at Amantani
Places visited: Uros Island and Amantani.
Tour Included: Boat Ride, tours, meals. and homestay for $50 per person

Day 5 Lake Titicaca and Puno

We ended our 2 day tour by visiting Taquile Island.

Taquile Island

Aside from its beautiful scenery Taquile is also known for its fine textiles knitted by the men in the island. To access the island, you need to hike for about 30mins. This hike was steep and far more strenuous than the ones at Amantaní. At Taquile we visited the Inca Ruins, followed by a delicious meal. The boat ride from Taquile to Puno was about 2 hours long and after all the hiking and the food, a nap on our way back was well deserved.

Day 5 Summary:

Hotel: Xima Puno Hotel
Places visited: Amantani and Tequile
Transportation: 10 soles from downtown to Xima Hotel.

Day 6 Bus to Cusco & NYE in Cusco

Taking the Inka Express from Puno to Cusco seemed like a great idea. In theory it was, since we got to see a lot of Peru’s landscape. Yet being in a bus for 10 hours was more than we could handle. The bus tour stopped at 5 different locations, each one with a different entrance fee. Would I recommend it? To be honest, probably not unless being on a bus for 10 hours is something you enjoy.

The 5 locations we stopped at were:

Pukara
La Raya (highest elevation point of the tour, sitting at 14,271 feet above sea level)
Marangani
Raqchi
Andahuaylillas

At our arrival to Cusco we checked in out our Airbnb. Our place had an amazing view of the city, and it was located 5 minutes away from downtown. Unfortunately our host was pretty difficult, so I will not be recommending this airbnb. Instead a good option is the Marriott Hotel, as it’s located at the heart of Cusco. Our arrival to Cusco was on NYE, and we had planned to go to the plaza to celebrate. The plaza was packed with people, I seriously felt like I was in Peru’s Timesquare. Our New Years celebration was filled with music, fireworks and pisco sours, as we ended our celebrations at Republica del Pisco. If you ever decide to spend New Years in Peru, make reservations ahead of time, as the cover fees are pretty hefty on this day.

Day 6 Summary:

Airbnb stay
Places visited: Pukara, La Raya, Marangani, Raqchi, Andahuaylillas and Cusco
Transportation: Inka Express - $40

Day 7 Cusco

Cusco was once the capital of the Inca Empire, today it is known by it’s Spanish colonial architecture and hilly cobble-stoned streets. The city located in the Peruvian Andes sits at 11,000 feet above sea level. If Machu Picchu is your agenda, this is most likely your first stop, and if it’s not it really should be. Cusco is very rich in culture, textiles and fine cuisine. If you are looking for Alpaca sweaters this is the place to get them. Tourists can easily be spotted in Cusco by their Alpaca sweaters. If you are wondering where is the best place to get them, I think San Pedro Market is where you will find the best deals. And don’t be afraid to bargain! A popular point of interest in Cusco is Plaza de Armas, as it marks the center of the city, surrounded by many local restaurants and stores and the Cusco Cathedral.

Day 7 Summary:

Airbnb
Places visited: Downtown Cusco and San Pedro Market
Restaurants: Ceviche Seafood Kitchen

Day 8 Machu Picchu

Finally the day I had been waiting for! You hear it all the time, literally every single friend or family member who’s ever been to Machu Picchu says it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. There is a reason why it is one of the 7 wonders of the world. Our journey to Machu Picchu started bright and early, although not as bright and early as it should’ve as we completely missed the first leg of our journey and had to take a cab over to Ollantaytambo Station to take the train to Machu Picchu. The trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu totaled 3 hours each way. Tickets to board the train must be picked up prior to departure at an official PeruRail ticket office, and passports need to be presented with the tickets. The train to Machu Picchu stops in Aguascalientes. Here you can either take a bus up to the ruins or do a 2 hour hike. We opted for the bus. Bus tickets can be purchased ahead of time, and it is highly recommended, as the bus ticket lines in Aguascalientes can take 1-4 hours. Passports are required to enter Machu Picchu, and must be presented with your entry ticket. Don’t forget to get a stamp when you exit. Although Machu Picchu is located in the Andes, it is not as high as everyone thinks. The Incan city sits at about 7,970 feet above sea level.

I wish I could thoroughly describe my feelings when I first entered Machu Picchu. I had seen millions of pictures and videos before visiting, but the fact is that pictures do not do it justice. I was in pure awe and in disbelief that something so magnificent could be real. My eyes could not believe what I was seeing, I was in Machu Picchu at last. As I struggled to breathe with every step taken, I couldn’t even imagine how a city could be built at the top of the Andes.

Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century by the Inca civilization, it is believed that it was built as a refuge and later abandoned for unknown reasons. It wasn’t until 1911 that Machu Picchu was discovered by an American explorer named Hiram Bingham who was on the search for a different city, known as Vilcabamba.

Day 8 Summary:

Airbnb
Places Visited : Machu Picchu $45 entrance fee
Train Tickets to Machu Picchu $149 per person round trip. PeruRail.
Total travel time: 6 hours

Day 9 Rainbow Mountain

Hiking Rainbow Mountain is probably my biggest fitness achievement. The hike is strenuous but doable, and not recommended to first time hikers. When narrating this story to my friends I typically compare the Rainbow Mountain hike as being as hard as taking 8 Orange Theory classes on a row. Although we had acclimated to the altitude, I was still very nervous about our hike. Rainbow Mountain was by far the highest point of our trip, sitting at about 17,060 feet above sea level. I was terrified I’d be unable to get to the top or that I’d be in need of oxygen. Luckily our tour guide was well prepared with an oxygen tank and first aid kit. When booking a tour to Rainbow Mountain make sure the two items listed above are provided.

Our journey to Rainbow Mountain started at 3 AM. Yes, you read it right 3 AM. The reason for this is that you want to get there early and the drive to Rainbow Mountain is about 3 hours long. Looking back I wish I had done more research. I was completely unprepared for this journey. To start I had no idea the climate could drastically change from freezing cold to extreme heat. I am not sure if only getting freezing cold weather is considered lucky but at least that’s what our tour guide said. Either way I was not prepared for the cold or the rain. When hiking the mountain, bring waterproof everything; gloves, jackets and backpacks.

The first 15 minutes hiking are probably the most difficult ones. The trail is pretty flat for most of the way, but you are still at a pretty high elevation, so every step is a struggle. The hike up to the mountain is about 1.5 hours. The last part being the steepest. After battling the weather and my desire to quit, I had made it to the very top. The view alone was worth the struggle. The colors at rainbow mountain are range of different minerals in the ground that were revealed after the ice covering the mountain completely melted. The reds are rust mixtures, yellows are iron sulphide, purples oxidized limonite and greens chlorite. Although the view was stunning, shortly after I reached the top it was covered by a thick cloud of rain.

On our way back we made a final stop at the Red Valley, which was equally as amazing, yet our stay at the park was short due to the rain.

Day 9 Summary:

Airbnb
Places visited: Rainbow Mountain tour price $45. Entrance fee to Rainbow Mountain 10 soles and entrance to Red Valley 10 soles
Restaurant Recommendation: Cicciolina

Day 10 Cusco to Lima

We arrived back to Lima, happy to be back at sea level and able to breathe normal. We had traveled so much, that we only had energy to go back to Punto Azul for more Octopus and Ceviche.

Day 10 Summary:

Hotel: Four Points
Restaurant: Punto Azul

Day 11 Lima Departure

Our last day in Lima started by a trip to the beach, where I bathe under the sun while others took on surfing. After a nice relaxing morning, we headed to Downtown Lima to explore the Historical Center. We visited La Plaza Mayor, The Cathedral, the Government Palace and San Francisco de Lima, where we took a tour of the church and even made it down to the catacombs. Though we had many more places in our agenda, our time was short, but will definitely save those for my next visit to Lima.

Day 11 Summary:

Surf Lessons: 60 soles
Places Visited: Historical Center, La Plaza Mayor, The Cathedral, the Government Palace and San Francisco de Lima.
Transportation to Airport: $15

Day 12 Goodbye Peru

What an adventure! Thank you for virtually embarking on this journey with me. I hope this post has inspired you to soon travel to Peru, or if you are already doing so, I hope you were able to find the advice you needed.

Overall Costs:

Flight to Lima from Mexico City: $255 one way with Interjet

Hotel: Four Point Miraflores (paid with reward points)

Flight to Puno from Lima: $157 one way with LATAM

Hotel in Puno: Xima Puno Hotel $88 a night

Bus to Cusco: $40

Cusco Airbnb: $83 a night

Tickets to Machu Picchu: $45 entrance fee, train ticket: $149 round trip

Tickets to Rainbow Mountain: $47

Flight to Lima from Cusco: $150 with Peruvian Air