We just passed more than one month in Peru, coming from Bolivia. Let me share with you the itinerary we followed, our feedback and tips.
Notes:
– Peru is our 5th country visited in Latin America during our World tour.
– In more than 6 weeks we haven’t visited everything we wanted but we can’t wait to go to Colombia so we’ve skipped some places we’ll keep for an other trip: Cajamarca and Cumbemayo, and the jungle part (we’ve already been in Rurrenabaque, the bolivian jungle).
– Canyon de Colca was closed when we were there, and we didn’t stay long on Titicaca lake as we already were in Copacabana.
– Prices of the hotels are for double rooms and we’ve negociated most of the prices, checking first the availability on Booking.
Puno
1 night
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We’ve only been to Uros and it was VERY touristic but I guess you can find more authentic places (Taquile maybe?).
Hotel: Puno Backpacker (S/25)
Bus to Cusco (S/30)
Cusco
11 nights + night bus to Arequipa
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We passed 10 days there, but there is so many stuff to do and visit (we missed Zona X which looks interesting if you have time).
> How to visit the sacred valley and Machu Picchu by yourself
Hotel: Posada Azul (S/40)
Bus to Arequipa (S/85)
Arequipa
2 nights
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Called the White city we haven’t found what is special about it. We missed the Canyon de Colca because there’s been an earthcake which broke the road.
Hotel: Peter’s home (S/40)
Bus to Nasca (S/50)
Nasca
2 nights
We arrived late and did nothing the first day. 2nd day we did the plane tour and Chauchilla cementary.
Hotel: Brabant (S/44)
Bus to Ica: Oltursa (S/16)
Huacachina
1 night in Ica, 1 in Huacachina
To save money we passed one night in Ica and passed 2 days 1 night in Huacachina.
Hotel: Roma in Ica (S/37) and Desert Night in Huacachina (S/101)
Taxi to Ica (S/10) and bus to Pisco (S/10)
Paracas
3 nights (2 are enough)
We visited the national parc renting a scooter (S/100) and enjoyed a quiet day on the beach the day after.
Hotel: Yacumama (S/50)
Taxi to Cruce Pisco (S/16) and bus to Lima: Movil (S/25)
Lima
3 nights
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We’ve only been there for the week-end but there is a lot to visit, like pyramids!
Hotel: Lunay Mochica (S/40)
City Bus to Lurin (S/6) and colectivo to Pachacamac (S/2)
Pachacamac
3 nights
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There were strikes and roads were blocked so we waited there and visited the ruins.
Hotel: Sol Aire y energia (S/45)
Bus to Barranca from Lima: Movil (S/25)
Barranca
2 nights + night bus to Huaraz
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Not a nice city but you can find nearby Barranca the oldest ruins of the continent: Aspeto and Caral!
Hotel: Parco (S/35)
Bus to Huaraz: Movil (S/62)
Huaraz
6 nights + bus night to Trujillo
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The paradise for hikes and nature lovers. We only passed 5 days there but you can take more time and do the Santa Cruz trekking (and many others). We also visited Chavin de Huántar nearby.
> Check the hikes around Huaraz
Hotel: Dream House (S/45)
Bus to Trujillo: Movil (S/62)
Huanchaco
2 nights + night bus to Mancora
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Nice surf city close to Trujillo where you can visit Chan Chan (Chimu civilisation) and Huaca de la Luna (Moche).
Hotel: Lola’s (S/50)
Bus to Mancora: Ittsa (S/105)
Mancora
2 nights
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Ending our trip by this hippie city, enjoying the beach before crossing to Ecuador.
Hotel: Wally’s House (S/85)
What we loved:
- The surprising richness of the history and the culture.
- The diversity of the landscapes.
- The quality of food (especially the ceviche and the Pisco Sour).
- The transports, very easy and organized.
What we didn’t like:
- People who try to trick you with prices.
- Children and animals used to get money.
- The very early rhythm of life (we didn’t sleep a lot).
- Machu Picchu became a tourist factory with too many rules, we prefered the sacred valley by ourselves!