16 days in Peru Itinerary

Founded in 1535 by Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro, Lima represents an interesting blend of modern attractions and preserved colonial architecture, much of it clustered in the World Heritage-listed city center.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Tue): get engrossed in the history at Museo Larco, then don't miss a visit to Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor), then stroll around Circuito Magico Del Agua, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of San Pedro Church (Iglesia de San Pedro). Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, then shop like a local with Shopping Center Larcomar (Centro Comercial Larcomar), then delve into the distant past at Huaca Pucllana, and finally wander the streets of Miraflores.

For reviews, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, read Lima road trip planner .

Toronto, Canada to Lima is an approximately 11-hour flight. You can also do a combination of ferry and flight; or do a combination of shuttle and flight. Expect warmer temperatures when traveling from Toronto in December; daily highs in Lima reach 28°C and lows reach 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) early enough to travel to Arequipa.

In an area dominated three imposing volcanoes, Arequipa vacations allow visitors to admire well-preserved colonial architecture in a dramatic setting.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Thu): admire the landmark architecture of Plaza de Armas, take an in-depth tour of Museo Santuarios Andinos, then see the interesting displays at Santa Catalina Monastery, and finally don't miss a visit to Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus. Here are some ideas for day two: make a trip to Complejo de la Compania de Jesus and then get impressive views of Volcan Misti.

To find more things to do, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Arequipa day trip planning app .

You can fly from Lima to Arequipa in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Expect slightly colder temperatures when traveling from Lima in December; daily highs in Arequipa reach 24°C and lows reach 12°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) so you can go by car to Puno.

Hugging the western tip of Lake Titicaca, Puno serves as a melting pot of indigenous and imported cultures, and makes a great base for explorations around the region.

On the 21st (Sat), head off the coast to Taquile Island and then step off the mainland to explore Uros Floating Islands. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: stroll the grounds of Sillustani and then explore the activities along Lake Titicaca.

To see photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Puno day trip planner.

You can drive from Arequipa to Puno in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Arequipa in December, expect a bit cooler with lows of 3°C in Puno. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) to allow time to travel to Cusco.

Capital of the Inca Empire for three centuries, World Heritage-listed Cusco is now a major tourist destination, drawing nearly 2 million annual tourists with its well-preserved colonial architecture and proximity to Machu Picchu.

Cusco is known for historic sites, wildlife, museums, classes, and trails. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: steep yourself in history at Sacsayhuaman, delve into the distant past at Centro Historico De Cusco, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia De Santo Domingo, and take in the local highlights with Walking tours.

Plan a trip to Cusco easily and quickly by telling Inspirock to suggest an itinerary.

You can do a combination of bus and flight from Puno to Cusco in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Puno in December, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Cusco, with lows of 9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Thu) early enough to travel to Machu Picchu.

A symbol of the Incan civilization, the abandoned city of Machu Picchu represents a must-see on a Peru vacation.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Fri): admire the natural beauty at Los Jardines de Mandor and then delve into the distant past at Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu. Keep things going the next day: don't miss a visit to Plaza Manco Capac, delve into the distant past at Winay Wayna, and then make a trip to Intipuncu.

To find reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Machu Picchu vacation website .

You can do a combination of bus and train from Cusco to Machu Picchu in 3.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sat) so you can travel to Maras.

Maras is a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 40 kilometers north of Cuzco, in the Cuzco Region of Peru. Start off your visit on the 29th (Sun): delve into the distant past at Moray and then take in the dramatic natural features at Salinas de Maras.

For photos, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Maras trip builder tool .

Do a combination of train and taxi from Machu Picchu to Maras in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. December in Maras sees daily highs of 24°C and lows of 9°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Iquitos.

The largest city in the Peruvian Amazon and the world's largest metropolis unreachable by road, Iquitos represents a major starting point for river and rainforest adventures.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Mon): stroll through Amazon Rescue Center, tour the pleasant surroundings at La Isla De Los Monos, then cast your line with a fishing tour, and finally stop by Centro Artesanal Turistico Anaconda.

To see more things to do, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Iquitos trip tool .

You can fly from Maras to Iquitos in 3.5 hours. When traveling from Maras in December, plan for a bit warmer days and warmer nights in Iquitos: temperatures range from 37°C by day to 26°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) early enough to travel back home.