60 days in Peru Itinerary

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.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Museum of Historic Boats and Museum of Indigenous Amazonian Cultures. You'll discover tucked-away gems like La Isla De Los Monos and Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm. Spend the 3rd (Fri) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. The adventure continues: take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, stop by Centro Artesanal Turistico Anaconda, take a peaceful walk through Jairo Mejia Prado, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Amazon Rescue Center.

For more things to do, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, use the Iquitos road trip tool.

Calgary, Canada to Iquitos is an approximately 20-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Mountain Standard Time (MST) to Peru Standard Time (PET) is 2 hours. In September, Iquitos is much hotter than Calgary - with highs of 38°C and lows of 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sun) so you can travel to Machu Picchu.

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

Discover out-of-the-way places like Intipuncu and Zipline. Popular historic sites such as Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu and Ruinas de Choquequirao are in your itinerary. There's still lots to do: delve into the distant past at Winay Wayna, see the interesting displays at Museo de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon, tour the pleasant surroundings at Mandor, and hunt for treasures at Mercado de Artesanias.

For other places to visit, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, use the Machu Picchu sightseeing site.

Traveling by flight from Iquitos to Machu Picchu takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, ferry, and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Thu) early enough to take a train to Ollantaytambo.

Retaining much of its centuries-old architecture, Ollantaytambo represents one of the world's finest examples of Incan city planning.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Sacred Valley of the Incas and Moray. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Pinkuylluna Mountain Granaries and Salinas de Maras. When in Ollantaytambo, make a side trip to see Iglesia San Martin de Tours in Huarocondo, approximately Huarocondo away. There's still lots to do: kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, hike along Urubamba Weavers' Route, appreciate the extensive heritage of Qosqo Ayllu, and appreciate the views at Patacancha Valley.

For more things to do and tourist information, refer to the Ollantaytambo online visit planner.

Traveling by train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In September, daytime highs in Ollantaytambo are 25°C, while nighttime lows are 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sun) early enough to take a shuttle 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.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Tambomachay and Tipon. Your inner history buff will appreciate Sacsayhuaman and Q'enqo. Change things up with these side-trips from Cusco: Huarcapay (Rumicolca & Piquillacta) and San Pedro Apostol de Andahuaylillas (in Andahuaylillas). Make the 16th (Thu) a memorable day with a climbing tour. Spend the 21st (Tue) behind the viewfinder with an inspiring photography tour. The adventure continues: hike along exploor, trot along with a tour on horseback, see Off-Road Tours, and pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus.

To find maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Cusco trip maker website.

You can take a shuttle from Ollantaytambo to Cusco in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In September in Cusco, expect temperatures between 25°C during the day and 5°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Fri) to allow time to travel 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.

Get some cultural insight at Sillustani and Main Gate. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Speed Boats Tours and Iglesia de San Juan de Letran. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Puno: Fertility Temple (in Chucuito) and Iglesia San Pedro (in Juli). There's still lots to do: steep yourself in history at La Casa del Corregidor, step off the mainland to explore Taquile Island, don't miss a visit to Catedral de Puno, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia de San Juan Bautista.

For reviews, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Puno online trip builder.

You can fly from Cusco to Puno in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In September, Puno is a bit cooler than Cusco - with highs of 22°C and lows of 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Wed) early enough to drive to Arequipa.

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

Popular historic sites such as Historic Centre of Arequipa and Petroglifos de Toro Muerto are in your itinerary. Get a sense of the local culture at Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus and San Francisco Plaza, Church and Monastery. Spend the 5th (Tue) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. And it doesn't end there: pause for some serene contemplation at Museo de la Catedral de Arequipa, indulge in some personalized pampering at Arequipa Massage, see the interesting displays at Santa Catalina Monastery, and get a taste of life in the country at Mundo Alpaca.

To see photos, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Arequipa itinerary tool.

You can drive from Puno to Arequipa in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Puno in September, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Arequipa, with lows of 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Tue) early enough to drive to Nazca.

The southern city of Nazca draws visitors to its archaeological and historical sites.

Get a sense of the local culture at Cahuachi and Planetario Maria Reiche. Your inner history buff will appreciate Cementerio Chauchilla and Cantalloc Aqueduct. And it doesn't end there: hit the best photo ops around with an inspiring photography tour, steep yourself in history at Acueductos de Nasca, make a trip to Nasca Lines, and see the interesting displays at Líneas de Cantalloc Telar.

To see ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Nazca trip itinerary site.

Traveling by car from Arequipa to Nazca takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of flight and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sat) early enough to drive to Paracas.

A port town largely devoted to tourism, Paracas serves as a popular starting point for exploration of Peru's south coast.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Culturides La Maquina del Tiempo and Pukasoncco, Arte Precolombino.. Discover out-of-the-way places like Playa Roja and Off-Road Tours. Change things up with a short trip to Ballestas Islands in Pisco (about 42 minutes away). And it doesn't end there: make a trip to The Chandelier, kick back and relax at Supay Beach, stroll through Playa Atenas, and fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour.

To see other places to visit, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Paracas trip site.

You can drive from Nazca to Paracas in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in October, and nighttime lows around 16°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Tue) so you can drive to Lima.

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.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Centro Historico de Lima and Basilica y Monasterio de Santo Domingo. Cathedral of Lima and Site Museum and Archaeological Sanctuary of Pachacamac will appeal to history buffs. There's still lots to do: delve into the distant past at Caral Peru, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy, admire the masterpieces at Museo MATE, and stroll around El Parque del Amor.

For where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Lima trip tool.

Drive from Paracas to Lima in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In October in Lima, expect temperatures between 24°C during the day and 19°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Organos.

On the 19th (Tue), get outside with Zona Kite Mancora, then stroll through Las Pocitas Beach, then enjoy the sand and surf at Playa Mancora, and finally observe the fascinating underwater world at Acuario Mundo Hippocampus.

To see where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Organos visit planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Lima to Organos. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Lima in October, with highs in Organos at 30°C and lows at 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 20th (Wed) to allow time for travel to Chachapoyas.

A good base for exploring the surrounding cloud forests, Chachapoyas remains a small and laid-back town despite its growing popularity with international tourists.

On the 21st (Thu), tour the pleasant surroundings at Huiquilla Area de Conservacion Privada, steep yourself in history at Fortaleza de Kuelap, and then wander the streets of Distrito de Huancas. On your second day here, take in the dramatic scenery at Catarata de Gocta and then explore the ancient world of Sarcofagos de Karajia.

To see reviews, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, read Chachapoyas trip tool.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Organos to Chachapoyas. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Fri) to allow time to drive to Cajamarca.

Located 2,750 m (8,900 ft) above sea level, the Andean city of Cajamarca experiences a mild highland climate, which, along with the area's fertile soil, has allowed agriculture to thrive.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Sat): don't miss a visit to Cuarto del Rescate, then explore the world behind art at Casa-museo Nicolas Puga, then don't miss a visit to Cerro Santa Apolonia, and finally make a trip to Windows of Otuzco. Keep things going the next day: steep yourself in history at Callacpuma, look for gifts at Mercado Central de Cajamarca, delve into the distant past at Cumbemayo, make a trip to Hacienda La Collpa, then pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia Belén, and finally don't miss a visit to Plaza de Armas de Cajamarca.

For where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Cajamarca trip maker tool.

You can drive from Chachapoyas to Cajamarca in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In October in Cajamarca, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 9°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sun) to allow enough time to take a bus to Trujillo.

Considered the country's capital of culture, Trujillo was the birthplace of the North Group, a community of artists and intellectuals that included celebrated poet Cesar Vallejo and notable novelist Ciro Alegria.

La Huaca del Sol and Site Museum are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Explore hidden gems such as Catedral de Trujillo - Catedral de Santa Maria and Cao Museum. The adventure continues: delve into the distant past at Chan Chan, take in the spiritual surroundings of Iglesia de Santo Domingo, contemplate the long history of Huaca El Dragon, and pause for some serene contemplation at Capilla del Santisimo Sacramenteo dento del Arzobispado de Trujillo.

For ratings, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Trujillo trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by bus from Cajamarca to Trujillo takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Cajamarca in October, expect a bit warmer with lows of 19°C in Trujillo. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Sat) early enough to travel back home.