What to do in Peru Visit Peru in 15 days
In 15 days in Peru, you can travel the great southern loop: Lima, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, then Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. It is the ideal route for a first trip. There is even room for one more stop, on the Pacific coast or in the Amazon, as long as you choose one or the other.
What to do in Peru in two weeks?
Peru is a huge country, and you cannot always fly between two stops, so travel times matter. Two weeks is still an ideal length: enough to see the highlights without rushing, and without stretching your budget too far.
Why travel the loop in this direction?
We recommend going from Lima to Arequipa, then the Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca and finally Cusco, for three reasons. First, the stops follow on logically. Second, the route lets you gain altitude gradually: Arequipa at 2,400 m, the Colca Canyon, then Puno at 3,800 m, before coming back down to Cusco. Finally, you end with Machu Picchu, the perfect finale to your trip.
The stops on a 15-day trip to Peru
Stop 1: Lima
Peru's capital is a modern, lively city. You will stay in the safe district of Miraflores, where you can stroll along the clifftop Malecón. We keep your time in Lima short: not because the city lacks interest, but because what comes next is even better. If you want to give it a day, don't miss the Larco Museum, the Huaca Pucllana site, the bohemian district of Barranco and the UNESCO-listed historic center.
Stop 2: Arequipa and the Colca Canyon
Peru's second city will charm you with its colonial center built from white volcanic stone. At 2,400 m, it is the perfect place to start acclimatizing. Wander the old town, enjoy a pisco sour on a terrace, and don't miss the Santa Catalina Monastery, a masterpiece of colonial architecture.
From Arequipa, allow two days for the Colca Canyon, your first taste of Andean landscapes. On the first day, you cross the Altiplano to the villages of Chivay or Yanque, where hot springs are the perfect way to unwind. The next morning is spent watching the condors, before you head to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, at 3,800 m.
Stop 3: Lake Titicaca and its islands, a night with a local family
To be honest, the town of Puno is not much to see in itself, but it is the gateway to Lake Titicaca. Two days are usually enough to discover the lake and its communities. On the first day, you visit the floating Uros islands, made of reeds, then meet a family on Amantani Island who will host you for the night. The next day is spent on Taquile Island: another island, another community, other traditions.
To get off the beaten track, we also recommend the Capachica Peninsula and the community of Llachón. In a completely different style, Suasi Island offers a comfortable, secluded hotel with stunning views over the lake.
It then takes a day to cross the Altiplano by road to Cusco, with stops to enjoy the mountain scenery. Rail lovers can make this journey aboard the Titicaca Train.
Stop 4: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Here you are at last! Cusco, the capital of the Incas, will without doubt be the most magical stop of your trip.
Cusco
The city has kept a historic center that plunges you straight into the Inca world: its streets, museums, lively squares and markets. Take a free day or two to soak up the atmosphere. On the hills above town, easy to reach on foot or by taxi, four archaeological sites, the best known being Sacsayhuamán, show off the full extent of Inca skill.
The Sacred Valley
On the way to Machu Picchu, you pass through the Sacred Valley and its very different sites: the Maras salt pans, the circular terraces of Moray, the fortress of Ollantaytambo. The train to Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu, leaves from Ollantaytambo. There are several classes of train: ask us for advice.
Machu Picchu
A must on any trip to Peru, the visit of the citadel takes about two hours, usually in the morning. For a little extra adventure, two optional hikes are available, Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu, with a view of the site from above. Note that you choose your circuit when you book: everything is explained in our guide Machu Picchu circuits and tickets.
And much more around Cusco
With an extra day: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) or its alternative Palccoyo, the site of Waqrapukara, Humantay Lake… And for hikers, the 4-day Inca Trail takes you to Machu Picchu on foot, through the Sun Gate.
Pacific coast or Amazon: the choice to make in 15 days
In two weeks, the southern loop leaves room for one more stop, but rarely two. Here is how to choose.
Option 1: the Pacific coast, from Paracas to Nazca
From Lima, you can follow the Pan-American Highway to Paracas and the Ballestas Islands, rich in marine wildlife, then on to Nazca and its mysterious lines, visible from the air, before heading up to Arequipa. Add a day for the Huacachina oasis.
Pros: desert, ocean and the Nazca Lines, another side of Peru. Cons: this detour is by bus only (Lima-Paracas 4 h, Paracas-Nazca 4 h, Nazca-Arequipa 10 h). Allow at least 3 days. If long journeys don't appeal, fly straight from Lima to Arequipa.
Option 2: the Amazon, from Cusco
From Cusco, a short flight takes you to Puerto Maldonado and the Tambopata Reserve. Lodges there offer stays of 3 to 5 days to discover the wildlife and plants of the rainforest. We recommend at least 3 days to really make the most of it.
Pros: half of Peru is covered by the Amazon, and it is a completely different experience from the Andes. Cons: an extra return flight, which adds to the budget and cuts your time in the Andes.
Our 15-day tours, depending on your choice
Peru Essential: the southern loop via the Pacific coast.
Andean Landscapes: the southern loop without the coast, taking your time in the Andes.
Secret Peru: the Andes and the Amazon.
Want to see the coast and the Amazon, or head to northern Peru and Bolivia too? You will need a little more time: see our tips for a 3-week trip to Peru. Short on time? See Peru in 10 days.
How much does a 15-day trip to Peru cost?
Your budget depends on the stops you choose (with or without the Amazon), the hotel category, the services (private guides or shared excursions) and extras such as a luxury train. For a 15-day tour organized locally, excluding international flights, expect from around US$1,700 per person, based on two travelers, for a budget trip, and over US$2,000 for a more comfortable classic tour. This usually includes accommodation, transportation, domestic flights, guides and entrance fees. All the details in our article How much does a trip to Peru cost?
When to go on a 15-day trip?
The dry season, from May to September, is the most pleasant time for the southern loop, with April and October as very good compromises. See our article When to go to Peru.
These tours are just ideas: all our trips can be tailor-made. Get in touch and co-create your trip with us!
