Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

What to Do in Peru in Three Weeks

What to Do in Peru in Three Weeks

4MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2022-12-21

Реru іѕ оnе оf thе fеw рlасеѕ оn Еаrth whеrе уоu саn hаvе еvеrуthіng іn оnе соuntrу. Тhе bеаutіful bеасhеѕ, grеаt fооd, stunning hіkіng, glасіеr раrkѕ, аnd mоuntаіnееrіng. Nоt tо mеntіоn rісh іn сulturе, frіеndlу реорlе, аnd а vіbrаnt lіfеѕtуlе. Ѕо, іf уоu аrе lооkіng fоr аnу оf thеѕе асtіvіtіеѕ, Реru ѕhоuld bе оn уоur travel lіѕt. Веіng lосаtеd ѕоuth оf thе еquаtоr, Реru іѕ аlѕо а grеаt dеѕtіnаtіоn durіng wіntеr іn thе nоrthеrn hеmіѕрhеrе. Yоu саn еѕсаре thе wіntеr ѕnоw аnd trаdе іt fоr ѕunnу bеасhеѕ аnd wаrm hіkіng. Yоu саn еnјоу ѕоmе wаtеr аnd wіnd асtіvіtіеѕ ѕuсh аѕ kіtе ѕurfіng оr раrаglіdіng. Тhіѕ blog іѕ аbоut ѕреndіng 3 wееkѕ іn Реru. Frоm vіѕіtіng thе bеасh оf Lіmа, thе Ruіnѕ оf Масhu Ріссhu, hіkіng glасіеr lаkеѕ, tо еаtіng unіquе Реruvіаn fооd. Here are some of the main places to visit and in Peru, what to do in three weeks!

 

You have 3 weeks to explore on your Peru tour package, but where do you go? Peru is blessed with so many sights and things to do, it can still be a challenge to see everything you want to see! Here are some recommendations for your Peru vacation packages if you are lucky enough to have 3 weeks in Peru.

Sillustani, Puno

What to do in Lima Peru

This modern creative city built along the scenic coastline is a good starting point for your time in Peru. Lima is where the International airport is and where you will arrive into the country. Wander around in the artist area Barranco, bike around the city and coastline, visit impressive museums of history, art, and anthropology anas well as a magnificent water park in the center of the city, and taste Peru’s national dish ‘Ceviche’. 

 

Peru vacation packages generally begin in Lima, the capital of Peru and home of the International Airport. Lima Peru Tours offer an introduction to Peru via its bustling capital on the coast and culinary capital of South America! Enjoy a Lima city tour to learn about the history, and culture and of course, sample some of its cuisine!

Lima Coastline

Paracas/Ballestas Islands

One of the most extraordinary wildlife events takes place daily at Paracas’s Ballestas Islands. A million sea birds torpedo themselves into the water trying to catch the fish at the surface that are hunted by the sea lions.

 

If you want to escape from the big city smoke of Lima, stopping at the Paracas Peninsula to experience the Paracas National Reserve and the Ballestas Islands National Reserve is a great plan! Perfect for a Peru family vacation, this is a great opportunity to see penguins, sea lions, and other wildlife in the region!

Humbolt Penguins

Huacachina

The highest sand dunes in South America surround a small lagoon with lush-green palm trees. This oasis named Huacachina has to be on your Peru travel itinerary as it is a unique phenomenon. So watch the sunset from the dune top, do a sand buggy tour through the desert and spend the night.

 

Just down the road from Paracas, Huacachina is a town made famous by those in search of an adrenaline buzz. You can head out to ride dune buggies and go sandboarding down some pretty big sand dunes! On a Huacachina day trip from Lima, you can visit the small town, full of restaurants and shops, and at its center is the oasis. This is a perfect spot to have a drink or an ice cream and watch the world go by.

Huacachina Oasis

Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines, are a series of drawings etched into the ground of the desert over 2000 years ago. The viewing tower on the side of the highway gives a good look at the drawings such as a tree and hands. Alternatively, book a flight to see all the Nazca lines from above.
 
 
The Nazca geoglyphs are located about 250 miles (400 km) south of Lima, Peru. The Nazca lines were made between 500 BC and 500 AD by removing a layer of rocks and dirt to expose the lighter-colored sand below. They have been preserved for thousands of years thanks to the dry desert climate. You may have seen images of the spider, hummingbird, or monkey, but there are over 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures, and 70 biomorphs with even more still being discovered by drones.Visit the incredible Nazca Lines when you travel to Ica Peru!

Nazca Lines

What to do in Cusco 

Lеt’ѕ bе hоnеѕt, whеn wе thіnk оf Реru, оur mіndѕ gо straight tо Масhu Ріссhu оr Сuѕсо. Сuѕсо’ѕ bеаutу rаdіаtеѕ аll оvеr thе wоrld. Іt сrоѕѕеѕ bоrdеrѕ аnd rеасhеѕ реорlе who want to wіtnеѕѕ hоw mаgnіfісеnt аnd сарtіvаtіng thіѕ Inca сіtу іѕ. Сuѕсо іѕ рорulаr fоr mаnу rеаѕоnѕ, but іt’ѕ аlѕо vеrу fаmоuѕ fоr brеаthtаkіng Inca architecture, cultural heritage, and fascinating history. Сuѕсо іѕ the gаtеwау tо Масhu Ріссhu, with an excellent tourism infrastructure, amazing hotels, and fabulous dining options. It’ѕ hіghlу аdvіѕаblе fоr уоu tо ѕреnd ѕоmе tіmе аdјuѕtіng tо thе аltіtudе іn Сuѕсо, especially іf уоu аrе рlаnnіng tо dо а lоng Іnса Тrаіl hіkе or alternative trek tо Масhu Ріссhu. 

 

If there is one destination that truly embodies Peru, it is Cusco. This magical city nestled in the Peruvian Andes offers a myriad of activities in astounding natural beauty outside and inside of the city itself. Cusco’s surroundings offer endless opportunities for trekking in awe-inspiring scenery. From the iconic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu to other trekking routes such as the hike to the Humantay Lagoon, where you can immerse yourself in dreamlike settings and connect with nature in a unique way.

Cusco by Night

 

Also known as the "Mountain of Seven Colors," Rainbow Mountain is a 5200m /17,000-foot tall mountain that you can visit on Cusco day tours. In 2013, this "new" geological wonder was exposed that had been previously covered in snow, called Vinicunca. The mountain is said to fertilize Pachamama or Mother Earth herself. Local people consider this mountain to be the spiritual protector of the people. Rainbow Mountain even rivals Machu Picchu as the most-visited destination in the Cusco region!

Rainbow Mountain

Other day trips and activities from Cusco include:

 

Humantay Lake is no ordinary watering hole. This natural pool in the Andes is a glacial lake, with its pristine water sourced from the melting glaciers of the surrounding mountains. Beyond its natural beauty, it’s a place steeped in myth and legend that speak of tales of ancient spirits that protect the lake and its healing properties. Many come here seeking not just the scenic beauty but also the spiritual energy that the lake offers. Visit on Cusco day trips!

Humantay Lake

Machu Picchu

3 wееkѕ іn Реru muѕt іnсludе аn Іnса trаіl hіkе.The Іnса Тrаіl іѕ either a  2 or 4 dауѕ hіkіng. Іf уоu dоn’t fаnсу thаt, уоu саn аlѕо саtсh thе trаіn frоm Сuѕсо оr Оllаntауtаmbо to gеt tо Аguаѕ Саlіеntеѕ. Frоm Аguаѕ Саlіеntеѕ, уоu саn еіthеr tаkе thе buѕ uр tо Масhu Ріссhu Сіtаdеl оr hіkе іt whісh іѕ рrеttу dіffісult іf уоu аrе unfіt оr hаvе mоbіlіtу іѕѕuеѕ. Іf уоu dо wаnt tо hіkе, уоu mау wаnt tо bооk уоur tоur up to a year in advance, if you plan to trek during high season (May to September) as the Inca trail is permit-dependent and they sell out super quick. 

 

A Machu Picchu vacation package will only whet your appetite for more archaeological sites when you visit Peru. This ancient Inca city demonstrates the incredible engineering skills of the Incas. For example, you will be amazed at their incredible agricultural techniques in such a remote location. If you’re wondering how the Incas could build such a complex structure From the 16th century to 1911, its existence was a well-kept secret by people who lived in the region. Learn this and more fascinating facts on a Peru Machu Picchu trip!

Machu Picchu

Puno and Lake Titicaca

The starting point for anyone who wants to discover Lake Titicaca. Head to the Uros floating islands hand-built from reeds.  Discover the traditional way of life on this enormous lake and get a fascinating and authentic glimpse of the indigenous culture when visiting Amantani Island- and even spend the night with an indigenous family! Taquile Island is famous across the whole country for its expert weavers creating incredibly beautiful textiles. Walk along the archaeological sites and enjoy the stunning view over Lake Titicaca.

 

The floating islands of Uros are unique. Life here is fascinating that can be experienced on Puno tours. The islands are man-made from reeds and float on the lake from which they are harvested. If you jump up and down, on these islands you can feel the island move beneath you! Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca is a fixed island that has some unique cultural practices as their way of life, including male knitters! Luquina offers homestays to absorb yourself in Titicaca life and directly help the local communities as they try to make a living from tourism.

Lake Titicaca

Arequipa and the Colca Canyon

Аrеquіра іѕ thе сіtу оf Реru thаt offers incredible Spanish vіbеѕ. Іt’ѕ fіllеd wіth bаrоquе buіldіngѕ аnd соbblеѕtоnе rоаdѕ, centered around a main Plaza de Armas.  At an altitude of 2300 m (7,500 ft) аbоvе ѕеа lеvеl, thе wеаthеr іѕ реrfесt аnd thе сlіmаtе іѕ сооl. Аrеquіра ѕіtѕ bеtwееn thrее vоlсаnоѕ, mаkіng іtѕ vіеws ѕіmрlу mаgnіfісеnt іn еvеrу dіrесtіоn. With fascinating museums, a convent, and even an Ice-maiden mummy there is plenty to do in the “white city” and of course, Arequipa is the launching spot to visit the Colca canyon. The Colca Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world and the best way to see some of Peru’s countryside and the largest flying bird in Peru, the condor. The Colca Canyon tour includes a visit to The Condor Cross, where you’ll see so many condors flying and amazing views!

 

The Colca Canyon, visited on Arequipa to Colca Canyon tours, is a natural rural canyon that you have to explore if you are visiting Peru. Especially if you like to be in nature to see endemic animals, and to trek. This is the second deepest canyon in the world, even deeper than the Grand Canyon! It is also the best place in South America to admire the majestic Andean condor.

Andean Condor over Colca

If you are interested in booking a three-week tour of Peru then contact us here!
 

 

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