Interested in ancient history and archaeological sites?

The history of Peru is rich and varied. Over the course of fifteen thousand years, some ancient peoples replaced others, leaving in their memory first petroglyphs, and later pyramids, temples, mausoleums filled with skillfully made ceramics, elegant textiles, products made of precious metals and semi-precious stones. In addition to the well-known mysterious Machu Picchu, Peru also has the most ancient city of South America - Caral (the same age as Ancient Egypt), or Chan Chan - the capital of the ancient Chimu culture, one of the most beautiful and largest ancient cities built from clay bricks (adobe ).

Do you prefer to admire untouched wild nature?

Peru is a very diverse country geographically and climatically. It is usually divided into three parts: coastal desert (Pacific coast), mountains (Andes), jungle (Amazonia).

But these three zones are diverse in themselves: sandy deserts with huge dunes, stone deserts, sharp peaks of rocks with snow-capped peaks, lower green mountains, high-altitude plain steppe, valleys of volcanoes and deep canyons, rain forest at the junction of mountains and jungle, dense jungle the Amazon River basin and much more.

Do you like active recreation?

There are many routes for mountain hiking in Peru: one-day, multi-day, of any level of difficulty. A paradise for trekkers is the city of Huaraz, Ancash department, from where everyone goes hiking through the lagoons and valleys of the Cordillera Blanca (“white mountains” in Spanish). In addition, tourists have recently fallen in love with the rainbow Vinicunca Mountains in the vicinity of Cusco. In addition to hiking, Peru has plenty of surfing opportunities, although the cold Humboldt Current requires wearing wetsuits in most places. The most famous exception is warm Mancora and the beaches around the town of Tumbes in the north of the country. In the capital of the country, Lima, paragliding is very popular.

Getting to know the local cuisine?

Peru has something to surprise gourmets. This is one of the most interesting cuisines of the continent: a successful fusion of Japanese, Creole and traditional Indian. It is not for nothing that Lima is considered the gastronomic capital of South America: local restaurants have been ranked among the first in well-known international rankings for years in a row. If possible, be sure to book a table atrestaurant Central or Maido in the Miraflores area.

Peru is a country that is definitely attractive to travelers. But here too there are some peculiarities. What should you consider when preparing for your trip to avoid unpleasant surprises and get maximum pleasure?

Distances and choice of transport

Peru is the third largest country in South America. At the same time, planes do not fly everywhere, and traveling by land from point A to point B can take 6-8 hours or more. Also, due to the peculiarities of the terrain, Peru is not the most suitable country for traveling independently in a rented car: there are serpentines and dirt roads all around, communications are not available everywhere, there is often no lighting on the roads, the highlands throw up surprises due to the thin air.

It is much more convenient to travel by public transport: by plane, if such flights exist, or by bus. The quality of Peruvian cama and executivo class buses is impressive: wide reclining seats, a toilet, a TV, an English-speaking steward and sometimes even wi-fi will make your trip comfortable. Meals are included in the ticket price.

The problem of the highlands

Many tourist places are located at an altitude of more than 3000 meters above sea level. If you fly from Lima, which is located on the ocean, to Cusco (altitude 3400 meters), then you are likely to experience symptoms of altitude sickness: headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, chills. To prevent illness from spoiling the impression of the beauty around you, you need acclimatization - a few quiet days upon arrival. There are also recommendations:

  • on the eve of the trip and in the mountains, exclude alcohol and heavy fatty foods from the diet;
  • drink more water and coca leaf tea. The latter is often offered free of charge in hotels;
  • less physical activity and sudden movements in the first days, it is better to get a good night's sleep.

Trekking with an elevation of 4000 meters above sea level is best left for beginners on the fourth or fifth day. If you plan to climb to an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level and higher, then it is better to do this no earlier than the end of the week in the mountains.

When should you come?

You can travel around the country all year round. But when planning your route, you should take into account some climate features. In the mountains and jungles, the rainy season begins around the beginning of December, which lasts until mid-to-late April. The beginning and end of the season depend on the area and vary from year to year. If you are planning trekking in the mountains or visiting the jungle (especially the Amazon River), then it is better to choose the dry season - the walks will be much more comfortable.

The language of communication

In the capital and in the most touristic places (hotels, restaurants and travel agencies) you will be able to communicate in English. But as soon as you move away from the main tourist route, the population’s knowledge of English ends. Take some Spanish lessons: a beginner level will do the trick.

Vaccinations and health

You are not required to have any vaccinations specifically for traveling to Peru. Malaria pills are also not needed - there have been no outbreaks of the disease for a very long time. But if you want to be on the safe side, you can get vaccinated against yellow fever, typhoid fever and hepatitis A and B: these vaccinations are valid for ten years and are useful for every lover of exotic countries. In the jungle, do not forget about repellents and closed clothing.

To visit the mountains and the Pacific coast you will need glasses, a hat and a sunscreen of 50 SPF. The sun here is strong, and you can get sunburned quickly even in cloudy weather. For trips to high altitudes, it is better to stock up on tablets against altitude sickness, just in case. You can buy them in advance, after consulting with your doctor, or already on the spot at the pharmacy.

Currency. Cash or credit cards?

The official local currency is the Peruvian Nuevo Sol. But in tourist places US dollars are often accepted as payment. However, if you pay in dollars, the exchange rate will not be very favorable. There are many exchange offices (casa de cambio) in tourist areas. In large cities you can also exchange euros, but the rate will be less favorable than when exchanging US dollars. In most tourist places you can pay by card, especially in cities. But there may be an additional commission; this should be clarified before payment. When it comes to ATMs, most banks charge a withdrawal fee. You can withdraw money without commission, for example, from BCP ATMs (up to 700 soles). It is convenient to have several cards: some banks have restrictions on withdrawing salts from a foreign card.

Safety

Peru is a comfortable country for travelers. It is quite safe here, and the locals are usually friendly and hospitable. But still, attentiveness and caution will not hurt. General recommendations:

  • be more careful with your bag and expensive equipment in crowded places;
  • do not walk alone at night along unlit, deserted streets;
  • in Lima, check in which area the hotel is located - for example, it is also better not to walk in the city center at night; The historical center in a Latin American city does not always mean the best and safest area;
  • Be careful on buses. Do not check in equipment or money as luggage, and do not leave personal items unattended.

Peru is a remote South American country with an intriguing history, unique architecture and extraordinary natural diversity. As the owner of one of the new seven wonders of the world - the mysterious city of Machu Picchu, Peru is rightfully proud of the rich heritage of the Inca Empire. This colorful country, full of contrasts, attracts tourists not only with its rich archaeological heritage, but also with authentic colonial architecture, exquisite gastronomy, as well as pristine nature in the mountains and jungle.

Located in the Andes Mountains on the west coast of South America, the country is bordered in the northwest by Ecuador, in the north by Colombia, in the east by Brazil, and in the southeast by Bolivia and Chile. In the west, its coastline is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Peru is considered one of the largest countries in South America by area, according to this indicator it ranks third after Brazil and Argentina. Its area is very impressive and amounts to 1,285,216 km2.

The country's population as of 2018 exceeds 32,495,510 people. The capital of Peru is the city of Lima with a population of 9,562,280 people. Human. The country's national currency is the Peruvian Nuevo Sol, PEN. On average, the exchange rate against the dollar is approximately two and a half to one, that is, for one dollar they give 2.7 soles. The official language in the country is Spanish, but in regions with a predominant Indian population, the official languages ​​are Quechua and Aymara.

Peru is a very religious country, the main religion in the country is Catholicism

Current time in Lima:
(UTC -5)

Customs regulations

There are no overly strict customs regulations in Peru. As elsewhere, the import of drugs, weapons and ammunition is prohibited. The import of sausages and, in particular, dry-cured ham requires a special certificate of suitability from the manufacturer. It is allowed to import up to 2.5 liters of strong alcoholic drinks per person, as well as up to 400 cigarettes. The import and export of foreign and national currency is not limited. Export is limited only to previously imported amounts. It should be remembered that the export from the country of objects of archaeological or historical value is strictly prohibited.

How to get to Peru

It makes the most sense to start your trip from the country's capital - it is the largest city, and flights there will be much cheaper and more frequent than to other cities in Peru.

The easiest and most logical option to fly to Lima () from Russia is flights from one of the European airlines with a connection at its home airport. These are Iberia, Air France, KLM, Air Europa and Lan. See all flight options from your city to Peru using the form below.

How to get from Peru to Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador

Recently, tourists are increasingly combining visits to Peru with Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador. The most convenient way to get from Lima to these countries is with direct flights from LAN. Today, this airline is considered the undisputed leader in the Latin American aviation market. LAN is famous for its impeccable service and reliable aircraft, but its ticket prices are quite high. The average cost of an economy class airfare on the Lima-Santiago-Lima route will be approximately $400, provided that the ticket is purchased several months before departure. Just before departure, prices can reach $700. Travel time is four hours.

Cities and regions of Peru

Administratively, the territory of Peru is divided into 25 regions, which in turn are subdivided into numerous provinces and districts. Each region has its own interesting specifics and features, both natural-geographical and cultural-historical.

№ Region Capital
1 Amazonas Chachabelt
2 Ankash Huaraz
3 Apurimac Abankay
4 Arequipa Arequipa
5 Ayacucho Ayacucho
6 Cajamarca Cajamarca
7 Callao Callao
8 Cusco Cusco
9 Huancavelica Huancavelica
10 Huanuco Huanuco
11 Ica Ica
12 Junin Huancayo
13 La Libertad Trujillo
14 Lambayeque Chiclayo
15 Lima Lima
16 Loreto Iquitos
17 Madre de Dios Puerto Maldonadlo
18 Moquegua Moquegua
19 Pasco Sierra de Pasco
20 Piura Piura
21 San Martin Moyobamba
22 Puno Puno
23 Tacna Tacna
24 Tumbes Tumbes
25 Ucayali Pucallpa

Sights of Peru

As a rule, a visit to Peru begins from the capital. The rest of the attractions and interesting places are quite scattered and distant from each other. Below you will find links to attractions in Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, Puno and other regions of Peru.

Sights of other regions of Peru

  • Oxapampa-Ashaninka-Yanesha Nature Reserve
  • Hera Falls
  • National Peruvian Railway Museum
  • Mancora Resort
  • Resort Puerto Pizarro

National parks of Peru:

The country is home to many natural parks, the most interesting and worth visiting of which are the following:

  • Manu National Park in the region of Madre de Dios
  • Tambopata-Candamo National Reserve in the region of Madre de Dios
  • Paracas National Park in the Ica region
  • Huascaran National Park in the Ancash region
  • Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in the Loreto region

Where to go in Peru

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Parks and Recreation

Transport

Private guides in Peru

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Peru in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

In addition to a myriad of different attractions, Peru can offer its guests a wide range of activities, both sports, entertainment and educational. Here you can walk in the mountains, go horseback riding, ride mountain bikes, motorcycles or jeeps, raft down rivers, surf and ski, and even paraglid! The latter fun is especially common in the capital. Since Lima is located above ocean level, the very structure of the city is conducive to paragliding. In the Miraflores area, you can easily fly over the ocean and the terraces of the coastline, feeling like a bird. Almost constant flows of warm air allow you to take off and land in the same place.

Festivals and holidays in Peru

Being a deeply religious country, Peru has an incredible number of different religious holidays on its calendar. The main holidays - Good Friday and Easter - are celebrated on a grand scale throughout the country. In the most religious cities of the country - Lima, Cusco and Ayacucho, massive colorful ceremonies and solemn processions take place. And All Saints Day is celebrated throughout the country with a traditional ceremony of visiting the graves of ancestors. The most important holiday in the life of local residents is “Inti Raymi” - the summer solstice holiday is celebrated on June 24. The colorful ceremony of welcoming the Sun and worshiping it is held annually in Cusco and Sacsayhuaman, attracting countless tourists from all over the world. On November 5, Puno hosts an unusual celebration of the symbolic appearance of the first Inca, Manco Capac, and his girlfriend on Lake Titicaca.

In addition, each region has its own local holidays in the format of events in local history and the veneration of the patron saints of this particular area, which makes such events unique in their own way and unlike others.

So, in February there is the Marinera Dance Festival in Trujillo, in March - the Vendimia wine festival in Ica, in June - the San Juan Festival in Iquitos, in April - the Peruvian horse competition in Pachacamas, and in November - the Bullfights in Lima. It is also interesting to see what cockfighting is like, a popular entertainment among Peruvians, which is held in the capital throughout the year.

Getting around the country

Public transport is quite well developed in Peru and is represented by planes, buses and trains.

Planes in Peru

In a country with such complex terrain as Peru, air travel plays an important role - after all, many difficult-to-pass places can only be reached by air. Moreover, if you are traveling long distances, then it makes sense to use the services of one of the local airlines, for example, TACA, StarPeru or Peruvian Airlines. TACA is considered the best airline in the Peruvian aviation market, leading in all respects, and accordingly having the highest ticket prices.

Before purchasing tickets for domestic flights, you should keep in mind that there are pitfalls. The fact is that in Peru there is differentiation in tariffs for foreign and national passengers, but this only applies to two top tourist destinations - Cusco and Iquitos. And the difference in price is quite significant - for comparison, a ticket from Lima to Cusco for a Peruvian will cost about 80 dollars, and for a foreigner it will cost as much as 170 dollars!

Buses in Peru

The choice of a bus company should be approached with the utmost seriousness, because your safety and comfort directly depends on it. Cruz del Sur is considered the undisputed leader among bus companies in Peru. The buses of this company are comfortable and reliable, and the price-quality ratio is one of the best on the entire Latin American continent. In Peru, there are different types of buses depending on the level of comfort and seats, the most popular of which are semi-folding seats - semicama and fully folding ones - cama. The bus is the most popular type of transport in the country, inexpensive and comfortable. The network of bus routes of various companies covers almost the entire territory of the country. It makes sense to take a bus for medium distances, for example from Cusco to Puno or Arequipa. It doesn't make sense to take a bus from Lima to Cusco or Piura, it will take too long and be quite tiring. But if you have a limited budget and a lot of time, then this option will be quite acceptable. For example, a bus trip from Lima to Cusco takes on average about 12 hours and costs approximately $30.

Other bus companies with positive reviews include the following:

  • Buses Flores Hermanos
  • Tepsa
  • Linea
  • Ormeno
  • Oltursa

Total travel budget including excursions, internal travel and hotels: $1,567

Go?

Preparing for the trip:

Visa
Russian citizens traveling for tourism purposes can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. When entering the country, you must fill out a migration card and keep it throughout your trip; it will be collected upon departure.

International flight
There are no direct flights to Peru from Russia. The most convenient flight options are offered by Iberia, KLM, Air France - with one transfer in Madrid, Amsterdam or Paris, for which a transit visa is not required.
A more economical flight option can be found with Delta. But to transfer to the USA, a transit visa is required.
The most economical flight option is with two transfers through Europe and Venezuela.
You need to look for tickets to Lima - the international airport is located in the capital of Peru. From Lima you can then fly to other cities in the country.

Ticket prices start from approximately 44,000 rubles (with two transfers) to 60,000 rubles (with one transfer). The expensive flight is compensated by the fact that everything in the country itself is very inexpensive.

Vaccinations
If you are planning a trip to the jungle, you should be vaccinated against yellow fever in advance. No one will check it anywhere; this is an entirely voluntary matter for your safety.

Money
The currency of Peru is the Peruvian Nuevo Sol. Exchange rate against the dollar: 2.6-2.7 soles per dollar. You can bring dollars with you - there are many exchange offices everywhere. Or take some dollars and a bank card, and withdraw from ATMs in local currency on the spot.
Important: Never change currency from street money changers! Only in bank branches!

Safety
Peru is a very safe country today. Perhaps only in Lima outside the tourist areas you need to exercise caution and it is advisable to avoid walking at night. In other cities everything is calm and you can drive safely without fear of anything. Of course, you need to follow the usual precautions: do not leave things unattended, do not carry your wallet in a backpack behind your back - but nothing more.

Route

Day 1: We arrive in Lima. The capital of Peru is always the starting point of any route. If time is limited, it is not worth spending it on Lima; you can immediately go south, to Nazca. There are many bus routes in this direction; you can choose a convenient time. The journey from Lima will take 7.5 hours. Overnight in Nazca.

Budget:
Transfer to Nazca by buses from the best company in Peru, Cruz del Sur: approximately $30.
3* hotel in Nazca, for example Kunan Wasi Hotel: approximately $22

Day 2: In the morning we are going to fly over the Nazca Lines. Small 5-seater planes fly over the Lines. Before approaching each of the geoglyphs, the pilot warns which figure is about to appear in the field of view, and then tilts the plane to the right and left so that everyone can see the Lines and take good pictures. After a 30-35 minute flight, you can have lunch and walk around the city, and at 10 pm take the Cruz del Sur night bus to Arequipa.

The route was planned this way for a reason: the fact is that the location of Arequipa and the Canyon allows you to gently adapt to the altitude, so that you can then rise higher in Puno and Cusco and not suffer from altitude sickness.

Buses in Peru are very comfortable, the seats recline almost to a horizontal position, each passenger is given a pillow and a blanket, so you can easily sleep the entire trip, which will take 10 hours.

Day 9: You can see the sunrise at Machu Picchu! I know some people don't like popular tourist spots. But it’s not Machu Picchu’s fault that it is so beautiful and so many people come to look at this wonder of the world! You can climb higher, find a secluded corner and enjoy the beauty alone :) And you can also climb Mount Wayna Picchu - the same one that is visible in all the photographs of Machu Picchu right behind the ruins. The climb to Wayna Picchu is steep and difficult, but the view from there is crazy!

In the evening we return to Cusco.

Budget:

Day 10: You can relax, walk around Cusco, go to museums, climb to the statue of Christ, see the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and even ride through the mountains on horseback - such walks are offered near the ruins of Sacsayhuaman. And in the evening we need to get ready for the road, the Amazon jungle awaits us - Manu National Park!

Budget:
Hotel in Cusco, for example Golden Inca: $25

Days 11-14: We leave Cusco before dawn, since we have a rather long road ahead of us. It is a very interesting and unusual experience to drive from the Sierra (mountains) to Selva (jungle). Nature, plants, landscapes change right before your eyes. In the morning we were among rocks, eucalyptus trees and rare vegetation, and in the evening - in the humid hot tropics, where a bright red cock of the rock crows, where a mountain river rustles under the windows of the lodge, and giant butterflies and tiny hummingbirds flutter above the flowers!

After lunch we will reach the point where the road ends. Then you can only sail by boat. But first, we'll go down the river on rafts - it's a lot of fun! The bravest ones can even take a swim :)

After a long day and a delicious dinner, there is nothing better than sleeping to the sound of the river!

The following days merge into one long and incredibly beautiful day with walks through the jungle and lakes, cable car rides and piranha fishing, night forays into the forest and watching animals and birds. It’s very sad to leave here, you always want to stay longer!

Budget:
4-day excursion to the Amazon jungle - Manu National Park: $440
The price includes transportation, accommodation in lodges, meals, rafting, cable car rides, etc.
Overnight at a hotel in Cusco after returning from Manu: $25

Day 15: That's it, it's time to fly to Lima and home.
If you still have time, I would highly recommend driving along the coast to the north of Lima: to Trujillo and Chiclayo - see the sights of the Moche Road, go to the Cordillera Blanca to lagoons among glaciers and the giant flowers of Puya Raymondia, climb to the ancient city of the Chachapoyas civilization - Kuelap. I can talk about interesting places in Peru for a very long time :)

Budget:
Flight Cusco-Lima with Star Peru: approximately $100

Total: total budget for the trip including excursions, travel and hotels: $1,567

N.B.


  • The route is designed taking into account the current schedule of bus and air flights.

  • The tours included in this itinerary are in English or Spanish. Organizing excursions with Russian-speaking guides is possible, but the cost will vary.

  • Hotel rates are per person based on double occupancy. Check-in dates are arbitrary; prices for specific dates may vary slightly.

  • The calculation does not include meals other than those already included in the cost of hotel accommodation or excursions. When planning a route, I usually budget 20-25 dollars a day for food.

  • The cost of admission to museums, national parks and other additional expenses is not included in the calculation.

  • The cost of bus tickets and air travel from Cusco to Lima is indicated for arbitrary dates; the price for specific dates may vary slightly.

This time I’ll give you a hundred tips on how to safely and comfortably travel independently through the distant country of Peru, where to stay, how and where to get there, what, where and how much, in short, everything you need to know for those who are going to in the future to go to one of the most interesting countries in the world or for those who are still only dreaming about it, so that your dream takes on more realistic shape.

Dangers

One of the first questions people ask me is: is Peru safe? Is it safe in South America at all? The continent is quite remote, and there is little current information about it.

Consider the fact that the world is changing rapidly. The information that was relevant ten years ago has long since become history. South America is becoming an increasingly safe and tourist-friendly continent. Thanks to the development of technology and transport, today tourists are becoming a common occurrence for the local population, in almost any locality, even in a small village, even on a distant island, even in a village in the jungle. And the economies of South American countries are growing, albeit at different rates in different countries, but this growth is felt. All this helps reduce crime and improves safety.

I will share with you my own observations. In South America, all countries located on the western and southern coasts are practically safe for tourists, i.e. if you look at the map of the mainland, then - from its left side. These are Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. In these countries you can travel independently, subject only to the usual safety precautions.
But the countries that are located on the northern and eastern coasts are dangerous for independent travel. These are Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela, Brazil and Paraguay. In these countries, it is still better to travel as part of a tour group.

Peru is safe. Some sources advise to be careful in cities at night and only travel by taxi. This is especially true for the capital Lima. In practice everything is simpler. We were in the center of Lima in the evening when darkness fell and we did not notice the danger. Tour buses drove, tourists walked, churches and cathedrals were open, people went shopping and dined in restaurants.

It is advised not to go out on the streets at night, i.e. after ten o'clock in the evening. In Lima, we needed a pharmacy late in the evening, and the boulevards at night turned out to be a safe place. There are police officers on duty here, but outwardly everything is very, very calm.

In Cusco at night, far from the capital, everything was even more calm. In the evening, churches were open and all the shops and cafes were open; we walked along the streets at night completely calmly.

It is completely safe to travel by taxi at night; in this case, it is better to order one at the hotel or take it at an official taxi stand. All taxis are marked and have an official number, remember this before you get in the car.
But I repeat once again - Peru is safe in terms of crime.

But here you may face a completely different danger. This - mountain sickness A lot of interesting places are located at high altitudes and the behavior of your body is completely unpredictable. Mountain sickness chooses its victims and can spare an elderly and not very healthy person, but completely destroy the strength of a young and energetic person. Several factors are at work here - at what altitude you live at home, how adaptable your body is, how often before have you been to places at high altitude, as well as the work of your lungs, heart and many unaccounted factors. Symptoms of mountain sickness are severe dizziness, high blood pressure, weakness of the whole body, like the flu, nausea, even vomiting. Symptoms usually appear immediately, sometimes upon arrival, while still on the plane.

What to do in such cases? Do not panic!
If you are in a hotel, immediately contact the reception, call the phone, and have your partner come there. Almost all hotels have tablets for altitude sickness and bottled oxygen. At altitude, the air is thin due to the low pressure of oxygen, which is exactly what your lungs require. Try all the methods that the locals suggest: drink coca tea, chew coca leaves, take pills, breathe extra oxygen. You may need to rest in bed, even during the day. You may not be able to sleep at night. Don't panic, let your body get used to it. But you shouldn’t underestimate these symptoms. In acute conditions, pulmonary or even cerebral edema may occur.

If you are in the city and feel unwell, find the nearest pharmacy and buy medicine. Better yet, stock up on them ahead of time, they're inexpensive. Altitude sickness in Spanish is called Soroche or sorojchi (pronounced "sorochi"). This is the equivalent of the English Altitude sickness. You will need Soroche pills. These same medications will most likely be offered to you at the reception. In places where there are a lot of tourists, they can even be found in restaurants.

If you still have mild symptoms, then try to take longer breaks, spend more time in the fresh air, mountain sickness is more easily tolerated in the Inca ruins, walk slowly, you may even have to change your plans.
Drink Coca-Cola, but only store-bought cola with the original packaging. She personally helped me a lot.

How to make a route

This is not easy to do. First of all, because there are a lot of interesting places in Peru, but they are all located at a considerable distance from each other, because... Peru is a large country. The main place that most, if not all, tourists fly to Peru is, of course, Machu Picchu. First, decide how much time you have for this trip. You will need at least one week, preferably ten days. If you have two weeks, you will be able to see as many interesting things as possible.

So, you will start in Lima, arriving on an international flight. From there, local airlines fly to the city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas. From Cusco, day trips are available to Machu Picchu and other sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will need a week for this route.

If you have ten days, you can add the city of Puno and the reed islands of Uros in the south or the Nazca Valley in the north.

If you have two weeks, you can travel to Arequipa, a beautiful but remote city on the southern coast, and also visit the beautiful Colca Canyon. Or you can go north, to the Amazon region or to the Nazca region and the northern coast of Ballestas.
When planning your itinerary, consider the vast distances in Peru. It will take you several days to overcome them. For example, moving from Cusco to Puno takes up the entire daylight hours. It will take even longer to travel from Puno to Arequipa.

If you are not sure how to create a route, open the website of any travel agency that organizes trips to this country. Take their route as a basis. After all, they offer routes that have been proven over the years and are in tourist demand for a reason.

Read more about our route here From Bolivia to Peru - two in one We, however, added a little more Bolivia, but maybe you will find it interesting. There is also a lot of useful practical advice there.

What are the prices in Peru and is it expensive to travel there?

Peru is a very inexpensive country. The most expensive part of your trip will be the flight. So give him the greatest attention. If you have a program for collecting air miles or points for a flight, be sure to use it. Many airlines now offer credit cards that you can use to pay for any purchase, but the benefit is that these payments earn you miles. Sometimes it takes a couple of years to accumulate them, but as a result you will get a very cheap flight.
Everything within the country is very inexpensive. Therefore, feel free to book high-level hotels, eat in good restaurants, not in street eateries, take a taxi and local transport. All this will be at very reasonable prices. The only exception is the day when you go to Machu Picchu. You will have to pay quite a lot for both train tickets and entrance fees to the complex itself.
The local currency in Peru is the Peruvian Sol. They look nice, they depict Peruvian architectural monuments.

What hotels are there?

Hotels in Peru are excellent. Considering that they are all inexpensive, I advise you not to save too much and stay in hotels of medium and medium-high category. Then you will be guaranteed safety, convenience, high quality, clean rooms, delicious breakfast and a high level of service.
Considering the great tourist popularity, I strongly advise you to reserve hotels in advance, using any service. We don't use booking, so I can't say anything about this. But on tripadvisor.com you can easily find any hotel in any city in Peru (and not only) with numerous photos and reviews from guests. Of course, you can use any website to reserve and select, just be sure to pay for the hotel before departure.

In Lima we had a hotel in the safe coastal area of ​​Miraflores. It was the newest hotel with clean rooms, quite spacious.

Separately, I need to say about the bathroom, it was perfect. Cleanliness - almost sterile.

On the top floor of the hotel there is an open and covered breakfast terrace. Breakfast was excellent, as everywhere in Peru, rich choice and variety - fresh fruit, pastries, cheeses and ham, cereals and cottage cheese, yoghurts, juices, drinks.

We stayed in Cusco the longest - four whole nights. The hotel was very good, located almost five minutes from the main square, and was practically empty in the off-season. It was locked at night, and it was built on the site of an old house, with a traditional covered courtyard for South American countries - a patio with internal balconies on the floors.

Here we had to change rooms. The first night we checked into a room with a balcony. It was quite spacious.

But in the morning it turned out that there was a lot of noise coming from the street, it was completely impossible to sleep, and it was Sunday. We asked to change the room. After looking at about a dozen rooms, we chose the one farthest from the road. The room itself was small, I was even upset at first, but then it turned out that silence is more expensive, and the room itself was sufficient, and even more comfortable than the first. So the rooms in this hotel are unequal. I would also like to say about the breakfast - it was great. A dozen fresh local fruits, numerous European pastries, warm egg dishes, lots of cheese, ham, various drinks, sweets.

In Puno, we checked into a hotel that overlooked the cathedral in the central square.
Both the room and the hotel are excellent

Very friendly and knowledgeable reception staff. We booked an excursion with them to the reed islands of Uros, they recommended a good restaurant for us, and told us where the Inkaexpress agency office was located, where we bought tickets to Cusco.
The room was a little unusual. That is, it had everything as always, even a Jacuzzi bath, a comfortable bed, a personal heater

It was unusual in that one wall was completely glass and was closed at night with a dark curtain.

In addition, he had a tiny balcony and even without going out onto it, thanks to the glass wall, you could see part of the cathedral.
We liked. It’s even a pity that we only spent part of the day and one night there and left early the next morning.

Based on the results of our trip, my husband wrote more detailed tips about our hotels, including the names of the hotels and more photos, and prices:
Peru - hotels in Lima
Peru - hotels in Cusco
Peru - hotels in Puno
Bolivia - hotels in Copacabana
Bolivia - hotels in La Paz

How to get around?

This is a very important question for any traveler, especially in South American countries.
As I already said, there are very long distances in Peru. This is a minus. But transport here is very well organized. That's a plus.

So, the main artery of Lima-Cusco is best and fastest traveled by plane. The flight is short, just over an hour, the planes are good, the airport in Cusco is not far from the city, ticket prices are reasonable. An alternative move by land transport will take away your daylight hours and it will be completely wasted time. Buy air tickets in advance at home, on the LAN airline website.

There is a special train from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

There are different ways to get from Cusco to different places in the Sacred Valley. For example, to Pisak, you will be taken by taxi, but it will be expensive. We found out at the hotel and took a minibus with locals. The comfort was average, but it was fast and inexpensive, I think about 8 soles for half an hour’s drive. Pisac is the closest Inca city, located near Cusco, if you don’t count the Sacsayhuaman fortress, located almost within the city, you can even walk there, but it’s better to take a taxi, because you’ll have to climb the mountain for a long time.
Also located in the Sacred Valley are Otagliatambo, Maras, and Moray. We didn't get there, but you can get there by local buses. You can also rent a car and move around comfortably. The roads in these places are good, with asphalt surface.
The best way to get around the city of Cusco is by taxi; you will only need one to get to the train station and airport. Prices here are moderate. From the hotel to the airport we paid only 10 soles.

The big question is: how to get from Cusco to Puno? This is a huge distance.
There are several options here.

Railroad crossing. The train takes 10 hours, it has a dining car and a view car for photographs and in general for a convenient exploration of the surrounding area. It’s a good option, although it doesn’t run every day during off-season. Check the schedule.

Transfer by night bus. A good option because in Peru, like in many developed countries in South America, there are double-decker buses with seats that fold out at night and turn into beds. On the first floor there are ordinary seats, although they are wide and comfortable, and on the second there are about 10 seats - beds with pillows and blankets. To be honest, I really wanted to take a ride on such a bus, they say that it saves a night in a hotel, but during two trips to South America and four weeks spent on this continent, it didn’t work out. So I can’t say anything about my experience, but the reviews on the Internet are very, very good.

We chose the third option - the daytime bus. Honestly, at first I was more inclined to go by train, it seemed to me that it was much more convenient.
But it turned out that this bus option was great. It was also the cheapest. It turned out to be not an ordinary bus, but a special transport and tourism company Inka Express.

The bus made three (!) stops for sightseeing, one rest stop at a mountain pass and one stop for lunch. The travel time was also ten hours, but they were not difficult. There was also a guide and conductor on the bus who handed out free drinks.
It was very comfortable inside.

During the trip, we stopped in a town with a museum about the history of pre-Incan culture, where we also talked to alpacas and vicunas.

We saw a place completely unknown to us - the Inca city of Rakchi with the remains of the Temple of the Sun (the rest of the temples were destroyed by the conquistadors)

We saw a masterpiece - a Catholic cathedral; unfortunately, you can’t take pictures inside.

At a stop at a mountain pass we bought some national products made from alpaca wool

And we had lunch at an excellent mountain restaurant,

where there was a large selection of buffet food, live music and clean toilets.

How and where to eat?

I’ll say right away: in Peru the food is very tasty everywhere. In addition, local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables, fruits, different types of meat, seafood, and local grains. The result is a lot of diversity, especially when compared with neighboring Bolivia, where everything is much poorer. They say that even in Argentina the diet is less varied, mainly meat and white bread. Peruvian cuisine is considered in South America, along with Brazilian, to be the most gourmet. Indeed, everywhere we ate, everything was very tasty, in addition, beautifully decorated and varied. Starting with breakfasts at the hotels, which were very plentiful and varied.
We are not meat lovers, we hardly eat steaks, but in Peru we tried alpaca meat several times. The food is very tasty, the side dishes are especially interesting - different types of vegetables, several unfamiliar types of pumpkins, multi-colored potatoes.
We didn't go to expensive restaurants, but we also avoided fast food joints. In tourist areas there are enough restaurants at average prices and safe in terms of hygiene. For example, in the city of Cusco, very close to our hotel, on a quiet street, we were completely alone in the whole restaurant. We had lunch and dinner with pleasure.

A good breakfast was served on the train that took us to Machu Picchu, and the breakfast was completely unexpected; I’m generally silent about the plates and cutlery. Everything is like in a restaurant.

On a mountain pass, in a lonely restaurant, there was unexpectedly a buffet lunch. There I was lucky enough to eat a delicious pureed vegetable soup (I make this at home), local dishes made from local grains - quinoa, and various types of meat.

Prices are moderate everywhere. Again, I refer to our budget Cost and route: Peru + Bolivia.

Avoid street food vendors and buy something from a store; there are modern supermarkets in Peru. True, we bought boiled corn a couple of times; it is quite special in Peru, large, juicy, sweet, probably dating back to the times of the Incas.

I would also like to say something about drinks. If there are no problems with food, then be careful about what and where you drink. In Peru, something happened to me that had not happened for a long time. I got poisoned. And she was poisoned twice. And each time because she violated the well-known rules of tourists. I must say that poisoning along with altitude sickness really ruined several days of my trip. So let's remember the basic rules:
- Never drink drinks with ice. Ice is made from unfiltered water and it may be the cause of your poisoning.
- do not order or drink fresh squeezed juices, just as do not eat salads made from fresh vegetables. All guidebooks warn about this. Because vegetables for salads are again washed in tap water, which in Peru is of very low quality, and juices are squeezed from fruits washed in the same water.
- drink only bottled water, juices in factory packaging, tea, beer (kills bacteria) and Coca-Cola (also kills food bacteria and helps fight altitude sickness). We usually also drink local wine when traveling, but Peru is not a country that can be proud of its winemaking, like neighboring Chile. Honestly, I'm not sure if they even make wine.

The right season to travel.

There is no right season to travel to Peru. There's something for everyone. But how to choose your season?
Let's start with the fact that Peru is located in the Southern Hemisphere and the seasons there are opposite to ours. That is, if you are used to traveling in the summer, remember that you will end up in winter. But winter here is completely different, the country is not so far from the equator, there is no snow or frost here. But it will be cold, especially at night and especially in mountainous areas, and there will be less greenery. In addition, there will be many tourists at this time.
If you want to shorten your winter and go to Peru in winter, you will be in summer, which, however, will not be hot, especially in the mountainous areas. However, we must take into account that in February the Urubamba River, through which the train to Machu Picchu goes, sometimes becomes so flooded that it is canceled and your trip to meet the wonder of the world may be at great risk.

My personal favorite season to travel to South America is the end of our fall and the beginning of winter, which is late November to early December. Why? Firstly, it’s the end of spring and beginning of summer, like our turn in May-June. And this is the most beautiful and blooming time of the year. Secondly, at this time there is the longest daylight, which is very important when traveling. Thirdly, it’s so nice to go to warmer climes during the most depressing and dark time of the year, and return almost right in time for Christmas.

I really hope that my advice will seem interesting, useful, and will help someone move forward towards their goal. With this I also complete my series about Peru. I hope I didn't bore you too much. Thank you very much to everyone for your careful reading, for your interest and all your comments and ratings. For those who are interested, I provide links to all previous works.

The dream of my life is everything at once!!

Flight to Peru from Moscow and St. Petersburg

The main airport is located in the capital of the Republic of Peru - Lima. From Lima you can fly to Cusco, Arequipa, Iquitos and other cities.

There are no direct flights to Lima from Moscow or St. Petersburg yet. The most convenient flights have one stop in Madrid, Amsterdam or Paris.

Tickets to Peru from Moscow can be purchased from the following airlines:

KLM, http://www.klm.com/

Iberia: http://www.iberia.com/

Air Europa: https://www.aireuropa.com/

Tickets from St. Petersburg to Lima are offered by:

KLM, http://www.klm.com/

Air France: http://www.airfrance.com/

The price of a ticket to Lima and back on average starts from 50,000 rubles and can reach 120,000 rubles and more. As a rule, the cost depends on the season - tickets are most expensive in the summer from June to August and before Christmas, New Year, Easter and other holidays. Tickets for neighboring dates often differ in price. Therefore, it makes sense to check several dates before making a purchasing decision. Sometimes airlines offer special offers for flights to Peru. Information about this is published on airline websites in the “Special Offers” section.

Other airlines, such as British Airways, have two or more stops.

Please note: citizens of some countries require a visa when transiting through the United States! Check whether you need a visa before purchasing air tickets!

Domestic flights within Peru are operated by local airlines.

Peruvian airlines

LATAM: https://www.latam.com/

PeruvianAirlines: http://www.peruvian.pe/

StarPeru: http://www.starperu.com

Avianca: http://www.avianca.com/

LCPeru: http://www.lcperu.pe/

SKY: https://www.skyairline.com/peru

VIVA: https://www.vivaair.com/pe/

Moving around the country

There are practically no railways in Peru (except for two or three short lines), so people mainly travel around the country by road by bus or fly on local airlines. The cost of bus travel is about 8-20 dollars, depending on the distance and level of service. Buses cover a distance of 500-600 kilometers in 12 hours.

Distances between cities in Peru

Lima -

Pisco (). 242 kilometers from Lima, 3.5 hours by bus.

Nazca (). 446 kilometers from Lima, 7.5 hours by bus.

Arequipa () (). 1010 kilometers from Lima. You can fly by plane (about an hour) or travel by bus (16 hours)

Puno (). There are no direct flights or bus routes from Lima, and planes and buses make a stop in Arequipa. The bus transfer to Puno in Arequipa can take several hours.

Cusco ( , ). There are many daily flights from Lima to Cusco, the flight takes about an hour. There are no direct bus routes; the shortest one passes through Nazca and takes about 24 hours.

Huaraz (Pastoruri Glacier, Chavin ruins, "White Mountains" / Cordillera Blanca). 420 kilometers from Lima, 8 hours by bus.

Iquitos () (). 1.15 min. by plane from Lima. There are no bus routes.

Cusco -

Machu Picchu (). Trains to Aguas Calientes, a town at the foot of Machu Picchu, run from Ollantaytambo station (1 hour by bus from Cusco). Travel time by train is 2.5 hours. An alternative way to get to Machu Picchu is to hike the Inca Trail.

Arequipa () (). 521 km from Cusco, 10 hours by bus or 45 minutes by plane.

Lima (). There are many daily flights from Cusco to Lima, the flight takes about an hour. There are no direct bus routes; the shortest one passes through Nazca and takes about 24 hours.

Puno (). 388 km from Cusco, 6-8 hours by bus.

Arequipa -

Cusco ( , ). 521 km from Arequipa, 10 hours by bus or 45 minutes by plane.

Lima (). 1010 km from Arequipa. You can fly by plane (about an hour) or travel by bus (16 hours)

Nazca(). 623 km from Arequipa, 10 hours by bus.

Puno (). 297 km from Arequipa, 5 hours by bus.

Puno -

Cusco ( , ). 388 km from Puno, 6-8 hours by bus.

Arequipa () (). 297 km from Puno, 5 hours by bus.

Lima (). There are no direct flights or bus routes from Puno, and planes and buses make a stop in Arequipa. The bus transfer to Lima in Arequipa can take several hours.

Bus companies in Peru

Cruzdelsur: http://www.cruzdelsur.com.pe

Ormeño: http://www.grupo-ormeno.com.pe

First Class: http://www.firstclass.com.pe

Inka Express: http://www.inkaexpress.com

Soyuz: http://www.soyuz.com.pe

Civa: http://www.civa.com.pe

Oltursa: http://www.oltursa.com.pe

Tepsa: http://www.tepsa.com.pe

Expresosocial: http://www.expresocial.com

Linea: http://www.transporteslinea.com.pe

Emtrafesa: http://www.emtrafesa.com

Movilotours: http://www.moviltours.com.pe

Chiclayo: http://www.transporteschiclayo.com

El Dorado: http://www.transporteseldoradopiura.com

Expreso Wari: http://www.expresowari.com.pe

Flores: http://www.floreshnos.net

Perubus: http://www.perubus.com.pe

Transmar: http://www.transmar.com.pe

Turdias: http://www.turdias.com

Railway companies of Peru

PeruRail: http://www.perurail.com (tickets on the route Cusco - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu and Cusco - Puno)

IncaRail: http://www.incarail.com/ (tickets on the route Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu)

FerroCarrilCentral: http://www.ferrocarrilcentral.com.pe (tickets from Lima to Huancayo)

Rent a car in Peru

Localiza: http://www.localiza.com

Hertz: http://www.hertz.com

BudgetPeru: http://www.budgetperu.com/

NationalCar: http://www.nationalcar.com.pe

German: http://www.rentacargerman.com.pe

NorthPeru: http://www.northperurentacar.com.pe