Traveling to Peru is one of the most enriching experiences in South America, combining history, nature, culture, and adventure. In this guide, I share my real travel experience starting from Ecuador, along with practical tips and recommendations to help you plan your trip.

Arrival in Lima

My journey began flying into Lima, the capital city and main gateway to explore the country. From here, travelers can easily connect to coastal, desert, and Andean destinations.

Paracas and Ballestas Islands Tour

Upon arriving in Lima, we continued our journey to Paracas to visit the famous Islas Ballestas, often called the “poor man’s Galapagos.” The trip from Lima takes approximately 3 to 4 hours by road, followed by a boat tour through the islands. During the experience, we enjoyed wildlife spotting such as sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and seabirds, as well as views of the Candelabra geoglyph. 

• Boat tour through the islands

• Wildlife spotting: sea lions,Humboldt penguins, seabirds

• View of the Candelabra geoglyph

• Visit to Paracas National Reserve

Huacachina Desert Oasis

Next, we continued our adventure from Paracas to Huacachina, a short drive of about 1 to 1.5 hours through the desert landscapes.

Highlights:

• Sandboarding

• Dune buggy rides

• Sunset views over the desert

Important tip: Always choose certified operators with proper safety equipment.

Nazca Lines Flight Experience

From Huacachina I visited Nazca Lines, takes like 2 hours no more than 02h30. 

The best way to see them is by airplane, where you can observe massive geoglyphs like the monkey, hummingbird, and geometric shapes. 

Beyond the scientific explanations, locals share fascinating stories. Many believe that Maria Reiche, known as “the lady of the desert,” dedicated her life to protecting the lines, living for years in this remote area.

Some communities say the lines were created as messages to the gods, while others believe they are connected to water sources or constellations. Even today, many feel this place holds a special energy.

Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca

My next stop: Huaraz, known as the “Tibet of the Andes,” a paradise for mountaineers and trekking lovers. Here are some of the most famous peaks:

• Alpamayo / 5,947 m – Technical climb, multi-day expeditions (typically 6–10 days)

• Huascarán / 6,768 m – Highest mountain in Peru, challenging ascent (5–7 days)

• Huandoy / 6,395 m – Demanding and technical climbs (5–8 days)

• Pisco Mountain / 5,752 m – One of the most accessible peaks, ideal for beginners (2–3 days)

• Pastoruri Glacier – Not a climb, but a scenic high-altitude excursion

If you are interested in any of these mountains, feel free to message me. I work with certified local guides who can ensure a safe experience and help you plan a well-organized trip, combining different activities to support proper acclimatization and make the most of your time in Huaraz or Cusco.

Must-do activities in Huaraz:

69 Lagoon

The hike to Laguna 69 is one of those experiences you can’t miss in Huaraz. It’s called “69” simply because all the lagoons in the area are numbered, and this one got that number. The day starts early, around 5:00 AM, usually including breakfast and lunch. The hike takes about 2.5 to 3 hours up and around 2 hours back down, but what makes it special is the journey: trails full of waterfalls, rivers, and small lagoons, plus you can even see abandoned houses from ancient communities along the way. And at the end, you reach that intense turquoise lagoon surrounded by snow-capped mountains… truly worth it.

Pastoruri Glacier

The tour to Pastoruri Glacier from Huaraz is a popular full-day Pastoruri Glacier tour in Huaraz, Peru, ideal for travelers looking for high-altitude landscapes and easy trekking in the Andes. The experience usually starts early in the morning (around 8:00 AM) and returns in the afternoon, and it typically includes breakfast and lunch, transportation, and a professional guide. During this Huaraz day tour, you will explore stunning Andean scenery, visit scenic viewpoints, and enjoy short walks that lead to the glacier located at around 5,200 meters above sea level.

Lima to Cusco & City Tour

This day we traveled from Lima to Cusco, a flight that takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Upon arrival, a transportation service is waiting to take us to our hotel. The places you can visit include:

• Plaza de Armas

• Qorikancha

• Sacsayhuamán

• Qenqo

• Puka Pukara

• Tambomachay

Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley of the Incas includes:

• Pisac

• Urubamba

• Ollantaytambo

• Moray

• Maras Salt Mines

A cultural and archaeological route full of breathtaking landscapes.

Machu Picchu Experience

From Ollantaytambo, we will take the PeruRail Vistadome, one of the best train experiences to reach Aguas Calientes. This panoramic train is known for its large windows, comfortable service, and live cultural shows on board, The train ride takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, offering incredible views of the Andes.

Key tips:

• Tickets can be purchased online in advance

• Limited last-minute availability may exist

Alternative: Choquequirao

Another incredible Inca city is Choquequirao.

Choquequirao is one of the most impressive Inca sites in Peru, often considered up to three times larger than Machu Picchu, yet much less visited.

You must know:

• Larger than Machu Picchu

• Less crowded

• Requires a multi-day trek (approx. 4 days)

• Located in the Apurímac canyon

Rainbow Mountain vs Palcoyo

Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain)

Vinicunca is very popular but often crowded. It usually takes around two to three hours to reach, and you can choose to go on foot or use horses or ATVs for assistance. However, there is also Palcoyo Mountain, a less crowded alternative.

All of these mountains are part of the Vilcanota Mountain Range, which features several colorful peaks such as Vinicunca, Palcoyo, Pallay Punchu, and the Red Valley.

Palcoyo Mountain

Palcoyo Mountain is a better alternative, for this reasons:

• Fewer crowds

• Shorter hike (30–45 minutes)

• Multiple colorful mountains

• Views of Ausangate glacier

• More relaxed experience

Travel Tips for Peru

• Book Machu Picchu in advance

• Choose certified operators for adventure activities

• Consider altitude acclimatization in Cusco and Huaraz

• Plan routes carefully to optimize time

• Travel with a well-structured itinerary

Custom Peru Tours (4 to 20 Days)

As a Travel Designer, I’m constantly traveling and working. In this photo, I was at a hotel in Huacachina, preparing a proposal to deliver it as quickly as possible.

Whenever I create a travel personalized itineraries based on:

• Number of travel days

• Type of experience (adventure, cultural, luxury, mixed)

• Budget and travel style

***I offer curated tours from 4 to 20 days or more***