There’s nothing like seeing the first light hit Machu Picchu as the sun rises above the mountains. However, Peru has many more wonders for you to discover.
Peru has some of the most diverse landscapes we’ve seen anywhere in the world, from rainbow mountains and red valleys, to turquoise blue glacier lakes and mind-blowing ancient ruins. Add in great food, a vibrant culture and one of our favourite cities in the world (Cusco) and you have a destination that should be high on your must visit list.
Quick Summary
Top Tip: Don’t believe everything has to be done with a guided tour. If you’re willing to pay a little more, you can hire a private driver to visit some incredible places without the crowds.
Currency: Peruvian Soles
Visa: Most western countries are allowed to visit for up to 90 days without a visa.
Safety: The touristy parts of Peru are generally safe to visit, but still have incidents of theft and petty crime, so take care of your belongings. Protests can become violent, so always keep an eye on the latest news on any unrest.
When to go: The dry season is the best time to go (May - September) with May and September being the quietest (and cheapest) months which still have good weather. The rainy season will be pretty quiet, but risks the mountains being snowed in and plenty of rain.
Peak Season: June - August
Off Peak Season: September - April
Walk My World Cost Index: $$ - Peru is a great place for someone on a budget as there is a lot of cheap accommodation, restaurants and tours to help you save the pennies. It isn’t too expensive for independent travellers who want to hire a car or book a driver to escape the crowds either.
The Best of Peru - Planning your trip
Everything you need to know about renting a car in Peru, from what the roads are like to what to expect from other drivers and whether it’s safe for tourists.
Machu Picchu
Everything you need to know to understand the Machu Picchu Circuits from people who walked them all. We’ll tell you which is the best, what you’ll see on each and some hacks for if you miss out on your first choice of ticket.
All our best tips for the train journey to Machu Picchu, including whether we thought the Vistadome carriage was worth it.
All the things we we learnt from spending three days inside Machu Picchu, from which circuit is the best, to how to beat the crowds and everything inbetween.
We’re sharing everything you need to know about Machu Picchu at both sunrise and sunset. From which has the best light, to the least crowds and hacks for getting the right ticket.
Everything you need to know about walking the Inca Bridge Trail; from how difficult it is, to which circuit you should pair it with and why we think it’s by far the best value ticket on offer at Machu Picchu.
The two major mountain hikes in Machu Picchu both have the wow factor, but if you can only hike one, which should it be? We’re comparing scenery, photo ops, difficulty, crowds and which Machu Picchu circuit it comes with, to help you decide which is right for you.
Exactly what to expect on the Machu Picchu Mountain hike, plus a little known tip which will gain you access to Machu Picchu’s most coveted viewpoint.
The Huayna Picchu hike has to be one of the best short walks in the world. The views looking down over Machu Picchu are simply jaw dropping, but it’s not just about the scenery, the trail itself is exciting with narrow paths, vertigo inducing drop offs and of course the famed ‘stairs of death’. We’re sharing just how hard it really is and whether it deserves its scary reputation.
Day trips from Cusco
We’re sharing all the amazing day trips we did from Cusco including epic mountain hikes, off the beaten track ruins and all the famous spots too.
How to visit Rainbow Mountain with no one around! Our guide will tell you the way to get this stunning location without the crowds, as well as other essential information, such as what the walk is like and the conditions you need to get great photos.
The old Incan fortress at Pumamarca is a must visit. Not simply for the ruins themselves, which are perhaps a touch underwhelming compared to other grand sites, but for the setting, solitude and the incredible walk back down to the the town of Ollantaytambo, along an original Inca trail. We’re sharing details on the easy walking route as well as what to expect from the ruins themselves.
Naupa Iglesia is a mysterious little cave temple dug high into the cliff tops. Inside the cave you’ll find an altar which looks like it should be part of a movie set. We’re sharing how to find it and what to expect from the trail to get there.
The Moray Ruins are a must-see in the Sacred Valley, but there’s very little at the site telling you where to go, what to see or any historical context. In this guide, we’ll tell you why it’s significant, the two walks you can do and the best way to escape the tour buses and crowds.
Everything you need to know to decide whether to visit Palccoyo or Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). From the scenery, to photo ops, difficulty, crowds and more.
The Pinkuylluna ruins have the wow factor, and they’re far less crowded than other nearby sites. The combination makes for on the most memorable experiences in the Sacred Valley. We’re sharing exactly what the walk is like, as well as the best time of day to visit for magical light.
Everything you need to know about visiting the Maras Salt Mines (Salineras de Maras). from how you can walk beside the salt pans themselves, to whether you should hire a guide or go it alone.
Exactly what to expect when visiting Palccoyo, the alternative rainbow mountain. From the hike difficulty, to the best photography spots and how to beat the crowds.
Everything you need to know about visiting Humantay Lake, from what the walk is like, to the road condition and taking a taxi vs a group tour.
We flew with LATAM Business Class from Lima to Madrid and have put together a review of all aspects of the flight to help you decide if it is worth the money. We’ll take you through the seat, lounge, food, in-flight entertainment and the whole experience when flying business class with LATAM.