How to Plan the Ultimate Adventure to Peru: From Machu Picchu to Cajamarca

From Andean peaks to Amazonian jungles and ancient cities, Peru offers the perfect base for an epic adventure. A trip across Peru feels like passing through multiple countries and cultures merged into one. The topography is as diverse as it is dramatic, from coastal deserts to glacial peaks and tropical rainforests. En route, you'll find towns, Indigenous communities, and archaeological sites that capture the collective imagination.

The Inca civilization, a superpower in the 15th century, ruled from modern-day Ecuador to Chile. First-time visitors often focus on the Andean highlands of southern Peru, but an extra week allows for exploring other wonders like Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, and the Nasca Lines. This journey offers diverse transport modes and breathtaking views. Drink plenty of coca tea to combat altitude sickness at high elevations.

Itinerary 1: The Big Hitters

1. Cusco Start your journey in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Sacsayhuamán fortress to see impressive Inca architecture.
2. Sacred Valley Explore the Sacred Valley, a vital region for the Inca. Visit Moray's agricultural terraces and Chinchero market. Overnight at El Albergue in Ollantaytambo.
3. Machu Picchu Take the PeruRail’s Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Explore Machu Picchu at sunrise for a magical experience.
4. Lake Titicaca From Cusco, take a train to Puno and explore the floating Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca. Stay in a reed guesthouse booked through All Ways Travel.
5. Arequipa Travel to Arequipa, known for its baroque architecture made of volcanic sillar. Enjoy local cuisine, like rocoto relleno, in a traditional picantería.
6. Nasca Lines End your journey with a flight over the Nasca Lines to view the ancient geoglyphs.

Itinerary 2: Highlights of the North

1. Huaraz From Lima, take a bus to Huaraz. Acclimatize with short hikes and then trek to Lake 69 in Huascarán National Park.
2. Trujillo Travel to Trujillo to see Huaca de la Luna, an adobe pyramid built by the pre-Incan Moche civilization. Visit the beach town of Huanchaco to ride traditional reed boats.
3. Cajamarca Visit Cajamarca, where the Inca leader Atahualpa was executed. Relax in the thermal waters of Los Baños del Inca.
4. Gocta Falls Hike to Gocta Falls, one of the world’s tallest single-drop waterfalls. Stay overnight at Gocta Natura Reserve.
5. Chiclayo Discover the Museo de Tumbas Reales del Senor de Sipán in Chiclayo, showcasing gold artefacts. Explore the Mercado de Brujos for folk remedies and charms.
6. Utcubamba Valley Finish your trip in the Utcubamba Valley, visiting the museum in Leymebamba and the walled city of Kuélap, an ancient Chachapoya site.

No matter where you go, Peruvian cuisine reflects a rich intersection of culture and nature. Enjoy dishes like ceviche in Lima and pachamanca in the Andes. Travel can be slow and challenging, but the rewards are worth it. Embrace the journey and discover Peru’s unparalleled history and landscapes.