3 Weeks in Peru: An Itinerary Built for an Adventurer

If you’re up for an adventure or hiking, Peru will be heaven on Earth. There are endless activities to do, from Huaraz to Arequipa. From my experience, you’ll want to spend at least three weeks in Peru if hitting all the spots is on your bucket list.

Peru has more to offer than Machu Picchu. The Cordillera Blanca near Huaraz is full of some of the country’s most famous hikes. Arequipa in the south is the preferred destination for hiking one of the world’s largest canyons, Colca.

It’s hard to make a bad itinerary when looking at things to do in Peru.

There is something in this country for every traveler; you just have to push yourself out of your comfort zone a little bit. You’ll learn something like I did during your 3 weeks in Peru.

3 Weeks in Peru: The Perfect Itinerary

This Itinerary takes you to some of the best locations in Peru. There is nothing like the Andes mountains and the culture of this country.

There is so much to do here that three weeks in Peru still won’t be enough time to see everything. Two weeks is the minimum I’d recommend for anyone visiting Peru, but an Itinerary can be built for any length.

What you see will depend on how fast you want to travel, whether you’re taking night buses or flying, and your budget.

Three weeks in Peru is a perfect amount but I wouldn’t blame you if you cut out a hike or two on this itinerary. Traveling slowly is sometimes the best form of travel. Take your rest days when you want them.

3 Weeks in Peru: Overview

• Lima: 1-2 Days
• Huaraz: 6 days
• Huacachina: 2 days
• Cusco: 2 days
• Salkantay Trek: 5 days
• Arequipa: 4 days

Day 1: Fly to Lima

Lima is the capital of Peru and is right along the coast of the Pacific Ocean! Here, you can experience many things, like surfing, tasting local dishes like Ceviche, or simply walking around the town of Miraflores.

This is the biggest airport in the country and will most likely be the cheapest airport you can fly into. As an avid hiker, I want to get into the mountains as soon as possible in a country like Peru.

You can either stay the night here or immediately take a night bus to Huaraz. This will save you money on accommodation and time.

Where to Stay in Lima

• Waikiki Hostel: If you’re looking to go surfing while staying on a budget, check out this amazing hostel in Miraflores that I personally stayed at multiple times.
• Iberostar Selection Miraflores: Interested in a fancier hotel overlooking the ocean? Iberostar Selection checks all the boxes at a relatively reasonable price!
• Holiday Inn – Lima Airport: If you visit Peru enough, you’ll likely stay at this hotel next to the airport. If you’re looking for convenience, this is your best option.

Day 2: Bus to Huaraz

Taking the night buses can be taxing sometimes, especially when you arrive at your destination before you can check into your accommodation.

Buses are cheap in Peru, and the bus to Huaraz will cost you 85 soles ($20 USD). The travel time is around eight hours, but this varies depending on traffic and stops.

Once you arrive in Huaraz, explore the city, find some cool restaurants, and most importantly, don’t exert yourself.

This town sits at 3,053 meters and was the highest city I’ve visited up to that point. I felt it. And you probably will too.

Not getting sick is a huge priority during three weeks in Peru.

Where to Stay in Huaraz

• Alpes: This is where I stayed during my time here and it was amazing. The area is set up like a mini-hotel and the kitchen is huge. Dorms are very cheap at $7-$9.
• Krusty Hostel: With great prices for private rooms and growing in popularity, there isn’t much to hate about this hostel. Centrally located just a few blocks from the main square.
• Vacahouse B&B is a great hostel for couples traveling together. The private rooms are very nice and affordable.

Day 3: Hike to Laguna Wilcacocha

Many travelers hike Laguna Wilcacocha to get acclimatized to Huaraz’s altitude. This hike only reaches 3725 meters, which is way below that of Laguna Paron.

The lake isn’t as large as others in the area but it overlooks an epic backdrop of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range.

It’s extremely important to take your time on the hike today. Make sure you are properly hydrated. Recovery is the number one priority while hiking here.

Click the link to the blog for more details about this hike and how to get there.

Day 4: Trek to Laguna Churup

Laguna Churup is one of the most popular day hikes in Huaraz. This hike will have you climbing up mountainsides with chains but it isn’t as crazy as it seems.

The trail is heavily trafficked and is very well-maintained. This was the most expensive collectivo we had to purchase to get us to the trailhead but it was well worth it.

We did this hike on Peru’s Independence Day, so it was a bit busier than usual. Nonetheless, it was a great hike with an insane backdrop.

Day 5: Take a day off and go to a Coffee Shop

At this point, it’ll be a much-appreciated rest day. Do whatever your heart desires if it doesn’t involve another hike.

There is a market in the city center if you’re looking for sweaters or other souvenirs.

If you need to finish some work, I suggest visiting California Cafe. They have the best Wi-Fi in town and serve some fantastic coffee!

Day 6 – 7 – Opt for the Two-day Laguna 69 Hike and Take Night Bus Back to Lima

During your three weeks in Peru, this will be your last day in Huaraz. For this part of the trip, you can choose from different options.

Laguna 69 is a very popular hike. It can be done in an epic two-day adventure, as we did. If you’re interested in that, click the first link in this paragraph.

That route isn’t as common as the day trip route. If you’d rather do this in one day, I suggest going to one of the many tour companies in town like Golden Expedition. This is how you’ll find the best prices.

After you finish the day hike route, you must return to your items in Huaraz and head to the bus station. I suggest pre-booking a bus ticket on Redbus so that you will be less stressed. You will be heading to Lima overnight.

Day 8: Bus to Ica to Climb the Sand Dunes in Huacachina

Once you arrive in Lima, you will want to wait for your next bus to Ica. This town is right next to the very popular desert oasis of Huacachina.

You can take a taxi or Uber to the La Victoria bus terminal, where PeruBus is located. This company has multiple buses headed to Ica.

These buses are very cheap (~$ $10 USD) and start running early in the morning. Depending on the stops, the drive is only 4 to 5 hours.

Once you arrive at the bus station in Ica, you will want to find a tuk-tuk to take you there (it takes 10 minutes).

After unpacking your stuff at your accommodation, you can head to the dunes for a better view of this amazing oasis!

Where to Stay in Huacachina

• Banana’s Adventures: If you’re looking for a great place to relax, sit by the pool, and meet other like-minded travelers, this is the place for you. It has a great bar and free breakfast.
• Wild Olive Guesthouse: This guesthouse is also an amazing Italian Restaurant. It is great for families and travelers alike.
• Wild Rover Huacachina: This hostel is a chain throughout South America. It is known for its parties and has some of the cheapest dorm prices in the area.

Day 9: Go Dune Buggying

Huacachina is a great place to relax after a long week of hiking and exploring. This small town offers many fun activities, such as riding dune buggies!

This is the most popular activity in the area and for good reason. It is an adrenaline rush riding in the dunes.

This also includes a few sessions of sandboarding down the big hills.

It is suggested to talk to your accommodation about who they suggest for tours.

Day 10: Bus back to Lima and Fly to Cusco

This is another long travel day, but it’ll be worth it! Take a Tuk-tuk into Ica and go to the same bus station. Many buses leave every hour for Lima.

Like always you can purchase the ticket in advance on Redbus.

If you have time you can take a bus to Cusco but it is 21 hours long. This would be difficult with a strict itinerary for three weeks in Peru.

The plane tickets will be around $30 to $50 USD plus baggage (normally).

Once you arrive in Cusco, you can explore the town and simply relax!

Where to Stay in Cusco

• Kokopelli Hostel Cusco: This is the most popular hostel in all of Cusco. It’s not the cheapest place but the atmosphere makes up for that.
• Wild Rover Cusco: If you’re looking for a more social atmosphere with partying, then Wild Rover is your choice.
• Intro Hostels Cusco: With free breakfast and only $8 a night, the Intro hostel is a great choice for backpackers and travelers alike.

Day 11: Hike the Cristo Blanco Viewpoint

Once again, we arrive in a new town and look for the best views possible. This time it is called the Cristo Blanco Viewpoint.

This is another short hike, during which you can get snacks, clothes, and gear for your upcoming trek.

Enjoy a drink while overlooking the town below on your way back.

Find some cocoa leaves or candy that will help with the altitude.

Day 12-16: Complete the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

These next five days can be done by yourself or with a tour group. I would personally suggest doing the Salkantay Trek instead of the Incan Trail to Machu Picchu. This is because you will see a lot more of Peru than you would normally.

Check out my Salkantay Trek packing list for ideas of what to bring.

The first day of this trek is Laguna Humantay, a popular day hike from Cusco. From here you will hike through the Salkantay Pass and through many different ecosystems.

The hike will end on day 5 where you will be going up to visit one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu.

If you want to do the Salkantay Trek solo then you can read my blog about it here or go with a tour group.

Day 17: Travel to Arequipa and then enjoy a Pisco Sour

Depending on your specific itinerary, you can fly or bus to Arequipa. It’ll save you money on the bus because they are overnight, which will save a night of accommodation.

Either way, Arequipa is where I had some of the best food and drink culture in Peru. The country’s drink is pisco sour, and it is phenomenal.

The cuisine in this town is also undeniable. There’s a ton of history here and you can easily walk around for hours.

Where to Stay in Arequipa

• Bon Repos Boutique: This is one of the cheapest boutique hotels you’ll find, and it’s fantastic! Volcan Misti’s viewpoint seals the deal for me.
• Le Foyer Arequipa: If you’re looking for cheap, high-quality accommodation with a complimentary breakfast, then this is the place for you!
• Hotel Los Tambos Boutique: This hotel is excellent if you want a more traditional one. It’s also located in the city center, close to many attractions!

Day 18: Visit the Santa Catalina Monastery

One of the oldest and most famous buildings in all of Arequipa is the Santa Catalina Monastery.

This building was built in 1579 and at the time, only rich nuns were allowed to live here. You were not granted permission to leave as part of vowing to be a nun.

Despite all this, the life inside was luxurious for a nun, and the Pope had to step in at the time.

It costs around $12 USD to enter, and it’s a lot larger of a building than I was led to believe. I could have easily spent upwards of four hours walking around.

Day 19 – 20: Take the Two Day Tour to Colca Canyon

One of the main reasons to come to Arequipa (after the food and pisco sours) is to hike the Colca Canyon. Now, the start of this hike is actually around a five-hour drive away, but many of the tour companies leave from this city.

Colca Canyon is one of the largest in the world. You’ll also be able to see the most famous bird in the Andes, the Condor.

It’s possible to visit this canyon on a day trip or for three days like we did. Getting to the start of Colca Canyon can seem confusing, but it normally requires a 4 a.m. bus ride.

I’d suggest going to walking to the city center of Arequipa and going to a tour office. This is where you’ll find the best deals for your trip.

Day 21: Fly Back Home

This is your last day of three weeks in Peru, and it will be sad. You’ll be exhausted at the end of this trip but the memories you’ll make will be all worth it.

You can fly back early to Lima and either stay the night or fly home later that night on a red-eye (like we did).

If you have any questions about any part of this Peru itinerary, please leave a comment and I’ll respond as quickly as possible.

Bonus Days:

If you can extend your trip to Peru or simply want to change up the itinerary a bit, here are some other things I’ve personally done that I’d suggest.

• Visit Cajamarca: This is a very authentic town in the northern part of Peru with a lot of history. It’s the location where the last Incan Emperor was held captive before his execution, which ended the Incan Empire. Some of the most popular activities here are:
  • Cumbe Mayo: This is where you can see old writing in the walls from thousands of years ago.
  • Viewpoint of Cajamarca: Near the city center, there is a small church from which you can climb a flight of stairs to get a good view of the city.
  • Travel to Banos to visit the thermal baths.
• Lake Titicaca: I’m sure you’ve heard of this lake before. It’s the highest altitude large lake in the world and it’s partially in Peru and Bolivia.
  • Puno is where you’ll want to go when visiting the Peruvian side of this lake. It’s also a good spot to head to the border of Bolivia.
• Iquitos (Peruvian Amazon): Peru is full of different ecosystems and the Amazon is one of the biggest ones. You can fly to this town in the north of Peru to see what life is like in the Amazon.

While these parts of Peru aren’t necessary for your itinerary, they are very valuable for seeing everything this country offers.

Things to Know Before Traveling to Peru

Before planning your 3-week itinerary in Peru, you might be wondering a few things about the country. Some of the details I will go over are the safety in Peru and what the transportation is like.

Cost of Three Weeks in Peru

Peru is slightly more expensive than Colombia and Mexico, but both are some of the cheapest countries in the world.

The cost of living in Peru is very low, especially if you know what you’re doing. Some will say it’s the cheapest country in South America, but this all depends on the activities you want to do.

Peru on a Backpacker’s Budget (estimates):

• Hostels: ~$240 USD
• Food: ~$250 USD
• Transportation: ~$180 USD
• Activities: ~$150 – $750

These are the prices for a 3 week itinerary. Activities are the biggest variance in spending, as I’m sure can be expected.

Everything else can be more expensive if you stay at nicer hotels or eat a fancy dinner, which you absolutely should!

Before planning your 3-week itinerary in Peru, you might be wondering about a few things about the country. I will go over some of the details, such as its safety and transportation.

Is Peru Safe?

Peru is safe to travel to if you are smart with your belongings. Most trouble happens in foreign countries when you let your guard down or are flashing expensive items for all to see.

A top tip of mine is to refrain from excessive alcohol consumption if you are worried about your safety. This can be hard when traveling but it is the smart thing to do.

In December 2022 heavy protests began that shut down travel to and from Machu Picchu. This is always an issue with visiting certain parts of the world.

Always check the news before traveling to a new location.

Transportation in Peru

Peru is where I really took public transportation seriously. Because of this, it really helped us cut down on our cost to travel through Peru.

Busses from town to town are very easy to make and super cheap. While in Huaraz, we took many collectivos to the trailhead of our hike.

These collectivos cost us 2 – 5 soles, depending on where we were going in Huaraz, and around 20 soles for longer trips (~2 hours).

I took a plane once from Lima to Cusco because we were on limited time then. The plane ticket was around $45 but I also had to pay for a carry-on. The Lima to Cusco bus trip is one of the longest in the country but if you have time, it could be worth it.

All of these bus prices can be found using the website Redbus.

Below are some examples of bus ticket prices:

• Huaraz to Lima (7 hours): ~$15 USD
• Lima to Cusco (21 hours): ~$30 USD
• Lima to Huacachina (4.5 hours): ~$9 USD

Final Thoughts

If you made it this far then I assume you are interested in Peru just as much as I was. It was my favorite country I visited in 2022 and I can’t stop talking about it. Everything was perfect about it from the hikes to the transportation, and the people. There are some multi-day hikes I need to still do and some more towns to visit, so I will be back soon.

Thank you for reading my guide on a 3 week itinerary in Peru. I hope this helped you plan your trip to the hiking capital of South America.