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Where to go in Peru? The regions to discover

Deep canyon with slopes covered in farming terraces, a river at the bottom and a condor in flight
Illustration: a condor above a terraced canyon

Peru is more than twice the size of France, and its regions are nothing alike: coastal desert, high Andes, Amazon rainforest. First choose two or three areas that match your trip, then the listing for each place.

Nine areas to explore

  • River running between rocks, vineyards and a village at the foot of arid mountains

    Lima and around

    The capital well beyond Miraflores, then Pachacámac, Caral, the lomas and the valleys a day’s drive away.

    Lima · Callao and La Punta · Caral · Huancaya and Nor Yauyos-Cochas · Lomas de Lachay · Lunahuaná …

  • The Huacachina lagoon lined with palm trees and houses, between tall dunes, at sunset

    South coast

    Paracas, the dunes of Huacachina, Nazca and Palpa; ocean and desert, to link up without rushing.

    Huacachina · Nazca · Paracas · Chincha · Ica · Palpa …

  • The Maras salt ponds in white and ochre terraces, clinging to the side of the valley below the mountains

    Cusco and the Sacred Valley

    Cusco, the villages of the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and the coloured mountains, at the pace the altitude allows.

    Cusco · Machu Picchu · Chinchero · Maras · Moray · Ollantaytambo …

  • The white church of Yanque and its square, in front of the terraces and mountains of the Colca valley

    Arequipa and the far south

    Arequipa and its picanterías, the Colca, Titicaca, then Moquegua, Tacna and Ilo for those with time.

    Arequipa · Colca Canyon · Puno and Lake Titicaca · Ilo · Moquegua · Tacna

  • Golden sand beach with palm-roofed huts, palm trees, boats at anchor and dry hills

    North coast

    Trujillo, Chiclayo and Lambayeque for heritage, then Huanchaco, Chicama, Máncora or Lobitos for the ocean.

    Chiclayo · Máncora · Trujillo · Catacaos · Chan Chan · Chicama–Puerto Malabrigo …

  • Hikers on a path above a turquoise lake, at the foot of snow-capped peaks and glaciers

    Northern and central Andes

    Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca, Chachapoyas and Kuélap, Cajamarca, Ayacucho, Huancayo; Andes to explore in depth.

    Chachapoyas · Huaraz · Ayacucho · Cajamarca · Caraz · Gocta …

  • A man paddles a wooden canoe between the trunks of a flooded forest

    Northern Amazon

    Tarapoto and the San Martín region, Iquitos and the rivers of Loreto, all the way to the tri-border area.

    Iquitos · Tarapoto · Lamas · Moyobamba · Nauta · Pacaya Samiria …

  • Motorised canoe with passengers in life jackets on a brown river, between dense forest and mist

    Southern Amazon

    Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata, Lake Sandoval and Manu, often as an extension of a trip to Cusco.

    Manu · Puerto Maldonado · Lake Sandoval · Tambopata

  • Coffee branches laden with red cherries, hills covered with forest and plantations under the clouds

    Selva Central

    Oxapampa and Pozuzo, Chanchamayo, Tingo María, Pucallpa and Yarinacocha; another Amazon, to plan from the central Andes.

    Pucallpa · La Merced and Chanchamayo · Oxapampa · Pozuzo · Tingo María · Yarinacocha

The nine areas compared

Area Useful length of stay Access from Lima Altitude of the nights What it brings
Lima and around 2 to 5 days On the spot, then by road Sea level; up to 4,000 m for Marcahuasi Museums, food, Caral and Pachacámac
South coast 3 to 7 days By road (bus) From sea level to about 500 m Marine wildlife, desert, the Nazca Lines
Cusco and the Sacred Valley 5 to 7 days By plane (about 1 hr 25 min) 2,800 to 3,400 m Inca heritage, Machu Picchu, Andean villages
Arequipa and the far south 5 to 8 days By plane (about 1 hr 30 min) or by road from the south coast 2,300 to 3,800 m Colonial city, the Colca, Lake Titicaca
North coast 7 to 14 days By plane to Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura, Talara or Tumbes Sea level Moche and Chimú civilisations, beaches, surfing
Northern and central Andes 7 to 14 days per section By road or plane depending on the section 2,300 to 3,700 m High mountains, Chachapoyas, craft towns
Northern Amazon 5 to 8 days By plane to Tarapoto or Iquitos 100 to 900 m The river, flooded forest, Tarapoto and its villages
Southern Amazon 4 to 6 days (a week for Manu) By plane to Puerto Maldonado Below 300 m Lakes, macaw collpas, Manu
Selva Central 3 to 7 days per section By road or plane (Pucallpa) 150 to 1,800 m Coffee, cloud forests, Shipibo kené

The lengths are editorial suggestions; access and timetables need checking for your dates.

A full guide or a simple section?

Some destinations have their own guide: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Trujillo, Chiclayo and Lambayeque, Huaraz, Chachapoyas, Tarapoto and Iquitos. The other places are presented as sections of their regional page, with what you need to decide whether they are worth the detour. A name appearing in the index does not mean a full guide exists: the listing says so.

Three ways in

A first trip to Peru (two to three weeks). Lima, the south coast or Arequipa, then Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, climbing gradually. If you have time, Lake Titicaca between Arequipa and Cusco, or a few nights in the southern Amazon. See A first trip to Peru in 15 days and The southern classic.

Returning to Peru. The north, for its lesser-known civilisations and its beaches; Huaraz for the mountains; Chachapoyas for the cloud forests; the central Andes for crafts and festivals. See The north: culture and beaches and the suggested five-day pace in Chachapoyas.

A specific interest. Food (Peru for food lovers), hiking (Huaraz and the mountains), surfing (Northern surf), the rainforest (Iquitos and the rainforest): start from that interest, then choose one or two regions that really serve it.

The real distances

Peru covers about 1.3 million km²: more than twice the size of France. The regions are linked by plane from Lima, much more than by road. Road distances from Lima: Huaraz 402 km; Arequipa 1,002 km; Cusco 1,101 km; Chachapoyas 1,121 km; Tumbes 1,251 km; Puno 1,275 km; Puerto Maldonado 1,685 km; no road to Iquitos. On these roads, you have to cross the Andes, often over passes above 4,000 metres: a Lima–Cusco journey by road takes a day and a night.

Two practical consequences:

  • Regions that are neighbours on the map are not necessarily linked to each other. Iquitos has no road; Tarapoto and Iquitos are linked by plane, by a direct flight published by Star Perú or via Lima; Chachapoyas and Huaraz are in the same “northern Andes”, but far from each other by road.
  • Count each major transfer as at least half a day, even by plane: getting to the airport, waiting, the flight, arrival.

When to go, region by region

Region Driest or most pleasant season Good to know
Andes (Cusco, Arequipa, Huaraz, Puno) From April–May to September, the southern winter: clear skies, cold nights Rain from November to March; the Machu Picchu train switches to bus-and-train from January to April
Central and south coast (Lima, Paracas, Nazca) From December to April, the southern summer, for the sun From June to September, grey skies and drizzle in Lima (the garúa); it almost never rains
North coast (Máncora, Tumbes) All year round; warmer water from December to May Whale season from July to October
Amazon It rains all year round; more from November to April Pacaya Samiria recommended from May to September, the Alto Mayo from May to November

So there is no single “right season” for the whole country: a trip in July is ideal in the Andes, grey in Lima; a trip in February is sunny on the coast, rainy in Cusco.

What each region brings that is different

  • Lima and around: the best introduction to the country, through its museums and its food, and the oldest cities in the Americas a day’s drive away.
  • The south coast: the desert that meets the ocean, teeming marine wildlife, and one of archaeology’s great enigmas.
  • Cusco and the Sacred Valley: the heart of the Inca empire, still inhabited.
  • Arequipa and the far south: a city of volcanic stone, a deep canyon, the largest lake in the Andes and its inhabited islands.
  • The north coast: civilisations older than the Incas, a very rich regional cuisine, and warm beaches.
  • The northern and central Andes: high mountains, cloud forests and little-visited craft towns.
  • The northern Amazon: the river and the flooded forest around Iquitos, a gentler forest around Tarapoto.
  • The southern Amazon: a forest that is easy to reach from Cusco, its lakes and its macaws.
  • The Selva Central: the transition between the Andes and the forest, its coffee plants and its Indigenous peoples.

Areas for travelling, not an administrative map

The nine areas in this guide group together places that naturally go together on a trip. They do not follow Peru’s official division into regions. Some places can be reached by several routes: Chachapoyas, for example, belongs to the northern Andes, but also combines with Tarapoto in the northern Amazon. Its listing remains single; it is simply flagged in both areas. The department of Amazonas should not be confused with the lowlands of Loreto: Chachapoyas is a world of Andes and cloud forests, not a second Iquitos.

How to read a listing

At the top of each guide: why come, how long we suggest, where to place the stop, who it suits, the main constraint and the date the sources were consulted. Then the in-depth content, the neighbouring pages and the sources. At the bottom, each page lists the dated data it cites (prices, opening hours, altitudes, distances), with their source and the date on which we read it.

Sources and dates

Values cited

Prices, opening hours and rules change: every piece of information cited links to its source, with the date it was consulted.

Figures and rules cited

How we choose and date our information: our method. Has something changed? Let us know.

Every town and every place, from A to Z

87 places, each with a single page. Alternative spellings are recognised (Nasca, Cuzco, Kuelap…).

  • Arequipa Arequipa and the far south Heritage, walks and picanterías: a city to savour before the altitude.
  • Ayacucho Northern and central Andes Architecture, crafts and cultural life.
  • Cajamarca Northern and central Andes History and an Andean break in the north, for an in-depth stay.
  • Callao and La Punta Lima and around Seafront promenade and cultural areas, best reached on an organised journey.
  • Caral Lima and around A site far older than the Inca Empire, for an outing of historical interest.
  • Caraz Northern and central Andes Another base in the Callejón de Huaylas.
  • Catacaos North coast Crafts and skills: ask who makes things and from what materials.
  • Chachapoyas Northern and central Andes Cloud forests and Chachapoya heritage; an Andean world, not a second Iquitos.
  • Chan Chan North coast Chimú heritage, to place in its era with a guide.
  • Chicama–Puerto Malabrigo North coast The wave surfers dream of, to prepare with a school.
  • Chiclayo North coast Museums and sites of lesser-known cultures, then the food of the north.
  • Chincha South coast Afro-Peruvian culture and food on the road south.
  • Chinchero Cusco and the Sacred Valley An Inca palace, a colonial church and weavers, at around 3,750 m: higher than Cusco.
  • Colca Canyon Arequipa and the far south Viewpoints or trek: two very different ways to discover the canyon.
  • Cusco Cusco and the Sacred Valley Streets, architecture and markets: a calm arrival before the high-altitude excursions.
  • El Brujo and Museo de Cao North coast A complex and its museum, linked to the discovery of the Señora de Cao.
  • Gocta Northern and central Andes A day built around walking and scenery.
  • Huaca Rajada (Sipán) North coast The archaeological site linked to the discovery of the Señor de Sipán.
  • Huacachina South coast The oasis and its dunes, to discover at your own pace, without necessarily choosing the most intense activity.
  • Huacas del Sol y de la Luna North coast A Moche complex near Trujillo; check which areas are open.
  • Huancavelica Northern and central Andes For a trip that takes its time in the central Andes.
  • Huancaya and Nor Yauyos-Cochas Lima and around Rivers and landscapes to discover over several days rather than on a there-and-back trip.
  • Huancayo Northern and central Andes A base for the Mantaro valley and its crafts.
  • Huanchaco North coast The ocean, the caballitos de totora and surf lessons suited to your level.
  • Huaraz Northern and central Andes A mountain base: acclimatisation first, then gradual outings.
  • Ica South coast City, bodegas and heritage: a possible base for the desert.
  • Ilo Arequipa and the far south The ocean in the far south, as an extension for those with time.
  • Iquitos Northern Amazon The world of the river, reached by plane or by boat.
  • Karajía Northern and central Andes The sarcophagi of Karajía, a separate visit.
  • Kuélap Northern and central Andes The great Chachapoya fortress, on its ridge above the Utcubamba valley, reached by cable car.
  • La Merced and Chanchamayo Selva Central Nature, coffee and cocoa, allowing time for the detours.
  • Laguna 69 Northern and central Andes A lake at around 4,600 m: a day in the mountains, not a stroll.
  • Lake Sandoval Southern Amazon Outings with their own walking and boating conditions.
  • Lamas Northern Amazon A visit built on meeting people, with respect.
  • Lambayeque North coast The Tumbas Reales de Sipán museum, not to be confused with the Huaca Rajada site.
  • Leymebamba Northern and central Andes A museum, and time for explanations about regional history.
  • Lima Lima and around The capital: neighbourhoods, museums, markets and places to eat, well beyond Miraflores.
  • Lobitos North coast A trip built around surfing.
  • Lomas de Lachay Lima and around A coastal ecosystem whose appearance changes a great deal with the conditions.
  • Los Órganos North coast A seaside break, together with Vichayito.
  • Lunahuaná Lima and around A valley for the outdoors and rafting, over a proper day or with a night.
  • Lurín Lima and around The valley next to Pachacámac, to extend the outing without an express tour.
  • Machu Picchu Cusco and the Sacred Valley The stage to plan first: ticket, circuit, entry time and journey must all line up.
  • Máncora North coast Surfing, nights out or rest: choose the atmosphere before the accommodation.
  • Manu Southern Amazon Very different programmes under the same name: ask for the exact itinerary.
  • Maras Cusco and the Sacred Valley Maras and its salt pans, on a day you should not overload.
  • Marcahuasi Lima and around High-altitude rocky landscapes, for well-equipped walkers with a guide.
  • Moquegua Arequipa and the far south A stop to slow down on a southern route that has time to spare.
  • Moray Cusco and the Sacred Valley A terraced site to understand with explanations, not in a rush.
  • Moyobamba Northern Amazon Continuing into the Alto Mayo: nature, birds, producers.
  • Nauta Northern Amazon A gateway to the rivers from Iquitos.
  • Nazca South coast Geoglyphs to understand, from the ground as well as from the air.
  • Ollantaytambo Cusco and the Sacred Valley A village and its site, not just the station for the train to Machu Picchu.
  • Oxapampa Selva Central Another perspective on the cultural and scenic diversity of the Selva Central.
  • Pacasmayo North coast Another coastal stop for board sports.
  • Pacaya Samiria Northern Amazon A real nature stay, where water shapes the landscape and how you get around.
  • Pachacámac Lima and around A large archaeological site south of Lima, for a history older than the Incas.
  • Palcoyo Cusco and the Sacred Valley Another coloured mountain, to compare with Vinicunca for effort and access.
  • Palpa South coast To take your understanding of the desert and the history of the south coast further.
  • Paracas South coast Ocean and desert: a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands and the land reserve, two different experiences.
  • Pisac Cusco and the Sacred Valley Market, village and archaeological site: several places to tell apart.
  • Pisco South coast A landmark of the coastal region, to combine with a visit of your choice.
  • Piura North coast A starting point for the coast, and a stop for food and culture.
  • Pozuzo Selva Central A heritage of migration, among other stories of the region.
  • Pucallpa Selva Central Another Amazon gateway, for organised meetings with identified people.
  • Puerto Maldonado Southern Amazon A gateway to the southern Amazon; the town and the lodge are two different things.
  • Puno and Lake Titicaca Arequipa and the far south The gateway to Lake Titicaca, to reach without hurrying because of the altitude.
  • Punta Hermosa Lima and around Beaches and surfing near Lima, with someone who knows the day’s conditions.
  • Punta Sal North coast A restful end to a trip, without adding anything.
  • Revash Northern and central Andes The mausoleums of Revash, if the programme stays realistic.
  • Rioja Northern Amazon With Moyobamba, a gateway to the Alto Mayo.
  • Santa Rosa (tri-border area) Northern Amazon The Peruvian side of the tri-border area, opposite Leticia (Colombia) and Tabatinga (Brazil).
  • Santa Teresa Cusco and the Sacred Valley A La Convención town on the banks of the Urubamba, and the Cocalmayo hot springs: a day’s drive from Cusco.
  • Sauce and Laguna Azul Northern Amazon A lake to give a day some breathing space, or to stay overnight.
  • Tacna Arequipa and the far south A southern city and a crossing into Chile, which deserves a proper programme.
  • Tambopata Southern Amazon Walking, boating and wildlife watching, with no promise of guaranteed animals.
  • Tarapoto Northern Amazon A generous first taste of the Selva: town, food and excursions.
  • Tarma Northern and central Andes A transition to plan between the central Andes and wetter regions.
  • Tingo María Selva Central A stay focused on the scenery and on the sites that are actually open.
  • Tipón Cusco and the Sacred Valley An Inca site devoted to water south of Cusco, and a lead for regional cooking.
  • Trujillo North coast A city, Chan Chan, the Moche huacas and the coast close by.
  • Tumbes North coast The mangroves and the crossing into Ecuador, to be planned.
  • Urubamba Cusco and the Sacred Valley A more relaxed base in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
  • Vichayito North coast A beach for a coastal pause, comparing location and transport.
  • Vinicunca Cusco and the Sacred Valley The Mountain of 7 Colours: compare the road, the effort and the altitude before choosing.
  • Yarinacocha Selva Central The lake next to Pucallpa.
  • Yurimaguas Northern Amazon A possible starting point for a river journey into the Amazon basin.

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