36 days in Peru Itinerary

Founded in 1535 by Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro, Lima represents an interesting blend of modern attractions and preserved colonial architecture, much of it clustered in the World Heritage-listed city center.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Wed): admire the striking features of Balcones de Lima, then take an in-depth tour of Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas, then make a trip to Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor), and finally admire the striking features of Edificio Rimac. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: contemplate the long history of Huaca Pucllana, get a taste of the local shopping with Shopping Center Larcomar (Centro Comercial Larcomar), and then take an in-depth tour of Museo Larco.

For other places to visit, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Lima online driving holiday planner.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Lima is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 6 hours traveling from Amsterdam to Lima. While traveling from Amsterdam, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Lima, ranging from highs of 22°C to lows of 19°C. You'll have a few hours on the 29th (Fri) to wrap things up before traveling to Cusco.

Capital of the Inca Empire for three centuries, World Heritage-listed Cusco is now a major tourist destination, drawing nearly 2 million annual tourists with its well-preserved colonial architecture and proximity to Machu Picchu.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Cusco: Maras (Moray & Salinas de Maras), Pisac (in Pisac) and Yucay Museo de Cultura Viva (in Yucay). There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Sacsayhuaman, explore the ancient world of Qorikancha, pause for some serene contemplation at Cusco Cathedral, and take a stroll through San Blas.

To see reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Cusco travel planner.

Getting from Lima to Cusco by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Lima in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be colder in Cusco, with lows of 1°C. On the 16th (Tue), you'll travel to Puno.

Hugging the western tip of Lake Titicaca, Puno serves as a melting pot of indigenous and imported cultures, and makes a great base for explorations around the region.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Tue): head off the coast to Uros Floating Islands and then head off the coast to Taquile Island. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: race across the water with a speed boat tour.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Puno road trip site.

You can fly from Cusco to Puno in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In August, Puno is a bit cooler than Cusco - with highs of 21°C and lows of -3°C. You'll set off for Espinar on the 18th (Thu).

Kick off your visit on the 18th (Thu): take in breathtaking views at Tres Canones.

For reviews, photos, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Espinar trip itinerary builder tool.

Getting from Puno to Espinar by car takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Fri) early enough to drive to Chivay.

Scenic Chivay draws a growing number of tourists each year, yet this remote town of 5,000 inhabitants manages to retain much of its rustic, dusty character.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Chivay: Cabanaconde (Condor's Cross & Mirador Cruz del Condor). And it doesn't end there: kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, witness a stunning natural landmark at La Calera Thermal Waters, look for gifts at Q'olca by Made in Colca, and don't miss a visit to Plaza de Armas de Chivay.

For more things to do, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Chivay day trip planning site.

You can drive from Espinar to Chivay in 4 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Arequipa.

In an area dominated three imposing volcanoes, Arequipa vacations allow visitors to admire well-preserved colonial architecture in a dramatic setting.

On the 22nd (Mon), see the interesting displays at Santa Catalina Monastery, then admire the striking features of Plaza de Armas, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 23rd (Tue): take in the spiritual surroundings of Iglesia de San Miguel Arcangel, wander the streets of Yanahuara, then steep yourself in history at Historic Centre of Arequipa, and finally stop by La Iberica.

To see more things to do, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, read our Arequipa trip planner.

Traveling by car from Chivay to Arequipa takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. In August, daily temperatures in Arequipa can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 9°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) so you can go by car to Nazca.

The southern city of Nazca draws visitors to its archaeological and historical sites.

Nazca is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Nasca Lines, stroll the grounds of Cementerio Chauchilla, and delve into the distant past at Cantalloc Aqueduct.

For more things to do, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, use the Nazca trip planner.

Traveling by car from Arequipa to Nazca takes 7 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of flight and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Ica.

Located on the Ica River in the desert areas of Peru's southern coast, the city of Ica stands as something of an oasis in the dry, barren landscape.

Ica is known for wineries, nature, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: do a tasting at Tacama, pause for some serene contemplation at Santuario del Senor de Luren, examine the collection at Javier Cabrera Scientific Museum, and contemplate the waterfront views at Laguna De Huacachina.

To find other places to visit, photos, maps, and more tourist information, read our Ica online route maker.

You can drive from Nazca to Ica in 2.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. August in Ica sees daily highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C at night. On the 29th (Mon), you're off to Lima.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Tue): visit Miraflores, see the interesting displays at Museo de Minerales Andres del Castillo, then take a stroll through Barranco, and finally stroll around Circuito Magico Del Agua.

To see more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, read Lima trip itinerary builder app.

Getting from Ica to Lima by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight back home.