Peru is divided geographically into 3 sections: the coast (la costa), the mountains (la siera) and jungle(la selva).
The coast:
- Peru has great waves all year along all along its coast and if you add the fact that in Chicama there is world’s longest waves, this country is a yet that known surfing paradise.
- The best time to go is any time except July – September when it’s winter, the waves are lower and the Pacific cold.
- Recommended places: all along Panamerica. south of Lima: Paracas, Ica, Huacaina, Nazca; North of Lima: Huanchaco, Mancora
- How to get there: bus from Lima to any of the places.
The mountains:
- Without any doubt, Peru has got one of the world’s most scenic mountains and if you are into alpinism or just hiking, this country has plenty of options for you.
- South: Arequipa area with Colca Canyon, Cuzco and its surroundings – Macchu Picchu with Inca trail or Salkantay, Puno.
- North: Huaraz area offers infinite options from one day hikes (Laguna 69), 4-5 days (Santa Cruz), +8 days (Huayhuash), to moutains (Huascaran, Pisco, etc).
- How to get there: bus from Lima – 14-18hrs till Arequipa, 24 hrs till Cuzco, 12 hrs Arequipa – Cuzco, 8 hrs Cuzco – Puno; flight to Cuzco (2 hrs) and from there by bus.
- When to go there: winder time from May to end of September
The jungle:
- Backwaters, animals,
- Recommended places: Puerto Maldonado (south), Iquitos (north)
- How to get there: flight from Lima to Cuzco, and from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado by bus (8hrs), and to Iquitos you can get by flight from Lima or by boat (3 days).
- When to go there: from May to September
Recommended itineraries:
1. South, the classic:
- Lima -> Nazca -> Arequipa -> Puno -> Cuzco -> Lima
- Time required: 2-4 weeks
- What you can do:
- visit Nazca lines (only by helicopter)
- hike (2 days) or visit(1day) Colca Canyon
- Cuzco area and Macchu Picchu
- hike to Machu Picchu: Inca Trail or Salkantay
- Hike to Choquequirao
- Visit Uros floating islands over Titicaca Lake ( the highest lake in the world)
- Best time to visit: any time if you don’t hike, if you hike – winter time from May to September
2. The hiking route:
- Lima -> Arequipa -> Cuzco -> Huaraz -> Lima
- Time required: 3 weeks – 2 months
- What you can do:
- Colca Canyon,
- Hike Salkantay,
- Laguna 69,
- Santa Cruz trek,
- Huayhuash trek,
- climb Pisco
- Best time to go: winter (May – September)
3. Machu Picchu and the Amazonian Jungle
- Route: Lima -> Nazca -> Cuzco -> Puno -> Lima – > Iquitos
- Time required: 2 weeks
- What you can do:
- Visit Nazca lines (only by helicopter)
- Cuzco area and Machu Picchu
- Uros floating islands on Titicaca Lake ( the highest lake in the world)
- Amazonian Jungle tour from Iquitos
- Best time to visit: winter time (May – September)
Want to know more, just ask. Put your comment here, on Facebook or write me an email.
Enjoy Peru as much as I did!
