If you’re going to Peru, you probably believe in miracles and like to solve the mysteries of ancient civilizations. As well as our author Ksenia Semkina, whose two-month trip to this amazing country of South America inspired the writing of the article. Hola, Peru!
Content
- How to get there
- Currency, time and weather
- Lima: ocean and metropolitan vibe
- Cusco: mountains and Inca heritage
- Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
- Ika and Paracas: ocean, desert and “local Galapagos”
How to get there
The simplest and most common option is to fly on international airlines with connections in Europe: mainly in Istanbul or Amsterdam. In general, the duration will be from 16 to 18 hours (excluding the time of docking).
What else is important to know:
- when traveling for an indefinite period of time, you can cancel your flight reservation.
- a foreign passport valid for 6 months is required for entry.
- stay up to 90 days — without a visa.
- tickets start from 70,000 rubles one way.
The simplest and most common option is to fly on international airlines with connections in Europe: mainly in Istanbul or Amsterdam. Photo: Markus Mainka/Shutterstock.com
Currency, time, weather and what to bring
The time zone in Peru is very different from Russia: the difference with Moscow is 8 hours. Keep this fact in mind if you plan to work on a trip.
Currency:We take the dollars and exchange them for Peruvian salts. Exchange rate for spring 2025: 1 salt — ~23 rubles.
Weather and seasonality. There are 11 climatic zones in Peru. June-October is considered a good period for trips, and you can go to the mountains from April to November. December to March is a great time for beaches. It is hot and humid in the jungle, but from November to April the rainy season: it pours for a short time, but like a bucket.
What are we taking with us: In Peru, rooms are not heated, and it may be cold in the rooms. This is important to take into account when packing a suitcase. Plus, take a minimum of versatile items with you (it’s better to travel light, plus you’ll probably want to buy authentic outfits on the spot), trekking boots, a backpack, and summer indoor jungle gear.
Peruvian salt. Photo: Etzon qr/Shutterstock.com
Lima: ocean and metropolitan vibe
You can stay here for a couple of days to recover from flights, but the main thing is to know the right areas: not all of them are safe for tourists. We recommend Miraflores and Barranco with walking routes, stylish restaurants and a Pacific Ocean beach.
Where to stay:
- Mercure Ariosto Lima
- Arawi Miraflores Prime
- Hotel B
- Second Home Peru
If you like shopping, go to the stylish Dedalo art space – it works both as a gallery and a store: all the exhibits can be bought. On the shelves there are handmade clothes, ceramics, jewelry, postcards and other original souvenirs that you are not ashamed to bring to your friends. There is a nice cafe in the courtyard.
We recommend Miraflores and Barranco with walking routes, stylish restaurants and a Pacific Ocean beach. Photo: Sergio TB/Shutterstock.com
For lovers of vintage and thrills, there is the Witch Market (Mercado de Brujas), where you can see the real Lima (do not take valuables with you). Alpaca embryos, herbs, rapeseed powder, San Pedro cactus, dried snakes, frogs, bones, horns and amulets are sold here. You can also get a prediction from the locals on tarot cards or coca leaves.
After shopping, you will most likely want to take a walk along the Pacific Ocean embankment — it is amazing! There are a lot of surfers here and there are a couple of restaurants with a million views. We advise you to take a lesson from your favorite coach and go conquer the waves. The rest of the good locations are in this article.
For lovers of vintage and thrills — the Witch Market. Photo: saiko3p/Shutterstock.com
Cusco: mountains and Inca heritage
After a couple of days in Lima, you can fly to Cuzco, the capital of the great Inca Empire. This is a real holiday city, where the eyes run away from the bright contrasts. On the one hand, there are endless and great Andes Mountains, on the other, women in traditional costumes walking with lamas. And all this against the background of local Peruvian music.
Mountain sickness
Oxygen starvation or altitude sickness begins at an altitude of 2,000 meters. Cuzco is located above (3,500), so follow the safety precautions. What is important to do:
- give yourself time to acclimatize;
- for nausea symptoms, headaches, lack of strength, drink a lot of tea made from coca leaves (or just chew them);
- you can rub your palms and breathe Agua Florida infusion (sold on every corner).
After adapting to the terrain, you can afford to have some fun. It is concentrated on the central square and the streets leading to it. There are plenty of stylish restaurants, bars and colorful locals. Also pay attention to the walls of the buildings on the square and in the Saksaivaman fortress. The Incas built everything using large stones without bonding mortar. Stone puzzles were often put together in such a way that images of sacred animals were guessed: cougars, condors and snakes. If you want to grab a snack on the go, you can stop by the local market and buy some fruit or homemade food, which they give you a taste.
What to try
- Lomo saltado: grilled alpaca meat with tomatoes and onions,served with rice and potatoes;
- Ceviche: a fish dish, considered a reference all over the world;
- Local beer Cusquena.
Holidays in Cuzco should be continued with a new route and go to the tracking developed here. Below we will tell you exactly where.
Vinikunk’s rainbow Mountain
Vinikunka, or Rainbow Mountain, was discovered just ten years ago. Photo: Jan Schneckenhaus/Shutterstock.com
Humantai Lagoon
Where to stay:
- La Casa de Mayte
- Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay Hotels
- San Agustin Plaza
- Wyndham Costa del Sol Cusco
Humantai Lagoon is a lake of extraordinary beauty, hidden surrounded by snow—capped mountains. Photo: Jon Chica/Shutterstock.com
Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
The cradle of the Inca civilization is located in the Sacred Valley. This is the name of a territory that unites several cities. Ancient Indians lived here, cultivated various crops, built cities and temples. The Andes Mountains are full of mysticism, so there are many retreat centers and people looking for new experiences in the area. You can explore the settlements yourself or as part of tours. We recommend buying a single ticket: ~ $ 35 (3,000 rubles), valid for 10 days and includes admission to all the main locations of the valley.
Hacks
A charming town where it’s cool to stay for at least a couple of days. The main location is the Pisak Archaeological Park. The park has preserved photogenic agricultural terraces, reminiscent of Greek amphitheaters, and impressive remains of an ancient city. It is better to take a taxi up (about 15 minutes), and walk back to the city (about 3 hours). The Temple of the Sun, tunnels, masonry structures, fields and shepherds with flutes — all this will be on the way.
In the Scribbler itself, you have to get lost in the labyrinths of colorful streets. Take a look at the local market: here you can find authentic jewelry, amulets, clothes. The atmospheric cafe Sacred Sushi & Curry Sunday with a cozy courtyard with colored Buddhist flags and a friendly host is also a top. In addition, the pyramid city of Ollantaytambo and the village of Chinchero are interesting in the Sacred Valley. Here, along the way, you may meet the descendants of the Indians. For example, one of them showed me the ability to control the weather. How can you not believe in the magic of these places after that?
Where to stay:
- La Chakana Pisac
- Hospedaje Samana Wasi Pisac
- Karina Wasi
A charming town where it’s cool to stay for at least a couple of days. Photo: Dreamer4787/Shutterstock.com
Machu Picchu
You can get to Machu Picchu by the expensive Perurail train; on foot on the El Camino Inca or Inka Trail; by bus from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica (7 hours on the way, it costs a penny, the views along the way — ah!) plus a 3-hour trek to Aguas Calientes through the jungle. It’s like going to the Jumanji movie, only with evil mosquitoes: repellent and closed clothing are mandatory. You can take a panoramic train back for $80 (6800 rubles). to Ollantaytambo.
Where to stay:
- Hotel Terraza De Luna
- Casa Del Sol Machupicchu
- Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel
Machu Picchu, the new wonder of the world, where special people used to live. Photo: SL-Photography/Shutterstock.com
Ollantaytambo
The picturesque town of Ollantaytambo with a charming market: here you need to buy dreamcatchers, stones and other magical things. Walking is a pleasure, and the ruins look great (don’t miss this location on the rocks).
Where to stay:
- Casafranca
- Ayllu B&B Ollantaytambo
The picturesque town of Ollantaytambo with a charming market. Photo: Lynne2509/Shutterstock.com
Maras, Moray and Urubamba
Then we go to the Salineras de Maras salt mines. The Incas built baths on the site of a hot salt spring, covered everything with clay, sent water inside, and voila — salt extraction is established!
Ika and Paracas: ocean, desert and “local Galapagos”
After saying goodbye to the magical Sacred valley, you can go to the other side of the country to the desert and the ocean. Destination: the city of Ika. Peru has a well-developed bus service: a CRUZ DEL SUR ticket will cost ~ 3,800 rubles, and the journey from Cusco will take approximately 17 hours.
Nazca
Along the way, there is the desert city of Nazca, where everyone usually looks at ancient rock carvings of unknown origin from a helicopter.
The desert city of Nazca, where everyone usually looks at ancient rock carvings from a helicopter. Photo: Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock.com
Ika and Huakachina
In the God-forsaken town of Ika, no one speaks English, but there is a desert with an oasis where everyone rides a buggy over the dunes and tries sandboarding. The program is mandatory, and after sunset it is customary to have a drink or two in one of the bars.
Paracas
The second park, Peninsula de Paracas— is a national reserve where the Pacific Ocean and the Martian desert (the second largest in Latin America) meet. Perhaps you will not see anything more beautiful than this landscape.
You go on a boat and watch penguins, pelicans, and fur seals. Photo: Sebastien redon/Shutterstock.com
There are still so many unexplored things in Peru that it is worth returning more than once. Hasta pronto Peru, see you soon!
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