10 Best Places to Visit in Peru: Where to Go and When

The best places to visit in Peru are Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lima and Lake Titicaca, followed by Colca Canyon, the Nazca Lines, the Amazon, Arequipa and the desert oasis of Huacachina. Most first trips combine the Cusco area with either Lake Titicaca or the southern coast, and two weeks is enough to see six or seven of the ten.

Prices below are in Peruvian soles (S/) with approximate US dollars at US$1 = S/3.44 (rate on 6 October 2026), rounded. Entry fees are the rates for foreign adults; students, children and Peruvian or Andean Community citizens often pay less.

The 10 Best Places in Peru at a Glance

Place	Region	Best for	Days needed	Altitude	Getting there
1. Machu Picchu	Cusco	Inca citadel, mountain hikes	1–2	2,430 m	Train from Ollantaytambo (about 2 hours), then bus
2. Cusco	Cusco	Inca and colonial city, acclimatising	2–3	3,399 m	Flight from Lima (about 1 h 15 min)
3. Sacred Valley	Cusco	Ruins, terraces, markets	2–3	2,792 m (Ollantaytambo)	Road from Cusco (about 1 h 30 min to Ollantaytambo)
4. Lima	Lima (coast)	Food, museums, colonial centre	1–3	Sea level	Main international airport
5. Lake Titicaca	Puno	Uros reed islands, island homestays	2	3,810 m	Fly to Juliaca (about 1 h 40 min), then 40 min by road
6. Colca Canyon	Arequipa	Andean condors, trekking	2	From 2,110 m; 3,200 m deep	151 km from Arequipa, about 3 hours to Chivay
7. Nazca Lines	Ica (coast)	Geoglyphs from the air	1	Low (coastal desert)	Bus from Lima (7–8 hours)
8. The Amazon	Madre de Dios / Loreto	Wildlife, river lodges	3–4	Lowland rainforest	Flights from Lima (about 1 h 40 min); Cusco for Puerto Maldonado
9. Arequipa	Arequipa	White sillar architecture, food	2	2,335 m	Flight from Lima (about 1 h 15 min)
10. Huacachina	Ica (coast)	Dune buggies, sandboarding	1	Low (coastal desert)	Bus from Lima to Ica (4.5–5 hours), then 5 km

1. Machu Picchu

Why go: The 15th-century Inca citadel sits at 2,430 m on a ridge above the Urubamba River and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. For tickets, trains and treks in detail, see the Machu Picchu guide.

Best time: May to October is the dry season in the Andes; May–June and September–October are quieter than July and August. December to February is the wettest period. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance (in 2026 it was closed from 31 January and reopened on 1 March).

How long: One full day on site; two if a mountain climb (Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain) is added.

How to get there: Fly Lima–Cusco (about 1 h 15 min), drive to Ollantaytambo (about 1 h 30 min), take the train to Aguas Calientes (about 2 hours), then the shuttle bus up to the site. PeruRail's Expedition service is typically quoted at about US$65–85 each way from Ollantaytambo, varying by date and departure.

Key cost: Visits run on fixed circuits with timed entry, bought only through the Ministry of Culture's official ticket site. Standard circuits cost S/152 (about US$44); tickets including Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or the Great Cavern cost S/200 (about US$58). SERNANP also scheduled an extra sanctuary fee of S/11 (about US$3) for foreign visitors from 1 May 2026, after several postponements, so check the total at checkout. Daily capacity in 2026 is 5,600 visitors in high season (19 June to 2 November, plus a few holiday dates) and 4,500 the rest of the year, so dry-season dates sell out early.

2. Cusco

Why go: The former Inca capital is the base for Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and most treks. Inca stonework sits under colonial churches around the Plaza de Armas, and Sacsayhuamán overlooks the city.

Best time: May to October for dry, sunny days, with cold nights in June and July. Inti Raymi, the Inca sun festival, takes place on 24 June.

How long: Two to three days, partly to adjust to the altitude: PromPerú puts the city at over 3,399 m (11,150 ft).

How to get there: Flights from Lima take about 1 h 15 min.

Key cost: The integral Boleto Turístico del Cusco costs S/130 (about US$38) for foreign visitors, is valid for 10 days and covers 16 sites, including Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay and several Sacred Valley ruins. It is paid in cash in soles. More on the city and valley is in the Cusco and Sacred Valley guide.

3. The Sacred Valley

Why go: The Urubamba valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu holds some of the best Inca sites outside the citadel: the fortress and still-inhabited Inca town of Ollantaytambo, the terraces above Pisac, the circular terraces of Moray and the Maras salt pans.

Best time: Same as Cusco: May to October is driest.

How long: Two to three days. Because Ollantaytambo (2,792 m) is lower than Cusco, many itineraries sleep here first and visit Cusco afterwards.

How to get there: Ollantaytambo is about 72 km by road from Cusco, roughly 1 h 30 min. It is also the main train station for Machu Picchu.

Key cost: Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Moray are covered by the S/130 (about US$38) Boleto Turístico; Maras charges separately.

4. Lima

Why go: Peru's capital is the country's food capital and the arrival point for most international flights. The historic centre, a UNESCO site since 1988 (extended in 1991), has the Plaza Mayor and the San Francisco convent; Miraflores and Barranco are the clifftop districts most visitors stay in. The Larco Museum is devoted to pre-Columbian art.

Best time: The coast is mild with little rain all year; June to September is cooler and often foggy.

How long: One to three days, usually at the start or end of the trip.

How to get there: Jorge Chávez International Airport is Peru's main hub; domestic flights reach Cusco, Arequipa, Juliaca, Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos.

Key cost: Larco Museum adult entry is S/50 (about US$15), with a discount for online booking; it opens daily from 9am to 7pm.

5. Lake Titicaca

Why go: At 3,810 m and about 8,300 km², Lake Titicaca is described by PromPerú as the highest navigable lake on the planet. From Puno, boats visit the Uros islands, built from totora reeds, Taquile, known for its weavers, and Amantaní, where community homestays are run by local families.

Best time: May to October for dry weather; expect cold nights, with PromPerú listing typical temperatures of 3°C to 14°C.

How long: Two days covers the Uros and Taquile; add a night for an Amantaní homestay.

How to get there: Fly Lima–Juliaca (about 1 h 40 min), then about 40 minutes by road to Puno. By road from Lima it takes about 21 hours; most overland travellers arrive from Cusco or Arequipa.

Key cost: Boats from the Puno tourist pier start at about S/10 (about US$3) per person, and the Uros charge an entry fee of around S/8 (about US$2) that is not always included in tour prices.

6. Colca Canyon

Why go: PromPerú gives the canyon a depth of 3,200 m, making it one of the deepest on Earth. The main draw is the Cruz del Cóndor lookout, where Andean condors, with wingspans up to 3 m, ride the morning thermals. Villages such as Yanque and the La Calera hot springs fill the rest of a visit.

Best time: The dry months of May to October; condors are best seen in the early morning.

How long: Two days from Arequipa, or three with a trek down to the canyon floor.

How to get there: Colca is 151 km from Arequipa: about 3 hours to Chivay, then roughly another hour to Cruz del Cóndor.

Key cost: The Colca tourist ticket costs S/70 (about US$20) for foreign visitors and is usually not included in tour prices.

7. Nazca Lines

Why go: The giant geoglyphs of animals, plants and straight lines, made mostly between 500 BC and AD 500, cover a UNESCO-listed area of about 75,358 hectares and were inscribed in 1994. They are best seen from the air.

Best time: Year-round; the coastal desert is dry in every month.

How long: One day, often a stop between Huacachina and Arequipa.

How to get there: Buses from Lima take 7–8 hours; Ica is about 2 hours away. Flights over the Lines leave from Nazca's María Reiche aerodrome, or as longer routes from Pisco near Paracas.

Key cost: Overflights from Nazca last 30–35 minutes and typically cost US$85–120, plus about S/30–35 (US$9–10) airport tax and a S/47 (about US$14) tourist ticket. The roadside observation tower (13 m) costs S/3–7 (about US$1–2) and shows a few figures only.

8. The Amazon

Why go: Peru's rainforest is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. There are two main gateways. Puerto Maldonado leads to the Tambopata National Reserve and Bahuaja Sonene National Park, with river lodges, macaw clay licks and giant otters. Iquitos, with no road connection to the rest of Peru, is the base for river cruises and the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

Best time: Rain falls all year. July to September is the driest period; November to January brings the highest flood risk.

How long: Three to four days, since lodges are usually a boat ride from town.

How to get there: Flights from Lima to Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos take about 1 h 40 min. Puerto Maldonado is also served from Cusco, which makes it the easier add-on to a Machu Picchu trip.

Key cost: SERNANP's 2026 Tambopata entry fee for foreign visitors is S/30 (about US$9) for one day, S/60 (about US$17) for 2–3 days and S/150 (about US$44) for 4–30 days, separate from lodge packages.

9. Arequipa

Why go: Peru's second city, at 2,335 m, is built largely of white volcanic sillar stone, hence the nickname "the White City", with El Misti volcano behind it. The historic centre has been a UNESCO site since 2000, and the Santa Catalina Monastery, a walled convent the size of a small town, is the standout visit.

Best time: The city is dry and sunny for most of the year; May to October suits combined trips to Colca.

How long: Two days, plus two for Colca.

How to get there: Flights from Lima take about 1 h 15 min.

Key cost: Santa Catalina tickets run from S/6 to S/50 (about US$2–15) depending on category. The monastery opens daily from 9am to 5pm, until 8pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

10. Huacachina

Why go: A palm-ringed lagoon surrounded by huge sand dunes, about 5 km from the city of Ica. Sunset dune-buggy rides and sandboarding are the main activities, and it pairs naturally with the Nazca Lines.

Best time: Year-round, as the coastal desert sees little rain.

How long: One night is usually enough.

How to get there: Buses from Lima to Ica, about 350 km, take roughly 4.5–5 hours; Huacachina is a few minutes from Ica by taxi.

Key cost: Combined buggy and sandboarding tours start at around US$20 for 2 hours, with the dune entry fee and boards included on many tours; check before booking.

How to Plan a Peru Route

Peru splits into a high Andean south (Cusco, Puno, Arequipa) and a desert coast (Lima, Ica, Nazca), with the Amazon a flight away. The routes below use the places above and spread the altitude gain out. For a shorter Lima–Cusco–Machu Picchu plan, see the Peru itinerary guide.

10-day route: Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca

Days	Base	Plan
1	Lima	Arrive; Miraflores, Barranco or the historic centre
2–3	Sacred Valley	Fly to Cusco, transfer straight to the lower valley; Pisac, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo
4	Machu Picchu	Train from Ollantaytambo; visit on a timed circuit; night in Aguas Calientes or back to Cusco
5–7	Cusco	City, Sacsayhuamán and the Boleto Turístico sites
8–9	Puno	Overland to Lake Titicaca; Uros and Taquile, or an Amantaní homestay
10	Juliaca	Fly to Lima for onward connections

14-day route: the southern loop

Days	Base	Plan
1–2	Lima	Food and museums
3	Huacachina	Bus to Ica; sunset buggy and sandboarding
4	Nazca	Morning overflight; onward to Arequipa
5–6	Arequipa	Santa Catalina, historic centre
7–8	Colca Canyon	Cruz del Cóndor at dawn, hot springs
9–10	Puno	Lake Titicaca islands
11–12	Cusco	City and nearby ruins
13–14	Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu	Train from Ollantaytambo; return to Cusco to fly out

The 14-day loop climbs gradually from the coast to Arequipa (2,335 m), Colca and Puno (3,810 m), so Cusco comes after the body has had time to adjust. To add the Amazon, fly Cusco–Puerto Maldonado for three or four days at the end.

Altitude: What to Know

Cusco and Puno are high enough to cause altitude illness. The CDC Yellow Book places the threshold for risk at around 2,450–2,750 m, and notes that acute mountain sickness feels like a hangover: headache, plus loss of appetite, dizziness, fatigue or nausea, usually 2–12 hours after arrival. Its standard guidance:

Avoid going from low altitude to a sleeping altitude above 2,750 m in a single day where possible.
Above 3,000 m, raise sleeping altitude by no more than 500 m a day, with a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours at altitude.
Acetazolamide can be prescribed to prevent symptoms; this is a decision for a doctor before travel.
If symptoms worsen while resting at the same altitude, descend.

The CDC specifically mentions Cusco (about 3,350 m) and suggests sleeping lower than the airport for one or two nights first. The Sacred Valley serves that purpose, which is why the 10-day route above heads there on arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places to visit in Peru?

Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lima and Lake Titicaca are the most visited, followed by Colca Canyon, the Nazca Lines, the Amazon (Tambopata or Iquitos), Arequipa and Huacachina.

Where should first-time visitors go in Peru?

Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are the usual first trip and fit into a week. With 10 days or more, add Lake Titicaca or the southern coast (Huacachina and the Nazca Lines).

What are the most famous places in Peru?

Machu Picchu is the best known, followed by Cusco, Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines and the Amazon rainforest. Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines and the historic centres of Arequipa and Lima are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

How many days do you need in Peru?

About 7 days covers Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Ten days adds Lake Titicaca; 14 days allows a southern loop through Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa, Colca, Puno and Cusco.

When is the best time to visit Peru?

May to October, the dry season in the Andes, is best for Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lake Titicaca; July and August are busiest. The coast is dry all year, and the Amazon is driest from July to September.

How much does it cost to enter Machu Picchu in 2026?

Foreign adults pay S/152 (about US$44) for a standard circuit, or S/200 (about US$58) with Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or the Great Cavern, plus a SERNANP sanctuary fee of S/11 scheduled from May 2026. Tickets are sold only at tuboleto.cultura.pe.

Do you need to worry about altitude in Peru?

For Cusco (3,399 m) and Lake Titicaca (3,810 m), yes. Plan a gradual ascent, rest on arrival and follow standard CDC guidance; Lima, the coast and the Amazon are at or near sea level.