Compare 12 days in Peru - Peru Trip: 12 Days (For 18 - 35 years) by Free & Easy Traveler

Day 1 - Lima

At first glance, Lima may seem much like many other unattractive major cities full of concrete buildings and crowded, noisy streets and worth not much more than a quick pass in and out when using its airport. But you’ll find that Lima is hiding a great deal of fun and wonderment within its city limits. When the fog lifts from this massive desert city and you take a closer look around, you’ll find ancient temples strewn amongst modern houses and old, well-preserved colonial mansions over-looking Lima’s coastline, which boasts some wicked surf! A thriving art scene, fascinating museums, some super fun nightclubs and some of the best and most diverse food options of any city in the world, Lima is a complete city that provides a great experience worth much more than just a quick pass through.

Day 2 - Huacachina

A very cool destination situated around an oasis surrounded by looming sand dunes that sprawl out far into the distance, Huacachina is a traveler’s refuge. The town itself, positioned around a dream-like picturesque lagoon, has grown into an infamous party spot for travellers in Peru. The surrounding desert dunes offer a playground to Huacachina’s visitors who can bomb up and down the dunes at breakneck speeds in dune buggies or strap on a sand-board and carve down the faces of the sandy mountains. Wine lovers can venture to the nearby vineyards as well and sample the famous Pisco wines. Huacachina is also the jumping point to one of Peru’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries: the Ballestes Islands, known as ‘the mini Galapagos’ on account of the massive concentration of animals living there - including penguins, blue footed boobies, a plethora of different birds and thousands of sea lions!

Day 3 - Cusco

The historic capital of the great Inca Empire, the legendary city of Cusco should be on every traveller’s wish list. Situated at a breathtakingly high elevation of 3400m, the cobblestone streets and very well preserved colonial buildings still sit atop the ancient stone foundations laid by the Incas. Around the city, the Andean peaks soar in the backdrop as the lush Amazon jungle and cloud forests encroach closer on the stunning terrain surrounding Cusco. And it is within this nature that you find the Sacred Valley of the Río Urubama, the Inca’s mythical homeland where some of the world’s most fascinating ruins lie and one of the most awe-inspiring places to trek through. With a ton of incredible markets selling Peru’s best handmade clothes and goods, a tantalizing diversity in delicious food options, and a vibrant fiesta-loving atmosphere to the town, Cusco is much more than a place to stop en route to Machu Picchu.

Day 4 - Machu Picchu

Perched high up in the Andes Mountains, surrounded by lush green peaks and misty clouds sits the great lost Incan city of Machu Picchu. 1 of the 7 Wonders of the World and the most renowned archaeological site in the western hemisphere, what more is there to say about Machu Picchu? It's incredible in every way, from its mysterious and elaborate temples to its out-of-this-world location, it's a sight that everyone should aim to see once in their life. The town of Machu Picchu, in the Urubamaba Valley, exists solely as a base camp for people to view the magnificent ruins by day and have a nice place to catch their breath by night. Despite being a town built around tourism, there is a mystical feel to the town appropriate of its location and it boasts one of the best night-markets you'll find in Peru.