55 days in Peru Itinerary

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.

Get out of town with these interesting Cusco side-trips: Pisac (in Pisac) and Piquillacta (in Huarcapay). Spend the 17th (Thu) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. On the 11th (Fri), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. There's much more to do: delve into the distant past at Sacsayhuaman, contemplate the long history of Plaza de Armas, take a stroll through San Blas, and admire the striking features of Centro Historico De Cusco.

For traveler tips, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Cusco day trip planning app.

Managua, Nicaragua to Cusco is an approximately 13-hour flight. Traveling from Managua to Cusco, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in December, and nighttime lows around 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Thu) early enough to take a shuttle to Ollantaytambo.

Retaining much of its centuries-old architecture, Ollantaytambo represents one of the world's finest examples of Incan city planning.

Explore Ollantaytambo's surroundings by going to Yucay Museo de Cultura Viva (in Yucay), Maras (Moray & Salinas de Maras) and Urubamba (Mercado De Urubamaba, Cerveceria Willkamayu, &more). The adventure continues: steep yourself in history at Sacred Valley of the Incas, admire the verdant scenery at Patacancha Valley, whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and indulge your thirst for a good beer at Cerveceria del Valle Sagrado.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, use the Ollantaytambo attractions planner.

Traveling by shuttle from Cusco to Ollantaytambo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in December, and nighttime lows around 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Tue) to allow time to take a train to Machu Picchu.

A symbol of the Incan civilization, the abandoned city of Machu Picchu represents a must-see on a Peru vacation.

Venture out of the city with trips to Ruinas de Choquequirao (in Cachora) and Zipline (in Santa Teresa). There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, explore the ancient world of Intipuncu, witness a stunning natural landmark at Banos Termales de Cocalmayo, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Phutuq K'usi.

To see other places to visit, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Machu Picchu trip itinerary builder.

Traveling by train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Sun) to allow enough time to 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.

On the 29th (Tue), spend a thrilling day on the water with a speed boat tour. There's much more to do: head off the coast to Taquile Island, contemplate the long history of La Casa del Corregidor, step aboard Yavari Museum, and stroll the grounds of Sillustani.

Plan a trip to Puno easily and quickly by telling Inspirock to suggest an itinerary.

Traveling by flight from Machu Picchu to Puno takes 9 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Fri) early enough to drive to Cabanaconde.

A vacation in Cabanaconde provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the left bank of the Colca River, an area quite untouched by commercial tourism.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Cabanaconde: Mirador de Wayra Punku (in Pinchollo) and Q'olca by Made in Colca (in Chivay). There's still lots to do: explore the stunning scenery at Colca Canyon, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Condor's Cross, get great views at Tapay Viewpoint, and make a trip to Mirador Cruz del Condor.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, use the Cabanaconde trip builder.

Traveling by car from Puno to Cabanaconde takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Mon) so you can go by car to Arequipa.

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

Arequipa is known for museums, historic sites, and nature. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: examine the collection at Santa Catalina Monastery, contemplate the geological forces at Volcan Misti, admire the landmark architecture of La Mansion del Fundador, and take an in-depth tour of Museo Santuarios Andinos.

To see maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Arequipa trip planner.

Drive from Cabanaconde to Arequipa in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Arequipa are 23°C, while nighttime lows are 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Lima.

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.

Take a break from Lima with a short trip to Iglesia de Santiago Apostol in Lunahuana, about 34 minutes away. The adventure continues: stroll around Circuito Magico Del Agua, wander the streets of Miraflores, examine the collection at Museo Nacional de Arqueologia, Antropologia e Historia del Peru, and get the lay of the land with Walking tours.

To find other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Lima online journey maker.

Getting from Arequipa to Lima by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In January, Lima is a bit warmer than Arequipa - with highs of 31°C and lows of 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Huascaran National Park.

A trip to Huascaran National Park allows visitors to explore part of the Cordillera Blanca, the world’s highest tropical mountain range.

Step out of Huascaran National Park to go to Chacas and see Museo de Chacas, which is approximately 42 minutes away. Spend the 20th (Wed) exploring nature at Huascaran. There's much more to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Lagunas de Llanganuco, make a trip to Plaza Mayor de Chacas, get outside with Laguna Llaca, and take in the awesome beauty at Alpamayo.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Huascaran National Park vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

You can do a combination of flight and taxi from Lima to Huascaran National Park in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Sun) to allow time for travel to Trujillo.

Considered the country's capital of culture, Trujillo was the birthplace of the North Group, a community of artists and intellectuals that included celebrated poet Cesar Vallejo and notable novelist Ciro Alegria.

Go for a jaunt from Trujillo to Puerto Malabrigo to see Playa Malabrigo about 1h 30 min away. Next up on the itinerary: explore the ancient world of Site Museum, steep yourself in history at Casa Ganoza Chopitea, take in the spiritual surroundings of Iglesia y Monasterio El Carmen, and take an in-depth tour of Cao Museum.

To find other places to visit, maps, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Trujillo attractions planner.

You can do a combination of taxi and bus from Huascaran National Park to Trujillo in 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. January in Trujillo sees daily highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sun) so you can travel back home.