A brief guide to plan your trip by regions, with practical tips, how to get there, the best time to visit, and Guru Explorers tour links for each destination.
Tourist places in Peru: 35 unmissable destinations
Peru has it all: coast, Andes and Amazon; colonial cities, imposing archaeological sites, and immersive experiences with local communities. Explore these 35 places organized by zones so you can build a seamless itinerary.
Peruvian Coast
Nazca Lines (Ica)
How to get there: flight Lima–Nazca (via Pisco) or bus (6–7 h) and a scenic flight from Nazca or Pisco.
Best time: April–November (clearer skies).
Tips: book the overflight in the morning; avoid heavy meals beforehand.
Fun fact: some geoglyphs are over 300 m long.
Book: Nazca Lines Overflight with transfers — Guru Explorers.
Huacachina Oasis (Ica)
How to get there: bus Lima–Ica (4–5 h) + taxi (10 min) to Huacachina.
Best time: year-round; May–November sunsets are top.
Tips: buggy & sandboard at sunset; bring sunglasses and a buff for the sand.
Fun fact: it’s the only natural oasis in a coastal desert in South America.
Book: Huacachina Tours — Guru Explorers.
Ballestas Islands (Paracas)
How to get there: bus Lima–Paracas (3.5 h); El Chaco pier.
Best time: year-round; calmer seas in summer.
Tips: bring a windbreaker; departures 8:00–10:00.
Fun fact: you’ll see Humboldt penguins and the Candelabro geoglyph.
Book: Ballestas Islands Tour — Guru Explorers.
Máncora (Piura)
How to get there: flight to Talara/Piura/Tumbes + transfer (1–2 h).
Best time: Dec–Apr (sun & beach); Jul–Oct for whale watching.
Tips: ideal for surfing and diving; use reef-safe sunscreen.
Fun fact: warm microclimate almost all year.
Punta Sal (Tumbes)
How to get there: flight to Tumbes (Zorritos 1 h) or Talara/Piura.
Best time: Dec–Apr (warmer sea).
Tips: perfect for families; calm waters.
Fun fact: top area for sport fishing.
Tumbes Mangroves
How to get there: to Tumbes + tour to the Sanctuary.
Best time: Jun–Nov (less rain).
Tips: canoe/kayak rides; biodegradable repellent.
Fun fact: it is the southernmost mangrove on the Pacific.
Beaches, desert or marine wildlife? Book your tours on the Peruvian Coast with Guru Explorers.
Highlands and Andes
Machu Picchu (Cusco)
How to get there: train to Aguas Calientes + bus to the citadel.
Best time: Apr–Oct (dry season).
Tips: buy your ticket in advance; stay hydrated and go early.
Fun fact: a Wonder of the World since 2007.
Book: Tours to Machu Picchu.
Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley)
How to get there: bus/taxi from Cusco (1.5–2 h).
Best time: year-round; less rain Apr–Oct.
Tips: visit terraces and the Temple of the Sun; great spot to board the train.
Fun fact: a living Inca town with original urban layout.
Book: Sacred Valley Tour (Pisac–Ollantaytambo) — Guru Explorers.
Colca Canyon (Arequipa)
How to get there: Arequipa–Chivay road (3–4 h).
Best time: Apr–Nov to see condors.
Tips: overnight in Chivay/Yanque; hot springs.
Fun fact: one of the deepest canyons in the world.
Book: Colca Full Day or 2D/1N — Guru Explorers.
Humantay Lake (Cusco)
How to get there: Cusco–Soraypampa (3.5 h) + trekking (1–1.5 h).
Best time: Apr–Oct.
Tips: trekking poles and warm layers; avoid altitude sickness by acclimatizing in Cusco.
Fun fact: turquoise color from glacial sediments.
Book: Humantay Lake Tours.
Lake Titicaca: Uros, Taquile and Amantaní (Puno)
How to get there: flight to Juliaca + 1 h to Puno; boat from the port.
Best time: May–Oct (clear skies).
Tips: use sunscreen and a hat; cold nights.
Fun fact: the highest navigable lake in the world (3812 m).
Book: Titicaca Uros & Taquile Full Day — Guru Explorers.
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca, Cusco)
How to get there: Cusco–Quesiuno/Phulawasipata + trekking (1.5–2 h).
Best time: dry season (Apr–Oct), avoid heavy rains.
Tips: start early; check snow forecast.
Fun fact: colors from minerals (iron, sulfur, copper).
Book: Rainbow Mountain Tours.
Sacsayhuamán (Cusco)
How to get there: taxi from the Center (10 min) or walk.
Best time: year-round; Inti Raymi on June 24.
Tips: tourist ticket; go early for crowd-free photos.
Fun fact: megaliths exceeding 100 tons.
Book: Cusco Archaeological City Tour — Guru Explorers.
Maras Salt Pans (Sacred Valley)
How to get there: Cusco–Maras–Pichingoto; panoramic access.
Best time: Apr–Oct; special glow at sunset.
Tips: avoid stepping on pond edges; buy local salt.
Fun fact: more than 3,000 active ponds since Inca times.
Book: Maras + Moray.
Pisac (Sacred Valley)
How to get there: Cusco–Pisac (45–60 min).
Best time: dry season.
Tips: tour ruins and the artisan market (Sundays are livelier).
Fun fact: one of the most extensive Andean cemeteries.
Book: Classic Sacred Valley — Guru Explorers.
Tipón (Cusco)
How to get there: Cusco–Tipón (40 min).
Best time: year-round.
Tips: observe its canals still in operation.
Fun fact: a masterpiece of Inca hydraulic engineering.
Book: Southern Valley Tour.
Moray (Sacred Valley)
How to get there: combined with Maras from Cusco (1.5 h).
Best time: dry season.
Tips: bring a windbreaker; strong sun exposure.
Fun fact: agricultural “laboratory” with microclimates from circular terraces.
Book: Maras + Moray.
Choquequirao (Cusco/Apurímac)
How to get there: 4D/3N trek (via Capuliyoc/Marampata).
Best time: Apr–Oct.
Tips: requires good fitness; guide recommended.
Fun fact: known as the “sacred sister” of Machu Picchu.
Ready for the Andes? Book your tours in Cusco, Sacred Valley and Puno with Guru Explorers.
Jungle and Amazon
Tambopata National Reserve (Madre de Dios)
How to get there: flight to Puerto Maldonado + river lodge.
Best time: May–Oct (dry).
Tips: repellent, poncho, flashlight; follow rainforest protocols.
Fun fact: clay licks with colorful macaws at dawn.
Book: Tours to Tambopata.
Manu National Park (Cusco/Madre de Dios)
How to get there: mixed road–river route from Cusco with an authorized operator.
Best time: May–Oct.
Tips: multi-day itineraries; focus on biodiversity.
Fun fact: one of the planet’s megadiversity hotspots.
Book: Manu Tours.
Iquitos & Amazon (Loreto)
How to get there: direct flights from Lima.
Best time: year-round; high waters (Dec–May) vs. low (Jun–Nov).
Tips: navigate the Amazon; visit communities with a responsible approach.
Fun fact: Iquitos is the largest roadless city in Peru.
Book: Tours in Iquitos.
Kuélap (Amazonas)
How to get there: flights to Jaén/Chachapoyas + cable cars (check status).
Best time: May–Sep (less rain).
Tips: waterproof jacket; combine with Gocta waterfalls.
Fun fact: Chachapoya citadel with monumental walls.
Revash Mausoleums (Amazonas)
How to get there: from Chachapoyas + ~1.5 h hike.
Best time: May–Sep.
Tips: trekking shoes; altitude ~2800 m.
Fun fact: funerary bundles on cliffs painted red.
Step into the Amazon. Book your adventure in Tambopata, Manu or Iquitos with Guru Explorers.
Cities, history and culture
Cusco Cathedral
How to get there: Cusco’s Plaza de Armas.
Best time: year-round.
Tips: buy the integrated ticket; respect photo rules.
Fun fact: blends Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance.
Book: Cusco City Tour.
Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas
How to get there: historic center of Arequipa.
Best time: Apr–Nov.
Tips: terrace viewpoints; visit the Cathedral and sillar arcades.
Fun fact: considered by many the most beautiful square in the country.
Book: Arequipa City Tour with viewpoints.
Basilica and Convent of San Francisco (Lima)
How to get there: Lima’s historic center.
Best time: year-round.
Tips: tour the catacombs and library.
Fun fact: 17th-century gem with Cusco School artwork.
Book: Lima City Tour.
Santa Catalina Monastery (Arequipa)
How to get there: 5 minutes from the Plaza de Armas.
Best time: Apr–Nov.
Tips: visit in the afternoon for colors and light; buy tickets in advance.
Fun fact: a “city within a city” since the 16th century.
Book: Arequipa City Tour + Santa Catalina Monastery + Viewpoints.
Huaca Pucllana (Lima)
How to get there: Miraflores district.
Best time: year-round.
Tips: tour the site at sunset; on-site restaurant with views of the complex.
Fun fact: ceremonial center of the Lima culture, later Wari.
Book: Tours in Lima.
Miraflores Malecón (Lima)
How to get there: Miraflores coast.
Best time: year-round; best skies in summer.
Tips: paraglide, bike or walk; sunset at the lighthouse.
Fun fact: top urban spot for paragliding.
San Blas Neighborhood (Cusco)
How to get there: 10–15 min walk from the Plaza.
Best time: year-round.
Tips: art galleries, viewpoint and artisan workshops.
Fun fact: bohemian neighborhood over ancient Inca huacas.
Chinchero Market (Cusco)
How to get there: 40–50 min from Cusco.
Best time: year-round; Sundays are most traditional.
Tips: join a textile demo; pay fair prices to craftswomen.
Fun fact: high-level Quechua textile tradition.
Book: Sacred Valley of the Incas Tours.
Trujillo (La Libertad)
How to get there: flights from Lima.
Best time: May–Nov (less heat).
Tips: combine with Chan Chan and Huanchaco.
Fun fact: home to the Marinera Festival.
Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum (Lambayeque)
How to get there: Chiclayo–Lambayeque (15–20 min).
Best time: year-round.
Tips: a guide helps decode Moche iconography.
Fun fact: houses the treasure of the Lord of Sipán.
Ayacucho
How to get there: flights from Lima.
Best time: Apr–Sep; Holy Week (variable dates).
Tips: visit its churches and retablos; puca picante is a must.
Fun fact: more than 30 colonial temples.
Discover the best of Lima, Arequipa and Cusco. Book your city tours with Guru Explorers.
Authentic and immersive experiences
Community-based tourism on Titicaca (Uros, Taquile, Amantaní)
How to get there: by boat from Puno.
Best time: May–Oct.
Tips: homestay with local families; bring warm layers.
Fun fact: floating islands made of totora reeds.
Book: Puno Tours.
Pisco Route (Ica)
How to get there: from Lima, Ica or Paracas.
Best time: harvest (Mar–Apr) or year-round.
Tips: visit artisan and industrial wineries; try a pisco sour.
Fun fact: Ica is the cradle of Peruvian pisco.
Book: Huacachina + wineries tours.
Nazca Overflight
Key tips: window seat; headphones; avoid long fasts.
Book: Nazca Lines Overflight.
Glamping in the Sacred Valley
How to get there: from Cusco (1–1.5 h).
Tips: hot tub under the stars; aim for a clear night.
Book: Sacred Valley Glamping.
Condor flight (Colca)
How to get there: Cruz del Cóndor from Chivay/Yanque.
Tips: start early; best thermals between 8:00–10:00.
Book: Colca Canyon Tour.
Buggy & Sandboard (Huacachina)
Tips: best at sunset; protection against blowing sand.
Book: Huacachina Tours.
These experiences take place at the destinations already listed; perfect to give them a more local and memorable twist.
Conclusion
Peru offers landscapes, cultures and flavors that don’t fit in a single trip. With this route through 35 destinations, you can combine Coast, Andes and Amazon—from icons like Machu Picchu to cultural gems and community experiences.
Do you want an itinerary optimized for your time and budget? Talk to an expert from Guru Explorers.
Ready to book? Explore all our tours in Peru and build your ideal trip.