Peru
Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Beyond
Most first Andes trips start here. The high city of Cusco, the river-carved Sacred Valley, and the cloud-forest ruins of Machu Picchu give a complete introduction to Andean history, altitude, and food.
The country in one paragraph
Peru's Andes hold three trips inside one. The southern circuit (Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca) is the classic. The Cordillera Blanca above Huaraz holds the country's best trekking. Arequipa and Colca Canyon round out a longer first trip without doubling back.
When to go
Dry season runs May to September. June and July are coldest at night but most reliable for trekking. December to March is rainier and the Inca Trail closes for maintenance in February.
Altitude reality check
Cusco sits at 3,400m. Plan two unhurried nights before any trekking, drink coca tea if it suits you, and consider starting in the Sacred Valley (2,800m) which is noticeably easier on arrival.
Where to focus
- Cusco: San Blas lanes, the Qorikancha temple, and Saturday market wander.
- Sacred Valley: Pisac ruins and market, Ollantaytambo's living Inca town, the salt terraces of Maras.
- Machu Picchu: Train via Ollantaytambo, two nights in Aguas Calientes if you want a sunrise visit and a second walk-in.
- Lake Titicaca: Puno is functional; the Capachica peninsula homestays are quieter.
- Arequipa & Colca: White-stone colonial centre plus a two-day Colca trip for condors.
- Huaraz: Base for Laguna 69, Pastoruri, and the Huayhuash circuit for serious trekkers.
Peru guides
Best Places to Visit in the Andes for First-Time Visitors
A region-by-region guide to building a well paced first Andes trip across Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia.
A Practical Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley Itinerary
How to acclimatise in Cusco, time the train to Aguas Calientes, and route the Sacred Valley without rushing.