16 days in Peru Itinerary

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.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Fri): get engrossed in the history at Museo Larco, then explore the ancient world of Huaca Pucllana, and then admire the local landmark of Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor).

To see ratings, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Lima trip itinerary builder app .

Newark, USA to Lima is an approximately 12-hour flight. Traveling from Newark in August, things will get a bit cooler in Lima: highs are around 66°F and lows about 60°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sat) so you can travel to Arequipa.

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

Start off your visit on the 15th (Sat): take in the exciting artwork at Arte Colonial, examine the collection at Santa Catalina Monastery, take an in-depth tour of Museo Santuarios Andinos, then admire the striking features of Plaza de Armas, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus. Keep things going the next day: have some family-friendly fun at Patio del Ekeko and then steep yourself in history at Historic Centre of Arequipa.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Arequipa online vacation maker .

Traveling by flight from Lima to Arequipa takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Lima in August, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Arequipa, with lows of 47°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) so you can drive to Yanque.

Just a 40-minute drive from Chivay, the peaceful town of Yanque sits in the Colca Canyon.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Mon): take in the awesome beauty at Condor's Cross, whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, and then take in the natural beauty of La Calera Thermal Waters.

To find maps, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Yanque trip itinerary builder tool .

Traveling by car from Arequipa to Yanque takes 3.5 hours. On the 18th (Tue), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Cusco.

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.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Tue): take in the spiritual surroundings of Iglesia San Antonio. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 19th (Wed): step off the mainland to explore Taquile Island and then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Titicaca.

To see traveler tips, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Puno trip itinerary planner .

Traveling by car from Yanque to Puno takes 5 hours. August in Puno sees daily highs of 65°F and lows of 26°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Cusco.

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.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Fri): get outside with Outdoor Activities and then delve into the distant past at Sacsayhuaman.

For other places to visit, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Cusco online journey planner .

You can do a combination of bus and flight from Puno to Cusco in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Puno in August, Cusco is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 36°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) so you can travel to Machu Picchu.

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

Go for a jaunt from Machu Picchu to Santa Teresa to see Zipline about 32 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: steep yourself in history at Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, tour the pleasant surroundings at Los Jardines de Mandor, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia Virgen Del Carmen, and stop by Artesanias.

To see reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Machu Picchu road trip website .

Traveling by combination of bus and train from Cusco to Machu Picchu takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can travel to Cusco.

On the 25th (Tue), pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia De Santo Domingo, get engrossed in the history at Museo Quechua, then steep yourself in history at Plaza de Armas, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Cusco Cathedral.

To find more things to do, photos, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Cusco trip itinerary planner .

Getting from Machu Picchu to Cusco by combination of train and bus takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough to travel to Lima.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): take an in-depth tour of Museo de la Nacion, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, then walk around Circuito Magico Del Agua, and finally take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

For maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Lima travel planner .

Getting from Cusco to Lima by flight takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Cusco in August, plan for warmer nights in Lima, with lows around 60°F. On the 27th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.