🇵🇪 Our Peru Itinerary (Pre-Baby Edition!)

Before we had our little one, we took a trip to Peru that still ranks as one of our all-time favorites.

I was working remotely during the first 5 days of this trip, so depending on your schedule and travel style, you might want to adjust how long you stay in each place.

Here’s what our itinerary looked like — plus some honest recs from our time there.

✈️ Arrive in Lima — 5 Days

We based ourselves in Surquillo (which borders Miraflores). Surquillo is typically more affordable, and the areas near Miraflores feel safe and walkable.

🍽 Where to Eat in Lima

Food in Lima is unreal. Every meal felt like an experience. These are a few favorites we still dream about:

• Panchita – Classic Peruvian comfort food, generous portions, and a lively Miraflores vibe.
• Punto Azul – Famous for seafood. Some say there are “better” spots, but we loved the freshness and friendly service here.
• Manolo’s – Stop by for churros and coffee after exploring Kennedy Park. They also serve sandwiches if you want something heartier.
• Panadería San Antonio – Our go-to for breakfast and empanadas. Don’t skip their ice cream!

If you’re into local gems and hole-in-the-wall finds, I’ll share those in another post soon.

🏔 Cusco — 7 Days

We explored Cusco mostly on our own and booked most tours once we arrived — except for Machu Picchu, which you definitely want to reserve in advance.

Must-Sees in Cusco

• Machu Picchu – Magical, no matter how many photos you’ve seen.
• Wayna Picchu – Book early! The hike and views are incredible. You’ll do this the same day as Machu Picchu since you pass through Machu Picchu to get to the Wayna Picchu entrance.
• Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) – Worth the early start and the altitude.
• Lake Humantay - A bright turquoise alpine lake with one of the most stunning views I’ve seen
• Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket – You can buy a combo ticket to visit multiple ruins. We loved:
  • Sacsayhuamán
  • Ollantaytambo

More details (and how we managed altitude) coming in our upcoming Cusco post.

🌵 Ica & Huacachina — Day Trip from Lima

This desert oasis was such a highlight. We only did a day trip but wished we stayed overnight.

It’s about a 4-hour drive from Lima, and we used Peru Hop, which made everything easy and stress-free.

If you go, try:

• Sandboarding at the dunes
• A dune buggy ride at sunset
• The “poor-man’s Galapagos” boat tour

💛 Final Thoughts

Peru blew us away — from Lima’s food scene to Cusco’s ancient energy and the golden dunes of Huacachina.

It’s one of those trips that lingers long after you’re home.

We stayed 15 days total (with the first and last days as travel days).