Dreaming of a trip that takes you from Peru’s coastal cliffs to its soaring Andean peaks? This 2-week itinerary does just that—using Peru Hop for easy overland travel, we covered iconic sights like the Ballestas Islands, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, and of course, the legendary Machu Picchu.
Whether it’s your first time in South America or your fifth, this route offers an unforgettable blend of nature, culture, and history.
- Why visit Peru in April?
- Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Arrival in Lima – Explore Miraflores
- Day 2: Paracas & Huacachina – Nature to Oasis
- Day 3: Pisco Tour & Travel to Arequipa
- Day 4: Arequipa – Plaza Views & Alpacas
- Day 5: Colca Canyon or Chill in Arequipa
- Day 6: Travel to Puno – Scenic & Serene
- Day 7: Cusco Arrival – First Taste of the Andes
- Day 8: More of Cusco – Slow Day or Sacred Valley
- Days 9–11: Lares Trek – A Journey to Remember
- Day 12: Machu Picchu
- Day 13: Palcoyo Mountain – A Gentle but Stunning Day Hike
- Day 14: Flight to Lima – Final Walk & Coastal Farewell
- Day 15: Early Morning Flight Back Home
- Final Thoughts
Why visit Peru in April?
April is one of the best months to visit Peru:
- Rainy season is ending, so landscapes are lush, and skies are clearing
- Trails like the Lares and Inca Treks are more accessible
- Smaller crowds compared to peak months like June or July
Itinerary Overview
| Day | Location | Highlights |
| 1 | Lima | Miraflores, coastal walk, local eats |
| 2 | Paracas & Huacachina | Ballestas Islands, buffet lunch, desert oasis |
| 3 | Pisco Tour & Nazca | Vineyard visit, Nazca Lines, overnight bus |
| 4 | Arequipa | Plaza de Armas, alpacas, volcano views |
| 5 | Arequipa | Colca Canyon tour OR local sights |
| 6 | Puno | Lake Titicaca walk, rest day |
| 7 | Cusco | Walking tour, local shopping, San Blas |
| 8 | Cusco | Sacred Valley option, chocolate museum, café time |
| 9-11 | Lares Trek | Andean villages, mountain passes, Ollantaytambo |
| 12 | Machu Picchu | Covered in separate post |
| 13-14 | Cusco | Rainbow Mountain or rest days |
| 15 | Lima | Fly home |
Day 1: Arrival in Lima – Explore Miraflores
- Walk along the Malecón (coastal promenade)
- Visit Parque del Amor and Larcomar
- Use MultiRed ATMs to get local currency (no local fees, 400 PEN/day)
Where to Eat:
- Pan Atelier – Great bakery for breakfast
- Tori Pollería – Delicious local rotisserie chicken
Day 2: Paracas & Huacachina – Nature to Oasis
- Early Peru Hop bus to Paracas
- Boat tour to Ballestas Islands – sea lions, penguins, birds
- Buffet lunch by the sea (included in Peru Hop)
- Afternoon drive to Huacachina
Stay: Wild Olive Guesthouse – Cozy with amazing wood-fired pizza
Tip: Skip desert activities if you’ve done them before; Huacachina is a lively party hub
Day 3: Pisco Tour & Travel to Arequipa
- Visit a pisco vineyard (included in Peru Hop)
- Learn the pisco-making process + tasting
- Stop at Nazca Lines tower (see “Hands” and “Tree” figures)
- Overnight Peru Hop bus to Arequipa
Tip: Motion-sensitive? Skip the small-plane tour over Nazca
Day 4: Arequipa – Plaza Views & Alpacas
- Explore Plaza de Armas and Santa Catalina Monastery
- Visit Mundo Alpaca – pet alpacas, shop high-quality wool
- View Misti Volcano from Yanahuara
- Refresh at San Camilo Market (try fresh juice!)
Eat & Drink:
- Picantería La Dorita – Try rocoto relleno
- Waya – Great for dinner + cocktails
- Van Gogh Café and Oso Café – Chill spots for coffee
Day 5: Colca Canyon or Chill in Arequipa
Option A: Colca Canyon Day Trip
- Pickup at 3:30 AM, return ~9:00 PM
- View condors at Cruz del Condor, soak in hot springs
- Long but rewarding
Option B: Explore Locally
- Uber to Ruta del Sillar (half-day)
- Visit Inca Museum to see “Juanita the Ice Maiden”
- Street food dinner near Plaza – picarones and anticuchos
Day 6: Travel to Puno – Scenic & Serene
- Bus ride through Andean plains with stop at Lagunillas Lake (4,400m)
- Arrive in Puno ~1 PM
- Booked a cheap hotel room for rest (worth it!)
- Walked down to Lake Titicaca, lunch at Tulipan’s Restaurant
- Night bus to Cusco at 9 PM
Tip: Hydrate and rest—altitude here is noticeable
Day 7: Cusco Arrival – First Taste of the Andes
- Early check-in at Airbnb + coca tea welcome
- Explored Plaza de Armas, did laundry, joined a free walking tour
- Walked to San Blas for great views and artisan vibes
- Withdrew more cash from MultiRed ATM
- Started souvenir shopping
Day 8: More of Cusco – Slow Day or Sacred Valley
Option A: Sacred Valley Tour
- Visit Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero
- Full-day guided tour with stunning views
Option B: Slow Day (What We Did)
- Final shopping and packing for Lares Trek
- Visited ChocoMuseo – try chocolate and learn the process
- Café hopping in San Blas
Restaurants We Loved in Cusco:
- Taco Cusco – Best burritos
- Garhwal Indian – Alpaca tikka masala
- Mare Restaurant – Elegant seafood
- Café Dwasi
- Barbaros Food and Drink
Days 9–11: Lares Trek – A Journey to Remember
Covered in full detail in a separate post, “From Lares to the Lost City: A Journey to Machu Picchu Through the Andes“.
Day 12: Machu Picchu
Arrive early to avoid crowds. Explore the ruins, take it all in. Please visit “From Lares to the Lost City: A Journey to Machu Picchu Through the Andes“.
Day 13: Palcoyo Mountain – A Gentle but Stunning Day Hike
Instead of the more famous (and tougher) Rainbow Mountain trek, we chose to visit Palcoyo Mountain—and it turned out to be a fantastic decision.
- Booked a guided day trip with Machu Picchu Reservations
- Early morning pickup from Cusco (~4:30 AM)
- The drive to the trailhead is very rough.
Why Palcoyo?
- Much easier than Rainbow Mountain (shorter hike, less steep)
- Less crowded, more peaceful
- You actually see three different rainbow-colored mountains, not just one
- Stunning red valleys and views of the Ausangate glacier in the distance
Tip: Still prepare for altitude (5,000m+)—bring coca candy and layer up!
Returned to Cusco by late afternoon, with time to rest, reflect, and grab an early dinner.
Day 14: Flight to Lima – Final Walk & Coastal Farewell
We took a morning flight from Cusco to Lima, which gave us most of the afternoon to revisit Miraflores, where our journey began.
How we spent our final day:
- A slow walk along the Malecón, enjoying the sea breeze
- Final souvenir shopping in Larcomar
- Soaked up our last sunset over the Pacific
Final Meal in Lima:
- Went all in on a seafood feast—ceviche and grilled octopus
- A perfect, flavorful way to close the chapter on Peru
Day 15: Early Morning Flight Back Home
Just like that, it was time to say goodbye. We took an early flight out of Lima, feeling full—of food, of adventure, and of gratitude for everything Peru had shown us.
Tip: Give yourself at least 3 hours at Lima Airport, especially for early international flights.
Final Thoughts
This two-week adventure across Peru gave us everything—deserts, mountains, lakes, ruins, food, and culture. It was intense at times, but totally worth it. If you’re planning a trip and want variety with a bit of structure, we hope this guide helps you shape your perfect Peru itinerary.
Got questions about Peru Hop or your own travel plans? Drop a comment below—we’d love to help you plan your journey!
