Chile in South America was a whirlwind — an exhilarating hit-and-run that unveiled its dramatic landscapes and surreal beauty. We cherished every moment, but it was time to return and embrace the magic of 3 weeks in Peru. During our first couple of weeks in Peru, we only got a chance to visit Lima, Cusco and lake Titicaca. We hiked to Machu Picchu, visited the Sacred Valley and enjoyed the slopes of Rainbow-Colored Mountains. After Bolivia and Chile, we spent an extra 3 weeks in Peru, exploring the extraordinary coastline from south to north.
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3 Weeks in Peru Itinerary & Map
This itinerary covers 3 weeks in Peru, starting in Arequipa and finishing in Huaraz. It is also the second part of our adventures in Peru, one of our favorite travel destinations. Our South America trip started in Lima and continued to Cusco. From here we drove to Puno and entered Bolivia later on. We visited la Paz and Uyuni Salt Flats. Then, we reached the Atacama Desert in Chile. Later we finished our journey in South America with the last 3 weeks in Peru.
Days 1-3: Arequipa
We entered Peru through Arica, just on the border with Chile in South America. Here, we took the bus to Tacna, where we had our connection to Arequipa. The buses from Arica to Tacna leave approx. every 30 minutes. But, there is not an exact schedule you can rely on. Once at the border, everyone needs to disembark the bus and go through the passport control. In our case, this was a rather fast process. As soon as we were done, we hopped back on the bus and continued our drive.
If you’re entering Peru for the first time, Tacna will be the first city you’ll meet. Here, you can buy a sim card at the bus terminal and then continue your trip to Arequipa. We arrived in Arequipa at night. Unfortunately, at the time of our stay, there was a mining conference going on. This, in turn, meant that accommodation availability was restricted and that the remaining room prices were largely inflated.
If you are already in Peru, you can get to Arequipa from Puno, on the Titicaca Lake, as well. Also you can hop on a bus from Nazca or Paracas.
On the next day, we decided to explore Arequipa. We joined a walking tour that showed us around the main landmarks and provided some insights on the historical importance of the city.
As soon as you arrive in Arequipa, you feel like you’re not in Peru anymore. Perhaps it’s the white rock buildings or the Spanish influence, but Arequipa feels more developed than anywhere else we’ve visited during the 3 weeks in Peru.
Arequipa is located in a valley, at the feet of three volcanoes, which have threatened its existence over the years. The city used to be known for its wine production. But, continuous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions eradicated these efforts, through the destruction of large parts of land. Nevertheless, today it is still possible to enjoy local wines and the famous “chicha”. This is a fermented corn beer with a sweet-sour taste. It is a must try during your stay!
We only stayed one day in Arequipa before heading to Colca Canyon.
Colca Canyon – one of the deepest canyons in the world
From Arequipa there are a couple of tours you can do. In our case, we decided to hike one of the deepest canyon in the world, the Colca Canyon. We didn’t find the other tours on offer too interesting. So, having left only 3 weeks in Peru, we limited our decision to one tour.
There are different ways you can visit the Colca Canyon:
- You can choose between a 2-day or a 3-day trek, for the best viewpoints of the deepest canyon;
- Choose a hop-on-hop-off tour, which will make several stops at the main attractions;
- Organize the trip without a tour and visit the canyon independently.
I cover the details of the options above in my post on hiking in the Colca Canyon. When comparing the experiences, they are quite different to each other. Just keep in mind that hiking one of the deepest canyons in the world is not for everyone. Be mindful of your physical capabilities and make your research before you start such adventure.
After returning from the trek in the Colca Canyon, we spent the evening in Arequipa. Late that night, we hopped on a night bus to our next destination, Nazca. Although buses take longer, they’re also cheaper. To save time, on longer distances, we opted for night buses. Many providers offer cozy blankets and comfortable reclinable seats for a good night of sleep.
Day 4: Nazca
We arrived at the Nazca bus station early in the morning. Actually, we almost missed it as the driver announced the stop very quietly on the microphone. Luckily, I was half awake and checked the map to see where we were. It was then that I noticed that the bus was starting to move out of Nazca.
Once we picked our backpacks, we were soon approached by two individuals with offers on flights over the Nazca lines. We bargained the best price with Aero Fenix and together we drove to the airport. The company is owned by Aeronasca, so I would recommend looking into their tour prices as well. The airport was just a couple of minutes drive from the bus station. Then the endless waiting game began.
We were at the airport around 8 am, but we waited until 12 am before hoping on the airplane. We didn’t know it before, but groups have a priority. Guess what? That morning there were at least 2 big groups in front of us.
We booked the panoramic route. Once on the plane, we received instructions and a map on where to spot the Nazca lines. Generally, no one knows how and why the Nazca lines were created. So, aside of seeing the figures from above, we did not receive much more information.
One of the reasons, the Nazca lines can still be seen today is the dry climate and favorable weather conditions. Apparently, there are still many more figures spread around the territory that only military planes can fly over. Every year, many tourists visit the Nazca lines for the ancient mystery that surrounds its creation. It is one of the most visited attractions in Peru, alongside the UNESCO world wonder of Machu Picchu.
I would describe the experience as checking a bucket item off the list. Nothing more, nothing less.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I choose an airline company to see the Nazca lines?
Before heading to Nazca, we compared reviews and prices online to decide which tour to choose. My tip is to do your research first to set a baseline price. This will often give you leverage to negotiate. - What is the best time to visit the Nazca lines in South America?
If you want to see the Nazca lines, the best time to do so is in the morning. This is because weather can worsen during the day and clouds or fog can limit visibility. - Is it worth visiting the Nazca lines?
I recommend visiting only if it’s along your travel route. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it features around 300 geoglyphs, making it a bucket list item. But, I personally found the experience lacking.
Days 5-7: Huacachina
After finishing the flight over the Nazca lines, a driver of the flight agency took us to the bus station. Here, we booked ourselves on a bus to Ica. Then, we took a taxi to Huacachina, a desert oasis just outside the city borders. Aside of a taxi or a tuk tuk there are no other options to reach the desert oasis.
As soon as we arrived, we hurried up on one of the sand dunes for sunset. While the crowds of tourists were leaving the place, a peaceful atmosphere started to reign around us. We initially planned to stay only one night. But, we wanted to savor the moment a bit longer so extended by two more.
You can visit Huacachina on a day trip as well. There are many leaving from Paracas, for instance.
On the next day, we booked a Buggy tour and in the afternoon we went exploring the surrounding sand dunes. These are some of the main recommended activities in the desert oasis. We also got the opportunity to try sandboarding and see the sun setting down on the horizon.
Each Buggy tour is quite similar, both price wise and experience wise. I would not recommend renting a proper snowboard or skis with bindings at an extra cost though. We saw many people struggle, as the sand didn’t allow you to glide as on snow. This will also make turning more difficult. Also, you’ll spend more time trying to get up from the falls than actually enjoying the downhill.
To finish the day we hiked one of the biggest sand dunes in South America. We stayed there for sunset and enjoyed the views of the desert oasis from above. I still think back at that moment as one of my favorite of our last 3 weeks in Peru.
On the last day here, we rented two boards and went sandboarding on our own on the neighboring sand dunes. This type of sandboarding is rather horizontal than vertical. In fact, you lie on your belly on the board while running down the sand dune. In any case, the speed you pick up on the rundown and the pleasant wind make the experience unforgettable!
Day 7: Paracas
From Huacachina we went to Ica where we took a bus to Paracas. In just 1 hour, we arrived. On the same day, we looked for a tour to the Ballestas Islands. My advice is to price check with the different agencies before booking a tour. We booked with a company located near the entrance to the harbor and they were the cheapest. Cheap doesn’t mean more dangerous or unorganized though. In fact, since they owned the boats they were also able to offer lower prices. At the same time, other agencies secured some spots at a premium, which they then rolled-down to customers.
The tour to the islands was rather short. It took approx. 2 hours in the morning and we saw a variety of marine life. From penguins, to sea lions and different species of birds.
The mild water temperatures drive many animals to these islands during the reproductive months. During our visit we got the chance to see many adorable baby sea lions.
Days 8-21: Huaraz
From Paracas we first took the bus to Lima. Here we had a connecting bus to Huaraz on the same day. This was the longest we’ve ever been on the road on our South America trip. It took us around 24 hours.
We arrived in Huaraz, the hiking capital of Peru, early in the morning. As a first thing, we walked to our hostel where we checked-in and rested a bit. Then, we went to the city center and checked out some of the tours.
As big hiking lovers, we were very exited to explore some of the surrounding trails. In fact, Huaraz is one of the most popular hiking destinations in South America. After some research, we opted for Laguna 69 and Cordillera Huayhuash trek. So far, Huayhuash made it up to the top of my list as the best hiking trail in South America.
What an unbelievable way to finish up our last 3 weeks in Peru. Without coming to Huaraz, I don’t think this South America trip would have had the same meaning.
These 3 weeks in Peru literally stole our hearts!
If you’d like to explore some other South America itinerary ideas, check out the other posts on the blog:
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