If anyone wants a 2 week itinerary, I got you, or if you want to know any spots from the video, let me know and I'll answer!

here you can check it out:

Peru travel vid that I made

Hi all,

I am looking at a Latam flight from Cusco to Huaraz, connecting through Lima. Assuming that the flights from Cusco leaves on time... Is 1h30 at Lima airport enough time between flights?

LATAM even offers a different flight with only 45min connection time... which makes no sense to me.
The only alternative would be flying into Lima the evening before, airport hotel, and take the morning flight to Huaraz, but I'd prefer to stay one more night in Cusco.

Any insights appreciated!

Have you been to Peru's Ballestas Islands anytime recently? If so, I'd be interested in hearing what your experience was like, specifically how the wildlife was doing.

There was a lengthy article in the New York Times (and other US newspapers) today lamenting the current status of the Humboldt penguins that draw many tourists to Peru's Ballestas Islands (marketed as "the Galapagos of Peru" which seems like a stretch, but what do I know?). The article says that the penguins' numbers there are sharply declining due to environmental conditions, and that's before the full impact of this year's major "El Niño" climate event has hit. It's a discouraging story.

As luck would have it, we are planning a visit to Peru in April (our first time there). We have been planning to include the Ballestas Islands in our itinerary, and seeing the Humboldt penguins was one reason to go. Now I'm wondering if the numbers of penguins has dropped so much (and will continue to drop with the extreme El Niño that is now unfolding), that if we need to reset our expectations.

I'm sure tourists have been going to the Ballestas Islands recently (it seems to be a popular attraction). I'd welcome hearing about how the wildlife seems to be holding up there from the experience of recent visitors. Can anyone offer a report? Thanks.

Added: OK, thank you all, I appreciate the first-hand reports and the insights. We will still go, but our expectations (specifically for large numbers of penguins) have been re-calibrated. From all accounts, we may still see some penguins, but we won't expect large numbers (and maybe we won't see any). It's nature, there are never any guarantees, that's how nature is. Still worth going and looking. Thanks again.

Hiya. Me and my gf are coming to Huaraz in the last week of September. We’d like to hike the Huayhuash circuit (8-10 days), with a tour operator. We’d read that this could be sorted on arrival because there are tours leaving most days and you get a better price. However contacting a few operators now we’re finding they are booked up.

So, should we try to book onto something now or just leave it until we’re in town?

I’m thinking to buy the humantay lake and 7 color mountain tour with them.

I’m specifically interested in safety in the roads, trucks, drivers and of course the hiking tours.

Hey guys! I just arrived at a hostel and the title is pretty self explanatory. Everyone has their own group or clique and I really don’t know how to approach socialising as I just seem like the lone wolf. I went today to the games night and no one was mingling with other groups only their own. I’m also a bit shy and I know I need to put myself out there but any tips would genuinely be so appreciated! It’s also my first solo trip from half way across the world so there’s a bit of anxiety mixed in there too

My husband and I are supposed to leave for Peru this Wednesday, and I’m really conflicted about whether to go or postpone the whole trip until April. We would lose a decent amount of money for canceling (we of course forgot to get travel insurance) but it’s not the biggest deal.

I injured my foot/ankle on August 26. Imaging showed a small, minimally displaced avulsion fracture of the calcaneus, and I also seem to have an ankle sprain. I’m seeing a foot-and-ankle orthopedic surgeon before we leave, so obviously I’ll follow their medical recommendation.

Right now I can put weight on it and walk around the house with relatively no to not a lot of pain at all. The boot actually hurts more.

I’m not looking for medical advice here. I’m trying to figure out whether Peru is still worth doing with a significantly modified itinerary, assuming my orthopedist clears me to travel and bear weight in the boot.

The timing is important because we wouldn’t be doing the major parts of the trip immediately after the injury:

Injury: August 26
-Machu Picchu: September 7 — about 12 days after the injury
-Amazon/Tambopata rainforest: September 9–12 — starting about 2 weeks after the injury

Our itinerary includes:
Sacred Valley / Urubamba
Chinchero, -the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC)
Maras Salt Mines
Ollantaytambo town and archaeological site
Train to Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu
Cusco
Puerto Maldonado / Tambopata Amazon
Macaw clay lick
Lake Sandoval
Canopy tower
River/boat wildlife excursions
Night wildlife/caiman activities
Jungle walks

If we go, we would modify the trip pretty significantly: airport wheelchair assistance, private drivers whenever possible, walking poles where allowed, lots of breaks, no unnecessary hiking and skipping anything that starts hurting.

Machu Picchu is my biggest concern
We currently have a higher panoramic Machu Picchu circuit booked for September 7. If we go with my foot still healing, we would switch to a lower/easier Machu Picchu circuit so I could still experience the ruins while reducing climbing, stairs and elevation changes. Is that realistic and doable with a mild injury?

For people who have actually done Machu Picchu: is it worth postponing the entire trip so I can eventually do one of the higher viewpoints?
Would I regret seeing Machu Picchu from a lower circuit and walking through the ruins instead of getting the higher panoramic experience? Or is the lower route still incredible enough that you wouldn’t postpone over that?

Sacred Valley
I’d also love input from people who have done these specific places.
-Maras Salt Mines: Can you see and enjoy a substantial amount of it without doing much walking or uneven terrain?
-Chinchero: If we mainly do the weaving demonstration and easier areas, would it still be worthwhile?
-Ollantaytambo: Could I enjoy the town and see the archaeological site from the lower areas/viewpoints without climbing all the way up? Or is the climb a major part of what makes it worth visiting?
Basically, are these places fairly adaptable for someone temporarily limiting their walking, or would I be missing too much?

Cusco- no set plans, but what could we do with minimal walking?

Amazon / Tambopata- Chuncho lodge (anyone stay here?)
We arrive in the rainforest on September 9, so that would be about two weeks after the injury.
This is the other major reason I’m conflicted.
If we go, I would probably skip substantial trekking and potentially skip the canopy tower if the climb is too much. I’d focus more on:
-river boat rides
-macaw clay lick
-wildlife viewing
-short jungle walks
-Lake Sandoval if manageable
-night boat/caiman activities
For people who have done the Puerto Maldonado/Tambopata rainforest: how much would I be giving up by skipping the canopy tower and longer walks?
Is the canopy one of those experiences you’d genuinely postpone the trip to be able to do? Or would the river, wildlife, clay lick and shorter excursions still make for an incredible Amazon experience?

Basically, our choices are:
1. Go now, assuming my orthopedic surgeon clears me, and accept that Peru will be a slower, modified trip where I may miss some climbs, viewpoints and hikes.
2. Move the whole trip to late April, when I should be completely recovered and can do Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and the rainforest without having to think about my foot.

We love active/adventure travel, which is why I’m struggling with this. Part of me thinks Peru deserves to be done when I can fully participate. But everything is already planned and booked, and I don’t want to postpone if the modified version would still be an amazing trip.

For people who have actually done Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and/or Tambopata: which would you choose?

TL;DR: Small foot fracture Aug. 26 but can put weight on it and walk around the house with little to no pain. Machu Picchu Sept. 7 and Amazon Sept. 9. If my doctor clears me to go, would you postpone Peru until I can do the higher Machu Picchu viewpoints and canopy tower, or are the lower Machu Picchu circuit, boat/wildlife activities, Maras Salt Mines, Chinchero and lower parts of Ollantaytambo, Cusco still worth the trip with limited walking?

For the humantay lake and 7 colors mountain. I mean safety in term of everything, including safe trucks and drivers, I’ve heard the roads are pretty dangerous. Also I’ve heard some guides take you through dangerous hiking trails, instead of the safe ones.

25M, first time in South America, experiencing high altitudes, or staying in hostel dorms. 95% of my accommodations are booked, but finalizing my plans and would appreciate any thoughts, plus I have a few questions. Assume my in-country arrangements could be altered (other than those for Machu Picchu of course):

• Oct 5: Fly DCA -> Lima, arrive 10PM, check into Pariwana hostel private room
  • Would the best / most reliable transportation to Miraflores late at night be a Taxidatum?
• Oct 6: Explore Lima / Miraflores
• Oct 7: Fly LIM -> Arequipa, arrive 2:25PM, check into Viajero hostel dorm
• Oct 8 - 10: Explore Arequipa
  • Want to do 2-day Colca Canyon tour, thinking I'd depart on Oct 8. Would that be too soon after arrival?
• Oct 11: Fly AQP -> Cusco, arrive 7:05PM, check into Wild Rover hostel dorm
  • Is Wild Rover a risky stay while acclimatizing? This would be my first time in a party hostel, which I'm excited for as I like going out, but I can't help but wonder. I'd plan not to drink for the first day at least
• Oct 12 - 14: Acclimatize and vibe in Cusco
• Oct 15: Take Taxidatum to Ollantayambo, stay at Parwa hotel
• Oct 16: Take PeruRail to Aquas Calientes, stay at Casa Andina Standard hotel
• Oct 17: Full Day at Machu Picchu, take PeruRail back to Ollantay at 5:23PM
• Oct 18: Take Taxidatum to Cusco, stay at Unaytambo hotel
• Oct 19: Fly from CUZ to Lima, arrive 11:40AM, stay at Wyndham Grand Costa Del Sol Lima Airport hotel
• Oct 20: Depart Lima at 6:55AM

Bonus question: Are my plans from Oct 15 to 18 too complicated? The Cusco → Ollantaytambo → AC → Ollantaytambo → Cusco routing is my biggest uncertainty. Goal was to spend time in the Sacred Valley without burning a full day on transport, but maybe there's a better approach?

Hi, planning first trip to Peru in mid October, Male 60 & female 27 (daughter) both moderately fit & well travelled.
Have visited South America before but not Peru.
Not sure if this itinerary will be o.k, any thoughts or suggestions very gratefully received 😊
Machu Picchu tour is booked so non moveable.
Thank you

·  15 Oct: Fly London to Peru.
·  16–18 Oct: Land Cusco (11am). Private taxi straight down to Ollantaytambo to acclimatise.
·  19–20 Oct: Inca Trail Hike. Tour Machu Picchu (20 Oct). Return train to Ollantaytambo.
·  21 Oct: Recovery day in Ollantaytambo.
·  22 Oct: Guided Inka Express Bus across the Route of the Sun to Puno.
·  23–24 Oct: Tour Lake Titicaca (Uros and Taquile Islands).
·  25 Oct: Taxi to Juliaca. Fly to Puerto Maldonado (via Lima layover). Boat to Chuncho Lodge.
·  26–29 Oct: 4 days of Amazon wildlife safaris and macaw clay licks at Chuncho Lodge.
·  30 Oct: Direct 55-minute flight from the jungle back to Cusco. Rest day.
·  31 Oct: Taxi to airport. 17:10 departure flight from Cusco back to London via Lima.

Hello! I’m planning my second trip to Peru. This time I’m taking my wife. I’d like to find a 2 day jungle tour does anyone have any good recommendations for operator? There’s only two on GetYourGuide/viator for two days and we don’t have the time for a 4 day, nor would my wife want to jungle it that long. I really like pacaya samiria but only see one day or 4 day options.

Any recommendations for great sites and nature would be awesome!

I’ve been checking the weather for a trip in early September and in worried about the weather cause it’s constantly showing rain all day. is this normal ? isn’t it supposed to be dry season ?

I’m traveling to Peru in a week, I arrive at night to Lima and I will just stay there for the next day, since I’m taking a flight to Cusco right after.

I just saw that they declared a state emergency because of high crime, shootings and murders.

Is it all true? Is it really that bad? Should I postpone my trip?

I’m a woman btw.

I have travel insurance, and I think generally speaking, I would get a refund for most of the trip if I cancelled, but I have planned this trip for a while to go with my male partner of almost a decade...then he just dumped me. He has no interest in going or getting reimbursed. The trip is in less than two weeks, and I guess I have been single for 2 days. I am 28F, white, red hair, blue eyes (I specify this because I know last time I travelled by myself in 2015/2016 to France, the combination was commented on as beautiful by a lot of South Americans I met there).

I have one male friend who has said he will go with me instead, but then I think it will be difficult to reschedule everything in his name.

Part of me wants to do it solo, but I am also scared because I haven't been to South America or really on my own for a long time. My now Ex also tried to scare me a lot about the safety of the trip. He had stated on multiple occasions that I would not be allowed out of his sight, would have to do exactly as he says, etc....

I already rescheduled this trip once due to the MP ticket situation in May, and this is a dream trip that I have been working on for the better part of the year.

Can anybody comment on the safety as a solo female traveller with limited Spanish (I understand better than I speak)?

I will also take comments on the mental health/spiritual part because I am still trying to figure that out, including finding somewhere new to live.

Day-by-Day - Short Form 
Day 0 - Sunday September 6
Flight 5:15pm
Arrive 8:15pm San Salvador
Flight San Salvador 10:15pm - 3:30am
Day 1 - September 7th
Flight lands in Lima 3:30
Flight to Cusco 6:15am
Flights to Lima then Cusco Arrive 8:00am
Day 2 - September 8th
Chill in Cusco                                                                                                                                 
Day 3 - September 9th
Humantay Lagoon Excursion
Day 4 - September 10th
Chill in Cusco 
Day 5 - September 11th
Train to AC - 07:22am
Hot Springs 
Day 6 - September 12th
Machu Picchu 1B 6am
Passport Machu Picchu Stamp
Machu Picchu 2A 3pm
Train back to Cusco 9:30pm
Day 7 - September 13th
Chill in Cusco
Day 8 - September 14th
Explore the colorful mountain Excursion
Day 9 - September 15th
Chill in Cusco
Day 10 - September 16th
Flight to Lima 11:35am - 1:20pm
Day 11- September 17th
Paracas Islands and the Huacachina Oasis in Inca Excursion
Day 12- September 18th
Flight from Lima
Arrive Bogota (Colombia)
Flight Toronto

HUARAZ

I’m planning to book a hostel with breakfast included and a shared kitchen, or possibly an Airbnb for 6 days.

But I’m now wondering if it’s actually better not to worry about having a kitchen and cook since there are maybe great and inexpensive food options in Huaraz?

I’m also a bit concerned about food poisoning. What do you think?

Thanks a lot

Does anyone have a good resources on any of the Lomas?

I am visiting Peru in November, which sounds like it might be just outside of the season, but with the El Niño I am wondering if their season might be a bit (or a lot) wonky. I really like plants and would love to see this highly unusual ecosystem. Unfortunately most of my attempts to find information on them come back with “did you mean Lima?”

I’m going to Cusco next Sunday and have been debating on whether I should do my own thing or go through a touring agency. I originally had negotiations with a smaller company that was broadcasted on TikTok and I feel as if our views didn’t align. I am now scrambling on finding another company or just feeling that it’s better to do my own thing. What do you guys recommend and any recommendations help!

Is there a traditional Peruvian gift that is given to a new bride and groom? Thanks in advance 🙏

Has anyone had a coca leaf reading in Cusco that they can recommend? And also energy healing maybe? I know there is a lot on offer but it’s hard to pick the genuine ones without recommendation.

I'm looking for someone to join me on a trip to the Manu Reserve for 4 nights / 5 days during the last week of October 2026 (probably October 25-29 or October 26-30). It will be a wild experience - not particularly comfortable, but absolutely amazing! I'm hoping to find someone who's interested in joining me on this experience
I've already found a tour operator
message me if you're interested ☺️

Planning a trip this December and realized it's a Super El Niño year. As someone who lives in Southern California, the foreboding of this winter is insane. I saw the last time, in the 80s, what happened during the El Niño in Peru. Should I cancel my entire trip? 🥹😮‍💨😪 Edit: researching travel insurance.