How Long Does It Take To Backpack Peru?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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2 weeks

is a good amount of time to experience the highlights of Peru, allowing for a 4-day Inca Trail hike with a couple of days for acclimatisation. Here’s a 2-week Peru backpacking itinerary that includes the hike to Machu Picchu.

How many days is enough for Peru?

How much time should I spend in Peru? We recommend spending

ten days to two weeks

in Peru, as this allows visitors to visit plenty of the country’s major highlights along with some off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Is 2 weeks long enough in Peru?

Lima or Cusco? The first question many travelers have when planning their trip to Peru is whether they should fly into Lima or Cusco. Both cities seem like a good starting point for your 2-week Peru adventure. In general,

it really does not matter too much

.

Is 3 weeks enough for Peru?


Allocating 3 weeks in Peru is plenty of time

. It’s not too much and also not too short. With this time frame, you can definitely visit so many places around Peru and that includes a long stay in Cusco.

Is Peru cheaper than Mexico?

Cost of living in Peru is

7% cheaper

than in Mexico.

How hard is Machu Picchu?

The easiest approach is by train from Cusco along the floor of the Urubamba Valley, then by bus up to the entrance of the ruins. Alternatively, from the station at Aguas Calientes you can opt to take a strenuous walk up to Machu Picchu –

expect it to take 90 minutes to two hours

.

Is Peru expensive to visit?

For us independent travelers,

Peru can be a very inexpensive destination

, even though you will have to blow your budget to hike the Inca Trail or get out to Machu Picchu on the train and back. For a backpacker, yes, Peru is still a cheap place to travel.

Is Peru safe?

The threat of violent crime in most of Peru is no greater than many of the world’s major cities.

Traveling around Peru is relatively safe

, and the Shining Path Maoist rebel group has been largely disbanded. The Peru of today is a far cry from the militaristic repression, rebellion, corruption and terror of the past.

Is Lima worth visiting?


Lima is worth seeing

It’s home to more than a quarter of Peru’s roughly 30 million people, has wonderful food, the beautiful Miraflores district (where you can drink while overlooking beaches lined with small rocks that form eye-catching patterns each time the tide rolls out) and excellent museums.

How can I spend 14 days in Peru?

  1. DAY 1 – LIMA.
  2. DAY 2 – AMAZON RAINFOREST.
  3. DAY 3 – AMAZON RAINFOREST.
  4. DAY 4 – CUSCO.
  5. DAY 5 – SACRED VALLEY.
  6. DAY 6 – TREKKING THE INCA TRAIL.
  7. DAY 7 – TREKKING THE INCA TRAIL.
  8. DAY 8 – TREKKING THE INCA TRAIL.

How much money should I take to Peru?

Average Peru Travel Budget

Generally speaking, a daily budget of

$30-40 dollars

would be a justifiable amount. Make sure to check out the general prices of transport, accommodation and activities while planning your budget to ensure you have enough throughout your trip.

Is February a good month to visit Peru?

Visiting Peru in December — February


December to February can be the best time of year to visit Peru if you are travelling to the coastal regions, especially in the north

. You can expect temperatures to be hot and sunny at around a pleasant 29 ̊C. There will be very little rainfall in coastal regions.

Can US travel to Peru?


Direct flights to Peru from the U.S. are available

. Travelers should check https://travel.state.gov/ for country-specific travel information before traveling.

How do people spend a week in Peru?

  1. Fly Into Lima and Spend a Night.
  2. A Couple of Days Around Ica.
  3. A Night in Arequipa.
  4. A Night in Lake Titicaca.
  5. Spend the Rest of Your Time in Cusco.

How easy is it to travel around Peru?

Getting around Peru is

fairly safe and easy

. From boats to buses and trains, here are the best ways to travel around Peru. Rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, dodgy operators, and criminals can throw a spanner in the works when traveling. Here are some tips to make sure your journey is enjoyable, not painful.

Is Peru safer than Mexico?

In 2018 the US Department of State classified Peru as Level 1: Exercise Normal Caution and classified Mexico as Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. So statistically,

you may be safer in Peru than in Mexico

. But if you’ve got some street smarts and some common sense, traveling in both is fine.

Is it safe to drive around Peru?


The U.S. State Department warns against driving in Peru

, particularly at night or alone on rural roads at any time of day. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is the best option in many places, but trucks and jeeps are exceedingly expensive for most travelers.

Is February a good time to visit South America?

The best time to visit South America is between September and November.

Summer in South America is November-February

and the winter season is June-August. There’s also a rainy season in South America between January and March.

How far do you have to walk to get to Machu Picchu?

The distances involved in hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu are not that great. The entire 4-day trail hike is only

25 miles (40 km)

. However, the altitude, which at it’s highest point is 13,776 ft or 4200m, can cause problems even for the strongest hikers.

How fit do you need to be to go to Machu Picchu?

Treks to Machu Picchu vary in difficulty and length, but all require

a basic level of fitness

. In general you will be trekking anywhere between 10-15km a day, for up to six days on the longer routes (i.e. Choquequirao or Salkantay / Inca Trail Combo).

Can you go to Machu Picchu with kids?

Visiting Machu Picchu With Kids


There are three areas that you can access at Machu Picchu, depending on which ticket you purchase: the citadel ruins, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu

. The most kid-friendly — and the most popular overall — is the citadel.

How much is a Big Mac in Peru?

“In Peru, the Big Mac costs

S / 10.50

($3.20 US dollars), while in the United States it costs $5.74 (S / 18.88 at a current exchange rate of S / 3.29.

How much does a Coke cost in Peru?

Restaurants Edit Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

2.48S

/.
Water (12 oz small bottle) 1.75S/. Markets Edit Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 16.45S/.

What language do they speak in Peru?


Spanish

is the official language of Peru. It was introduced by Spanish colonists during the colonisation of the Incas in 1532.

Do they speak English in Lima?

English is not widely spoken overall in Peru, with an estimated proficiency of around 10% or less. However,

it is spoken more in Lima, Cusco, and other major central tourist spots, and by tour guides and younger people.

Is Peru poor?

The most recent official poverty numbers in Peru correspond to 2019 and indicate that the

national poverty rate was 20.2 percent while extreme poverty was 2.9 percent

. The national poverty line in local currency was 352 soles per capita per month and the national extreme poverty line was 187 soles per capita per month.

What should I avoid in Peru?

  • Don’t be afraid to share beer. …
  • Don’t be timid. …
  • Don’t expect lines. …
  • Don’t expect punctuality. …
  • Don’t expect everything to be spicy. …
  • Don’t be afraid to use “ya” …
  • Don’t say Chile does it better. …
  • Don’t be offended if you are asked your marital status.
Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.