Booking Day Trips and Experiences
Most hotels and hostels offer ideas and services for excursions and experiences. Many are packed full of maps and leaflets detailing local companies. Others offer their own things like cooking classes and Spanish lessons. When booking day trips or short excursions, I used Find Local Trips, one of South America’s largest and most trusted tour booking platforms.
Free Walking Tours in Peru
In Lima, Cusco and Arequipa I made use of the free walking tours (payment based only on tips). I used the company Free Walking Tour Peru in both Lima (for Downtown Lima and Barranco walking tours) and Cusco (for an orientation and history walk) and highly recommend them both for cultural and historical insights, as well as a good balance of fun.
Go on a free walking tour in Cusco for orientation and an introduction to Inca history and culture
Where to Stay in Peru
I lived it up in a luxury hotel as well as stayed in a dorm and private room at a hostel. There’s a mix of everything in the city to suit all budgets and preference of atmosphere from quiet to party.
Where to Stay in Lima
- Casa Andina Premium – Beautiful boutique-style hotel on a quiet street just a couple of blocks from Parque Kennedy
- Pariwana Hostel – One of the hostels you hear about on the grapevine. Close to the beach and complete with terrace and bar, table tennis table and continental breakfast
- Alpes Lima – I stayed in both their dorm room property (home to the rooftop bar) and their second property two blocks away that has private rooms and a quieter environment
- Pool Paradise Lima – The only hostel in Miraflores with an outdoor pool
- The Point – For those wanting to hang out in the arty, hip neighbourhood of Barranco
Where to Stay in Paracas
- Paracas Backpackers House – More chilled, family-run hostel just a five-minute walk to the coastline
- Kokopelli Backpackers – More of a party hostel, with its own pool and lively bar
Where to Stay in Huacachina / Ica
- Banana’s Adventure Hostel – New, funky, modern touches and great atmosphere. The place I wish I had stayed after finding it
- Casa de Arenas – The biggest hostel in this tiny town, complete with bar and pool but is a little worn and the staff attitude isn’t very welcoming
- Le Casa de Bamboo – The quiet traveller’s option, complete with a small bar
Where to Stay in Nazca / Nasca
Not many people stay overnight in Nazca, instead, they pass through on the way to Arequipa. For those wanting to chill here and break up the journey, the following places were recommended
- Nazca Travel One – Central, family-run establishment
- Hotel Alegria – Considered one of the best hotels in this area and also has a pool
Where to Stay in Arequipa
- Casa de Avila – I adored this cosy, quiet 3-star hotel and treated myself to four nights here (at only $40 a night) to get some proper rest pre and post-Colca Canyon trek. It’s less than a 10-minute walk to the very centre and the Plaza de Armas. You can also take a Peruvian cooking class here.
- Wild Rover– The party hostel with a pool. Part of the Irish hostel chain across Peru
- Flying Dog – The quieter, chill out hostel with lounge areas and easy access to the centre of the city
Where to Stay in Puno
- Suites Independencia – We left our bags here as we explored on day trips before catching the night bus, but a friend stayed overnight so I got to see the rooms. Basic, spacious room right in the very centre of town.
- Pacha Suites is also a centrally based accommodation and was a mid-range option that was recommended
- Staying with a local family found on Airbnb was an option I was recommended by fellow travellers for those wanting an authentic homestay experience on Lake Titicaca. Using Airbnb for the first time? Use this link and get £25 travel credit when you sign up.
Where to Stay in Cusco
- Casa del Carmen – A family-run, quiet, cosy residence located in the cool arty district of San Blas. Carmen is very motherly and always on hand to help, although the only downside is you may be asked to move around if you are there for many days as there doesn’t seem to be a set system in place for the rooms. But for $25 for a private room in central Cusco, I wasn’t going to complain too much.
- Wild Rover – The party hostel option in Cusco for revelling travellers
- The popular Kokopelli Backpackers chain in Peru also has a base in Cusco. It’s right on the main square, although it can be pricey.
The Best Way to Visit Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
Getting to Machu Picchu is undoubtedly the highlight of Peru, and figuring out the best treks and Machu Picchu tours and days trips, remain the eternal questions in planning.
Machu Picchu Treks
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – The most popular of all, this four-day trek takes you through various communities and the ancient Incan ruins of the Sacred Valley, set within stunning Andean scenery. The final day marks the start of a pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise as you enter the magnificent Machu Picchu.
A lifeline of Peru tourism, it’s important to visit Machu Picchu in the most responsible and ethical way possible. G Adventures have been awarded as the best operators for the Inca Trail route for this reason.
Nothing beats a visit to Machu Picchu in the Sacred Valley, Peru
The Salkantay Trek – Dubbed as an alternative to the Inca Trail, this route crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4600m, following a trail descending down into cloud forest. The final point of the hike is to the Inca site of Llactapata, where you get the first look of Machu Picchu from a distance.
The Lares Trek – This three-day hike through the mountains of the Sacred Valley is more about the untouched natural scenery than Inca ruins, reaching highs of 4800m. The scenic train journey from Ollayntambo to Aguas Calientes completes your trip to Machu Picchu.
Want to trek to Machu Picchu?