Backpacking Peru Travel Guide

Peru is a magical destination, deserving its place on anyone’s bucket list.  Most people come to see one of the new wonders of the world – Machu Picchu – but Peru is so much more than Machu Picchu.  Backpacking Peru is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, so prepare yourself for one hell of a ride with this backpackers’ Peru guide.  I’ll give you the low-down on how to backpack Peru safely, with info on how to get around, where to go, what to eat and much more, so you’ll be a real Peru backpacker pro!

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Essential Information for Peru

Capital City: Lima

Population: Approximately 33.5 million people

Language: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara

Currency: Peruvian Sol (check the exchange rate here)

Where is Peru?

Backpacking Peru - Where is Peru
Backpacking Peru – Where is Peru. Credit Wikipedia

Peru is on the west coast of South America, bordering Ecuador to the north, Bolivia to the south-east, Chile to the south, and Brazil to the east.  Peru’s coastline stretches along the Pacific, and Eastern Peru is bordered by the Amazon Rainforest. 

Peru is much larger than I realised, and travelling between cities can take a long time by bus.  Most visitors fly into Lima or cross the land borders from Ecuador or Bolivia and continue their journey backpacking in South America.

Entry & Visa Requirements for Peru

Americans, Australians, Canadians, and British nationals don’t need a visa to enter Peru as a tourist.  Be sure to check with the Peruvian consulate in your area for the exact requirements and processes to apply for a visa if your country requires one.

If you need to arrange any visas, Embassy Pages has a list of all the embassies and consulates for countries around the world, or you can use a company like iVisa to take care of everything for you for an extra fee.

On arrival, you are usually given permission to stay for up to 90 days, and you may be asked for proof of onward travel, which is more likely if you fly in.  Check the time you have been granted on your arrival stamp, if you overstay you will have to pay a fine and may be detained.  See also the vaccination requirements below.

To avoid the risk of me providing incorrect or out of date information please do check official government advice before planning your Peru trip.

British travellers should use the UK Government website for up to date travel advice and entry restrictions when planning to go backpacking in Peru.

Americans can use the Department of State website, Canadians click here, and Australians can use has Smart Traveller to help.

If your country isn’t listed here – a quick google search for “(country name) gov travel advice” should bring up the relevant information for your country.  

A Blue lake with mountains in the background - Laguna Querococha in Peru - Peru Backpackers Guide
Laguna Querococha in Peru – Peru Backpackers Guide

Health Concerns and Vaccinations for Peru

There are not currently any COVID restrictions regarding travel to Peru, but check with the official government website and your airline before you travel as circumstances can change quickly.

A Yellow Fever certificate may be required for some travellers to Peru, especially those who have travelled to a country with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission such as Brazil.  Please see this travel health website for further information, and consult with your doctor or health professional to check current recommendations.  

All travellers should ensure their routine vaccinations and boosters are up to date, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.  Hepatitis A and tetanus are also recommended for most travellers, and other vaccinations such as rabies, and typhoid are also recommended in some cases. 

There is also a risk of Zika in some parts of Peru, so speak to your doctor before travelling if you are pregnant or trying for a baby.

If you plan to visit the Amazon in Peru, you should ask your doctor or medical clinic about malaria prevention.

Altitude in Peru

There are areas in Peru that are at high altitudes, including Cusco, Puno, the Colca Canyon and Kuelap.  If you are flying into Cusco with the intent of hiking to Machu Picchu, make sure you allow yourself a few days to acclimatize to the high altitude. 

Machu Picchu itself is at a lower altitude than Cusco, but if you are trekking to Machu Picchu, you may reach heights of 4000 metres above sea level.  Remember that in that case, you will also need to make sure your travel insurance covers you for hiking at high altitudes. 

Altitude sickness can be extremely serious, although a headache and tiredness are common symptoms and nothing to worry about.  Drink plenty of water and take paracetamol to help with a headache.  If you feel sick, nauseous or disorientated, seek medical attention immediately.

READ MORE: Coping with High Altitude at Machu Picchu

Gocta Waterfall in Northern Peru - Backpacking Peru Travel Tips
Gocta Waterfall in Northern Peru – Backpacking Peru Travel Tips

Is Peru Safe?

Generally speaking, yes Peru is safe for tourists.  However, as with any destination, there are certain precautions you should take to reduce any risks, especially in major cities like Lima and Cusco

Avoid walking around alone at night, don’t carry large amounts of money, and only use cash machines during the day.  There have been issues with fake taxis and ‘express kidnappings’ where taxis drive tourists to a cash point and force them to take out all their money. 

Be careful when you arrive at the airport or at any destination, especially after a long journey when you are tired and particularly vulnerable.  Choose official taxis where you can.  Ask for advice from fellow travellers, and from your hostel or accommodation about where is safe to go, and where is best to avoid.

Rural and isolated areas have their own dangers associated with them, so if you do any activities there such as ziplining, rafting or hiking, make sure you go with an authorised tour operator, that their equipment is in a good condition, and that your travel insurance covers such activities – including hiking at altitude if you plan to hike the Inca trail or any other high altitude hikes in Peru

If you have an accident in a remote area it can take a while to get medical assistance to you, and that includes the Inca Trail and trek to Machu Picchu.

Heavy rain is common during the rainy season from November to April, and flooding and landslides aren’t uncommon, especially in the northern areas of Peru around Tumbes, Trujillo, Piura and Lima.  If possible, visit northern Peru during the dry season or keep a close eye on weather reports.

Why go Backpacking in Peru?

Due to the popularity of Machu Picchu, Peru is actually one of the most tourist-friendly countries in South America and is perfect for backpackers.  There is a good infrastructure around Lima and Cusco, so is a great starting point for beginners or solo travellers who might be a little nervous about backpacking in South America for the first time. 

Machu Picchu is still one of the highlights of all of my travel adventures and really is worth the trip.  But don’t just come here for that.  The food, people, history and culture of Peru all combine to make any Peru backpacker adventure absolutely unforgettable.

Peru is also ideally located to combine with a visit to other South American destinations.  Popular backpacking itineraries for Peru often include trips to neighbouring Bolivia, in particular Lake Titicaca, La Paz and the Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats, or to Ecuador and Colombia to the north. 

The Desert Oasis of Huacachina Peru
The Desert Oasis of Huacachina Peru

Nature and Scenery in Peru

Peru is a country of contrasts.  Miles of sandy desert border the coastline, and cover a large part of southern Peru.  The expanses of ‘nothing’ are spectacular in themselves, especially if you go sandboarding! 

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, and Colca Canyon is nearly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, so Peru is not to be underestimated. 

And let’s not forget the Amazon, where you can stay in a jungle lodge, go piranha fishing and spot incredible wildlife in one of the most bio-diverse places in the world.

Food in Peru

Peruvian cuisine is one of the best in the world.  Ceviche is a classic Peruvian dish made with raw fish marinated in lime juice, served with sweet potato, sliced red onion and crunchy corn.  Avocados are served with many dishes here, and rice and chips (fries) accompany practically every meal. 

Fusion cuisine is also big here, lomo salteado is a delicious dish of stir-fried steak pieces with vegetables, served on top of a bed of chips.  Chifa is also popular here, where Chinese immigrants brought their own style of cooking and combined it with local flavours to create Chinese-Peruvian food like fried rice. 

Street food is a great way to eat well and cheaply, you can find snacks, drinks and fruit for sale all over the place.

More unusual Peruvian dishes to try include anticuchos, barbecued beef heart skewers, alpaca and llama steaks, and guinea pig.  Guinea pigs are a cheap, sustainable meat source in rural communities, and although we may cringe at eating family pets, spit-roasted guinea pigs make for interesting photographs if nothing else!

Pisco is the Peruvian spirit, made by fermenting grapes – you haven’t been to Peru until you’ve tried a pisco sour made with pisco, lime juice and egg white.

A Plate of ceviche - raw fish with shredding red onion and lime juice served with large yellow corn and a slice of sweet potato - traditional food in Peru
Delicious Ceviche – traditional food in Peru

Peru Travel Guide – What to Do in Peru

Peru has something to satisfy every taste.  Foodies will love sampling Peruvian cuisine from street food to Michelin starred restaurants in Lima.  History buffs can visit dozens of archaeological sites to learn about indigenous cultures in Peru including the Inca, and much earlier civilisations. 

That isn’t to say that modern Peru isn’t full of culture, from thriving markets, street art and incredible museums – and the joys of getting to know Peruvians in person.

If you like extreme sports, hiking, biking, sand-boarding, white water rafting and paragliding are just some of the activities you can do to get your adrenaline fix.  If you are backpacking Peru on a budget, will find that simply wandering the streets and soaking up the sights and smells is a fascinating way to pass the time.

Where to Go in Peru

There are some incredible places to visit in Peru, and you could spend months exploring the country!  That said, if you can only spare a week or two from your South America travel plans to visit Peru then you will have a hard time choosing what to do in Peru!

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu is essential for anyone backpacking in Peru, or indeed anyone visiting Peru.  Even if you choose not to trek to Machu Picchu, you can opt to take the train to Machu Picchu, or make your way there through a combination of bus and walking, depending on your backpacker budget and time constraints. 

Spend some time exploring Cusco and the rest of the Sacred Valley too, for more Inca ruins, local markets and indigenous culture in Pisac and Ollantaytambo

Lake Titicaca is another bucket list item for many people; although Puno wasn’t my favourite destination, here you can visit the Uros Islands, floating reed beds where the Uros culture is maintained (mainly for tourists’ benefit), although it is touristy some people love it, I found it a little too fake personally.  From here it is easy to cross the border to Bolivia.

In the south of Peru, Arequipa is a beautiful city with plenty to do for backpackers, including hiking volcanos and taking a trip to the nearby Colca Canyon to see Andean Condors fly in the wild.  Along the coast up towards Lima, you find evidence of another ancient civilisation at the Nazca Lines, mysterious lines in the desert. 

Paracas is a lovely town close to many attractions, including the Ballestas Islands, known as the ‘poor man’s Galapagos’ where you can take a boat trip to see sea lions and birds such as the blue-footed booby and frigate birds.  Paracas National Reserve has incredible coastal scenery and beaches and the chance to spot more wildlife.

Further north, try some pisco at a local winery or go sandboarding at Huacachina, a popular backpacker hangout and a beautiful oasis in the desert close to Ica.

Incredible Scenery in Paracas National Reserve
Incredible Scenery in Paracas National Reserve

Lima is the capital city of Peru, and although many people choose to skip it, spend a couple of days here to see the ruins of Huaca Pucllana, admire the street art in Barranco and eat at some of the world-renowned restaurants in the city. There are plenty of museums here in the capital too.

Further north, the seaside towns of Huanchaco and Mancora offer great surfing, and the pre-Incan ruins at Chan Chan and close to Trujillo make a fascinating stop.  Further inland, head to Huaraz for hiking in the magnificent Cordillera Blanca, from day treks to Laguna 69 or multi-day hikes to the Cordillera Huayhuash. 

In the Amazonas region, don’t miss Chachapoyas where you can visit yet more pre-Inca ruins in the mountains at Kuelap, and see the highest waterfall in Peru at Gocta.  Take an adventure into the Amazon at Iquitos, the gateway to Colombia and Brazil down the Amazon River.

Suggested Peru Backpacking Itineraries

1 Week Peru Itinerary

With just a week in Peru you could easily spend all of your time in the Sacred Valley.  The trek to Machu Picchu takes 4 days, and if you’re not acclimatised to the altitude you may struggle so be sure to do what you can to prepare – or hop on the train to Machu Picchu instead.  Spend at least 1 day in Cusco, visiting the San Pedro Market.

2 Weeks in Peru Backpacking Itinerary  

Start your trip in Lima, and spend a couple of days in the capital city – eating some incredible Peruvian food and visiting the museums here.  I’d recommend the Peru Hop bus to take you to Cusco, stopping off at Paracas, Nazca, and Arequipa for Colca Canyon on your way to Cusco to explore more of the country.  

Once in Cusco, spend a day or two acclimatising in the Sacred Valley – perhaps one day in Cusco and one day in Ollantaytambo or with a day trip to Maras and Moray before your trek to Machu Picchu.  

The Incredible Colca Canyon - Where to Go Backpacking in Peru
The Incredible Colca Canyon – Where to Go Backpacking in Peru

3 Weeks in Peru

With an extra week, you can add a visit to Lake Titicaca to your Peru itinerary, and/or spend some time in northern Peru with a visit to Trujillo and Huanchaco for surfing.  You might even squeeze in a trip to the Amazon or hiking in Huaraz if you prefer the mountain air over the humidity of the rainforest.

1 Month in Peru Backpacking Itinerary

Lucky you!  Now you have time to really get to know Peru, from the northern Amazonas to high altitude hikes from Huaraz.  Spend some time on a homestay at Lake Titicaca or consider volunteering in Cusco or taking some Spanish classes!

Essentials for your Peru Packing List

If you’re doing any kind of hiking in Peru, you need to be prepared with decent hiking boots and warm layers.  Hiking poles might also be beneficial if you’re doing the Santa Cruz trek or any hikes in the Cordilleras.  If you’re only doing the Inca Trail then leave them at home – they’re not allowed on the Inca Trail or inside Machu Picchu in case they damage the stones.  

Another essential is a filter water bottle to allow you to drink water from any non-salt water source – from tap water to ponds and rivers.  Get a 15% discount on a Water-to-Go filter bottle with the code BYORB

Chapstick will help keep your lips protected from the dry air at altitudes, get one with SPF to protect them from the sun too.  Speaking of sun, a good sun hat is also vital when you’re hiking in Peru!  

Hike to spectacular turquoise lake Laguna 69 in Huaraz Peru
Hike to Laguna 69 in Huaraz Peru – Just Bring the Right Hiking Gear

Backpacker Accommodation in Peru

Hostels in Peru

If you are backpacking in Peru, hostels are the best way to save money and travel in Peru on a budget.  It is easy to find hostels in the main tourist areas, although the quality can vary greatly.  Check reviews on Hostelworld for recommendations from other travellers, and choose carefully as you would in any destination. 

Some of our favourite Peru hostels include:

Top Lima Hostels

  • Mama Backpackers – the best-rated hostel in Lima, famed for a friendly welcome and homely atmosphere, and including a free breakfast >>>BOOK NOW
  • Pariwana Hostel Lima – One of the most popular hostels in Lima and a great place to go if you want to party.  There is an in-house bar and it is located right on Parque Kennedy >>>BOOK NOW

Top Cusco Hostels

FIND A HOSTEL IN PERU

Some hostels also have private rooms available if you don’t want to share a dorm room with other backpackers, or you can find budget hotels, homestays and Airbnbs in Peru as well.  In busy times and public holidays, it is advisable to book ahead, especially in popular destinations like Cusco.

If you prefer to stay in hotels in Peru instead of hostels, you can check hotel reviews and book the best options on Booking

FIND HOTELS IN PERU

Another option if you are staying in Peru for several weeks is to volunteer and work in one of the hostels in Peru.  Read more about work exchanges in Peru below!

Work and Travel Peru

If you are backpacking Peru slowly, you might want to take advantage of the volunteering opportunities available to allow you to work and travel Peru without spending much money.  Cultural and work exchanges allow you to practically travel for free by exchanging your skills and time for accommodation and other benefits.

You can find volunteering placements in Peru on sites like Workaway, WorldPackers and HelpX, where you pay a small fee to register on the site which allows you to browse available opportunities and contact the hosts.  Volunteering work varies from working in reception at a hostel to teaching in schools, helping to build eco-projects or helping a family to care for their kids. 

Worldpackers is the work exchange site I recommend (you can read a comparison of Workaway vs Worldpackers here) thanks to their excellent customer service, Worldpackers Insurance which means they will help you to find another placement and pay for up to 3 nights in a hostel if you have to leave your placement, and they give you the chance to earn money as well as save it with Worldpackers Programs.

Volunteering in Peru like this is a great way to meet local people and become part of the community, and to save money.  In exchange for part-time work, volunteers usually get lodging and some food included.  Spanish is useful but not always essential to work and travel Peru, check each volunteer placement for full details of what is required.

FIND WORK EXCHANGES IN PERU

Get a $10 Discount on Your Worldpackers Membership

I’ve teamed up with Worldpackers to offer all Tales of a Backpacker readers a $10 discount, which means you only need to pay $39 USD for a full year’s verified membership.  Once you are a verified member you can apply to and message all the hosts on Worldpackers and volunteer all over the world.  What are you waiting for?!

ACTIVATE YOUR DISCOUNT CODE

Volunteering in Peru

Volunteering in Peru is a great way to contribute to the community, and practise your Spanish skills.  Cusco is a popular place to volunteer, given its location close to Machu Picchu.  Maximo Nivel arranges various volunteer programs in and around Cusco, including teaching English, helping with conservation or in animal shelters and construction work, among others.

Traditional Weaving in Peru - woman in traditional dress with a table full of coloured dyes for making yarn
Traditional Weaving in Peru

Transport in Peru

The size of Peru makes internal flights useful if you a short on time, particularly between Lima and Cusco.  However, if you have more time to explore Peru, there is plenty to see between Lima and Cusco, including Nazca, Arequipa, and Lake Titicaca

The other place you might want to take a flight is in Nazca, to see the mysterious lines in the desert.  Be aware that these are small 5 or 6 seater planes, which turn sharply in the air, so if you suffer from motion sickness you may wish to avoid the flight.  There have also been safety issues with these planes in the past, so choose your flight company carefully.

Peru is well connected by buses all over the country (except in the Amazon region), and bus travel is cheap and convenient.  There have been some safety concerns with buses in the past, both in terms of hijacking and accidents, but travel with a reputable company to reduce the risk of problems. 

Cruz del Sur bus company has the best reputation in Peru, and the buses are comfortable, and safe as passports or ID are required to buy tickets and board the bus.  I also travelled with other companies such as Oltursa and Civa with no problem. 

One challenge with buses in Peru is that each bus company has its own bus station, so check journey times with each company in advance and make sure you know exactly where to go to catch it.  Unfortunately, you can’t just turn up at the city bus station and hop on the next available bus.

READ MORE: Buses in South America – Everything You Need to Know

Peru Hop is a more expensive tourist bus service that runs from Cusco to Lima and back as well as various short day trips from Lima.  They offer a hop on hop off service and stop at all the key destinations between Lima and Cusco, including Huacachina, Paracas, Pisco, Nazca, Arequipa, and Lake Titicaca (on some routes). 

The Peru Hop buses have guides who travel with the buses who will help you to book hostels and tours at each destination, and offer special guided tours at certain stops which you wouldn’t get with other companies. 

Peru Hop is a great option for first-time travellers who are nervous backpacking in Peru, or for those who would like a little more help in organising their trip.  For experienced backpackers, Peru Hop may be a bit too easy, but when I first arrived in South America I was glad for the extra help!

There is a train route from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu.  The trains are not cheap, but the service is good, and convenient if you don’t want to trek to Machu Picchu.

Taxis are useful to take in busy cities, but be wary of flagging down fake taxis.  If possible, ask your hostel or hotel to call a taxi for you, or you can also use Uber.

Street Art in Lima Peru
Street Art in Lima – Peru Backpackers Guide

Tips for Backpacking in Peru Alone

I loved travelling in Peru alone, and I found my Peru solo travel adventures to be some of the best of my life.  Staying in hostels will make meeting people easier if you want some company, but solo travellers are not uncommon in Peru so you shouldn’t have any problems here. 

Of course, follow the usual advice and avoid walking around alone at night and take extra care of your belongings at bus stations and busy areas. 

Joining a tour group is a great way to meet fellow travellers, either for the hike to Machu Picchu, or if you choose to do Peru Hop, you’ll have some ready-made friends who may well continue their travels with you after the tour ends.  I still keep in touch with a couple I met on my Machu Picchu tour!

If you stick to the main backpacking route in Peru you will probably be around other travellers anyway, but don’t be afraid to go a bit more off the beaten track and head to northern Peru – it is a little harder to get to but there are buses that will take you wherever you want to go.

Places to Visit in Peru in Detail

Read more about these backpacker destinations in Peru and things to do in Peru below.  

Places to Visit in Peru

Whatever you choose to do in Peru, I hope you have found this Tales of a Backpacker Peru backpacking guide useful.  If you have any questions about backpacking in Peru please leave a comment below!

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