Peru is a top option for 50×50
Heartland of the Incas, Peru is still littered with sites that showcase this powerful empire’s prowess as master builders, most notably Machu Picchu. Visiting this citadel hidden in the mountains is inspiration enough for a first-time visit, but the Incas were just one in a long line of peoples with a surviving legacy to explore. The landscape is equally varied: from the heights of the Andes down to the wildlife-filled rainforest of the Peruvian Amazon. Peru feels like a country on the ascendency, reflected in the quality of hotels and a penchant for fine food.
Why Peru
Peru brings to mind images of the staggered walls of Machu Picchu, nestled against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, blue lakes, and green, terraced fields that spill down into the Amazon rainforest. The country is home to a wealth of rewarding opportunities, from scaling the Andean peaks or cruising the amazon, to observing the customs of its indigenous people.
- Take a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
- Explore the former Inca capital of Cuzco.
- Visit several Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley.
- Stay in the chic Miraflores district in Lima, Peru’s capital city.
Best times to Visit
Peru can be visited all year round, and the country experiences two main seasons. The dry season between May and October sees sunny days, bright blue skies in the Andes and chilly nights. It is a wonderful time to be in Peru; but being the peak season, early booking is crucial. Between November and March visitors will notice more rain, with January and February being the wettest months to visit. Travel at this time does offer the advantage of fewer visitors, greener scenery and some lower rates for flights and hotels. Although the Amazon also experiences more rain between November and March, this should not deter you from visiting – the flora and fauna will still be abundant and there are always breaks in the showers.
Possible Itinerary
Day one: Arrive in Lima, Peru late in day. Super nice hotel in the Miraflores neighborhood of Lima. Swanky and expensive.
Day Two: Tour of Lima. Tour a gold museum, city squares, a cathedral with catacombs and have lunch at seaside restaurant. It’s a good day to acclimate to Peru – their people, climate and food.
Day 3: Fly from Lima to Cusco. It will be a long day of travel between sitting in airports and taxis. Nap, use the day to adjust to the altitude. Explore the cobblestone streets and town squares of Cusco for a few hours.
Day 4: Touring the Sacred Valley – ruins, history, learning, eating and fun.
Day 5: Machu Picchu! The train ride is scenic and comfortable. Splurge on the Vistadome tickets. Arrival to the village of Machu Picchu, or Aguas Caliente.
Day 6: Chill and take in the scenery from hotel or hike Waynapicchu and explore the ruins of Machu Picchu!
Day 7: Take the train back to Cusco after a leisurely morning in Aguas Caliente. Stay at a nice hotel in the middle of Cusco to shop and people watch in Cusco before sleeping in Peru for one last night.
Day 8: Fly out of Cusco early this day and fly home.
Lodging Options
Marriott Properties
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco (160/nt)
JW Marriott Hotel Lima
($223/ nt)
Other Properties
Casa Cartagena Boutique Hotel & Spa
Luxury Villa / Kampuwasi – Urubamba
Cozy Cabin in Cusco’s Sacred Valley – Urubamba airbnb
Flight Options
Flights all seem to connect through Miami. On American, economy fights have total travel time between 9-11 hours with costs around $700. United options more limited.
Estimated cost per person from Chicago – $2000 including double lodging, flights, and breakfast every day.
