The coast
Lima is where almost every international flight lands. It is a sprawling capital on cliffs above the Pacific, with the colonial centre, the seaside districts of Miraflores and Barranco and some of the most celebrated restaurants in the Americas. South of Lima, the coast leads to the wildlife of Paracas and the Ballestas Islands, the dunes of Huacachina and the Nazca Lines.
The Inca heartland
A short flight takes you up to Cusco, the old Inca capital, where colonial churches stand on perfectly fitted Inca walls. Below the city, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu region holds market towns, terraced ruins and the train line to Aguas Calientes, the village at the foot of Machu Picchu. Most people spend at least five days in this area.
The south
Arequipa is Peru's second city, built of white volcanic stone under the cone of El Misti, and the base for the Colca Canyon, where Andean condors ride the morning air. To the east, Lake Titicaca and the town of Puno offer the floating Uros islands and homestays on Amantaní and Taquile.
Further afield
With more time, fly into the Amazon at Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado for jungle lodges, or head to the north coast around Trujillo and Chiclayo for pre Inca adobe cities and surf towns such as Huanchaco.
Putting it together
With ten days, combine Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. With two weeks, add Lake Titicaca and Arequipa. With three weeks, add the Amazon or the north. Our free trip planner helps you pace the altitude and book things in the right order, and the places to visit list has our picks in each base.