Peru is the perfect destination for a March escape trip for many reasons. Firstly, the weather in Peru in March is perfect for exploring the country’s many historical and cultural sites. The dry season starts in March, which means that you can enjoy clear skies and comfortable temperatures without the risk of rain. This is the perfect time to visit Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and other ancient Incan ruins without crowds.

Why Peru?

Peru is home to some of the world’s most impressive ancient ruins, including the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, and the Chan Chan archaeological site. These sites offer a glimpse into the country’s rich past and are a must-see for any history buff.

In addition to historical and cultural sites, Peru offers a diverse array of natural attractions. The Andes mountain range and the Amazon rainforest are both within easy reach and offer a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, and wildlife watching.

Peru is also famous for its delicious cuisine, which is a fusion of indigenous, Spanish, and Asian influences. The country offers a wide variety of traditional dishes that are sure to delight any foodie.

Finally, Peru is an affordable destination to travel to, especially in March, when prices tend to be lower than during peak season. This makes it a budget-friendly option for those looking to escape the cold weather and experience a new culture.

Here’s a suggested itinerary for a 14-day trip to Peru, starting and ending in Lima, that will take you to the country’s most iconic sites and off-the-beaten-path gems.

Day 1-2: Arrive in Lima and explore the city

• Arrive in Lima and check into your hotel
• Explore the historic center of Lima, including the Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral of Lima
• Visit the Larco Museum, which houses an extensive collection of pre-Columbian art
• Take a stroll along the seaside walkway of Costa Verde
• Enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal in one of the city’s many excellent seafood restaurants

Day 3-4: Fly to Cusco and acclimatize

• Take an early morning flight to Cusco
• Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day acclimatizing to the high altitude
• Explore the city of Cusco, including the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral of Cusco
• Take a tour of the nearby Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay

Day 5-6: Visit Machu Picchu

• Take an early morning train to Aguas Calientes, the town located at the base of Machu Picchu
• Take a bus up to Machu Picchu and spend the day exploring the site
• Return to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon and overnight in a hotel

Day 7-8: Explore the Sacred Valley

• Take a tour of the Sacred Valley, including the Inca ruins of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero
• Visit a local market to shop for textiles and souvenirs
• Take a guided hike to the Inca terraces of Moray

Day 9-10: Fly to Puno and explore Lake Titicaca

• Take a flight to Puno, the main town on the shores of Lake Titicaca
• Take a boat tour of the lake and visit the floating islands of the Uros people
• Visit the ancient ruins of Sillustani

Day 11-12: Visit Colca Canyon

• Take a bus to Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world
• Take a guided hike down to the bottom of the canyon, where you’ll see the famous Andean Condors and other wildlife
• Return to Puno in the afternoon

Day 13-14: Return to Lima

• Take a flight back to Lima
• Spend the last day of your trip exploring the city or shopping for souvenirs
• Depart from Lima on the last day.

How can I get there?

There are several ways to get to Lima, Peru from various continents.

From North America:

• Many major airlines, such as American Airlines, Delta, and United, offer flights to Lima from major cities in the United States and Canada.
• The flight from major cities in the US can take around 10 to 12 hours.

From South America:

• There are several airlines that offer flights to Lima from major cities in South America such as Buenos Aires, Santiago, Bogotá, and Quito.
• Bus and train services are also available from some neighboring countries like Ecuador and Chile

From Europe:

• There are several airlines such as KLM, Air France, and Lufthansa that offer direct flights to Lima from major European cities such as London, Paris, and Frankfurt.
• The flight from Europe can take around 15 to 20 hours.

From Asia:

• There are several airlines such as China Southern Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air that offer direct flights to Lima from major Asian cities such as Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul.
• The flight from Asia can take around 15 to 20 hours.

From Africa:

• There are not many direct flights from Africa to Lima, you will have to connect with a European or Middle Eastern airline that has flights to Lima.
• The flight from Africa can take around 20 to 25 hours.

Internally, you can take any of these airlines to manage your trip:

• LAN Peru: This airline is one of the largest and most well-known in Peru. It offers flights to destinations throughout the country, including Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and Iquitos.
• Peruvian Airlines: This airline offers flights to destinations throughout Peru, including Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and Iquitos. It is known for its good service and on-time performance.
• Star Peru: This airline offers flights to destinations throughout Peru, including Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and Iquitos. It is known for its competitive prices and good service.
• Viva Air Peru: This airline offers flights to destinations throughout Peru, including Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and Iquitos. It is a low-cost airline, which offers good prices for domestic flights.
• Sky Airline: This airline offers flights to destinations throughout Peru, including Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and Iquitos. It also offers international flights to Chile and Argentina

We recommend using some of the tools we mentioned in our post ‘ Top tools to find cheap flights online‘ to find the best possible flights to Peru.

Where to stay?

During your days in Peru, you can find good accommodation following our proposed itinerary. We also have some recommendations regarding areas to stay in Lima, Cusco, Puno, and Aguas Calientes.

Lima:

• Barranco: This bohemian neighborhood is known for its colonial-style houses, art galleries, and museums. It’s also home to some of the city’s best restaurants and nightlife.
• Miraflores: This upscale neighborhood is known for its parks, shopping, and restaurants. It’s also home to some of the city’s best hotels, including the Belmond Miraflores Park and the JW Marriott Hotel Lima.

Cusco:

• The Historic Center: This area is home to many of Cusco’s most important historical sites, including the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun. It’s also home to some of the city’s best hotels, such as the Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, and the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco.
• San Blas: This neighborhood is known for its narrow cobblestone streets and colonial-style houses. It’s also home to many art galleries, cafes, and restaurants.

Puno:

• The Historic Center: This area is home to many of Puno’s most important historical sites, including the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun. It’s also home to some of the city’s best hotels, such as the Casa Andina Premium Puno and the Hotel Libertador Lake Titicaca Puno.

Aguas Calientes:

• The village of Aguas Calientes is a small town located at the base of Machu Picchu, it is known for its thermal baths and its proximity to the famous Inca citadel. There are many options for accommodation, from budget hostels to luxurious hotels, such as the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel and the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.