The highlights of Paracas National Reserve in Peru
March 25, 2022
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Are you considering an unforgettable tour of the beautiful South American country Peru? Let us inspire you with our itinerary through southern Peru, specially designed for those looking for adventure. Peru is a wonderful destination for touring. The landscapes are incredibly diverse, you can learn more about the ancient Inca culture and get acquainted with the delectable gastronomy. Our trip took us through the regions of Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa, the Sacred Valley and Cusco. It was a trip that took us through diverse landscapes and to unique places. Although Peru has much more to offer, don't miss the highlights on this itinerary through southern Peru. Are you ready for an unforgettable trip full of adventure, culture and culinary delights? Discover magical Peru with our specially curated 2-week itinerary.
Day 1 and 2 of Peru itinerary: Lima
The first destination we visited in Peru was Lima. This is the capital city of Peru. If you are taking a tour to Peru and traveling from the Netherlands, this is always the first stop of your trip. Lima is also the city where the influences of Peruvian and international cuisines come together. Not surprisingly, Lima is home to some of the world's (!) best restaurants. Of course, we had to experience this for ourselves and visited a topper of a restaurant: Maido. So tasting Peruvian gastronomy is one of our tips for visiting Lima. Furthermore, we also recommend visiting the beautiful Miraflores neighborhood, where you can do a Free Walking Tour.
Also read: Our personal tips for visiting Miraflores in Lima
Miraflores is one of Lima's most popular neighborhoods. It is a place to love simply because in Miraflores you will find some of the city's best hotspots. In addition, it is the ideal starting point for a tour of Peru. So we share all our tips for Miraflores in Peru!
How do you travel from the Netherlands to Lima, Peru?
From the Netherlands you can fly with KLM directly to Lima, this flight takes about 12.5 hours. We personally flew with Air Europa from Amsterdam via Madrid to Lima. In total, our travel time was about 17 hours. In terms of flight times, we found Air Europa to be a lot more attractive, but of course travel schedules fluctuate. To make a good comparison between flight schedules and prices, we recommend looking at Skyscanner.
Lima is a mega big city and the area around the airport is not considered the safest neighborhood. It is therefore advisable to take a cab from the airport to the city center. This is best arranged in advance through the hotel or hostel. If you haven't already done so, make sure you take an official cab from the airport. These can be booked right after you leave the baggage claim area. A ride from the airport to Miraflores takes about 45 to 90 minutes (depending on how busy the road is) and costs between 60-120 Peruvian sol.
Day 3: from Lima to Paracas
The next stop on our itinerary through southern Peru was the fishing village Paracas. From Lima, it is about a three-hour drive through a dry and vast landscape. We booked a ticket with PeruHop prior to our trip. This organization runs buses between Lima and Cusco. You buy a bus ticket for a specific route and decide when to get on the bus. It is an ideal way to travel around southern Peru and at the same time a fun way to meet other travelers.
Also read: Why visiting Paracas really should be on your list
The Paracas National Reserve is one of the most beautiful places we have visited in Peru. Unspoiled beaches, miles of cliffs, golden sand dunes and incredible biodiversity, this is a place to love!
There are several reasons why we loved visiting Paracas. Because apart from the fact that the weather here is nice all year round, you will find the Paracas National Reserve AND the Ballestas Islands. Both are beautiful places that you really must visit. It is recommended to stay at least one night in Paracas, but if you have time you can easily spend several days here. A nice stay we found Aranwa Paracas Resort & Spa.
Day 5: from Paracas to Huacachina
From the moment our trip to Peru was determined, a visit to Huacachina at the top of our list. This mysterious oasis city is truly a wonder in the midst of the desert. It is a place full of experience and adventure. Around the oasis you will find stores, restaurants, hotels and hostels. Especially in the evening, the city comes alive when everyone returns from activities in the desert. So stay at least 2 days in Huachachina, to do fun activities during the day as well as relax. Want a photo with the oasis city in the background? Then we recommend climbing the desert mountains early in the morning. It is a tough climb up that will take you at least 30 minutes, but it is well worth the effort.
Also read: Imagine yourself in a fairy tale in Peru's desert
The story behind Huacachina is fairy tale in itself, but once you've seen the city with your own eyes, you'll really understand why we love this place so much. Haven't we convinced you yet? Then read on and find out why Huacachina definitely belongs on your bucket list!
Day 6: Via the Nazca lines to Arequipa
From Huacachina we traveled on to Arequipa, but stopped at the Nazca watchtowers along the way. From the top you have a view of some of the famous Nazca lines. It is really quite extraordinary to see. You can also admire the Nazca lines from the air during a flight in a Cessna plane. You can arrange this in Huacachina and Nazca.
The only connection between Nazca and Arequipa is by bus, which is why we chose to travel on to Arequipa by night bus. We already book in advance a place in the night bus of Cruz del Sur, but you can also do this locally at the bus station should you not have such a tight travel schedule. A last minute ticket can still be more advantageous.
Day 7 and 8: Arequipa
In the white city Arequipa we stayed two nights so we could spend a day exploring the city and take a day trip to the Colca Canyon. Arequipa is one of the largest cities in Peru and offers incredibly beautiful and impressive historical sites. Due to its location at an altitude of about 2,300 meters and a temperate Andean climate, the weather can be quite variable. In terms of clothing, it is therefore advisable to work with layers.
Day 9 to 11: Staying in the Sacred Valley
After a fine time in Arequipa, it was time for us to travel on to the Sacred Valley, or Sacred Valley of the Incas. We skipped Puno in our itinerary, but learned that it is a wonderful place to go. From Arequipa, you can travel to Cusco by (overnight) bus, by train or by plane. We flew with Latam Airlines to save time on our itinerary. From Cusco Airport, we took a cab to Sacred Valley which was still about an hour and a half away.
Also read: The absolute highlight of a round trip Peru, Machu Picchu
We have been fortunate enough to see much of the world, but there are only a handful of places as special as Peru's world wonder Machu Picchu. Curious about our experience? You can read about it here.
The Sacred Valley is a beautiful valley where you will find some of Peru's most famous highlights. Top of the list, of course, is Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca city with a breathtaking location in the Sacred Valley. But you will also find, among other things, the Perolniyoc waterfall, the village of Pisac, the salt mines of Maras, the Moray terraces and so many more beautiful places. In our opinion, the Sacred Valley is a place where you can completely unwind, have endless adventures and go off the beaten path. In short, a place that has captured our hearts.
Day 12 to 14: On to Cusco for the last few days of the Peru itinerary
Cusco, the city where everyone lingers longer than planned in advance. It is not only a beautiful city to walk through, Cusco is a city that lives, breathes history and has a gastronomy that makes everyone happy. There are an awful lot of things to do in Cusco, but if you ask us, a visit to the San Pedro Market, Plaza De Armas and the Cusco Cathedral really shouldn't be missed.
Tips for touring Peru
You can take at least two weeks for this route through Peru. Of course, if you have more time, you can also explore and experience more of these places. The big advantage of this itinerary through southern Peru is that you build up the altitude meters from Lima to Cusco. By traveling along the coast and through the south to the Andes Mountains, your body gets used to the altitude little by little. Not everyone suffers from altitude sickness, but with this you can certainly reduce the effect on your body. A valuable tip and we have many more tips for a great trip through Peru!
Your ideal itinerary through Peru
Do you want to travel around Peru, but could use some help? For example, in determining the itinerary and selecting hotels and the best excursions? We can help you on your way. During a travel consultation we will map out your wishes and recommend the most beautiful places that suit you. Would you rather leave it all up to us? That is also possible! We organize your dream trip according to your wishes. Schedule a video interview with us and start your carefree trip to Peru!
Travander
At Travander, we’re all about exploring hidden gems, unique destinations, and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Our motto, “Let’s Travel and Wander,” reflects our passion for discovering both local treasures and faraway adventures. As experienced travel bloggers and travel consultants, we share insider tips, personal stories, and practical advice to help you make the most of every trip. From city breaks and weekend getaways to tailor-made travel itineraries, we guide you to the most beautiful and inspiring places. Explore the world with Travander and let us spark your next unforgettable adventure!
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