Choices, choices, choices… Peru is a country you can easily spend months exploring, there's so much to see and do. Want to truly explore everything? Then a few weeks is simply not enough time. But with this itinerary, you'll get a stunning overview of the country in a relatively short time, from the coast to the jungle and the Andes. Keep in mind that the distances are vast, and you'll need a considerable amount of travel time between destinations.

Route: Lima – Paracas – Ica – Madre de Dios – Cusco – Lima. This route showcases Peru's enormous diversity. Best time to travel: May to October (dry season). Transport: domestic flights and private transfers

After Lima, the journey descends into silence. We found it quite a shift after bustling Lima, but all the more enjoyable. We drove four hours south towards Paracas, where the city quickly transformed into a dry desert landscape with the sea on the other side. It was fascinating, and we were amazed.

Book a nice stay like Atoq Paracas Reserva or the larger-scale La Hacienda Bahia Paracas, because you'll need a nice place to relax after all the sights you'll see in the coming days. There's so much to do here, and you'll want it all. Starting with Paracas National Reserve By far one of Peru's most unique natural areas. Here, you'll see desert and ocean, creating a stunning backdrop. Spectacular sand dunes and rock formations, coastlines and bays are all part of the protected ecosystems that provide a haven for dozens of bird species and other fauna. The park has an entrance ticket, which you can purchase at the main entrance. Plan to spend a day exploring.

But there is more to do. For example, on another you can go to the Ballestas Islands, also known as "the little Galapagos of Peru," with sea lions, pelicans, and penguins as a backdrop. Then enjoy a delicious lunch by the water at Chalana, where the fish roll right out of the sea.

There, Almendra awaits us: our ranger and guardian angel for the coming days. She's 24, lives with other guides at the lodge where we're also staying, and knows every plant, bird, and snake by name. "And the more you keep your eyes open, the more you'll see and learn," she continues. After a short drive through the village, we transfer to a wooden motorboat that takes us along the Madre de Dios River to our accommodation: Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción. The boat ride takes about 45 minutes, and along the way, we see blue butterflies as big as palms, fish jumping out of the water, and several species of kingfishers.

The lodge is built on the grounds of a former cocoa and rubber plantation, once known in the 1950s as “Fundo Concepción,” an Amazonian Catholic medical mission center. It is nestled in a wild and serene, lush setting within 819 hectares of natural rainforest. This rainforest serves as a buffer zone between Tambopata National Park and the banks of the vast Madre de Dios River—meaning remoteness. Inkaterra is no ordinary lodge; it's one of Peru's first eco-hotels and has since become a benchmark in sustainable tourism. There are 25 cabañas perched on stilts amidst the foliage, scattered throughout the property, and a casa grande with five rooms featuring high ceilings and a rustic thatched roof. Open mesh windows allow light, air, and the sounds of the jungle to flow freely. Instead of walls, there are mosquito nets, and when the sun sets, candles replace the electricity. Wi-Fi and power are only available for a few hours per day, and that's precisely the intention.

Read more about Madre de Dios

And then the Machu Picchu, the highlight of many Peru trips. And if we may give you a tip, that is exactly what Alpaca Expeditions does with their Women Only Trek Through the Andes. This unique trek, designed by and for women, takes you through the Sacred Valley, the spectacular Salkantay Pass, and of course, that iconic highlight: Machu Picchu. The concept is simple yet powerful: small groups of female travelers journey into the mountains together, accompanied by an all-female team, from guides to porters. And that's still a rarity in Peru. The goal? To empower women, literally and figuratively, by experiencing something great together.

You'll visit a weaving community in the Sacred Valley, learn to make Peruvian dishes with women who run their own cooking collective, and sample coffee and wine lovingly produced by women's cooperatives. During the day, you'll hike past lakes, through valleys, and over mountain passes; in the evening, you'll arrive at a camp or glamping site where the food is surprisingly good. You don't have to be a seasoned mountain goat, but a reasonable level of fitness is helpful—it's the Andes, after all. The moment you reach Machu Picchu with your group, feeling like you've hiked the entire trail yourself, is priceless.

More information can be found via Alpaca Expeditions.