My Journey Through Peru: From Lima to Machu Picchu

This trip through Peru was fast, full-on, and incredibly eye-opening. It was an educational familiarisation trip rather than a holiday, which meant early starts, packed days, supplier meetings, hotel inspections and excursions woven tightly together. That pace showed me very clearly where Peru shines and where travellers are often pushed too hard.

Travelling this way gave me answers you only get by being there. I could feel when a schedule worked, when altitude started to bite, and when a destination deserved more time than most itineraries allow.

Lima: unexpectedly one of my favourite stops

Lima genuinely surprised me. I expected a functional capital and instead found a city with real personality. Miraflores felt relaxed and coastal, Barranco was creative and colourful, and the historic centre had far more atmosphere than I’d imagined.

Food stood out immediately. Even quick lunches were memorable, and it became obvious why Lima is such a strong culinary destination. This is not a city I would rush through again. I would now always recommend at least two full nights here.

Lima’s coastal setting and neighbourhood contrasts really stood out.

Cusco and altitude: you feel it more than you expect

Flying into Cusco was where the reality of altitude hit home. Some people in the group felt fine, others didn’t, and the difference was noticeable within hours. Even those who coped well moved more slowly without realising it.

What helped most were small things. Being met calmly, given coca leaves and local herbal tea, and not being rushed straight into sightseeing made a genuine difference. Cusco itself is beautiful, but it’s not somewhere to power through.

Cusco is stunning, but altitude changes how you experience it.

Machu Picchu: extraordinary, but logistics matter

Arriving at Machu Picchu was emotional in a way I hadn’t anticipated. Even with crowds and tight timings, it still takes your breath away. The setting, the scale and the sense of history are remarkable.

What became very clear is how much the experience depends on timing. Entry slots, guide quality and how rushed the day feels all change the atmosphere. I now have a much stronger view on which approaches enhance the visit and which diminish it.

Seeing Machu Picchu in person changes how you plan it.

What I would change for clients

This trip confirmed that Peru works best when you slow it down. I would add nights in the Sacred Valley, reduce internal flights where possible, and build in proper rest time around Cusco.

Peru is not a destination to tick off quickly. It rewards patience, flexibility and thoughtful pacing. That’s exactly how I now plan it.

Peru also combines beautifully with other countries in the region if time allows. I regularly design extended trips across Central and South America, shaped around how people actually want to travel rather than what fits neatly on paper.

If you’re considering Peru and want advice based on being there, seeing it properly and understanding its challenges as well as its highlights, I’m always happy to talk it through and tailor something that truly suits you.