One Month Backpacking Peru Itinerary for Solo Travelers

One Month Backpacking Peru Itinerary

Huanchaco is a great place to start our journey in Peru, especially if you just crossed the border from Ecuador. From Vilcabamba, Ecuador, you can take a bus to Loja, and from there, you can either get a bus directly to Piura, Peru or, in my case, if the 1PM direct bus was canceled, you can do it manually by getting a bus to the border town of Macara, Ecuador.

There, you can cross the border and get a collectivo that is waiting for people at the border to Sullana. Then, go to the bus terminal and get a bus to Piura (which runs very often). From Piura, you can get an overnight bus by Linea to Trujillo. Once you arrive in Trujillo, you can get on a local bus with the sign “Huanchaco” to go there.

Huanchaco is a lovely beachside town, popular among those who are looking to surf as well as to relax and enjoy the the beach. The town is blessed with not just a wonderful sandy coastline, but also a desert-like interior full of mysteries and secrets, waiting for you to explore.

On your arrival day, take it easy and walk around the beach of Huanchaco. Take in the culture or go surf into the sunset. In the evening, go find a nice restaurant with a view over the ocean and order Ceviche, a popular seafood dish in Peru, and enjoy the sunset the Peruvian way.

On your second day, go on a bus to Trujillo and get a collectivo to the Moon temple (Huaca de La Luna). At the Moon temple, you will learn about the pre-Colombian people that lived in this area called the Moche and be fascinated by what they had accomplished during their reign, especially its striking city wall. Be sure to also visit the museum near the Moon temple to learn more about the Moche people.

Once you have laid the groundwork of your Moche knowledge, head back to Huanchaco and, on your way back, ask the bus driver to drop you off at the Chan Chan entrance and explore another awesome archaeological site with its famous adobe complex with stunning wall carvings.

After you are done at Chan Chan, head back to Huanchaco, enjoy the sunset at the beach, find a nice restaurant for dinner, and retreat for the night. The next day, we will be heading to Huaraz, the mountaineering heaven of Peru.

If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.

Getting From Huanchaco to Huaraz

After Huanchaco, we will go to Huaraz, the hiking capital of Peru. To get from Huanchaco to Huaraz, you will have to prebook your overnight bus via Linea (which I recommend) or Movil Bus Companies. Once you have the ticket, you will then have to go to one of these specific bus terminals in Trujillo.

To get to Trujillo, you just have to take the same bus you took to get to Huanchaco when you arrive at drop off at Linea Bus Terminal again. There is one Linea bus leaving at 9:30 PM, and you should arrive in Huaraz by 6 AM. The bus ticket should cost about 50 SOL. You can browse through the bus options and book online here.

Huaraz (9 – 12 nights)

Huaraz has got to be one of my favorite towns in Peru and to think that I was going to skip it to go straight to Machu Picchu! One of the best things about Huaraz is its location, being nestled between the rolling mountains of the Andes, which makes for a great base to explore some of the most beautiful snow-capped mountains in the region.

On your first day in Huaraz, go and check out the Town Square and acquaint yourself with the surroundings as well as the higher-than-usual altitude at around 3,000 meters above sea-level. Trust me, you are going to feel it the moment you have to climb upstairs in Huaraz, so it is best you spend the first day acclimatizing first.

On your second day, do some research on the hikes you want to do here by asking your accommodation what day trips they have on offer or you can go to California Cafe, a mountaineer favorite cafe spot in town where you will find a bulletin board full of hikers and climbers looking for a partner to join. They also serve a delicious cup of coffee, so there is always a reason to drop by there while you are in Huaraz 😄.

On this day, you can start booking your day trip for the next 2 – 3 days as we will start to explore all the wonderful mountains in Huaraz. First, I highly recommend you book a transfer to Laguna 69, one of the most popular and impressive day hikes you can do in Huaraz. You should be able to book a transfer at your accommodation or from here.

The next day, you will be spending the entire day hiking Laguna 69 and putting your body to the test with high altitude to prepare yourself for more upcoming hikes. The transfer service you booked the day before should pick you up early in the morning and take you to the trailhead.

The hike takes about 6-8 hours round trip, and the trail consists of a flat path in the first section it gets steeper as you approach the first lake. After that, it becomes flat again for about an hour or so before the trail shoots straight up all the way to Laguna 69.

Keep in mind that you will be hiking at around the altitude of 4,000+ meters, so be sure to take it slow and drink lots of fluid. The last thing you want is to get altitude sickness on your first hike in Huaraz as there are plenty more we will be doing for the next 7 days or so.

That said, Laguna 69 is definitely worth the effort as the scenery up there is out of this world. The vivid blue-colored lake with snowy mountain peaks looming behind was quite a sight to behold.

On your fourth in Huaraz, you can either rest a bit or go on another tour to the Pastoruri Glacier. This tour does not require you to be super active, but it does go up to an elevation of 5000+ meters, and you have to walk for about one hour to see the glacier at that altitude. The trail is not much of a climb, but the altitude can really take its toll, so be sure to prepare yourself for it.

The tour should take about 8 – 9 hours in total and you will be rewarded with an incredible view of Pastoruri Glacier, one of the few glaciers left standing in the tropical region of South America. Unfortunately, due to climate change, the glacier is retreating quite rapidly in the past 30 years, so better go there before it’s gone forever.

If you don’t have experience in alpine mountaineering and are looking to learn at some point, Huaraz is the best place to do that. It is relatively cheap to go on a small ice climbing trip, and with the altitude only second to the Himalayas, Huaraz offers the best experience with stunning views, all for an affordable price. This is your chance!

On your fifth day, you can go on another tour and go ice-trekking up Nevado Mateo, an impressive snow-capped mountain peak standing at over 5,150 meters above sea level. The trek requires you to ascend a steep face with ropes and anchors to reach the top which is why you will have to go with a guide.

It doesn’t really matter if you have any technical mountaineering skills for this hike as your guide will help facilitate you throughout the climb, which is great for those who are looking to learn more about mountaineering. For me, it was snowing pretty heavily that day, and we didn’t get to see anything, but it was still one of the best experiences I had in Peru, learning the basics and pushing my body to the limit, so if you want to do the same, I highly recommend you go hike Nevado Mateo.

The next day, you can rest for the entire day and start planning another epic trek for tomorrow. This time, we are going on a multi-day trek along the Santa Cruz trail, where we will be camping and hiking in the Andes Mountains by ourselves with your own tent and food.

Use today to go into the city and rent a tent, sleeping bags, sleeping mat, food, stove, gas, etc. for your 4-day trek into the Andes. The Santa Cruz trail is a one-way hiking trail that takes 4 days to complete. It will take you from 3,000 meters all the way up to 4,750 meters at Punta Union Pass and then you will make your way down to the other side of the valley, before completing the hike.

If you want to do it dependently, you will be looking at carrying around 15 kg worth of stuff on your back every day while hiking in high altitude, so be sure you are prepared for that. If not, you can also go on an organized tour and they should provide you with a porter to help take the load off. You also do not have to prepare anything as they will carry tents and food for you.

The Santa Cruz trail is stunning through and through, and by keeping this trek at the end, it makes for an awesome grand finale for your trip in Huaraz. For a highly detailed guide to Santa Cruz, you can check out: How To Hike The Santa Cruz Trail, Huaraz Independently.

If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.

For more info:How To Hike The Santa Cruz Trail, Huaraz Independently

Getting From Huaraz to Lima

From Huaraz, you can take a bus from the Huaraz Cruz del Sur terminal to Lima via Cruz del Sur. There are 6 buses per day from Huaraz to Lima, operating from 11 AM to 11 PM. The journey will take about 7 hours and cost around 30 SOL per person. You can check the schedule and book the bus here.

Lima (2 nights)

After an epic 10 days in Huaraz, it’s time for you to take it slow and enjoy a little bit of comfort in a city and there is no better place to do that than Miraflores in Lima, a lovely sea-side neighborhood that is within walking distances to many attractions in the city like the Main Square, Cathedral de Lima and the Basílica y Convento de San Francisco de Lima, and more.

Did you know that there is a pyramid in Lima? Me neither! The place is called Huaca Pucllana, a small stepped pyramid made out of clay and adobe way back between 200 – 700 AD, located right in the heart of Lima. You can take a guided tour to take you around the site, but I found the tour to be a little lacking. The pyramid alone is already interesting enough for me 😃.

After you are done at the pyramid, you can chill a bit in the city and go and watch the sunset at Parque del Amor, located near the west coast of Miraflores, before retreating for the day.

If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.

Getting From Lima to Ica

From Lima, you can take one of the many daily buses operated by Cruz del Sur or Oltursa at their designated bus terminal. I went with Cruz del Sur, and the bus left from the Cruz del Sur terminal and dropped me off at the Cruz del Sur terminal in Ica. The journey should take about 5 hours and cost around 15 USD per person. You can book the ticket online here.

Ica (2 nights)

Next up, we are going to visit Ica, home to the oasis town of Huacachina, which is probably the main reason why we are spending a night here.

Ica itself is nothing special, so after you arrive, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing at your accommodation and the next day, go and explore the city and visit Huacachina in the afternoon.

You can go and paddle the boat in the oasis lake in Huacachina, hike up the sand dunes and enjoy the view of the surroundings, or sit back and relax at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the area. The place is extremely photogenic at sunset, so I would recommend you hike up the sand dunes and watch the sunset from up there.

If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.

Getting From Ica to Nazca

From Ica, you can make your way early in the morning to catch a bus to Nazca. From there, take a taxi to the Nazca Airport to take a tour and check out the Nazca Lines from the air.

There are several buses from Ica to Nazca, just like from Lima to Ica, so you can choose whichever one with the schedule that works best for your itinerary. The journey should take about 2.5 hours and cost around 13 USD. You can book the bus ticket here.

Nazca (0 night)

After Ica, we will be visiting Nazca and check out the famous Nazca Lines from the air! Since there is not much to do in Nazca except that, you won’t need to spend a night here as you can pretty much complete the flight in half a day.

To make it happen in one day, you will have to start early in Ica and catch the earliest bus to Nazca. Once you arrive, you can take a taxi to Nazca Airport where you can then buy the Nazca Lines flight straight from there or you can book it online here.

The flight should cost about 120 USD and take around 20 minutes. Not gonna lie, the tour itself was nothing spectacular. It was nice to see the Nazca Lines from above, but I thought the flight was too short and there were no explanations about anything so you gotta use your imagination. However, some of the nicer Nazca lines are only visible from the air, so if you want to do this place justice, going on a 20-minute flight is the only way to do it.

Once you are done, you can get back to the Cruz del Sur bus terminal in Nazca and catch the 15-hour bus to Cusco. This will probably be the longest bus ride you will take here, so make sure you are prepared for the trip.

If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.

Getting From Nazca to Cusco

To get from Nazca to Cusco, you will have to take an overnight bus via Cruz del Sur. They have approximately three overnight buses departing between 7:20 PM and 11:50 PM from the Cruz del Sur bus terminal in Nazca, so you will have a bit of downtime in Nazca before your bus.

Be prepared, as the journey will take over 15 hours, one of the longest bus rides you will take in South America. Thankfully, the Cruz del Sur buses are quite comfortable, so it should not be too bad. The bus ticket costs about 150 SOL per person, and they will drop you off at Cruz del Sur terminal in Cusco. Be sure to book the ticket in advance here.

Cusco (3 nights)

Cusco is probably one of the most photogenic cities you will see in Peru and it is one hell of a ride to get to, thanks to its remote location right in the middle of the Andes Mountain Range.

It will take you over 15 hours to get from Nazca to Cusco, so after you arrive on the first day, take it slow and explore Plaza De Armas. Stroll around the crisscrossing streets of Cusco and go up the hill and check out the view from San Cristobal Church.

If you have enough energy, you can also go a little further and visit Saqsaywaman Ruin to see the impressive stacked rocks that formed the walls of this ancient city. Once you are done, you can make your way down to Cusco and start planning your trip to Machu Picchu for the next day.

You can either go around town and find a travel agency to book one for you, but be sure you do it at least 2 days in advance as the train is often booked out the day before. You can also go with an organized tour via train or if you have more time, you can go on a multi-day hike to Machu Picchu instead.

Machu Picchu can be accessed via trains, minivans, short treks, or the Inca trail. Taking the train is by far the easiest and surprisingly reasonably priced at 210 USD with every transportation included. On the other hand, you can also hike in the jungle for 2 – 3 days along the Salkantay trail to get to Machu Picchu for around 230 – 250 USD, while the most expensive of all is to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This is also one of the most popular ways to do it and it can get fully booked pretty quickly so be sure to book it in advance.

As for me, I went by train to give myself more flexibility over how much time I could spend at Machu Picchu, and it was well worth it. I was able to wait for the weather to clear up and the crowds to fade, and both of these happened that evening!

Tip: If you have time, stay until right before the gate is about to close at around 4 PM and you will have the whole place to yourself. You can then take the last train and bus back to Cusco at around 6 PM. For more detailed information on how to do this, check out: This Is How I Avoided The Crowds In Machu Picchu.

For more info:This Is How To Avoid The Crowds In Machu Picchu

On your last day in Cusco, book a trip to the Rainbow Mountain and go on another epic high-altitude hike to see just how incredibly diverse the landscape is in this part of the Andes.

The whole trip will take you up to the top of the Rainbow Mountain that stands over 5,000 meters above sea level and you will be able to get a pretty epic view of the surrounding landscapes as well as the famous rainbow stripes mountains. Keep in mind that most photos of the Rainbow Mountains you see are pretty over-processed, and reality might not look the same, so please keep your expectations in check.

The hike itself is not too difficult, steep-wise and it takes around 5-6 hours to complete. That said, the altitude is what is going to kick your butt, so be sure you are prepared and stay hydrated throughout the hike to avoid altitude sickness. Being in Cusco for a few days should acclimatize you for the hike, but still, it is better to be prepared than not.

After you are done with the hike, you will then be taken back to Cusco where you can spend the rest of the day and relax at your accommodation and prepare for our next destination, Arequipa.

If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.

Getting From Cusco to Arequipa

From Cusco, you can get to Arequipa via an overnight bus operated by Cruz del Sur from their bus terminal. They have buses running at 20:00 and 20:30 daily. The journey will take about 10 hours and cost around 40 SOL per person. To book a ticket online, make sure to check the price here.

Arequipa (2 – 4 nights)

After being in the jungle and in high-altitude towns for so long, you will be quite pleased to be in Arequipa where, even though the altitude is still 2,000 meters, the weather is a little milder and drier than the humid jungle of Machu Picchu, and the city vibe is a bit more relaxed with fewer tourists around.

Spend the first day here and explore Arequipa’s stunning Town Square where all the incredible colonial buildings are located. The centerpiece of the square is Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa with its striking clock towers and the epic Volcano Misti looming behind.

Another awesome place to visit is Monasterio de Santa Catalina, a massive 16-th century monastery of Dominican best known for its colorful corridors and courtyard you can explore.

If you still have enough energy left, you can spend the rest of your time in Arequipa and go on a multi-day hike in the Colca Valley or you can relax in the city and enjoy a little down time before you move to Puno, our next destination.

If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.

Getting From Arequipa to Puno

From Arequipa, you can take one of the three daily buses from the Cruz del Sur Bus Terminal in Arequipa to get to Puno, a border town between Bolivia and Lake Titicaca. These buses leave from 08:30 to 22:30 and will take about 6 hours, costing around 30 SOL per person. You can book the bus here.

Puno (2 nights)

Puno sits beside Lake Titicaca, sharing its shores with its neighboring country, Bolivia. If you are making your way to Bolivia, Puno is a great place to break your trip while also giving you time to explore the highest navigatable lake in the world.

You can go on a day trip and visit the Uros Floating Islands and learn how they built the islands, anchored them in place, and live off the land.

To be honest, it was one of the touristy things I’d done in Peru, but it was interesting to learn about the Indigenous people and how the everyday life is like for the people here.

From Puno, if you are planning to go to Bolivia after, you can take an early bus to La Paz or Copacabana in Bolivia. You should be able to book them through your accommodation or you can do it online here.

If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips.

First time in South America? Check out:20 Best Places to Visit in South America

Why visit Peru?

Peru has it all. If you are into hiking, Huaraz has one of the best and highest alpine regions in the world, second only to the Himalayas. It’s like a little Kathmandu up there.

If you are interested in Inca history, a visit to Machu Picchu, Cusco, and a number of museums in Lima will greatly improve your knowledge about their culture and how they were able to flourish and become the biggest empire in Pre-Colombian times. Not to mention, the best gastronomy in South America.

Truth be told, food in South America is not the best, but Peruvian food is exceptional, and eating your way through the country is one of the highlights of visiting here.

When to Visit Peru?

Due to the geography of the country, the weather can vary a lot depending on where you go. In the Andes, the best time to go there is around September – November when the weather is sunny and dry at the beginning. By November, you may risk some rain as it is a shoulder season, but you will also experience the Andes without crowds, which I think is a perfect balance. The weather pattern is quite similar in the Amazon part of the country as well.

For the best time to visit the coasts, December to March is hot and sunny, which is perfect for swimming and surfing.

All in all, traveling to Peru at the end of the year seems to have the perfect balance of clear and rainy days throughout the country. At the end of the day, the weather may not be as expected. There might be rainy days in the summer and vice versa, so do not sweat too much and enjoy the trip, whatever comes your way.

How to Get to Peru?

The best way to get here is to fly into Lima if you are coming from abroad. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from where you live to Lima that best fits your itinerary. If you are already in Ecuador, you can simply cross the border from the north with an overnight bus from Loja to Trujillo and traverse from north to south as suggested in the itinerary.

How To Get Around Peru?

In the city, local mini-buses (collectivo) are quite easy to flag down and extremely cheap, but you will have to know where you are going and tell them where to stop (saying something like “Pare Aqui” should do). Otherwise, taxis are reasonably priced and more convenient when you don’t know exactly where your destination is.

In between cities, traveling via buses is the best option. Buses in Peru are one of the most comfortable ways to go around the country without breaking the bank. With fully reclining seats, hot food, and entertainment offers on long-haul trips, for an affordable price, buses are the way to go.

Note: Buses in Peru operate differently from those in other countries due to bus companies having bus terminals in separate locations, so make sure you go to the right one.

Recommended bus companies: Cruz del Sur and Oltursa for the long-haul southern route, Linea for the northern route, and any local bus companies are fine for a short-haul trip.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Peru?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Peru without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you’ll be good to go. If your phone doesn’t support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Peru:

Claro is widely available, and I found it to be more tourist-friendly than Movistar, as they have a 2GB data SIM card available for 30S. Refilling the SIM card is as easy as going to any shop with a Claro sign and asking them to refill the money for you. You can also reactivate any package you like. For more information, the data speed is 4G in most cities, and I never had coverage problems, except in the mountains in Huaraz, but that was expected. Read more here.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It’s FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Peru?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Peru:

Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.

Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.

Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi’s jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.

Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).

Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It’s lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.

Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker’s towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.

Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.

Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.

Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It’s a total game-changer.

Universal Adapter: You’ll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.

Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.

Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It’s large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it’s stylish as hell!

Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can’t go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for South America? Check out:What to Pack For South America: The Essential Packing List

Further Reading for Peru

Peru is one of my favorite countries in South America, and there is a ton to do in the country. To better plan your trip to Peru, here is a selection of articles about Peru that you might like:

Looking for a complete backpacking guide to the entire South American continent? Here is the ultimate 6-Month Backpacking Itinerary for South America.

First time in South America? Check out the 20 Best Places to Visit in South America.
Packing for a trip to visit South America can be extremely daunting. Here’s a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for South America

Huaraz is one of the best places to visit in South America if you love hiking. It is like a little Nepal up there with a ton of rewarding trekking trails that range from one day to 15 days. Here’s a complete travel guide on adventurous things to do in Huaraz.
One of the best treks you can do in Huaraz, if you have 4 days to spare, is the Santa Cruz trek. Here’s everything you need to know to trek the Santa Cruz trail independently.
Machu Picchu is perhaps one of the most crowded tourist attractions in South America, but there are ways to avoid that and have the whole place to yourself without hiking. Here is how to avoid the crowds in Machu Picchu, based on my personal experience.
You can also watch my Peru travel video here: Purely Peru travel video.
To see all articles about Peru, visit the Peru Travel Guide page.
Looking for a place to go after Peru? How about Ecuador or Bolivia?
Looking for more travel guides for South America? You can find more on my South America Travel Guide page.
For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.