Peru is one of the world’s most captivating travel destinations, a country where ancient Inca history, dramatic landscapes and vibrant local culture come together in unforgettable ways. From the Sacred Valley and Colca Canyon to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca and the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu, this escorted tour led me through some of South America's most remarkable places.
I went to Peru to fulfill my late fathers wish of going to Machu Picchu. I was glad I had done it for both of us. If visiting Machu Picchu isn't on your bucket list, it should be.
In this travel diary, you’ll find a day‑by‑day account of my journey through Peru, exploring bustling cities like Lima and Cusco, visiting remote mountain villages, meeting local communities, and experiencing the country’s rich traditions and wildlife. Whether you’re planning your own trip to Peru, researching escorted tours, or simply curious about what it’s like to travel through the Andes, I hope these stories give you a real sense of the adventure, humour and wonder that shaped my time here.
Location: London, England → Madrid, Spain
Summary: I started my Peru tour with a flight from Heathrow to Madrid, thanks to an early drop‑off from my friend Tony, a helpful BA check‑in, and a delayed but ultimately smooth connection in Spain that carried me toward the long overnight flight to Lima.
Location: Lima, Peru
Summary: My arrival in Lima came with a mix of exhaustion, immigration confusion, and luggage drama for most of my group, but the day turned around with a guided tour of Plaza Mayor, the Monastery of San Francisco, and a relaxed evening in the city, the true beginning of my Peru adventure.
Location: Lima → Chincha, Peru
Summary: This stage of my Peru tour travelled from Miraflores to Chincha, stopping at the Love Park in Lima, passing shanty towns and dramatic coastal cliffs, and exploring the Pachacamac archaeological site before arriving at the Casa Andina hotel for the night.
Location: Chincha → Nazca, Peru
Summary: Today we travelled from Chincha down the coast toward Nazca, stopping for a boat trip around the Ballestas Islands, a look at the Paracas Candelabra, and a desert‑side view of the Nazca Lines, a day filled with wildlife, sea air, and Peru’s ancient mysteries.
Location: Nazca → Arequippa, Peru
Summary: This journey from Nazca to Arequipa takes me across desert plateaus, earthquake‑cut valleys and winding coastal roads. We passed shanty towns, fishing villages and vultures circling the shoreline before arriving in the bright, bustling city of Arequipa at dusk.
Location: Arequipa, Peru
Summary: Today I explored Arequipa’s dramatic volcanic landscape, visited the Ice Maiden Juanita, wandered the colourful courtyards of Santa Catalina, learned about vicuñas and alpacas at the factory garden, and finished the day with rooftop views of the city and Misti volcano.
Location: Arequipa → Chivay, Peru
Summary: We travelled from Arequipa to Chivay across dramatic volcanic terrain and into the Colca Canyon, one of the world’s deepest. Along the way I saw soaring condors, terraced fields, and alpacas grazing near Chivay’s colonial church, a perfect glimpse of rural Peru.
Location: Chivay → Lake Titicaca, Peru
Summary: Today we travelled from Chivay toward Lake Titicaca, stopping to photograph alpacas with a local shepherd, picnic beside a volcanic crater lake, visit a mud‑brick farming family, and climb to the Sillustani burial towers before arriving at a lakeside hotel in Puno.
Location: Lake Titicaca, Peru
Summary: Today I explored the Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca, where everything, homes, boats, and even the ground, is made from reeds. Meeting the islanders and learning how they live on the water was a highlight of my Peru tour, surrounded by breathtaking Andean scenery.
Location: Lake Titicaca → Cusco, Peru
Summary: After breakfast in Puno, I began the long drive to Cusco, stopping at small villages and the Inca temple of Raqchi. The day was filled with Andean scenery, roadside markets, and local flavours, ending with a Pisco Sour and a quiet evening in Cusco.
