Peru is one of the most romantic honeymoon destinations in the world: sunrise over Machu Picchu, a cocktail on a vintage train through the Andes, a spa in the Sacred Valley, a cabin in the Amazon rainforest and dinners in some of the best restaurants on the planet. It also combines beautifully with the Galápagos or Patagonia. This guide, from our team in Cusco, explains when to go, where to stay and how to plan a Peru honeymoon at the right pace.
Best monthsApril to May and September to October
Time needed8 to 12 days
HighlightsMachu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Cusco, the Amazon and Lake Titicaca
PacePrivate guides and transfers; two or three nights in each place
Why Peru for a honeymoon?
- Once-in-a-lifetime moments: Machu Picchu at sunrise, the Inca terraces of the Sacred Valley and the reed islands of Lake Titicaca.
- Variety in one trip: mountains, cloud forest, rainforest, desert and ocean, connected by short domestic flights.
- Food: Lima is one of the great food capitals of the world, and Cusco has excellent restaurants too.
- Beautiful hotels: former convents and colonial mansions in Cusco, spa resorts in the Sacred Valley and lodges in the Amazon.
When to go: the best months for a Peru honeymoon
| Region | Best months | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| The Andes: Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca | April to October | May and September are the sweet spot: dry and calmer than June to August |
| The Amazon | May to October | Rain is possible all year; the drier months are better for walks |
| The coast: Lima and Paracas | December to April | Sunny summer; from June to October Lima is often grey |
| Arequipa and the Colca Canyon | April to November | Sunny and dry; condors are easiest to see in the dry season |
Read our guides to the best time to visit Peru and the best time to visit Machu Picchu, month by month.
The most romantic hotels in Peru
| Where | Hotel | Why couples love it |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco | Belmond Palacio Nazarenas | A former convent in the historic centre, with suites, a spa and an outdoor heated pool |
| Sacred Valley | Belmond Rio Sagrado | Villas and rooms on the banks of the Urubamba River, with a spa |
| Sacred Valley | Tambo del Inka | A resort and spa with its own station on the railway to Machu Picchu |
| Machu Picchu | Belmond Sanctuary Lodge | The only hotel next to the entrance of the citadel |
| Machu Picchu town | Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo | Casitas in the cloud forest, among orchids and hummingbirds |
| Lake Titicaca | Titilaka | An all-inclusive lodge on a quiet peninsula of the lake |
| The Amazon | Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica or Hacienda Concepción | Jungle cabins on the Madre de Dios River, near Puerto Maldonado |
| Colca Canyon | Belmond Las Casitas | Private casitas with views over the canyon |
| Arequipa | CIRQA, Relais & Châteaux | An intimate boutique hotel in the white city |
| Paracas | Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort | Beachfront rooms on the bay, for a last relaxing stop |
| Lima | Belmond Miraflores Park | Ocean views from the cliffs of Miraflores |
Let your hotels know that you are on your honeymoon: many prepare a special welcome, and room upgrades are sometimes possible, subject to availability.
Romantic experiences in Peru
- The Hiram Bingham train: brunch, live music and the bar car on the way to Machu Picchu, or dinner on the way back. Compare it with the other trains in our guide to luxury trains in Peru.
- Machu Picchu with a private guide, early in the morning or in the quieter afternoon, after a night at the foot of the mountain. See how to plan a Machu Picchu day tour or 2-day trip.
- A spa day in the Sacred Valley, and a picnic among the Inca terraces of Moray or the salt pans of Maras.
- Dinner in Lima at one of its celebrated restaurants, or a cooking class with a pisco sour.
- The Amazon: a canopy walk, a sunset on the river and the sounds of the forest at night.
- Lake Titicaca: a boat to the islands and a sunset over the highest navigable lake in the world.
- The Colca Canyon: condors in flight in the morning and hot springs in the evening.
Sample Peru honeymoon itineraries
8 days: the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco
| Day | Where you sleep | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Lima | Arrive in Lima; dinner in Miraflores or Barranco. |
| Days 2–3 | Sacred Valley | Fly to Cusco and drive down to the valley. Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo, and an afternoon at the spa. |
| Day 4 | Machu Picchu town or the Sanctuary Lodge | Train to Machu Picchu and an afternoon visit. |
| Day 5 | Cusco | Early second visit or Huayna Picchu, then the train back and on to Cusco. |
| Days 6–7 | Cusco | The city, San Blas and the Sacsayhuamán fortress; a cooking class or a romantic dinner. |
| Day 8 | – | Fly to Lima for your flight home. |
12 days: add the Amazon
| Day | Where you sleep | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–7 | Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco | As in the 8-day itinerary. |
| Days 8–10 | The Amazon | Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado for three nights at a rainforest lodge: canopy walks, river trips and wildlife. |
| Day 11 | Lima | Fly to Lima for a last dinner by the ocean. |
| Day 12 | – | Flight home. |
Prefer the Andes to the rainforest? Swap the Amazon for Lake Titicaca, travelling from Cusco on the PeruRail Titicaca train.
Overland, train or boatFlight
14 days: the classic route plus Arequipa, the Colca Canyon and Paracas
After Cusco and Machu Picchu, continue to Lake Titicaca, then by road or the Belmond Andean Explorer sleeper train to Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, and end with two relaxing nights by the ocean in Paracas.
Combine Peru with the Galápagos, Bolivia or Patagonia
- The Galápagos: beaches, sea lions and giant tortoises after the Andes. See our Ecuador and Peru Highlights (15 days).
- Bolivia: the Uyuni Salt Flats, one of the most photogenic places on Earth. See our Bolivia itinerary.
- Patagonia: glaciers, granite towers and remote lodges. See our Patagonia honeymoon guide.
Planning tips for a Peru honeymoon
- Sleep low first: start in the Sacred Valley, at about 2,870 m, before Cusco at 3,400 m, so you acclimatise gradually.
- Book early: the best rooms, the Hiram Bingham and the Machu Picchu tickets sell out months ahead for May to October.
- Do not rush: two or three nights in each place, and a free afternoon every few days.
- Go private: private guides and transfers let you set the pace and keep the trip just for the two of you.
See all our Peru tours and Machu Picchu tours, or start planning your Peru honeymoon.
Frequently asked questions
Is Peru good for a honeymoon?
Yes. Peru combines once-in-a-lifetime sights such as Machu Picchu with beautiful hotels, spas, great food and a lot of variety, from the Andes to the Amazon and the coast.
How many days do we need for a Peru honeymoon?
Eight days cover the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco at a relaxed pace. With 12 to 14 days you can add the Amazon, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa or Paracas.
What is the best time for a honeymoon in Peru?
April to May and September to October, when the Andes are mostly dry and calmer than in the peak months of June to August.
What are the most romantic hotels in Peru?
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas in Cusco, Belmond Rio Sagrado in the Sacred Valley, the Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu, Titilaka on Lake Titicaca and Belmond Las Casitas in the Colca Canyon are among our favourites.
Is there a beach for the end of a Peru honeymoon?
Paracas, south of Lima, has beachfront resorts on a calm bay. For a tropical beach, combine Peru with the Galápagos.
Will the altitude affect our honeymoon?
It can, so we plan around it: the Sacred Valley first, Cusco later, easy first days and plenty of water. Talk to your doctor before you travel.
Ready to Experience This Firsthand?
Our travel consultants in Cusco design your itinerary around your dates, pace and hotel style.
Wilfredo Zúñiga Huamanguillas
Anthropologist & Hospitality Professional | South America Travel ExpertAnthropologist, hospitality professional and South America travel expert with 11 years of experience in tourism, trained at the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco. Wilfredo writes about the people, traditions and landscapes of the continent, from the Andes and Machu Picchu to Patagonia, Brazil and the Amazon.
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