Peru Travel Guide - Overland Peru

Welcome¡

We are glad that you have chosen our country as a tourist destination, we share with you information that will help you on your tour of Peru:

We will begin this imaginary tour from the North of Peru, what to see on the Peruvian coast

1.- CUSTOMS

Due to the ease of customs and immigration procedures, we recommend entering through CEBAF Tumbes, which is very useful to quickly manage the temporary suspension of entry into the country and the lifting of said measure.

2.- SOAT

Upon entering through the CEBAF you will find a SOAT sales point, this is a mandatory insurance, it is important to check that it is current by visiting the following website: https://www.apeseg.org.pe/consultas-soat/

We also share the telephone number of a company that sells SOAT online:

SOAT EXPRESS +51968710555

3.-SIMM CARD

The best telephone line by price is Bitel, it has a monthly unlimited internet rate of 39 soles, and if you want unlimited packages per day you can find it from 5 soles 1.5 dollars for 5 days with unlimited internet by sending a text message to the number 154 with the word TI5, its internet has good coverage in urban areas, the chip is 5 soles.

What I recommend is to complement this service with a CLARO prepaid chip, only for calls, in both cases buy it from authorized distributors, they will ask for your Passport, never buy on the street, to avoid identity theft.

4.-FUEL

If what you want is to save on fuel, we recommend consulting this national database in which fuel prices and the location of each service station appear, prices updated daily.

https://www.facilito.gob.pe/facilito/pages/facilito/buscadorEESS.jsp

5.-ROADS

If you want to know the status of the roads, in real time, in case of road closures in Peru, due to bad weather or protests, the best source is the SUTRAN page

http://gis.sutran.gob.pe/alerta_sutran/

Remember to view it better on a tablet or laptop, there are problems viewing the warnings on cell phones.

6.-Refill GAS Bottles and adapters.

Near our campsite, it is a place where they recharge gas cylinders and make adapters, I send you the location on Google Maps, they are only open from Monday to Friday until 4pm and Saturdays until 11am.

https://www.ioverlander.com/places/176337-fill-propane-tanks-and-accesesories-and-adapters

7.-Police on the Road

It is important to mention that in Peru on the roads it is necessary to travel with the lights on, there are also many complaints from travelers about the use of darkened windows in vehicles, also buy the SOAT, because it is mandatory in the country, it is not Only the comprehensive insurance purchased in Argentina from Mercosur or similar is valid; even in Peru, apart from the comprehensive insurance, they require mandatory traffic accident insurance or SOAT.

It is important to know that only the highway or traffic police can impose fines of this type; they will identify them in the designations indicated on the patrol car itself or the symbols on the uniform.

In cases of police corruption, many travelers have chosen to report that they will inform the corresponding embassies, their lawyer in Peru and have managed to get rid of police who seek to arrest them without evidence. One strategy is to remain calm and, if necessary, accompany the delegation. police, do it, many times these bad police officers give up their attempt.

It is very important that you have a local telephone line, buy your prepaid chip at the border, this will help you communicate with the Police Inspectorate Office

Number: 1818

Complaints can also be made online, the government ensures the confidentiality of your complaint here the link https://denuncias.mininter.gob.pe/registro 

It is necessary that whenever they are detained they write down or record information about:

Time and location

patrolman's license plate

Name of the police

This information will be required in the system and when making the call.

8.- Lawyer in Perú

We offer Legal Advice service by telephone to travelers who stay with us. If they are on their way to our campsite, it is necessary to make a payment for the service and reserve their stay with us in advance.

If you need the presence of a lawyer in the country, you can contact us to delegate representation to a lawyer close to your location for the proceedings.

9.- North Coast

Upon entering through the northern border, you will find two of our campsites with sea views, the first of them is the one located in Tumbes in the town of Bocapan, called "Maracuyá", it is the first campsite, hotel and storage facing the beach with rustic rooms facing the sea. sea, managed on site by Fanny, forming part of our network of campsites and accommodations in the country El Tip Viajero.

Continuing the route, the next recommended beach is Punta Sal and Mancora, and Organos beach, the latter being where you will find very good seafood restaurants.

The next point we recommend is Camping Conzulado 96, also located in front of the sea, in Colán - Piura, it has room services, camping, storage a swimming pool, as well as a safe area where you can spend the night with your motorhome, a point that is part of our chain of services in the country.

Moving towards the south, our next overland point will be to stay in Lambayeque, this being a very quiet city with services, in addition to the fact that there is one of the most unmissable museums in the country, Museo de Tumbas Reales del señor de Sipán, the Bruning museum and site museums that you will find when searching with the word "Huaca" which means archaeological remains or historical monument.

Continuing you will reach Trujillo, many travelers stay in Huanchaco, being a beach area, Trujillo stands out for its site museums of the Huaca del Sol and de la Luna, among others.

Moving forward you will reach Chimbote, I recommend staying at the Cuesta del Sol hotel and the next day visiting:

a) Climb the Cerro de la Juventud, a landmark of the entire bay and a Catholic chapel with a catacomb, notable for the beauty of the carpentry work made by the artisans of the town of Chacas in Huaraz.

b) Boat tour to the White Island, to be able to take this tour you must go to the fishing port, only in the morning hours since the tide rises in the afternoon, the cost is approximately 60 soles for the round trip transfer to the island. island, where you will find a small, beautiful white beach, with white sand, this sand is actually white shells ground by the sea.

10.- LIMA

El Tip Viajero, Campsite,Rooms, Apartments, Storage, Suspension CIT / TIP

Our campsite is located 5 minutes from the North Pan-American Highway, when entering or leaving Lima it will serve you well, we are close to the historic center and our campsite is indoors, being the only urban campsite in the city of Lima.

We also offer vehicle storage service and suspension process for the Temporary Internment Certificate for Tourism vehicles CIT - SUNAT/Aduanas.

Here our location on maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QJhWGi7hLp4xM2jb9

11.- South of Lima 

On your journey south you will find a circuit of beaches very popular with Lima residents, among them:

San Bartolo: a stop near the beach to rest, you can park at this point on the boardwalk and walk, in this area you walk to a place called “El bufadero” is a rock formation in which the sea pushes the air and makes a very peculiar sound.

San Bartolo Beach Boardwalk

https://maps.app.goo.gl/udSczfpCDqgm82Td9

The Bufadero:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/dh2TzveTS7ujynbs8

You cannot miss this bakery "Tambo Rural", it is on the same road, I recommend buying the breads with olives, the “Chapla or serranitos” breads, and with filling.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZwJG5FXT6UngjLgh7

Then on the route you will see many stores with images of UFOs, this is because in the town of Chilca there have been UFO sightings on the beaches, they sell natural ice creams, very delicious

The next point to stop to rest, or if you want to surf, would be Cerro Azul beach, this is a favorite point for travelers, since from here on the road moves away from the sea.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DNza8sfUvRzZ4DWm9

12.- BOAT RIDE IN THE PARACAS RESERVE:

Following the Panamericana Sur, the highway will take you directly to Pisco and Paracas, Paracas is the city where the “Paracas National Reserve” is located, where you can enjoy boat tours, the tours last approximately 1 hour, I will send you A point where tourists' vehicles park, where you can leave your vehicle, is a parking lot within a tourist terminal.

It is better to buy the tours in the formal agencies that are in that tourist port, they will also have to pay the boarding fee at the dock.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/XLfbZPZ46Kxk9hsj7

13.- VEHICLE TOUR THROUGH THE PARACAS RESERVE:

Then you can take the tourist tour of the Paracas Reserve, this is done with your vehicle, starting with the site museum and a tour of beaches, a must-see beach is

La Mina Beach:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2SKHFnta6TzY91x68

The bay route can be longer but commonly ends at Playa Lagunillas, where you will find restaurants:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eF6drYpMnPAv8mBZ7

14.- ICA - HUACACHINA

Leaving Paracas you will go to the following point, very popular with travelers:

Huacachina Lagoon

https://maps.app.goo.gl/F1pJnqHW1nwbCr9y6

At this point there is a place well known to travelers, located in Ioverlander “Ecocamp Huacachina”

In the surroundings of Huacachina there are activities such as: Sandboarding, rental of sand vehicles, the view is impressive at sunset, if you have a drone it is a good place to record.

15.-NAZCA LINES

On the same road you will find a viewpoint 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MecgMze9mJuNzRMK7

There is also a small plane airport that allows you to have a spectacular view of the lines:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ousDmsiFKbNKMANEA

Approximately the flight costs about 80 dollars.

16.- CLIMBING TOWARDS CUSCO

The climb to Cusco begins on a route that in the section between Nazca and Pampa Galeras, are continuous curves, refuel in Nazca, check the condition of your brakes, and if traveling at altitude affects you, I recommend buying a pad like Sorochpill or one recommended by your doctor or pharmacist, in Peru these pills are easy to acquire in Pharmacies or Pharmacies

The next point, depending on the speed of your advance, could be Puquio, dress warmly, because the nights are cold, it is advisable to stay in a lodging, I have seen a new hotel in the area, which can be useful:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/bEHZxsDZ6tWDJXwg9

After spending the night in Puquio or if you have continued your trip, the next point that I recommend is Challhuanca, at this point there are thermal baths, hot water pools, and you can spend the night there, in case the altitude affects you, It is better to go directly to Challhuanca, otherwise rest in Puquio and acclimatize.

so better in Challhuanca, here the point on google maps:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZB2XkkxsiaoYPAto9

The next point would be ABANCAY

The streets are sloping, so if you are going to spend the night there it is better to opt for lodging or a country restaurant. I am still collecting experiences in the area to give you a place.

Abancay stands out for its craftsmanship, typical foods, I will recommend a restaurant that my family went to, you can ask if you can camp there:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/T47q3pQCoejydsiz7

The route below is a curvy climb, it is important to take precautions on the climb.

Choquequirao

An unmissable destination on your route from Abancay, it is advisable to do it with a travel agency, since it is a 2-day walk there and 2 days back, the detour for that route is in the town of Cachora: https://maps.app.goo.gl/p4P7znUV194mWySAA

https://maps.app.goo.gl/EWALhMipJpyXMogn7 Choquequirao

Laguna Humantay

Starting Point Soraypampa: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tY7uETisCGqfQ5qW7 From Soraypampa, it will be necessary to walk 1h30 and 2h to reach Humantay Lagoon

laguna Humantay: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MBTDkkTgszHpDhb78

Nevado Salkantay 

It is not necessary to purchase a permit. However, you still need Tickets to Machu Picchu.

There is no limited number of visitors.

The trail begins in Soraypampa and ends in Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu.

Salkantay is named after one of the highest peaks in southern Peru: Salkantay Mountain, at 6,271 m (20,574 ft).

It is one of the 25 best hikes in the world.

The Salkantay trek is approximately 72 km (45 miles) and usually lasts four to five days.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/yw3ocwVk9ZJiHyU59

17.-Cusco

Mechanics: Jimmi Marmanillo: mobil  +51947255365

The route between Abancay and Cusco is one of the most scenic that we have known, the route is in good condition, adequately signposted, surely your goal is to get to know the citadel of MachuPichu, so we recommend making reservations on the official website, Be very careful since when searching to buy tickets there are several that may confuse you, this is the official one:

https://reservas.machupicchu.gob.pe/inicio

The most complete circuit of the Machu Picchu tours is number 2

If I don't have tickets, what do I do? 

ATTENTION FROM DECEMBER 20, 2023 THE SALE OF TICKETS TO MACHU PICHU WILL BE EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE

Depending on the dates of the year, it is possible to find tickets directly at the ticket office located in Machupichu Pueblo.

The months with the most demand are October, July, August, since they coincide with national holidays and school promotion trips.

PLAN A: To get tickets you have to go to the town of Aguas Calientes, or known as Machu Picchu town, which you will reach on your train tour from Cusco or from Ollantaytambo.

Go to the official ticket sales office, check the available tours, if you don't find them you can sign up on a list to be able to return the next day and try your luck with your search.

PLAN B: is to purchase tickets with authorized tourism agencies, they have contacts in Aguas Calientes and make the purchase for you, with a commission, if you wish to purchase them that way, contact us, we have a contact in Machupichu town who gives that service.

After purchasing the tickets, in Aguas Calientes you can buy tickets for the bus that takes you from Aguas Calientes to Machu Pichu.

It is not necessary to hire a tourist guide, but it is advisable to better understand the history of the place.

Aguas Calientes has cheap accommodations and is popular for its hot pools, which will relax you at night https://maps.app.goo.gl/pRVZJAixHthrALXJ8 , and there are restaurants with food from all over the world.

FOOD

If what you are looking for is to save money, in front of the Aguas Calientes train station you will find a small market, where you will find menus and typical broths at low prices, in the Andes they have breakfast very early and have lunch at noon, breakfast can be so complete like a lunch so you will find broths, seconds and sandwiches from 6am to 8am and from 11am to 12 noon, later you won't find them because they run out very quickly.

I put the point where the market is: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nPksUZnBR7zcYx2f9