0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and b… Quicksilver Rewards Calculators How we make money
VOATLAS
How to Book a Trip to the Peruvian Andes

How to · Travel

How to Book a Trip to the Peruvian Andes

Plan your trek through the high peaks of Peru and pay for the $2500 trip over time without interest.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $2,500 before anything else
Across the 0% window $138.89/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $2,500 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

You want to see the jagged peaks of the Peruvian Andes, walk the old stone paths of the Sacred Valley, and catch the mist rising off Machu Picchu at sunrise. To get the best weather and clear mountain views, you need to go during the dry season between May and September, when the trails are firm and the skies stay wide open.

A solid trip usually runs about $2500 for flights, local trains, permits, and places to sleep. If you want to spread that cost out instead of paying it all at once, you can look at the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, which gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening to help manage the cash flow.

That 0% window is a hard deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left when the 18 months are up, interest kicks in on what you owe.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your dry season dates

    Lock in your travel window between May and September. This is when the rain stays away, but it is also peak season. Book your Inca Trail permits months in advance because they sell out fast.

  2. 02

    Book your international flights

    Fly into Lima and catch a quick domestic connection to Cuzco. Give yourself a couple of days in Cuzco to adjust to the altitude before you try any serious hiking.

  3. 03

    Reserve your mountain stays

    Secure your hotels in Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, and Aguas Calientes. Places with reliable heat and good hot showers are worth every penny when the mountain nights get cold.

  4. 04

    Spread the cost over time

    You can use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card to cover the $2500 total. The math works out to $138.89 per month if $2500 is spread across the 18-month window.

  5. 05

    Gear up for cold nights

    Buy solid hiking boots, merino wool layers, and a good daypack before you leave. Breaking your boots in at home is the only way to avoid miserable blisters on the trail.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

When is the best time to visit the Peruvian Andes?

Go between May and September during the dry season. You will get clear blue skies and dry trails, though you will share the sights with more travelers.

How much does a trip to Peru usually cost?

A typical two-week trip runs around $2500 per person including flights, internal transit, permits, hotels, and food. You can spend less if you stay in hostels and eat at local markets.

How do I handle the altitude in Cuzco?

Cuzco sits at over 11,000 feet. Plan to do nothing strenuous for your first two days, drink plenty of water, and ask your doctor about altitude sickness pills before you go.

Do I really need to book Machu Picchu permits early?

Yes, months in advance. The government limits daily entries to the ruins and the Inca Trail to protect the paths, and the permits sell out completely for the dry season.