Start with the documents and the bookings that cannot be changed, then move to health, money and phone, and leave small tasks for the last week. Passport validity and entry rules, travel insurance and the Machu Picchu booking come first; a plan for the first days at altitude is the item most often forgotten.
The list below is organised by time: two to three months before, one month before, one week before, the day before, arrival, and the first 48 hours. It avoids repeating the packing advice, which has its own page, and flags every rule you must confirm on the official source close to the date.
Two to three months before: documents and key bookings
Begin with the passport: check its expiry date against the entry rules and the dates of your return, and make sure there are blank pages. Rules on validity, return tickets and the length of stay can change, so confirm them on the official government source and in entry requirements close to departure, not from memory.
Next, fix the booking that limits everything else: the Machu Picchu ticket and, if you want it, the Inca Trail permit. The order of bookings is in when to book. Then book the international flights and the first nights in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
Keep a single folder, digital and paper, for confirmations, ticket names and booking references. Check that the name on every ticket matches the passport exactly, because mismatches are hard to fix at the gate or the site entrance.
Two to three months before: insurance and health
Choose travel insurance now rather than at the airport, because cover for cancellation usually starts from the day you buy. Read what the policy says about altitude, trekking and medical evacuation, and note the emergency number and the claim procedure. See travel insurance for what to compare.
Arrange a visit to a travel clinic or doctor early, since some preparations take weeks. Ask about vaccinations, malaria risk if you are going to the Amazon, regular medication, and whether altitude is a concern given your history; general guidance is in vaccines and health. A doctor decides what is right for you, so bring your itinerary to the appointment.
Check any medication you take regularly against rules for carrying it, and keep it in original packaging in hand luggage with a doctor's note if appropriate.
One month before: money, cards and phone
Tell your bank or card issuer that you will travel, if they require it, and check the fees for foreign payments and cash withdrawals. Take at least two ways of paying from different providers, and keep one card separate from the rest in case of loss. The practicalities of cash, cards and exchange are in money in Peru.
Decide how you will stay connected. A roaming plan, a local SIM or an eSIM each have different conditions, and a phone must be unlocked and compatible to use the second two; check this before leaving. See SIM and eSIM.
Install the apps you expect to use, by category: maps with offline areas downloaded, translation, ride-hailing and your airline and hotel apps. Which ride-hailing and taxi apps work in each city changes, so check which are current rather than relying on a list. Back up photos and documents to cloud storage.
One week before: confirmations, copies and the altitude plan
Reconfirm the flights, hotels, trains and tours, and note the exact times and meeting points. Save the confirmations offline on your phone and print the ones that matter most, such as the Machu Picchu ticket, since a dead battery or no signal should not stop you at an entrance. Keep copies of the passport, insurance policy and emergency contacts, stored separately from the originals.
Settle the altitude plan now. Most itineraries gain height quickly from Lima to Cusco, so it helps to arrange a gentle first day, a lower base such as the Sacred Valley for the first nights if your plan allows, and nothing demanding booked for day one. The reasoning is in altitude sickness and an altitude-friendly itinerary.
Start packing with the help of the packing list. This page does not repeat it. Check the weather outlook for your dates, and the plug type in electricity.
The day before: the last checks
Do the online check-in when it opens, choose seats, and look at the baggage rules once more. Domestic flights often have stricter limits than international ones, so confirm the allowance for each leg and weigh your bags.
Charge power banks and phones, and put them, medication, documents and a change of clothes in hand luggage, since checked bags can be delayed. Check which items cannot go in the cabin, such as liquids over the limit and some batteries.
Arrange how you will get from the airport to your hotel in Lima, and confirm the arrival time with the host or driver. The options are in the Lima airport transfer. Leave a copy of your itinerary and insurance details with someone at home, and save the emergency numbers in your phone. Eat and sleep well: a rested arrival helps at altitude.
At the airport and on arrival
Keep passport, boarding pass and the address of your first hotel easy to reach, because immigration or a customs form may ask for them. Check which forms or digital declarations are required for your flight, as entry procedures can change and are explained on the official sources.
After landing, use official taxi desks or a pre-arranged transfer rather than accepting offers in the arrivals hall; the common tricks are in common scams. Withdraw only the cash you need from a machine inside a bank or airport, and keep the rest of your money out of sight.
Switch on the SIM or eSIM you prepared and send a short message home so your contacts know you landed. Confirm with your hotel that they expect you, particularly after a late arrival.
The first 48 hours at altitude
If you fly to Cusco, which sits at about 3,400 m, the body needs time. The first day is for rest: walk slowly, drink water, eat lightly, and avoid alcohol and heavy exertion. Many travellers plan a quiet day or a lower base for the first nights, with the Sacred Valley floor about 2,800 to 2,900 m. Machu Picchu itself is lower, at about 2,430 m.
Learn the common symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, nausea, trouble sleeping) and what to do about them in altitude sickness. If symptoms are severe or get worse, go down and seek medical help; do not push on to keep to a plan. Ask your doctor before travelling whether any preventive measure is suitable for you.
By the second day, confirm the next bookings, use your offline maps, and keep a bit of cash in small notes for tips and local transport.
Frequently asked questions
How long should my passport be valid for Peru?
Entry rules on validity, return tickets and length of stay are set by the Peruvian authorities and can change. Check the official source and your airline before you fly, and renew the passport early if it is close to expiry. Airlines may refuse boarding if documents do not match the rules.
Do I need vaccinations for Peru?
It depends on your itinerary, your health and your home country, and some regions, such as the Amazon, have different advice from the highlands. Book an appointment with a travel clinic or doctor well before departure. General information is in vaccines and health.
What should I download to my phone before going?
Offline maps of the cities you will visit, a translation tool that works offline, your airline and hotel apps, and a copy of tickets and insurance. For ride-hailing, check which apps are current in each city, as this changes. Keep the emergency numbers saved.
Should I buy a SIM card before I leave?
An eSIM bought in advance lets you have data on landing, and a local SIM can be bought after arrival. Either way, check that your phone is unlocked and compatible. The choices are compared in SIM and eSIM.
What is the best way to avoid altitude problems on arrival?
Keep the first day easy, drink water, avoid alcohol and consider a lower base for the first nights. Talk to a doctor before the trip about your own risk. The planning side is covered in an altitude-friendly itinerary.
How much cash should I take on arrival?
Enough for the airport transfer, a meal and small tips on the first day, with the rest drawn as needed. Cards are widely used in cities but less so in small places, so keep small notes. See money in Peru for details.
What should I leave with someone at home?
A copy of the itinerary, the insurance policy number with its emergency line, the passport details and the main booking references. Agree when you will check in so that they know when to worry. Keep your own copies in a separate place from the originals.