Photo: Eddie Kiszka / Unsplash
← The whole route
Leg 4 · Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

Peru

The big one for the Andes — Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and some of the highest driving on the route.

What to see

6 stops we’re not missing

  1. 01

    Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley

    The iconic 15th-century Inca citadel on its cloud-forest ridge, reached through the Urubamba valley.

  2. 02

    Cusco

    The Inca capital layered with colonial architecture — the launch point for the Andes.

  3. 03

    Colca Canyon

    One of the world’s deepest canyons, where Andean condors ride the morning thermals.

  4. 04

    Huaraz & the Cordillera Blanca

    Glaciated peaks and turquoise glacial lakes like Laguna 69 — the heart of Andean trekking.

  5. 05

    Huacachina & the Nazca Lines

    A desert oasis among giant dunes, near the enigmatic lines etched into the plain.

  6. 06

    Lake Titicaca (Puno)

    The world’s highest commercially navigable lake and the floating reed islands of the Uros.

! What to watch for

  • Passes over 4,000 m — real altitude-sickness risk for people and engines
  • Narrow cliff roads and sudden weather
  • Strikes and road blockades can close routes for days; heavy Lima traffic

⛽ Diesel & DEF

Variable quality; ULSD mainly in cities. DEF is scarce — carry reserve. Power drops noticeably at altitude.

🛂 Borders & permits

Easy entry. Plan fuel around long high-altitude stretches and watch for protest blockades.

Sources & further reading

Safety notes link to the live official travel advisory — always check it before you go.