A Week in Peru

And how I packed a single backpack for the trip

May 14, 2024

Last month I traveled to Peru with my husband and two-year-old to celebrate my 30^th birthday. It was as beautiful as I expected it to be and also incredibly fascinating. I learned so much about their history, culture, and politics that it was hard to turn my brain off at the end of each day. I feel very lucky to have been able to go!

Read on for some highlights and recommendations as well as packing tips and everything I packed for the trip!

Ciclos Café in Lima

If you love coffee and chocolate, this café is the place to be. Peru has an amazing variety of coffee beans and it was very cool to try different espressos from each region. I also had the best mocha of my life and mini chocolate chip cookies that actually made me gasp they were so good. They have a chocolate tasting room upstairs where we learned about the different cacao beans from each region of Peru.

El Bodegón in Lima

There are many touristy restaurants in Lima, so it was nice to find this spot that was full of locals with a Spanish-only menu! The food was delicious, especially the croquettes.

Machu Picchu

It feels silly to even include this on the list because it’s so obvious, but it was truly an amazing experience. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Being in an ancient city on top of a mountain, surrounded by clouds was unforgettable. I also loved all of the people who came up to us to say how cool it was that we brought our two-year-old. Made me cry!

Green House in Machu Picchu Pueblo

A farm-to-table restaurant that highlights local crops and classic Peruvian dishes. This was where I learned about all of the Peruvian food that I would become obsessed with for the rest of the trip. Still missing the quinoa, Aji de Gallina, and Pisco Sours.

Inkaterra Hotels

We stayed at their Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley locations and were so impressed with the scenery and their dedication to growing the food that they serve at their restaurants. Maybe the best hotel experience I’ve had.

Packing Less

My desire to always carry on my luggage was borne out of the fear of losing my belongings en route, but now I also love going on a trip knowing that I have exactly what I need and nothing else.

I have read every ‘packing tips’ blog post I could find over the years and have learned from many mistakes, so I have put together a few tips!

Pack your favorite foolproof clothes

There are already so many unknown variables when you travel; feeling bloated post-flight, using different soap and hair products, adapting to different weather, etc. Travel is not the time to wear anything even mildly outside of your comfort zone. Pack the clothes you always reach for at home that you know you look and feel great in.

Mind your itinerary

I can’t tell you how many times I have packed all the wrong things based on a fantasy of looking cute at dinner when the majority of my plans revolve around going to the beach or sightseeing. Take your itinerary seriously when making your packing list and check the weather!

Make your own high-low formula

Choose a ratio of dressy items (high) and casual items (low) based on what you’re doing on the trip. Make sure at least some of the high and low items go together so you can easily adjust your outfit throughout the day. I love throwing a jean jacket and sandals on with workout clothes after a hike to feel a little cuter at breakfast.

Always bring an MVP Jacket

A jacket that can be worn with every other item you bring is the best way to feel put together on a trip. You can wear it off-the-shoulder, around your waist, or tied over your shoulders and you’ll feel like you have dozens of outfits.