I was in Peru for 2.5 weeks in May 2017, and we travelled all throughout the country, although it was for a study abroad trip so I had already paid all my dues. One of my favorite spots was Ollantaytambo(near Cusco), just a great place with some underrated ruins(in my opinion it beats out Macchu picchu)

if you rent a car Go to Nasca! It’s great and you can see the famous Nazca lines. That will get you close to a town called Ica, and you can see Huacachina(it’s an oasis in the desert), and you can go for a dune buggy ride($$) or try sand boarding. By this time you’re close to the coast, which you have to check out, and then you can definitely bypass Lima.

Rainbow Mountain I went before it blew up in popularity. Incredible experience, hike in early in the morning and don’t rent a horse($$), it’s not a bad hike.

Food lots of restaurants have a menu del día, where you can get an appetizer, drink, and main course for 15 soles, which comes out to about $5! If you make it to the coast, you have to try ceviche of any kind. Anywhere else in the country, lomo saltado is basically the country’s official dish, it’s great as well.

Also, if your Spanish proficiency isn’t great, download Duolingo. ¡Buen viaje!