Travelling to Peru with a Kenyan Passport: The Complete Guide

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Peru is one of those destinations that offers a little bit of everything from the coastal city of Lima and the desert oasis of Huacachina to the mountains of Huaraz, the historic streets of Cusco and, of course, the iconic Machu Picchu.

I have travelled to Peru three times, and each trip gave me the opportunity to experience a different side of the country. I have travelled solo, with friends and while hosting groups trips through The JustRioba Way.

If you’re travelling to Peru with a Kenyan passport, there are a few things I would recommend knowing before you book your trip particularly when it comes to the visa process, altitude, transportation and planning Machu Picchu.

This guide shares my personal experience and practical tips to help you plan your own Peru adventure.

Peru at a Glance

• Language: Spanish
• Currency: Peruvian Sol (PEN)
• Time: Peru is 8 hours behind Kenya
• Length of my trip: 22 days
• Places visited: Lima, Huacachina, Huaraz, Cusco, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
• Periods visited: October, August and May
• Best areas to stay: Miraflores in Lima, the historic centre in Cusco, central Huaraz and around the oasis in Huacachina
• Safety: I have generally felt comfortable travelling around Peru, while taking normal precautions
• Transportation: Buses, flights, walking and Uber where available

When Is the Best Time to Visit Peru?

I have visited Peru three times between 2024 and 2026, travelling in October, August and May, and I had a good experience on each trip. During these periods, I found the weather generally comfortable, although Peru’s climate varies considerably depending on where you are travelling.

This is important if you are planning a multi-destination trip. Lima, the desert around Huacachina and the mountainous areas around Cusco and Huaraz can feel completely different. For me, there isn’t necessarily one perfect month to visit Peru. The best time depends on the type of experience you want and the destinations you plan to include in your itinerary.

Where to Stay in Peru

Lima

In Lima, I recommend Miraflores. It is a tourist-friendly area with plenty of restaurants, hotels, cafés and attractions, making it a convenient base for exploring the city.

Cusco

Cusco is relatively compact, so I recommend staying around the historic centre or somewhere within easy walking distance of the Old Town. This makes it much easier to explore the city on foot and reach different attractions.

Huaraz

Huaraz is also relatively compact. Staying around the centre or within walking distance of the main town makes getting around easier. If you’re visiting Huaraz for hiking and outdoor adventures, remember that altitude is an important consideration.

Huacachina

Huacachina is a tiny desert oasis, so I recommend staying around the lagoon/oasis itself. That puts you close to the main activities, restaurants and the desert landscape that makes Huacachina so unique.

Is Peru Safe?

Peru is a popular tourist destination and, based on my experience, I have always felt comfortable travelling around the country. That doesn’t mean you should switch off completely. Theft, phone snatching and scams can happen, particularly in busy tourist areas in Lima and Cusco. I would also be careful with taxis and avoid getting into random vehicles.

I recommend using reputable ride-hailing services such as Uber where available. I walked quite a lot during my trips, but used Uber when necessary and was generally mindful of my belongings, especially in busy areas.

Getting Around Peru

One thing I really enjoyed about travelling around Peru was the bus network. I used buses between several destinations and found them very comfortable. Some services have highly reclining or semi-sleeper-style seats, which makes longer journeys much easier. Cruz del Sur is one of the major long-distance bus operators I used. Within the cities, I mainly walked and used Uber where necessary.

Peru Visa Requirements for Kenyan Passport Holders

If you are travelling to Peru with a Kenyan passport, you will need to check the current visa requirements before making your travel arrangements. When I applied for my Peruvian tourist visa, I first contacted the Peruvian consular authorities via consulperu-nairobi@rree.gob.pe to request the application form and confirm the requirements. Once I received the form, I completed it and submitted it together with the supporting documents.

Documents I Submitted

The documents I personally submitted at the time included:

• Six months of certified bank statements
• Certificate of Good Conduct, or the receipt
• Accommodation reservations
• Flight reservations
• Passport photos
• Completed visa application form
• Proof of business for self-employed applicants, including business registration documents, CR12 and business permits
• For employed applicants, an employment letter and supporting documentation from the employer

Don’t Pay for Your Flights and Hotels Too Early

One thing I strongly recommend is making reservations rather than paying for your flights and accommodation before your visa is approved. There is no reason to risk losing money on non-refundable travel arrangements before you have your visa. When I applied, the visa cost was KES 4,000, and I was issued a one-year visa with a maximum stay of 180 days.

Important Visa Disclaimer

Visa fees, validity periods, documentation and application procedures can change. The information above reflects my personal experience at the time I applied and should not be treated as the current official requirements. If you are travelling to Peru with a Kenyan passport, always confirm the latest requirements directly with the Peruvian consular authorities before applying.

Flying from Nairobi to Peru

I have never flown directly from Nairobi to Lima because I have always combined my Peru trips with Brazil. However, through The JustRioba Way, I have hosted clients travelling from Kenya to Peru, and they have used several different airlines and routes.

One common option is Qatar Airways via Doha. You will connect with the same airline from Doha to Lima. Other airlines include KLM through Amsterdam, Air France through Paris and Ethiopian airlines via Addis. Currently Kenyans don’t need visas to transit through these cities as long as they don’t leave the airport. But, before booking, call the airline you intend to use to confirm if you need transit visas. The total journey can take approximately 25–30 hours one way, depending on the route and layovers.

For transit, Dubai and Doha are relatively straightforward options. Transit through the Schengen region can be more complicated depending on your circumstances, so check the current transit requirements for your specific itinerary before booking. For Kenyan travellers, my safe bet is to avoid a Schengen transit if you have another practical option and verify the transit rules before travelling.

My Experience Travelling to Peru as a Kenyan Passport Holder

My experience visiting Peru all three times has been smooth. When I landed, I presented my passport, answered the usual immigration questions about the purpose and length of my trip, and was stamped into the country. There were no major immigration issues during any of my visits.

Travelling to Peru as a Black Traveller

Peru is not a particularly diverse country, and you will not see many Black people compared with somewhere like Brazil. There were definitely moments when I noticed that I stood out. However, I never genuinely felt out of place, and no one made me feel uncomfortable. Most of the Peruvians I interacted with were service providers and people I met during my travels, and my interactions were positive. I found the people I dealt with to be kind and welcoming.

There was one experience that stood out. When travelling by bus from Huaraz back to Lima, a staff member approached my friend and me after noticing that we were travelling on Kenyan passports and screened us with a thermometer. We noticed that other passengers had not been screened in the same way, so naturally we wondered why we had been singled out. We asked the staff member what was happening, but there was a language barrier and we did not get a clear explanation.

That was the only experience that made us stop and wonder what was happening. Overall, though, it did not affect my perception of Peru or my comfort travelling there.

My Peru Trip at a Glance

I spent approximately 22 days travelling around Peru, using Lima as my main base and connecting from there to the other destinations.

The places I visited were:

• Lima
• Huacachina
• Huaraz
• Cusco
• Aguas Calientes
• Machu Picchu

My route looked roughly like this:

Lima → Huacachina → Lima → Huaraz → Lima → Cusco → Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu → Cusco → Lima

Lima

I landed in Lima and began my trip there. Although I spent approximately seven days in Lima in total, these days were spread throughout the trip because I kept returning to Lima between destinations. Lima was my starting point and also became my base for connecting to some of the other destinations.

Things to Do in Lima

Lima is a great place to experience Peru’s food, history and coastal city atmosphere.

• Book a Peruvian cooking class – Learn how to prepare traditional Peruvian dishes in a hands-on cooking class and discover more about the country’s rich culinary culture.
• Book a Lima food tour – Taste your way through Lima and discover some of the city’s best local flavours while learning more about Peruvian cuisine.
• Book a Lima historic tour – Explore Lima’s historic centre, discover its beautiful colonial architecture and learn more about the city’s fascinating history.
• Book a Lima hop-on hop-off bus tour – See Lima’s main sights at your own pace with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, giving you the flexibility to explore different parts of the city.
• Book a Lima paragliding experience – Take to the skies for a different perspective of Lima and enjoy panoramic views of the city’s coastline on a paragliding experience.
• Book a Huacachina & Paracas day trip – Escape Lima for a day and visit the desert oasis of Huacachina and the coastal landscapes of Paracas on a full-day trip.
• Book a Magic Water Circuit light show experience – Visit Lima’s famous Magic Water Circuit and enjoy an evening of illuminated fountains, colourful displays and water shows.
• Book a Peruvian chocolate workshop – Learn more about Peru’s cacao and chocolate-making traditions while creating and tasting your own chocolate treats.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning The Just Rioba Way may earn a small commission if you make a booking through one of the links, at no additional cost to you.

Huacachina

From Lima, I travelled approximately five hours by bus to Huacachina, where I spent three nights. Huacachina is a tiny desert oasis and the landscape is completely different from Lima. It was one of the most visually distinctive parts of my Peru trip.

Things to Do in Huacachina

The obvious attraction is the desert itself. You can explore the dunes and experience the activities that make Huacachina such a popular stop on a Peru itinerary. If you have time, I recommend giving yourself more than just a few hours here. I spent three nights and enjoyed having time to experience the destination without rushing.

• Book a Huacachina sunset buggy ride and sandboarding experience – Head into the desert dunes around Huacachina for an exciting sunset buggy ride, with the chance to try sandboarding along the way.
• Book a wine tasting experience – Discover the flavours of the Ica region with a wine tasting experience and learn more about the area’s local wine-making traditions.

Huaraz

After returning to Lima, I travelled by bus to Huaraz, where I spent five nights. Huaraz was one of my favourite destinations for hiking and mountain adventures. It is very mountainous, and this is one destination where you need to take altitude seriously.

Things to Do in Huaraz

If you love hiking and outdoor adventures, Huaraz deserves a place on your Peru itinerary. There are numerous mountain and hiking experiences around the region. However, don’t arrive and immediately plan a full day of strenuous activity. Give yourself time to adjust to the altitude before taking on demanding hikes.

• Book the Nevado Mateo hike – Take on an unforgettable high-altitude adventure in the Cordillera Blanca and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
• Book a Laguna Parón hike – Visit the stunning turquoise waters of Laguna Parón, surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Cordillera Blanca.
• Book the Laguna 69 hike – Hike through the beautiful Andean landscape to Laguna 69, one of the most spectacular turquoise alpine lakes near Huaraz.

Cusco

From Huaraz, I returned to Lima before flying to Cusco, where I spent three nights. Cusco is one of those destinations where I recommend slowing down and allowing yourself time to explore. The historic centre is compact enough to explore on foot, and there is plenty to see before you even start your journey towards Machu Picchu.

Things to Do in Cusco

• Book a Cusco walking tour – Explore Cusco on foot and discover its historic streets, plazas, architecture and local culture with a guided walking tour.
• Book a Cusco city tour – Discover Cusco’s historic and cultural highlights with a guided city tour and learn more about the city’s fascinating Inca and colonial history.
• Book a Cusco city tour by bus – See more of Cusco by bus while taking in some of the city’s key sights and learning about its history and culture.
• Book a one-day Machu Picchu trip by train – If you’re short on time, a one-day train trip is a convenient way to visit Machu Picchu from Cusco and experience one of Peru’s most famous attractions.
• Book a Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley ATV tour – For an adventurous experience in the Andes, explore the spectacular landscapes around Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley by ATV.
• Book a Sacred Valley, Salt Mines & Weavers tour – Discover the Sacred Valley’s cultural and natural highlights, including its famous salt mines and traditional weaving communities.
• Book a Sacred Valley tour – Explore Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo and Pisac on a full-day trip through some of the most fascinating sites in the Sacred Valley.
• Book a Lake Humantay day hike – Take a scenic day hike through the Andes to Lake Humantay and enjoy the striking mountain scenery surrounding its turquoise waters.
• Book the 7 Lakes Ausangate trek – Explore the spectacular high-altitude landscapes around Ausangate on a trek through the region’s beautiful mountain lakes.
• Book a Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley day hike – Hike through the dramatic Andean landscape to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley and enjoy some of the region’s most distinctive scenery.

Cusco and Huaraz: Don’t Underestimate the Altitude

One thing to be aware of, particularly when visiting Cusco, Huaraz and other mountainous destinations, is altitude sickness. Take your time when you arrive. I would avoid trying to do too much on your first day and give your body time to adjust. Altitude can affect you even if you are otherwise fit and healthy, so don’t make the mistake of arriving and immediately planning a full day of strenuous activities. Especially in Huaraz, where many experiences involve hiking, give yourself time to acclimatise.

Visiting Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is obviously one of the biggest reasons many people travel to Peru. If you’re visiting for the first time, my preferred way to do it is to spend one or two nights in Aguas Calientes, the small town located at the base of Machu Picchu.

You can visit Machu Picchu as a day trip from Cusco, but I find spending the night in Aguas Calientes much more comfortable. You can travel to the town the day before, check into your hotel, rest and wake up the following morning ready to visit the citadel without rushing.

Plan Machu Picchu in Advance

The most important thing to understand about Machu Picchu is that you need to plan it in advance. Tickets are released for specific dates and circuits, and popular dates can sell out well in advance. When I planned my trips, I bought my tickets at least 2–3 months before travelling.

My favourite was Circuit 2A. If that isn’t available, Circuit 2B or one of the Circuit 1 options can be alternatives depending on what you want to see. The circuits and ticketing system can change, so always check the current options when planning your visit.

Step 1: Buy Your Machu Picchu Entry Ticket

Your first step should be purchasing your official Machu Picchu citadel ticket through the Peruvian Ministry of Culture’s ticketing platform:

Official Machu Picchu Tickets — Ministry of Culture Peru

Your ticket is linked to a specific date, entry time and circuit, so don’t leave this until the last minute.

Step 2: Book Your Train

Once you have your Machu Picchu date sorted, you can organise your journey to Aguas Calientes. The two main train operators are PeruRail and Inca Rail. There are different service levels and train experiences depending on your budget. I have personally travelled with PeruRail on both the Expedition and Vistadome services, and both worked very well for me. Because of that, I have continued using PeruRail, although I would like to try Inca Rail on a future trip. If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, Hiram Bingham is another option.

Step 3: Book Your Bus to Machu Picchu

From Aguas Calientes, you take a bus up the mountain to the Machu Picchu entrance. Remember that your bus ticket needs to be arranged separately. If you’re planning to return to Aguas Calientes after your visit, make sure you arrange your return journey too. View details & book your Machu Picchu bus.

Do You Need a Guide at Machu Picchu?

If you’re travelling solo, you don’t necessarily need a private guide. You can explore Machu Picchu without one and still enjoy the experience. However, I think a guide is worthwhile if you’re particularly interested in the history, architecture and cultural significance of the site. Without a guide, you can see the incredible structures and scenery, but you won’t get the same depth of historical context.

My Biggest Machu Picchu Tip

Do not leave your Machu Picchu arrangements until the last minute. Your entry ticket, train and bus arrangements are separate. Your Machu Picchu ticket is also tied to a specific date, entry time and circuit. The rules around circuits and entry can be strict, so read the conditions carefully when booking. My advice is to plan Machu Picchu first and build the rest of your Peru itinerary around those dates.

My Final Take on Peru

Peru is one of those destinations I could return to because there is so much variety. My trips have taken me from Lima’s coastal city atmosphere to the desert landscape of Huacachina, the mountains of Huaraz, the historic streets of Cusco and the incredible experience of visiting Machu Picchu.

My favourite part is probably the variety. You can have food and city experiences, desert adventures, mountain hikes, history, culture and some truly unforgettable landscapes all within the same country.

If you’re travelling to Peru with a Kenyan passport, my biggest pieces of advice are to plan your visa well in advance, don’t pay for non-refundable travel arrangements before your visa is approved, prepare for altitude if you’re visiting mountainous areas and organise your Machu Picchu tickets early.

And don’t be afraid to travel beyond Lima and Machu Picchu. Huacachina and Huaraz were both highlights for me, and each destination gave me a completely different experience of Peru.

Need Help Planning Your Peru Trip?

If you’d rather have someone help you plan your trip from start to finish, The JustRioba Way offers personalised travel planning and travel consultations to help you create an itinerary suited to your travel style, interests and budget.

We also organise annual group trips around the world, so if you would rather explore with a group, you’re welcome to sign up and join us on our next adventure. Whether you need help planning Brazil or another destination, we’re here to help make the process easier.

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