Picture the clouds peeling away from Huayna Picchu, while the stone terraces of Machu Picchu come into view, and you look toward the Temple of the Condor. For many people, this is the apex, the highlight of their trip, but there’s so much to be discovered in Peru beyond Machu Picchu. Maybe your trip started with you tasting ceviche in Lima’s Surquillo market, and perhaps your next stop is an Amazon river at dawn, watching as parrots and macaws commune in a squawking mass at a clay lick overhanging the river. Desert coast, high Andes, Amazon forest, all in a country three times the size of California.
With so much to see, it’s tempting to try and fit it all in, regardless of how much (or how little) time you might have to spend in Peru. In a week, we’d generally recommend sticking to the classic four (Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco), the same four at a more relaxed pace for ten days, and five over the span of fourteen days, if you want to add the Amazon.
These three Peru itineraries are how we plan them for our travelers, with similar routes and pacing, though every trip we build is customized so while these ideas are a great jumping-off point, each trip we plan is unique. Either way, we know you’ll love Peru.
Now back to Machu Picchu. You’re standing there in the dark in Aguas Calientes, lined up waiting for the early bus, and you get on just as the sky starts to lighten. Then, you’re passing through the gates in a queue of people from all over the world, all speaking all different languages, all at once. And then, there it is. Mist, drifting across the ruins, with the brightening sky just beginning to reveal the terraces and Huayna Picchu’s dark peak. It’s breathtaking, every time. Even if you’ve visited before. So, let’s get to it - onto the itineraries!
Peru itineraries at a glance
| Trip length | Route | Best for | Sample trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | 1 night in Lima, 2 in the Sacred Valley, 1 at Machu Picchu, 1 in Cusco, 1 in Lima before you fly home | A first look at Peru in a single week | Built to order |
| 10 days | 2 nights in Lima, 3 in the Sacred Valley, 1 at Machu Picchu, 3 in Cusco | First-timers, couples, food lovers | The Inca Heart of Peru |
| 14 days | 2 nights in Lima, 3 in the Amazon, 3 in the Sacred Valley, 1 at Machu Picchu, 3 in Cusco, plus 1 extra night in Lima | Wildlife lovers, families with older kids, return visitors | Rainforest, Ruins & the Andes |
7 days in Peru: the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco
Seven days is plenty - well maybe not plenty, but enough - for the classic heartland Peru route. Fly into Cusco, then head straight down to the Sacred Valley, which sits at about 9,400 feet to Cusco’s 11,150. We always recommend beginning in the valley for the first couple of nights to allow your body to slowly adjust to the altitude. That way, when you reach Cusco by the end of the week, you’re ready for its steep cobblestone streets.
Day 1: Welcome to Lima. Land in Lima, Peru’s capital on the Pacific coast, on your international flight. If you’ve flown overnight, you might want to head straight to your hotel, but make time for an early afternoon walk along the clifftop Malecón (bonus if you’re awake enough to stay for sunset), and enjoy your first bowl of ceviche before you head back and tuck in for an early night.
Day 2: Chinchero & the Sacred Valley. This morning, fly to Cusco, then head down into the Sacred Valley. En route, stop to check out a weaving co-op in Chinchero where indigenous women demonstrate the natural dye and loom-weaving techniques passed through generations. Then, check into your hotel, surrounded by garden and mountain views, and spend the afternoon acclimating to your beautiful (but high-altitude) surroundings.
Day 3: Pisac, Moray & Maras. Today, discover Pisac’s hillside ruins and market with a local guide, then Moray’s Inca terraces, believed to have been an agricultural lab to test crops in various microclimates. End your day at Maras, where local families still work the salt pans today using channels built by the ancient Incas.
Day 4: Ollantaytambo & rail to Machu Picchu. In the morning when it’s still cool, climb the terraces of Ollantaytambo and walk the living town below, still laid out in the original Inca street grid. Then, board the train straight from Ollantaytambo station through the Urubamba Valley and watch the scenery change from farmland to cloud forest, as the canyon tightens around the train tracks. Arrive in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu, and check into your hotel. Then, join a guide for your first visit to the citadel in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Another stop at Machu Picchu, then Cusco. Meet up with your guide again, bright and early for another visit to the ruins. After you’ve explored the agricultural terraces, the Temple of the Condor, the main viewpoint, and maybe found a quiet spot away from the crowds to just ruminate in awe, return to Cusco by rail.
Day 6: Cusco, then a final night in Lima. Spend the morning tracing the Inca foundations beneath the colonial churches (from the streets of San Blas to the Coricancha), then fly to Lima and finish your trip with a dinner at one of the celebrated restaurants in Miraflores or Barranco.
Day 7: Homeward. If you’ve got time, have a relaxed breakfast and take a final walk along the Malecón before your transfer to the airport. Many of the international flights out of Lima are either very late at night or early in the morning. A final night in Lima is required if you’ve got an early morning departure, but if your flight departs late at night, you can easily fly straight through from Cusco home, with a connection in Lima.
A planner’s tip: Schedule two visits to Machu Picchu if possible (the afternoon on arrival day and a second visit the next morning). That way, if clouds roll in on your first visit, you’ll have a second chance.
10 days in Peru: Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco
Ten days is the sweet spot for a first trip to Peru. We’d recommend the same route as the 7-day version, but slower and more balanced, with an extra day in Lima for the food and three nights in Cusco at the end. For travelers who want a leisurely, luxury Machu Picchu tour, this is the route we’d choose: our Inca Heart of Peru itinerary, from $5,125 per person.
Day 1: Arrival in Lima. Arrive in Lima and check into your hotel in the Miraflores area, overlooking the Pacific. With an extra day in Lima, you can take it easy after the long journey here, but if you’ve got the energy, walk the clifftop Malecón, and grab a bite nearby (ceviche is a must) before you head to bed.
Day 2: Lima via food and history. Meet your guide for the day and tour Surquillo market, sampling ceviche along the way and learning why Peru has become such a foodie mecca. Walk through the historic city center, then in the evening, discover the murals in Barranco, and spend a leisurely evening at one of the rooftop bars. But call it an early night - you’re off to Cusco in the morning!
Day 3: Into the Sacred Valley. Fly to Cusco and head straight down into the Sacred Valley. Today is a slow day. Check into your hotel, surrounded by garden and mountain views, and spend the afternoon acclimating to your beautiful (but high-altitude) surroundings.
Day 4: Pisac, Moray & Maras. Today, discover Pisac’s hillside ruins and market with a local guide, then Moray’s Inca terraces, believed to have been an agricultural lab to test crops in various microclimates. End your day at Maras, where local families still work the salt pans today using channels built by the ancient Incas.
Day 5: Chinchero weaving & Ollantaytambo. In the morning, stop to check out a weaving co-op in Chinchero where indigenous women demonstrate the natural dye and loom-weaving techniques passed through generations. This afternoon, climb the terraces of Ollantaytambo and walk the living town below, still laid out in the original Inca street grid.
Day 6: Rail journey to Machu Picchu. Catch the morning train through the Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes, check in and leave your luggage at your hotel, then join your guide for your first visit to Machu Picchu’s ancient citadel in the afternoon.
Day 7: Second circuit of Machu Picchu with your guide. Take it slow, make sure you get a chance to see all you want to see, and revel in how remarkable this place is before returning to Cusco by rail.
Day 8: Cusco in layers. Today, explore Cusco with a local guide, spending the day tracing the Inca foundations beneath the colonial churches (from the streets of San Blas to the Coricancha), then retreating to your hotel, just off the main plaza.
Day 9: Your own day to explore. Visit San Pedro Market, take a hands-on chocolate workshop at ChocoMuseo, or explore the ruins of Sacsayhuamán just above the city. Or, for something more leisurely, just wander the streets, and find a patio to enjoy a long lunch in the sun.
Day 10: Departure. This morning, fly back to Lima, and continue on, on your flight home.
Love to hike? Trails, Rivers & Inca Roads takes you along the same route at a more adventurous pace. Four full days in the Sacred Valley with mountain hikes, a day rafting the Urubamba River and a trek to Ollantaytambo on an original Inca road. Then, Machu Picchu on foot and by rail with a day in Cusco for recovery. 11 days from $6,475 per person.
Traveling with kids? Peru for Curious Families is a bit less intensely paced, including the desert coast (sea lions and Humboldt penguins around the Ballestas Islands) and an afternoon of dune buggies and sandboarding at Huacachina. Then hands-on days of weaving, farming and Andean cooking in the Sacred Valley, with far fewer early starts. 12 days from $4,450 per person.
Planning a honeymoon? Our roundup of the best, most underrated honeymoon destinations in Latin America has more ideas for couples, with pricing, and tips on how to combine countries.
14 days in Peru: the Amazon, the Andes and Machu Picchu
If you’ve got two full weeks to spend, even better! That gives you enough time to experience both the Andes and the Amazon - two very diverse landscapes and cultures in two different corners of Peru. Start in the Amazon - hot, humid and heady - in the Tambopata Reserve, with days on the river, naturalist-guided walks and some of the best wildlife in all of South America. Then, off to the Sacred Valley to see Inca terraces and Machu Picchu. This itinerary follows the same route as our 13-day Rainforest, Ruins & the Andes itinerary (from $6,600 per person), but we always suggest adding an extra day in Lima at the beginning or end. To learn more about how we choose our partners, read our guide to sustainable travel in Latin America.
Day 1: Arrival in Lima. Arrive in Lima and settle into your hotel, perched overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Miraflores. Rest and recover from your journey getting here - your evening is free.
Day 2: Lima in context. Take a guided tour through Lima’s historic district and the Surquillo market (where you’ve got to taste-test the ceviche - it’s a must), then head back to the hotel early to rest up for tomorrow's early flight into the Amazon.
Day 3: Into the Amazon. Fly to Puerto Maldonado, then take a boat up the Tambopata River into the heart of the reserve, arriving at your lodge in the early evening. It’s a long day, but it’s worth it. Meet the naturalist team and settle in prior to dinner.
Day 4: Forest from dawn to dusk. Spend your days on Amazon walking trails and boating along waterways with naturalist guides, as you watch for squirrel and howler monkeys, giant river otters, and the brightly colored macaws that congregate along the riverbank.
Day 5: The clay lick. Get up early this morning to boat to the reserve’s clay lick, where parrots, parakeets and macaws gather in a kaleidoscope of colors (red, blue, green, yellow) to eat mineral-rich clay. The reason is still debated, but it’s believed that the birds eat the clay to help neutralize toxins and supplement their diet with essential minerals that they can’t get elsewhere. The clay lick (or collpa) is one of our favorite experiences in Peru, sitting quiet and still as the parrots chatter in the trees and then drop to the clay lick in a riot of feathers and color.
Day 6: Amazon to the Andes. Today, journey out of the Amazon by boat, then climb aboard a small plane to Cusco, continuing down into the Sacred Valley. With such a quick transition from humid lowland forest to the high Andean terraces, you’ll appreciate having three nights to acclimate to the altitude change.
Day 7: Pisac, Moray & Maras. Today, discover Pisac’s hillside ruins and market with a local guide, then Moray’s Inca terraces, believed to have been an agricultural lab to test crops in various microclimates. End your day at Maras, where local families still work the salt pans today using channels built by the ancient Incas.
Day 8: Ollantaytambo & Inca engineering. Spend the day in Ollantaytambo. Climb the fortress in the morning, before the afternoon crowds arrive, then later discover how the terraces, water channels, and still-inhabited town demonstrate how Inca engineering impacts how the locals live today.
Day 9: Rail to Machu Picchu. Take the train through the Urubamba Valley towards Machu Picchu, watching the landscape shift, the valley narrow, and the cloud forest surround you. Check into your hotel in Aguas Calientes and then join your guide for an afternoon visit to the citadel.
Day 10: Morning at Machu Picchu. Head back to Machu Picchu for a second walk of the circuit, or cross over to the Inca Bridge for a less crowded view of the ruins. Return to Cusco by rail this afternoon.
Day 11: The heart of Cusco. Today, explore Cusco with a local guide, spending the day tracing the Inca foundations beneath the colonial churches (from the streets of San Blas to the Coricancha), then retreating to your hotel, just off the main plaza.
Day 12: At leisure in Cusco. Take a day off to yourselves. Pay a visit to San Pedro Market, the ruins of Sacsayhuamán or just relax, eat, drink and explore.
Day 13: Departure. Fly back to Lima to connect to your international flight home.
If you can, stretch your trip to a full 14 days by adding an extra night in Lima at the start or end of your trip. Spend the day wandering the colorful streets and cliffside paths of Barranco, or join a food tour through the city center.
If you have more than two weeks, consider our Great Southern Andes by Rail itinerary. Instead of the Amazon, you’ll discover the highlands of southern Peru, starting in Arequipa with its beautiful pale volcanic stone buildings. Watch condors soar over Colca Canyon, then spend three nights on Lake Titicaca, including a memorable overnight homestay with a family on Amantani Island. From there, a scenic rail journey brings you to the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco, with two visits to the citadel. This 16-day trip starts from $10,500 per person.
How to choose your trip length
- 7 days: one week off with Machu Picchu as the main focus. Two nights in the Sacred Valley, two visits to the citadel, a morning in Cusco and a final night in Lima to cover the essentials.
- 10 days: it's your first trip to Peru and you want to experience Lima's food scene as well as some time in Cusco. That's the length we'd recommend for first time visitors.
- 14 days or more: you're after a second landscape in the Andes, the Amazon rainforest or Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, or you're traveling as a family and want to take it at a relaxed pace.
Regardless of your itinerary, except in Aguas Calientes, we recommend staying at each location for at least two nights. Three is better. Three gives you two full days to explore where you are, and feels less like living out of a suitcase. Looking for hotel ideas? Read our guide to where to stay in Peru. If you’re thinking about adding another country, Ecuador and the Galápagos make for a great pairing with Peru.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Peru?
You need a minimum of 7 days to get through the main highlights of Peru. 10 days is our “sweet spot”, giving you enough time to visit 3 or 4 locations, and 14 days or two weeks affords enough time to go further afield and explore the Amazon - well worth a visit!
What's the best time of year to go to Peru?
The dry season (roughly May through September) brings sunny days, cold nights in the mountains and the clearest views at Machu Picchu. It’s the busiest time of the year, so we also recommend April and October as shoulder months. The rainy season (November through March) means green Andes but rain most afternoons, and avoid February, when the Inca Trail closes every year for maintenance. Our guide to the best time to visit Peru has more details on when to visit, month by month.
How do you deal with the altitude in Cusco?
Cusco is at around 11,150ft (3,400m) and most people feel it pretty immediately. You might become breathless on the stairs (or the steep streets), have a bit of a headache, and find you have trouble sleeping. For that reason, we recommend you start with a couple of nights in the Sacred Valley at about 9,400ft and then head to Cusco once your body has had some time to adjust. Keep your first day or two easy and get lots of rest. Stay hydrated, eat light and hold off on the pisco sours. Most of the hotels offer guests coca tea, the traditional Andean way to deal with the altitude.
Before you plan your travel to Peru, speak to your doctor to see if altitude medication might be appropriate or helpful for you. At any point, if you’re noticing your symptoms becoming worse rather than better, or you feel confused, unsteady, or very short of breath, seek medical help and get to a lower altitude. Machu Picchu is lower than Cusco, at 7,970ft, so most people find it quite comfortable there.
How do the Machu Picchu tickets and Inca Trail permits work?
Daily visitor numbers to Machu Picchu are capped, and tickets are timed to a set circuit through the site. The rules have changed several times in recent years, so book your tickets as soon as your dates are set, particularly for June through August. If you’re hoping to hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, those also have limited tickets, and often sell out early. If you’re even more adventurous and dreaming of the classic Inca Trail, those permits are the hardest to come by. They’re limited and often sell out within days of release for dry-season dates, so plan well in advance if that’s on your list.
How much does a Peru itinerary cost?
Our sample Peru itineraries run from $4,450 per person for twelve days with the family to $10,500 per person for sixteen days through the southern Andes by rail. The ten-day Inca Heart of Peru starts from $5,125 per person. International flights aren't included.
Can you plan our Peru trip for us?
We'd love to help! We start with a complimentary call where we get to know you, how you like to travel, and what you care about, then chat a bit about what would fit well, how long to spend where, and tell you more about what it’s like to work with us. Book your free call.
About the author
Adrienne Aragon founded Osaviva Travel after years of exploring Latin America and the Caribbean. As a specialist in this area of the world, she helps travelers plan custom honeymoons, family adventures, and group journeys throughout the region, including Peru. She is a Certified Belize Specialist through the Belize Tourism Board and a Costa Rica and Mexico Specialist through Travel Agent Academy.
Planning your Peru itinerary
These routes are just a starting point to get you excited, but each trip we plan is unique. Book a call and get started, or, if you’re looking for more inspiration, browse our Peru vacation packages. Hope to see you in Peru.