Peru has a diverse geography, where towering snow-capped peaks, scenic beaches and lush jungles captivates each and every visitor. However, this country’s great extension makes it kind of difficult to see it all in just one week, which is why we’d like to give you some options so you can organize your trip according to your interests and time available.
One might think that most of the main attractions of Peru lie in the mystical Andean region, but there’s much more to know about our country that it would be best if you take a day or two to experience a bit more of our history and cultural expression.
Although 7 days in Peru may seem like a short itinerary, let us tell you that you can visit a lot of places in that time range! It all depends on what you’d like to do and the regions you’d like to visit.
The vast Peruvian lands offer different travel experiences, which is something that you should take into consideration before planning your trip. For example, are you more into adventure tourism or would you prefer to have a more cultural-oriented experience? Would you like to travel off the beaten track or is it best for you to visit the most popular attractions?
Yes, we know, there’s so much to think about before traveling abroad, but it’s best to direct your itinerary into something you will actually enjoy rather than just go and do what everyone else is doing.
Remember, this is your vacation time and everything comes down to your interests! Before you get to it, check this pointers and jump into your preferred section:
- Itinerary #1 – Cusco’s Most Popular Attractions
- Itinerary #2 – Wonders of Cusco & Puno
- Itinerary #3 – Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu
Itinerary #1 – Cusco’s Most Popular Attractions
As you may know, Cusco is the main travel destination in Peru since it holds the magnificent Machu Picchu citadel, an impressive natural setting and a distinctive cultural expression.
The former capital of the Inca Empire holds many archeological sites within the city and its surroundings, as well as natural wonders that you can easily visit with full-day tours. For the Machu Picchu with Rainbow Mountain & Cusco package we have gathered some of the most in-demand attractions of the region!
| DAY 1 | Arrival in Cusco |
| DAY 2 | Cusco Archeological City Tour |
| DAY 3 | Sacred Valley of the Incas & Aguas Calientes |
| DAY 4 | Machu Picchu Private Tour |
| DAY 5 | Maras & Moray Tour |
| DAY 6 | Rainbow Mountain Trek |
| DAY 7 | Flight back home |
As most international flights to Peru arrive in Lima, you will need to take a connection flight from Lima to Cusco upon arrival. We would suggest arriving in Cusco at morning time so you have time to rest and get used to the altitude.
Cusco is located at 3,399 m.a.s.l. and since you’d be flying directly from sea level, it would be best if you can take the first day off to properly acclimate before continuing with your itinerary.
On this day, everything will depend on your arrival time and, most importantly, how you react to altitude upon arrival. If you’d like to know a bit more about this condition, here’s a blog with tips and recommendations to prevent altitude sickness in Peru.
The next day, you’ll get to know everything about the history of Cusco while also visiting the towering Inca ruins that surround the famous imperial city. For the third day, we have prepared a special itinerary to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of the most important regions to the Inca culture; here you’ll get to know much more about the history of this famous civilization.
On that same day, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes from the Ollantaytambo train station, so you can spend the night there, just below one of the 7 Wonders of the World. The fourth day will be Machu Picchu day!
We have included a private tour for this experience so you get a more intimate approach to this famous citadel. Afterwards, you’ll return to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Cusco for well-deserved rest before our next adventure!
Our 6th day will take you to two pre-Columbian structures, one of which is in current use by local farmers. Moray was an agricultural laboratory during Inca times, composed of several rounded terraces and irrigation channels. The Maras Salt Mines are a group of over 3,000 salt ponds created even before the Inca era and continue being worked on ever since.
We believe that this itinerary wouldn’t be complete without the Rainbow Mountain Trek, one of the most impressive natural wonders of Cusco. The trek takes about 2 hours on the way up and reaches up to 5,200 m.a.s.l. This is surely the perfect way to finish your adventure through Cusco!
The 7th day will be the last, here we’ll have to say goodbye and it’ll be totally up to you what to do next, either returning home or continuing to explore South America.
Itinerary #2 – Wonders of Cusco & Puno
The Peruvian Andes hold a beautiful cultural expression since many communities have maintained their traditions alive through centuries in spite of the native erasure imposed by the Spanish crown.
For the Machu Picchu with Lake Titicaca & Cusco package, we have combined Cusco, as the Archeological Capital of the Americas; and Puno as the Folkloric Capital of Peru. This experience will take you on a cultural journey through the Andes, while also experiencing the main attractions of these regions.
| DAY 1 | Arrival in Cusco |
| DAY 2 | Cusco Archeological City Tour |
| DAY 3 | Sacred Valley of the Incas & Aguas Calientes |
| DAY 4 | Machu Picchu Private Tour |
| DAY 5 | Ruta del Sol |
| DAY 6 | Lake Titicaca Full Day Tour |
| DAY 7 | Flight back home |
On the first day, you’ll jump right into Cusco from Lima! Remember that Lima receives most of the international arrivals. Once in Cusco, make sure to take some time to rest and get used to the altitude before you start exploring the city.
Depending on your arrival, you’ll have the rest of the day off so you can properly acclimate before heading out to explore the city of Cusco. On the second day, you’ll get to experience the historical monuments and archeological attractions around the city!
Our third day will take you all the way to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you’ll get to know the traditional textile production of the region, Pisac Archeological Site and the frozen-in-time town of Ollantaytambo before taking the train to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll spend the night.
On the following day, you’ll get to explore the ancient citadel of the Incas! Machu Picchu will be waiting for you with its great mysteries and magical natural setting. Finishing your private tour through the historic sanctuary, you’ll get back to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Cusco.
The 6th day will take you to Puno via Ruta del Sol, a touristic circuit that looks to promote some of the most important pre-Inca, Inca and colonial structures on the way to the folkloric city Puno. Afterwards, you’ll have the rest of the day off to explore the town and the banks of Lake Titicaca.
The Lake Titicaca full-day tour will take you through the highest navigable lake in the world so you can experience the cultural expression of some of the oldest communities in our country.
Here you’ll get to discover the floating utopy of the Uros, composed of several floating islands. Later, the itinerary will take you to Taquile Island, a natural island that comprises beautiful traditions and top-quality traditional textiles.
If experiencing part of our heritage is your main goal, there’s surely not a best way to finish your trip through Peru! The 7th day will be your last, so make sure to pack your bags and get ready to go to the Juliaca airport, from where you’ll take the flight back to Lima and eventually, your next destination.
Itinerary #3 – Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu
Taking into consideration that many of you might travel with kids and family, we wanted to structure an itinerary that gives you time to rest and, at the same time, explore the main attractions of the country.
The Machu Picchu with Lima & Cusco package is designed for those that wish to see things calmly and without rush. Here we have gathered the most important attractions within Lima and Cusco!
| DAY 1 | Arrival in Lima |
| DAY 2 | Modern & Colonia City Tour |
| DAY 3 | Arrival in Cusco |
| DAY 4 | Cusco Archeological City Tour |
| DAY 5 | Sacred Valley of the Incas & Aguas Calientes |
| DAY 6 | Machu Picchu Private Tour |
| DAY 7 | Flight back home |
Instead of jumping right into Cusco upon arrival, we thought it would be more suitable for you and your family to have a day to rest after a long flight. Depending on your arrival time, you can stroll around the Miraflores district and get to know more of this upscale touristic neighborhood.
On the following day, we have prepared a special excursion to the Historic Center of Lima, where you’ll get to visit the main colonial attractions of the city! We’d also like to highlight that you can combine this activity with a visit to the Magic Circuit of Water, the perfect attraction in Lima for your kids!
On the next day, you’ll fly from Lima to Cusco, so make sure to take some time upon arrival to get properly acclimatized. Cusco is located at 3,399 m.a.s.l. and it’s best to wait some time before heading out to explore the city.
The 4th day will take you to the greenis Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you’ll get to visit the most important Inca settlements of the region, as well as one of the textile museums along the route before taking the train to Aguas Calientes.
Following the itinerary, we’ll get to visit the Machu Picchu citadel on a private tour so you experience everything at first hand and discover much more of this wonder of the world. Afterwards, you’ll get back to Aguas Calientes to hop on the train back to Cusco.
Finishing up with the itinerary, the 7th day will be the last of this adventure. Make sure to get everything ready before your flight! Depending on your departure time, you can stroll around the city and get the best souvenirs from the San Pedro Market in Cusco.
These are three of our bestseller 7-day itineraries in Peru. However, there are different combinations and variations that we can do for you. Here, at Viagens Machu Picchu, we give you total flexibility to arrange a travel plan just as you dreamed it. Contact our team and request a tailor-made itinerary for you!