Highlights
- Sample ceviche in Barranco, a beautiful bohemian neighborhood in Lima
- Shop for traditional Peruvian souvenirs at the Urubamba Market
- Paint and picnic near the salt mines of Maras in the Sacred Valley
- Try a local fruit smoothie at Cusco's famous Mercado Central de San Pedro
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lima, Explore the Peruvian Capital | Lima |
| Day 2 | Insider's Tour of Lima | Lima |
| Day 3 | Fly to Cusco, Sacred Valley Tour, Transfer to Urubamba | Urubamba |
| Day 4 | Horseback Riding in the Pampas de Maras, Picnicking & Painting in Maras | Urubamba |
| Day 5 | Train to Aguas Calientes, Explore Machu Picchu, Train to Cusco | Cusco |
| Day 6 | Cusco City & Market Tour | Cusco |
| Day 7 | Depart Cusco |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Explore the Peruvian Capital
Welcome to Peru! Your flight lands in the capital city of Lima, a vibrant metropolis and one of Peru's largest cities. Located at the site of a pre-Columbian Indigenous settlement, conquered by the Inca empire in the 15th century and later by the Spanish conquistadores, Lima has a fascinating history and a diverse mix of cultures. Amerindian, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian influences make Lima a dynamic and exciting city to explore. Your driver will collect you from the airport and transport you to your hotel. Settle in, then head out to get your bearings.
Lima's breezy location on the Pacific Ocean makes it a perfect city for exploring on foot. Take in views over the ocean from the shopping center, Larcomar, or from the clifftop paths of El Malecón de Miraflores. The malecón (embankment) is also home to the Huaca Pucllana, a large clay pyramid built around 500 CE with seven staggered levels. Make your way to the uppermost section for great views of the city.
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle, Parque Kennedy offers a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere. You can stroll through the park and admire the beautiful flowers and trees or sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the central fountain. This is also a great place to shop for souvenirs, as local vendors set up daily to sell handmade crafts.
Day 2: Insider's Tour of Lima
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Meet a local guide and driver for an insider's tour of Lima. Start the day early in the historic center to visit a local mercado to sample local produce, spices, and baked goods. With a vibrant combination of Indigenous American, African, Asian, and European culinary influences, Lima is one of the world's most impressive gastronomic centers. Taste different types of pisco (local brandy) used to make the classic pisco sour, stop for a seafood lunch of causa (avocado and seafood layered with mashed potatoes) or ceviche, and dine amid views of pre-Inca ruins.
Next, stroll to the bohemian district of Barranco—a popular oceanside neighborhood for artists, tourists, and locals alike. The ornate wooden bridge, Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), is the most photographed sight in the neighborhood. Stop for a photo op, then continue down the road to Barranco's beach (easily accessible via stairs from Parque Municipal, Barranco's central square). On the way, stop at Barranco's prettiest church, the mustard-yellow Iglesia La Ermita. Finish your tour of the picturesque cobbled byways with a snack of picarones (sweet potato doughnuts).
The rest of the day is yours. Explore more of the historic center, including Plaza de Armas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with impressive colonial landmarks, including the Convent of Santo Domingo and its underground Catacombs. Or, head to the Museo Larco for a spellbinding introduction to Peru's ancient cultures, presented wonderfully and told through intriguing ceramics and artifacts. Continue to stylish Miraflores for dinner and see the eclectic Parque del Amor (Love Park), with its beautiful mosaic walls.
Day 3: Fly to Cusco, Sacred Valley Tour, Transfer to Urubamba
Now that you've seen Lima, it's time for the next leg of your journey. After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Cusco, a city surrounded by the Andes mountains. Upon arrival, meet your guide for your exploration of the Sacred Valley, starting in the village of Chinchero, believed by the Inca to be the birthplace of the rainbow. See extensive Inca terraces and several small colonial-era churches before exploring Chinchero's famous textile production and weaving crafts.
Then, head to the ancient Inca city of Ollantaytambo, one of the few remaining places in the Sacred Valley that has retained its original Inca urban planning. Walk through the streets with Inca-era canals and view the ancient houses still in use today. Climb the agricultural terraces, where you'll see some of the quarries from which the stone for Ollantaytambo was sourced. It's incredible how far these large stones were transported, especially considering the Incas didn't have pack animals strong enough to carry them.
Day 4: Horseback Riding in the Pampas de Maras, Picnicking & Painting in Maras
After breakfast, transfer to a nearby farm. After a quick safety demonstration at the stables, familiarize yourself with your horse and saddle up, after which it's time to hit the trail. With an expert local guide, you'll ride by agricultural fields, small rivers, and towering eucalyptus forests. Pass through the Andean fields known as the Pampas de Maras, before arriving at the village of Maras. Here, you'll explore the famous salt mines, made up of over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountainside. The Inca developed this striking patchwork of stone pools and paths to harvest salt.
Having seen Maras, head to a nearby scenic point for a two-hour painting session. Situated between the area's inspiring mountains and fields, an art instructor will help you explore your creative side while enjoying a delicious picnic. After admiring the views and creating your masterpiece, you'll begin the return ride back to the stables. Your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Urubamba.
Day 5: Train to Aguas Calientes, Explore Machu Picchu, Train to Cusco
Wake up early to catch a scenic train departing Ollantaytambo for Aguas Calientes, the main starting point for the masterpiece of engineering that is Machu Picchu. The train ride takes you through a valley and into the narrow Río Urubamba Canyon. Your guide will welcome you at the train station, and you'll proceed to the shuttle bus, a 25-minute ride through cloud forest to the citadel.
The 15th-century, UNESCO-listed Inca complex, located at 7,970 ft (2,430 m), once served as a retreat for the Inca emperor. Machu Picchu, meaning "Old Mountain," was abandoned 100 years after construction and remained largely hidden from the outside world until the early 20th century.
Your guide will lead you around the site, explaining the complex's different buildings and hidden corners. Approximately one-third of the site has been reconstructed into its original structure, giving visitors a sense of the grandeur and artistry of the original citadel. After the guided tour, you'll also have time to explore the sanctuary independently. Following the tour, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch in the picturesque town center. Then, catch your return train to Ollantaytambo to hop a transfer to Cusco, where you'll stay overnight now that you're acclimated to the high altitude.
Day 6: Cusco City & Market Tour
Today, you'll meet your guide for a food and city tour of Cusco, starting in Mercado Central de San Pedro, Cusco's most famous municipal market. There's no better way to know the soul of this city than by browsing its kiosks and marveling at the abundance of fresh produce, which includes many of Peru's thousands of varieties of potatoes. Do as the Peruvians do and purchase a fresh fruit smoothie from one of the market's many food vendors.
As you explore the lively market and the quaint surrounding streets, you'll also try key Peruvian specialties, including chocolate, coffee, tamales, and cherimoya (custard apple) ice cream. Then, continue to the legendary Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), the most important temple of the Inca Empire and Cusco's crowning jewel, which became the basis for the construction of the Santo Domingo Convent after the arrival of the Spanish. Explore the 13th-century ruins and discover the smaller temples dedicated to the rainbow, stars, lighting, and thunder.
Next, visit the important religious site of Sacsayhuamán, a ruined citadel on the hills north of Cusco. The archaeological complex of Q'enqo is next door, a site built to represent the Andean constellations, with a fascinating underground labyrinth. Wrap up the tour with visits to other archaeological sites of Tambomachay and Puka Pukara, then return to Cusco for your final night in Peru. Have dinner in the lively San Blas, an old bohemian quarter famous for its white walls, blue doors, and creative artisan community.
Day 7: Depart Cusco
Today is your last day in Peru. Depending on the hour of your departure, you may have time to visit one more café and do some people-watching before meeting your driver for a transfer to the Cusco Airport. Catch your flight back to Lima and then transfer to your international departure. Alternatively, stay and extend your time in Peru—there's so much to see and explore. ¡Buen viaje!
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