Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley: Best Itinerary Ideas

How many days do you need in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley?

• Most travelers spend 7-9 days in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Sacred Valley combined
• Visiting Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Sacred Valley in 5 or 6 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
• With 10 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extensions are the Amazon and Puno

How Many Days to Spend in Lima
How Many Days to Spend in Machu Picchu

Recommended Itineraries for Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley

Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week

Explore Peru's iconic cities, ancient archaeological sites, and coastal wildlife in this seven-day exploration. Start in the capital of Lima, then head south to Paracas for a marine wildlife tour and views of a 2,200-year-old geoglyph. Try your hand at sandboarding in the desert oasis of Huacachina before heading to the imperial Inca city of Cusco. Explore Inca ruins, bustling textile markets, and the local culture of the Sacred Valley. Finish your visit with a day trip to Machu Picchu, the iconic 15th-century citadel. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days

Dig a bit deeper into Peru's cities, archaeological sites, and coastal views during this 8-day journey. After exploring architecture and the food scene in Lima, head to Paracas for views of the Pacific and stunning sand dunes. Next, head to Cusco, where you'll explore the historical attractions in and around the Sacred Valley. Take the memorable Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu before enjoying a free day to relax in Cusco to finish the trip. Read more

Extended Itineraries

9-Day Itinerary Including Puno

Explore Peru's cities, Machu Picchu, and the largest lake in South America on this nine-day exploration of local Peruvian culture. Start in metropolitan Lima and explore the vibrant food scene and history. Continue to Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire, and visit ancient ruins and colorful textile markets. Next, spend a day visiting the iconic Machu Picchu ruins. Finally, venture to Lake Titicaca to see its floating islands and native culture. Read more

10-Day Itinerary Including the Amazon & Puno

From Cusco to the Amazon rainforest, this grand Peru tour is ideal for adventurous travelers, nature lovers, and history buffs. The highlights are many: explore both the Indigenous and colonial sides of Cusco, visit the Uros floating islands, and witness the majesty of Machu Picchu. Then travel south to Puerto Maldonado and the Amazon, where you'll stay in a rainforest lodge and embark on nature tours to spot exotic wildlife. Read more

12-Day Itinerary Including the Amazon

From Lima to the Amazon, this 12-day itinerary has it all. Take in the sights and flavors of the capital city, then head east to Puerto Maldonado, a jumping-off point for a journey to the rainforest. Spend three days staying at a jungle lodge and seeing wildlife like colorful parrots and giant river otters, then travel to Cusco and the Sacred Valley to learn about Inca history. Finish with hikes to Machu Picchu and vibrant Rainbow Mountain—the perfect way to end this whirlwind trip. Read more

How to travel between Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley

How to get to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu needs little introduction—it's South America's most famous and most visited travel destination. Getting to this complex of Inca ruins, as almost every Peru-bound traveler wishes to do, always involves first traveling to Cusco. Read more

How to get to the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is the name given to the valley of the Río Urubamba and the pretty tradition-rich towns and villages that cling to its sides amidst a clutch of Inca ruins. The valley begins twists and turns beneath steep mountainsides north of Cusco. Cusco is the only real access point to the Sacred Valley because it acts as one of Peru's biggest transport hubs. All travel to the Sacred Valley, therefore, first necessitates a journey to Cusco. Read more

How to get from Lima to Cusco
The most popular place to head from Lima is Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca and the jumping-off point for Machu Picchu. For those with limited time, the easiest means of getting there is to fly. Flight prices per person are still not that much more expensive than heading overland by bus and cheaper than heading overland by private transfer. It isn't recommended to drive yourself due to road conditions and other dangers. Read more