No matter how much time you have in Peru, whether it's just a few days or a few weeks, this country can offer some unforgettable experiences. With just three or four days and good planning, it's even possible to visit the national highlights of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. With a week or more, the experiences just get better, allowing you time for historic cities and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Use this guide to help you make the most of your visit.
For travelers interested in visiting Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley highlights, five days is just enough time to do it. If you've already been to Machu Picchu, consider seeing a different part of Peru on this trip: the Amazon Rainforest, the biodiverse Ballestas Islands, or the lesser-known archeological sites of Northern Peru are all excellent options that showcase more of Peru's outdoor and cultural offerings. Check out more options in the itineraries below.
Six days is just enough time for an efficient tour of the country's highlights. You can certainly visit Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley—and if you fly into Cusco instead of Lima, you can even fit a short Inca Trail trek in the itinerary. If this isn't your first visit to Peru, you might want to skip Machu Picchu in favor of a wildlife tour in the Amazon or an excursion to the more remote reaches of Northern Peru. Find out more below.
With one week in Peru, you can transport your little ones to the days of the Inca Empire on a Sacred Valley highlights tour. Or opt for a classic Peru itinerary that combines history, culture, and adventure for a memorable family experience. Parents to young wildlife enthusiasts will love a trip into the Peruvian Amazon, while families who've already checked out the highlights or are looking for an off-the-beaten-path tour will find stays in Paracas and Máncora to do just the trick.
With one week in Peru, you can uncover the historical, natural, and cultural wonders of one or two regions while indulging your creature comforts. Must-see destinations for first-time visitors are Machu Picchu and the vibrant cities of Lima and Cusco, while the Peruvian Amazon is an excellent fit for adventure lovers. Other options include a trip down Peru's Pacific coast and a gourmet food tour amid the Andean highlands.
In seven days, it's easy to combine Machu Picchu with day trips within the Sacred Valley or with a visit to another region like the Amazon Rainforest or Lake Titicaca. Trekkers can conquer part of the Inca Trail plus take a hike to the brilliantly-striped Rainbow Mountain, and culturally-minded travelers who don't mind skipping Machu Picchu can head to the lesser-visited ruins of Northern Peru. Learn more about your options below.
With eight days in Peru, you can achieve a comprehensive tour of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, plus a couple of days enjoying the cuisine and culture of Lima. Or skip the capital city in favor of another point of interest: add a short Inca Trail trek, cruise around Lake Titicaca, or hike to colorful Rainbow Mountain. You can even pair a quick Machu Picchu adventure with a few days in the Peruvian Amazon. Learn more below.
With nine days in Peru, you're able to combine adventures in more than one region. Fly over the Nazca Lines before visiting Machu Picchu, hike the Inca Trail before decamping to the Amazon for jungle excursions, or take a cooking class in Lima before cruising around Lake Titicaca on a traditional boat. Find out more about your options with these five unique itinerary ideas for nine days in Peru.
You can cover four to five Peru destinations traveling with kids in tow. First-timers will want to hit the highlights of Lima and Cusco, while more active families can add the Palomino Islands and hike part of the Inca trail. Families with older kids will enjoy an Amazon River cruise and a cliffside stay at the Sky Lodge. Add standup paddleboarding in Maras and riding ATVs in the Sacred Valley for fast-paced activities and adventure. For a more cultural experience, stay with a Uros family on the island of Amantani.
Ten days in Peru is an excellent amount of time to enjoy a well-rounded introduction to the country's highlights on a tour featuring Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and the Amazon, and it's also enough time to tick off the four-day Inca Trail and relax while admiring the floating islands on Lake Titicaca. Those eager to spend time searching for unique wildlife should head to Manú National Park, while travelers interested in history but not the crowds should venture to Northern Peru.
Ten luxury days in Peru are perfect for focusing on two or three regions while discovering the country's impressive ruins and natural beauty. Must-see sights include Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, and you can experience all of them during activities catered to your preferences. Wildlife lovers should also include time in the Amazon, while those who love train travel can glide to Lake Titicaca. Paracas, known for its coastal dunes and wildlife, is another superb destination to consider.
With 11 days in Peru, it's the perfect amount of time to explore two regions. You can visit Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca or explore the Sacred Valley and the depths of the Amazon rainforest. Whether you're interested in pre-Inca civilizations, Lima's buzzing food scene, hiking the Inca Trail, or seeing exotic birds on a jungle trail, find out how with these five unique itineraries.
With 12 days in Peru, you have a number of diverse routes to choose from. Whether you want to focus on the Amazon rainforest, pre-Columbian ruins, hiking on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, cultural and culinary tours in Lima, or off-the-beaten-path adventures in Peru's northern region—you have time to do it all. Read on for five unique itinerary ideas.
With 13 days in Peru, travelers' options are almost endless. Thanks to frequent domestic flights and quick connections between key destinations, it's possible to visit the Amazon rainforest, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca and the archaeological wonders of the north on a single trip—or some combination of these. Whether you want to hike, sightsee, boat through the jungle, or learn about indigenous ways of life, find out how with these five unique itineraries.
With two weeks in Peru on a family vacation, you can visit at least five regions. Delight your animal-loving kids with a llama trek in the Sacred Valley and monkey, macaw, and dolphin sightings in the Amazon. Aspiring chefs will enjoy a cooking class in Cusco and a street food tour in Lima. Active families can choose a challenging trek at Machu Picchu, try the via ferrata at Sector Pachar, and go sandboarding in Huacachina. Those eager to get off the beaten path can visit a remote rainforest lagoon in Iquitos and hike to Palcoyo.
Private drivers, luxury trains, and well-appointed cruise ships ensure you can visit Peru's cities, jungles, and mountains in two weeks—and in style. Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy spotting monkeys and other critters from their private Jacuzzi on an Amazon cruise. Active travelers can overnight in a cliffside capsule in the Sacred Valley, tackle high-altitude trekking in Colca, and sandboard in Ica. Those seeking a rejuvenating journey can try Andean healing treatments and unwind in 5-star spas.
A two-week visit to Peru allows travelers to comfortably combine Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley with one of the country's more remote regions. Enjoy the culture and history of the ruins and villages surrounding Cusco and take a jungle excursion into the Amazon on the same trip. Or head north to the archaeological wonders of Kuelap and Chachapoyas. A trip of this length also means more opportunities for trekking, including multiday treks on the Inca Trail.
With 15 days in Peru, you can tick off the country's bucket-list destinations on a classic tour, exploring Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Adventure seekers can opt for a trekking trip through the Sacred Valley with stays in Lima, Cusco, and the Amazon, while history lovers search for Inca Empire marvels near Trujillo, Chiclayo, Chachapoyas, and Cusco. For those looking to spend most of their time on the trail, a hiking trip to Choquequirao and along the Apu Ausangate trail will do just the trick.
You can visit up to eight destinations with 16 days in Peru. First-timers to the country will appreciate seeing the highlights like Machu Picchu's Inca ruins. Nature and culture lovers should venture to the Amazon Rainforest, while those keen on hiking should experience the Inca Trail. Opt for a "Hidden Gems" itinerary that includes Máncora's beaches, or be delighted by a luxury Amazon River cruise and exciting sand dune adventures in a tour for adrenaline-seekers.
Lima's international airport makes it the most common entry point for travelers heading to Peru's many cultural and adventure destinations, including Machu Picchu. Due to flight schedules, most travelers spend at least one evening in the capital—but with so much to do here, extending your stay is easy. Enjoy the art galleries and ocean views of lively Miraflores, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants and local food stands, or visit Inca ruins within city limits. Read on for more.
The vast and fascinating Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is what you make of it. It can be overcrowded if you have limited time and stick to the main site, but if you ascend to surrounding peaks or arrive via one of many beautiful treks, this region can hold your attention for many days. This article breaks down what you can best do here in the holiday time you have, be that a whistlestop half-day tour or an off-the-beaten-track weeklong adventure.
