Five days is the minimum amount that travelers should dedicate to visiting Machu Picchu and surrounding highlights without feeling rushed. To fit in a few more activities, arrive in Cusco instead of Lima and transfer straight to the Sacred Valley to get the adventure started: hiking, zip lining, horseback riding, and mountain biking are all available. If you've already been to Machu Picchu, consider skipping it on this trip to free up some time. Use your 3 extra days to explore the culinary scene in Lima, fly over the Nazca Lines, or explore northern Peru or the Amazon rainforest.
See our itinerary options below, or check out our roundup of great 5-day trip options in Peru.
This itinerary is ideal for travelers who have a limited amount of time in the Sacred Valley, and really want to make it count. Spend 5 days delving into the beauty and rich culture of the Sacred Valley. Walk in the footsteps of the Inca on the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and top it off with an exploration of the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu.
For a quick trip that includes all of the highlights of the Sacred Valley, look no further than this 5-day Peruvian jaunt. Tour the beautiful Sacred Valley and see less-visited Incan ruins, get to know the culinary and cultural elements of Cusco, and—of course—spend a full day exploring the bucket-list-worthy wonder of Machu Picchu.
Discover the hidden rainforest in this 5-day exploration of northern Peru. Transfer from Lima to Iquitos and continue your journey into the Amazon by boat. See hundreds of colorful birds flock together at dawn, spot nocturnal wildlife on a night hike, and visit indigenous communities to learn sugar making and fishing techniques.
From metropolitan Lima to the remote Peruvian Andes, this 5-day adventure brings you to the heart of the mountains. Start in Lima— the capital of Peru—then take a quick flight to Huaraz, a mountain town popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Spend a day exploring the city's history, then head into the mountains to see stunning glaciated peaks, bright blue mountain lakes, and Peru's highest mountain—Mt. Huascaran, which towers at 22,205 ft.
Make the most of your time on this 5-day tour that focuses on one region of Peru. You'll base yourself in Cusco for most of the trip, sightseeing in the historic capital of the Inca Empire and day-tripping to fascinating destinations in the nearby Sacred Valley. Explore the archaeological site of Pisac, the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo, the striking terraces of Moray, and the innovative salt mines in Maras. No itinerary in the area would be complete, of course, without a full day exploring the "lost city" of Machu Picchu. All of that and more await on this short but sweet getaway.
This itinerary is a great way to see the highlights in and around Lima. Get an authentic taste of Peru during your Lima city and food tour. Next, experience the beauty and wildlife of the Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve. Finally, get an aerial view of the famous Nazca Lines - including massive etchings of a condor, a hummingbird, and a monkey. These impressive works of art are best viewed from the skies, as some of them are up to 600 feet in size!
This quick 5-day trip through Northern Peru uses the cloud forest-surrounded city of Chachapoyas as a base to explore regional highlights like the impressive pre-Inca ruins of Kuélap and a hike to one of the world's highest waterfalls, Gocta Falls.
For a quick trip that includes the highlights of the Sacred Valley as well as Lima's culinary scene, look no further than this 5-day Peruvian jaunt. Take in the sights and tastes of Peru's cosmopolitan city of Lima, then head off to tour the explore the incredible landscapes, culture, and history of the Sacred Valley. Top it all off by spending a day exploring the bucket-list-worthy wonder of Machu Picchu.
This 5-day trip takes you straight to the respective highlights of Peru's Andes and Amazon regions. Flying from Lima to Cusco, you first travel through the beautiful Sacred Valley to South America's most famous sight, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. You then switch jagged peaks for steamy rainforest as you fly to the southern jungle city of Puerto Maldonado, then travel by boat down the Madre de Dios River to one of the region's most luxury lodges, where you will be based for jungle activities including dugout canoe trips and canopy walkway adventures.
Starting your trip in ancient Inca capital Cusco, you will travel to the highlights of the Sacred Valley, picturesque Ollantaytambo and the world-famous citadel of Machu Picchu, before journeying southeast of Cusco to the spectacular and seldom-visited Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. This 5-day trip takes in the very best of both sides of the Peruvian Andes: both its known and its unknown.
Embark on a quick-yet-adventurous five-day tour of Northern Peru’s highlights. Upon arrival in Jaen, head to Chachapoyas, your home base throughout the journey. Hike to the Mausoleum of Revash, followed by a visit to Musuem Mallqui, which is home to more than 200 preserved mummies. Then, take a day trip to discover the Kuélap ruins for a day of exploration. The grand finale includes a scenic hike to one of the highest waterfalls in the world—Gocta Waterfall—before flying to Lima for your departure.
Venture into the Peruvian Amazon, a jewel of biodiversity in South America. This tour focuses on the natural side of Peru, giving you a refreshing perspective away from the more popular Incan sites and ruins. Travel by boat to see a variety of colorful wildlife, along with a visit to the Tambopata Research Center. Away from the crowds, you’ll be able to spend days observing the flora and fauna with your own English-speaking guide.
