Peru: Lima to Machu Picchu
Ceviche, Sacred Valley, rainbow mountains, and the lost city of the Incas.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Lima
Explore Miraflores — Malecón cliffside walk
Malecón de Miraflores
Parque Kennedy and Huaca Pucllana ruins
Huaca Pucllana
Ceviche lunch at La Mar (Gastón Acurio)
La Mar
Historic centre — Plaza Mayor, Cathedral, San Francisco catacombs
Plaza Mayor
Walk through Barranco (bohemian district, street art)
Barranco
Dinner at Central (world-renowned restaurant)
Central
Day 2
Cusco
Fly from Lima to Cusco (1.5 hrs)
Lima Airport
Arrive in Cusco — acclimatise with coca tea
Cusco centre
Walk Plaza de Armas and Cusco Cathedral
Plaza de Armas
Lunch at Cicciolina (Italian-Peruvian fusion)
Cicciolina
San Pedro Market — fruits, juices, local snacks
San Pedro Market
Visit Sacsayhuamán fortress ruins
Sacsayhuamán
Dinner at MAP Café in the museum courtyard
MAP Café
Day 3
Sacred Valley
Drive to Sacred Valley — stop at Chinchero textile community
Chinchero
Moray circular terraces (Inca agricultural lab)
Moray
Maras salt mines (Salineras)
Maras Salt Mines
Lunch in Urubamba (Peruvian buffet with valley views)
Urubamba
Ollantaytambo fortress and Inca town
Ollantaytambo
Explore the living Inca town streets
Ollantaytambo
Dinner at Hearts Café in Ollantaytambo
Hearts Café
Day 4
Machu Picchu
Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (1.5 hrs)
Ollantaytambo Station
Bus up to Machu Picchu citadel
Machu Picchu
Guided tour of the ruins — Sun Temple, Intihuatana
Machu Picchu
Hike to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) for panoramic views
Intipunku
Final exploration and photos at the citadel
Machu Picchu
Bus down to Aguas Calientes, hot springs soak
Aguas Calientes hot springs
Train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco
Aguas Calientes Station
Day 5
Cusco
Drive to Rainbow Mountain trailhead (3 hrs)
Vinicunca trailhead
Hike to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain (5,200 m)
Vinicunca
Summit views of the colourful mineral striations
Vinicunca summit
Hike back down, packed lunch with alpacas
Vinicunca
Drive back to Cusco, rest
Cusco
Dinner at Chicha (Gastón Acurio's Cusco restaurant)
Chicha
Day 6
Cusco
Explore Cusco's San Blas artisan quarter
San Blas
Qorikancha (Inca sun temple beneath Santo Domingo)
Qorikancha
Lunch at Pachapapa in San Blas courtyard
Pachapapa
Chocolate museum and pisco sour making class
ChocoMuseo
Sunset at Cristo Blanco viewpoint
Cristo Blanco
Farewell dinner at Morena Peruvian Kitchen
Morena
Day 7
Lima
Fly from Cusco back to Lima
Cusco Airport
Arrive in Lima, brunch at Isolina
Isolina
Walk the Bridge of Sighs in Barranco
Puente de los Suspiros
Last souvenir shopping in Miraflores
Miraflores
Transfer to Jorge Chávez Airport
Lima Airport
Where to stay
Find and book hotels for each stop on this trip.
Things to do
Book tours, tickets and experiences in each city.
Travel essentials
Sort out the rest of your trip before you go.
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Want this trip in your pocket?
Download Itinly to customise this itinerary, get live directions, and discover local recommendations.
Download Itinly Free