The short answer
- Minimum for Machu Picchu
- 5 to 7 days
- Ideal first trip
- 10 to 14 days
- Fly into
- Lima, then fly to Cusco (about 1 hr 20 min)
- Key rule
- Sleep low first: Sacred Valley before Cusco
Almost every Peru trip is built around Cusco and Machu Picchu, with Lima as the gateway. The question is how much else to add: Lake Titicaca, the white city of Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, the Amazon, or the desert coast with Paracas and the Nazca Lines.
What sets these plans apart is altitude. Cusco sits at 3,400 m and Lake Titicaca at 3,800 m, and flying straight up from sea level is how most people get altitude sickness. Each itinerary below has a chart of where you sleep each night, so you can see how gently it climbs. If you only remember one thing: go to the lower Sacred Valley first and save Cusco for later.
7 days: Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco
Best for: A first visit focused on the Inca highlights
Where you sleep each night
| Day | Plan | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Lima; walk the clifftops of Miraflores and have a ceviche dinner | Lima |
| 2 | Early flight to Cusco and drive down to the Sacred Valley; easy afternoon | Sacred Valley |
| 3 | Pisac ruins and market, or Moray and the Maras salt pans | Sacred Valley |
| 4 | Ollantaytambo fortress, then the train to Aguas Calientes | Aguas Calientes |
| 5 | Early bus to Machu Picchu with a guide; afternoon train and transfer to Cusco | Cusco |
| 6 | Cusco: the cathedral, Qorikancha, San Pedro market and Sacsayhuaman | Cusco |
| 7 | Fly to Lima for your international flight |
Tip: Book your Machu Picchu entry for the morning after you arrive in Aguas Calientes. It gives you the quietest early slots and a spare afternoon if trains run late.
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10 days: add Lake Titicaca
Best for: Seeing the Andes properly, with island homestays
Where you sleep each night
| Days | Plan | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 5 | As the 7 day plan: Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu | Lima, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes |
| 6 and 7 | Cusco, with a day trip to Rainbow Mountain or the South Valley | Cusco |
| 8 | Scenic tourist bus to Puno via Raqchi and the La Raya pass (4,335 m) | Puno |
| 9 | Uros floating islands and Taquile, or a homestay on Amantani | Puno or Amantani |
| 10 | Fly from Juliaca to Lima |
More time on the lake: read our Lake Titicaca guide for the difference between Uros, Taquile and Amantani.
Want this 10 day route as a private tour?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 10 days, built around your dates.
14 days: the southern loop with Arequipa and the Colca Canyon
Best for: The classic two week route, climbing slowly from the coast
Where you sleep each night
| Days | Plan | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Lima | Lima |
| 2 and 3 | Fly to Arequipa: the Santa Catalina monastery, the Mummy Juanita and the volcano views | Arequipa |
| 4 | Drive to the Colca Canyon; hot springs in Chivay | Colca |
| 5 | Condors at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, then drive to Puno | Puno |
| 6 | Uros and Taquile islands, or an Amantani homestay | Puno |
| 7 and 8 | Bus or train to Cusco; explore the city | Cusco |
| 9 and 10 | Sacred Valley: Pisac, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo | Sacred Valley |
| 11 and 12 | Train to Aguas Calientes; Machu Picchu the next morning, back to Cusco | Aguas Calientes, Cusco |
| 13 | Free day in Cusco, or Rainbow Mountain | Cusco |
| 14 | Fly to Lima |
Tip: Swap days 9 to 12 for the 4 day Classic Inca Trail if you can get a permit. You will be well acclimatised by then, which makes Dead Woman's Pass far easier.
Want this 14 day route as a private tour?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 14 days, built around your dates.
Other ways to spend extra days
- The Amazon (3 to 4 days): Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado for a lodge in the Tambopata reserve. Easiest to add between Cusco and Lima, and a welcome break from altitude.
- The south coast (2 to 3 days): Paracas and the Ballestas Islands, the Huacachina desert oasis and a flight over the Nazca Lines. Works well at the start, while you are still at sea level.
- A trek instead of the train (4 to 5 days): Replace the Machu Picchu train with the Inca Trail, Salkantay or Lares. Compare them in our trek guide.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Peru?
Seven days is the minimum to see Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu without rushing. Ten to fourteen days lets you add Lake Titicaca, Arequipa or the Amazon.
Should I go to Cusco or the Sacred Valley first?
The Sacred Valley. It is about 500 m lower than Cusco, so sleeping there for your first nights helps you acclimatise before you spend time in Cusco.
Is 5 days enough for Peru?
Only for Cusco and Machu Picchu, and it means a fast climb to altitude. If you only have 5 days, skip Lima and fly straight to Cusco, then head down to the Sacred Valley.
Can I do Peru and Bolivia in two weeks?
Yes, by crossing Lake Titicaca from Puno to Copacabana and on to La Paz, but you will need to drop Arequipa and Colca. Three weeks is more comfortable if you also want the Uyuni salt flats.
Peru month by month
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