Trust me I could spend months and months in Peru, exploring every bit this incredible country has to offer. But if you’re anything like me, sometimes a week is all you have. It is possible to get a great taste of Peru in a short amount of time. Here’s the best Peru itinerary to follow to maximize your limited time.
Places to Visit in Peru
Day 1: Lima
Lima is definitely one of the top places to visit in Peru. Use your first day to get an overview of Lima. Start your morning off with a quick breakfast from Pastelería San Antonio. There are a few locations around Lima.
We hired a private driver who took us on a tour of some of Lima’s most beautiful neighborhoods (Miraflores, Barranco which has amazing street art, and the historic city center). I highly recommend doing the same as it’ll give you a good idea of places you might want to head back to when you return to Lima later on in the itinerary.
Day 2: Cusco
Cusco is such an adorable city and a must on any Peru itinerary. The altitude is actually higher than Machu Picchu so it’s a good idea to take the day acclimating to the altitude. My friend and I didn’t have much more than shortness of breath but you never know how you’ll be affected.
There are tours that you can take that’ll give you a good overview of Cusco or you can walk around and take in this picturesque town.
Day 3: Sacred Valley
Take a day trip to the Sacred Valley. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Read more about the day trip I took to the Sacred Valley here.
Day 4: Aguas Calientes
You will spend your fourth day in your Peru itinerary starting your journey towards Machu Picchu. You’ll take a train from the Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes and then spend the rest of the day exploring Aguas Calientes. It is possible to visit Machu Picchu on your own but I highly recommend booking with a tour. Here’s the best way to visit Machu Picchu.
Day 5: Machu Picchu
You’ll spend the day pinching yourself and thinking “Is this real life?”. There is truly nothing quite like this day. After you see Machu Picchu, you’ll head back to Cusco for the evening.
Day 6: Lima
Take an early flight from Cusco to Lima. Drop your luggage off at your hotel before exploring more of the city. I enjoyed a trip to Larcomar and then headed back to Barranco to see some more of the street art. And of course, the highlight of my day was my 13 course meal at Astrid y Gaston.
Day 7: Lima and head home
Walk around Miraflores one last time before your flight back home. Or do what I did and think of ways to miss your flight so you can spend more time in this amazing country.
More time in Peru? Trust me, there is plenty more to do to add to your Peru itinerary! Consider adding more time in Cusco and taking more trips from there. Arequipa was also another city that I wish we had gotten the chance to visit. Have you been? What were some of your favorite places to visit in Peru?
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