How to spend 7 days in Peru - 4 unique itineraries

If you’ve got just a week to spend in Peru, don’t worry—you can still experience some of its most remarkable places. In this 7-day Peru itinerary, I’ve mapped out how to make the most of your week, with tips and advice from our local travel experts.  

Is 7 days enough for Peru?

A 7-day trip to Peru can be a great introduction, though the country’s diversity means you’ll definitely need to prioritize. With limited time, focusing on Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu—with a day in Lima for its vibrant cuisine—can make for a good trip without feel intensely rushed.

Travel within Peru takes quite a bit of planning, as reaching Machu Picchu alone requires train and bus connections from Cusco. I feel that sticking to fewer destinations allowed for a deeper experience of Peru’s rich culture and landscapes. If you want to add regions like the Amazon or Lake Titicaca, I would recommend considering extending your stay to 10 days or 14 days.

Prepare for the altitude

Cusco sits at a lofty 11,152 feet (3,399 m), and much of this journey takes you even higher. It’s wise to start altitude medication 24 hours before arriving. Plan your itinerary to ease into the elevation, moving from lower to higher altitudes as your body adjusts.

Day 1: Lima

Lima is often treated as a quick stop, but it’s worth slowing down to appreciate what this city has to offer. From ancient temples and colonial mansions to cutting-edge restaurants, Lima is South America’s culinary capital. Here’s how to savor it all. 

Miralores

Begin your day in Miraflores, Lima's chic coastal district. A morning stroll along the Malecón, a scenic clifftop park stretching six miles along the Pacific, is a must. Locals call the morning fog “garúa,” which usually clears by 10 AM to reveal breathtaking ocean views.

Barranco

Make your way to Barranco, the city’s artsy district. This area was once a retreat for Lima’s wealthy, and its colonial architecture still reflects that history. Today, it’s known for its art, cafes, and a more laid-back vibe.

Places to check out:

• Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros): Try to arrive before 4 PM for fewer crowds. Tradition says that if you can hold your breath across the bridge, your wish will come true.
• MATE Museum: Set in a restored 19th-century mansion, this museum displays work by photographer Mario Testino.
• La Ermita Church: The church and surrounding area are especially photogenic during golden hour (around 5:30 PM).

Historic center

Lima’s UNESCO-recognized historic center has its own distinct energy as the day winds down. Plaza Mayor is a good starting point, surrounded by colonial buildings like the Cathedral and Government Palace.

For something unique, visit the San Francisco Monastery, known for its catacombs, Lima’s earliest cemetery. Arriving after 4 PM can mean fewer tour groups, making for a quieter experience. The monastery’s library, holding over 25,000 antique texts, is worth a look too.

Where to stay in Lima

Choosing the right neighborhood can shape your entire experience in Lima, with each district offering its own distinct slice of Peruvian life.

• Miraflores: If you’re looking for modern comforts and Pacific views, Miraflores is the place. This upscale area is known for manicured parks, luxury hotels, and vibrant dining options. 
• San Isidro: Lima’s business district has an elegant, understated charm. Known for its high-end shopping, quiet parks, and excellent dining options, San Isidro feels more refined and less tourist-heavy. 
• Pueblo Libre: For those seeking a taste of local life, Pueblo Libre offers a more historic, down-to-earth vibe. Known for its traditional huariques (taverns) and famous museums like the Larco Museum.

Day 2: Explore Lima and travel to Cusco

Start your day with a visit to Huaca Pucllana, an impressive pre-Inca pyramid in the heart of Miraflores. Plan to arrive when it opens at 9 AM and spend about an hour exploring the site.

From there, head to Mercado Surquillo, a traditional market where some of Lima’s top chefs source their ingredients. This is the place to try fruits like lucuma, chirimoya, and maracuyá, and don’t miss the ceviche in the seafood section—it’s fresh, local, and delicious. 

You’ll also want to stop by the herb stalls to pick up coca leaves, a useful and affordable remedy for altitude adjustment in Cusco.

Planning your flight to Cusco

The flight from Lima to Cusco is just 1.5 hours, but timing your departure well can make a big difference. Aim for an afternoon flight between 2 and 4 PM to avoid Lima’s morning fog and Cusco’s unpredictable mountain winds later in the day. 

Getting to Lima Airport:

• From Miraflores, the airport is 45-75 minutes away, depending on traffic.
• For transport, consider the Airport Express bus for reliability and a fixed schedule, or opt for a private transfer for convenience.
• Avoid traveling during rush hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) when traffic is heaviest.
• For domestic flights, try to arrive at the airport at least two hours early. If you’re flying during the high season (June-August), add an extra 30 minutes.

Things to do your first night in Cusco

Your first full day in Cusco requires a delicate balance – you'll want to explore everything immediately, but the 11,152-foot elevation demands respect. Begin with a coca tea, served at every hotel in Cusco. This traditional remedy really does help with altitude adjustment, particularly when consumed within your first 24 hours at elevation.

• Walk slowly and avoid stairs when possible.
• Stay hydrated, but skip alcohol for now.
• Stick to a light dinner, as digestion can be slower at higher altitudes.

If you arrive in Cusco before dark, consider a gentle evening stroll around Plaza de Armas, a slow walk helps with acclimatization without overexertion. 

Where to stay in Cusco

Here's a breakdown of where you might want to base yourself in Cusco’s neighborhoods .

• Historic Center: For those wanting to stay in the heart of it all, the Historic Center offers luxury hotels set in beautifully restored colonial mansions. You’ll be steps from Cusco’s main attractions.
• San Blas: Ideal for art lovers, San Blas is Cusco’s artistic quarter. Here, boutique hotels with fantastic city views sit among local art galleries and quaint cafes. However, be prepared to navigate the area’s steep hills.
• Novotel Area: Centrally located near Plaza de Armas, this area is known for its mid-range hotels with modern amenities, offering great value and easy access.
• Lucrepata: A quieter residential neighborhood about a 15-minute walk from the center, Lucrepata has family-run guesthouses and budget-friendly options.

Day 3: Explore Cusco

 This UNESCO World Heritage site, once the capital of the Inca Empire, blends Spanish colonial architecture with perfect Inca stonework. Start again with a coca tea.  If you're sensitive to altitude, ask your hotel for "mate de muña," another local tea that helps with altitude-related digestion issues. 

Things to do in Cusco

Cusco is a unique blend of Incan heritage and Spanish colonial influence

Pre-Columbian Art Museum (MAP) 

Located in a historic colonial mansion, the MAP features well-preserved artifacts from Peru’s ancient cultures, including finely crafted jewelry, ceramics, and textiles. Each room highlights a different region, showcasing the diversity and richness of pre-Hispanic Peru. 

San Blas Neighborhood 

Known as Cusco’s artisan district, San Blas sits on a hillside overlooking the city. Its steep cobblestone streets are lined with small galleries, local workshops, and cafes. Many artisans here open their studios to the public, offering a chance to see traditional crafts firsthand, from pottery to Andean weaving. 

Visit Qorikancha (The Sun Temple) 

Once the most important temple in the Inca Empire, Qorikancha was dedicated to Inti, the sun god. The temple’s impressive stonework reflects Inca engineering skills, with stones cut so precisely that they fit together without mortar. The Spanish later built the Church of Santo Domingo directly atop Qorikancha 

San Pedro Market 

For a taste of daily life in Cusco, visit San Pedro Market, the city’s main market for fresh produce, traditional herbs, and local foods. You’ll find everything from colorful textiles and alpaca wool products to Andean superfoods and coca leaves. Locals shop here for ingredients, and food stalls serve popular dishes like ceviche and empanadas. 

Day 4: Sacred Valley day trip

The Sacred Valley deserves far more than a single day, but if you're tight on time, this itinerary will make the most of it. Located at a lower altitude than Cusco (9,514 feet), this lush valley is packed with insights into both ancient and modern Andean life. If you can extend your trip, spending a couple of days here is well worth it. 

Morning in Pisac

Start your morning in Pisac, where the iconic terraced hillsides showcase the Inca's agricultural ingenuity.Massive agricultural terraces curve around the mountainside, still used by local farmers today. The site includes:

• The largest known Inca cemetery
• Well-preserved Temple of the Sun
• Agricultural terraces that created distinct microclimates for crop experimentation

Pisac Market

Pisac’s market square offers a unique shopping experience with locally-made textiles, ceramics, fresh bread from colonial ovens, and Andean superfoods. Seek out vendors in traditional dress for unique, handmade items. This is a great way to support the local community.

Visit the Pisac Market first (especially busy on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays). Shop early before tourist buses arrive, then head up to the ruins when morning fog lifts around 10 AM.

Afternoon in Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo, often called the 'Living Inca City,' preserves its original Inca layout, complete with street grids and water channels. The expansive site includes Temple Hill with massive monolithic stones, ancient grain storehouses on the mountainside, and original Inca homes still occupied today.

While most people take a 2-hour tour of the main complex, consider climbing to the Pinkuylluna storehouses across the site. This quieter route offers stunning views and a chance to see the "Inca face" rock formation. Plan for 3-4 hours to explore both areas at a comfortable pace. 

How to book a tour

A quality Sacred Valley tour transforms your experience from simple sightseeing to deep cultural understanding. Look for tours offering knowledgeable English-speaking guides (ideally with archaeology backgrounds), traditional lunch stops, small groups under 15 people, and all entrance fees included with the Sacred Valley Tourist Ticket.

More expensive doesn't always mean better - look for good reviews specifically mentioning guide knowledge. You can usually book through your accommodation or online. 

Day 5: Overnight hike to Machu Picchu

The Short Inca Trail (Camino Inca Corto) is ideal for those wanting a taste of the legendary Inca Trail without committing to a full four days. 

This 6-8 hour trek covers the final, most scenic stretch of the classic route, taking you through :

• Cloud Forest: A misty ecosystem alive with orchids and hummingbirds—a unique chance to see diverse flora and fauna along the trail.
• Wiñay Wayna ("Forever Young"): This complex of agricultural terraces and ritual baths is considered one of the most beautiful spots on the trail and sees few day tourists, making it a peaceful stop.
• Intipata’s Terraces: Stone-carved terraces cascading down the mountainside show the Incas’ ingenuity in farming steep terrain.
• Inti Punku (Sun Gate): The historic entrance to Machu Picchu. Reaching it gives you a first glimpse of the ancient city framed by the mountains.

Be sure to book your permit months in advance (permits are capped at 250 daily), use a licensed tour operator, and don’t forget your passport and rain gear—no matter what the forecast say. 

Arriving at Machu Picchu

Unlike the bus route, this trail brings you to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. If you arrive in the late afternoon, you’ll find fewer visitors, and the softer light reveals unique details on the stonework. Take your time on the descent, as the changing light adds new layers to the view. 

Evening in Aguas Calientes

After the trek, you’ll descend to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) for the night. Check into a hotel—those along the Urubamba River are quieter compared to ones near the train station. Confirm your bus ticket for the next morning’s early ride back to Machu Picchu, as buses depart before sunrise, and securing a spot is important if you plan to visit again in the morning light.

For dinner, go for something light like quinoa soup or grilled trout at one of the local restaurants, and aim for an early night to prepare for the pre-dawn wake-up.

Day 6: Back to Cusco

Today, you’ll complete the final stretch of the Inca Trail, arriving at Machu Picchu’s entrance in the early morning. Entering at 6 AM offers two big perks: the best lighting and fewer crowds. With up to 4,500 daily visitors, early risers get a rare, quieter hour to explore. For that iconic postcard view, aim to be there before 8 AM. 

Walk counter-clockwise through the site - this puts you ahead of most tour groups and gives you the best progression of views.

Return journey

After exploring Machu Picchu, take the 25-minute bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch before starting your journey back to Cusco. The trip takes about four hours in total:  

• Bus to Aguas Calientes
• Train to Ollantaytambo (2 hours)
• Van transfer to Cusco (2 hours)

An early afternoon train is ideal, allowing for a relaxed morning at Machu Picchu and getting you back to Cusco in time for dinner.

Day 7: Day trip to Humantay Lake

Humantay Lake, a striking turquoise glacial lake beneath the snow-capped Humantay Mountain, is both breathtaking and sacred to local communities. Its vivid blue-green color comes from mineral deposits in the surrounding glaciers, and it’s set at an altitude of 13,779 feet, offering stunning Andean landscapes along the way.

Travel time: 3-4 hours

The journey from Cusco follows this route:

• Cusco → Mollepata village (2.5 hours)
• Mollepata → Soraypampa trailhead (1 hour on unpaved mountain roads)
• Soraypampa → Humantay Lake (2-3 hour hike

To catch the lake at its most vibrant, most tours leave Cusco between 4:00-5:00 AM, aiming to arrive before afternoon clouds settle in. The early start may be tough, but the views are worth it—especially in the morning light. 

Organized groups vs taxi

The only way to reach Humantay Lake is by organized tour or private taxi - there's no public transportation to the trailhead. 

For a budget-friendly, hassle-free visit to Humantay Lake, organized group tours ($30-45) cover logistics and include a guide, though you’ll be on a set schedule. Alternatively, a private taxi ($80-120) offers flexibility and a quieter experience but requires you to manage tickets and any guide arrangements.

The hike

The hike to Humantay Lake is a moderately challenging trek primarily due to the altitude, so plan accordingly. The trail is well-marked but steep in some sections, covering a round-trip distance of about 4 miles.

• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours up, 1.5 hours down
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, primarily due to altitude
• Trail Type: Well-marked but steep
• Total Distance: About 4 miles round trip

Horse rentals are available at the trailhead for about $25-30. It’s best to arrange this on arrival so you can assess the weather and your own energy levels before deciding. 

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