A trip to Peru will feed all of your senses; from an abundance of natural landscapes (from deserts to lush-green hills), a wild gastronomy scene, to a rich culture and history that actively feeds the present. Of course, the cherry on top is being able to visit one of the seven wonders of the world – Machu Picchu. Peru is an incredibly easy country to navigate and very welcoming of tourists. We recommend staying at least two weeks to truly see all the country has to offer, but we know that most travelers visit for less time. In this itinerary, we’ve crammed the best things to do in Peru in 8 days!
DAYS 1 & 2: LIMA
Where to Stay in Lima
We recommend starting off your trip with Lima to discover the vibrant capital of Peru. It’s best to stay 2 days at the beginning of your trip and wrap up with one day at the end. The are two iconic neighborhoods in Lima: Miraflores and Barranco. Miraflores is more affluent and modernized, whereas Barranco is the hipster side of town with older structures and more authenticity. Either way, Lima is a coastal town so regardless of where you stay, you will always be hugged by the Pacific Ocean.
If you stay in Miraflores we recommend small boutique hotels like Hotel Antigua or Casa Suyay. If you prefer more luxury accommodations, the Pullman Hotel is a beautiful hotel with a terrific rooftop.
What to do in Lima
Scattered across the city are colonial structures, pre-Inca heritage sites and vibrant neighborhoods. The blend is wonderful, both representative of a rich past and a quickly growing metropolitan city, in fact of the largest in South America today. There is so much to do in this city that your first two days will be jam-packed! Before you get started, make sure to download Cabify, the local ride-sharing service application.
Historic Center of Lima
Jirón de la Unión
Explore the historic center of Lima by first walking down the Jiron de la Union street. Here you can vividly see the colonial-built architecture that is the foundation of modern-life in Peru. The streets are lined with colorful facades, hidden churches, boutique restaurants and quite a bit of shopping. Towards the end of the main street is the central plaza and the Presidential Palace.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor de Lima is also known as the Plaza de Armas de Lima and it’s the core of the city. This UNESCO World Heritage site was established by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535. The square itself is home to plenty of attractions and a hidden gem (keep reading to find out). The square is wrapped with historic buildings such as the palace and the Lima Cathedral, and if you’re lucky you may catch one of the many performances that often take place in the square.
San Francisco Monastery
You can’t get away from World Heritage sites when you’re strolling around the historic downtown. The monastery is comprised of a church and convent which took over a century to build and were finally completed in 1774. But what’s so special about this church you may ask? Well, the catacombs are where you can get a striking tour of thousands of human remains buried during Peru’s colonial era.
Parque Benemérita Guardia Civil
Keep strolling beyond the plaza and around the monastery and you’ll find yourself entering the Parque Benemérita Guardia Civil. While it’s just a park and not necessarily a tourist attraction, you’ll get a one-of-a-kind glimpse of the San Cristobal Hill and its staggered homes.
Barranco
A truly electric part of Lima with major streets like 28 de Julio and Cajamarca that are lined with colorful murals and old buildings. In an odd way, Barranco resembled the colonial styled homes of Havana, but still, quite strongly, had its own character.
The Bridge of Sighs
The Bridge of Sighs or the Puente de Los Suspiros is a small wooden bridge that used to cross a water stream, years later the stream has become a stone walkway. Across from the bridge is Barranco’s iconic bright yellow La Ermita de Barranco church.
Miraflores
Huaca Pucllana
The first time we visited Huaca Pucllana, it was for a late-night dinner and in the backdrop was the beautifully lit remains of this pre-Inca pyramid. It goes without saying that we went back the next morning to fully explore it. This complex dates back to 500CE and is nestled in the heart of Miraflores, making one of the last standing ruins in the capital.
Malecón de Miraflores
Stroll along Lima’s scenic cliff top walkway which stretches several kilos. We suggest heading straight to the Parque Salazar, the most central part of the Malecon and the perfect viewpoint for a sunset over the Pacific.
Where to Eat in Lima
Honestly, regardless of what we recommend in this guide – you can never go wrong with food in Peru. The culinary scene is incredibly satisfying. Alas, here are some of our favorite restaurants that serve fresh seafood and traditional Peruvian dishes like lomo saltado and ají de gallina. You must absolutely dine in Panchita and La Mar Cebicheria.
DAYS 3 TO 5: CUSCO
Grab a flight from Lima to Cusco: The Gateway to the Sacred Valley. Be prepared as the elevation can really get the best of you. Make sure that on your first day in Cusco you plan time for resting and adjusting to the altitude – this requires a lot of Coca tea consumption. If you’re feeling under the weather, ask your hotel for help, almost all of them are equipped with oxygen tanks that can help you regulate your breathing and get a steady flow of oxygen in your blood stream.
Where to Stay in Cusco
Choosing a central place to stay in Cusco can be a bit tricky. While hotels and miradors can seem very central, the windy hilly roads make getting around quite the trek. Finding a hotel close to the city center is ideal. We recommend boutique hotels like Casa Cristobal, Novotel, Casa Andina, or Sacha Centric.
What to do in Cusco
Plaza Mayor de Cusco
Also known as the Plaza de Armas, the plaza, as they all are, is the most central part of Cusco. Historically, the square was a place of ceremonies, often ending in intense emotions and tears, giving the original square the name Huacaypata. This translates to “place of crying” in Quechua—the indigenous and primary language of the Inca. Facing the plaza is the beautiful and historic Cusco Cathedral which was built with stone blocks brought from the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The basilica dates back to 1559, although it was completed in 1654.
San Blas
The quaint neighborhood of San Blas is home to many boutiques, quirkily museums and most importantly it is filled with the essence of Cusco. The most beautiful street in all of Cusco is tucked in San Blas – Siete Borreguito. The street is lined with charming colonial-built houses, colorful flowered balconies, and tiny shops.
Mirador de San Cristobal
A two-in-one stop. Enjoy a stunning viewpoint of Cusco from above and explore the San Cristobal Church. Our favorite part was going up the tower and getting an even higher landscape view of the red-roofed city.
Sacsayhuaman
From the mirador, continue your walk over to sexy-woman (yes, this is how you pronounce this Incan treasure). The fortress is a massive complex, home to dwellings, aqueducts and religious quarters. At first glance, it may seem like thousands of perfectly placed rock formations, but at a closer look you will be amazed by the craftsmanship and the intricate stacking of the rocks which have lasted since the 15th century. Grazing away you will catch plenty of alpacas, which makes the trip that much more serene.
San Pedro Market
As you wrap up your days in Cusco, unwind at the San Pedro market, which is filled with artisanal crafts, food stalls and alpaca made goodies. It was certainly much easier to grab souvenirs in San Pedro than it was in Lima so be prepared for some shopping!
Where to eat in Cusco
Ah the food in Cusco was mouthwatering! In the center of town, you must dine in Ceviche Meat & Wine Co, Nuna Raymi and Sagrado. If you’re a fan of coffee, there is a gem of a coffee shop by the name of L’atelier Cafe Concept.
DAYS 6 & 7: THE SACRED VALLEY
Tucked between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley is made up of several villages each of which is unique. This area was sacred for the Incas and is comprised of extensive territory. The Sacred Valley was inhabited by small Andean communities until the conquest of the Incas who began the intricate establishment of terraces, temples and cities such as Ollantaytambo, Moray and even Machu Picchu. It’s best to stay in Cusco for these days and plan your Sacred Valley tour over one or two days, using Cusco as a central resting point. However, as you will read onwards, the last stop makes for the perfect mid-way point from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
Powered by GetYourGuidePisac
Pisac is just the start of many sloped terraces on your tour of the Sacred Valley. At a staggering, 2,900 meters above sea level, these Incan ruins are known for their unique slopped terraces built for the mass production of corn. The archeological complex is also home to the Inca sundial, uses to measure time in ancient times.
Chinchero
Chinchero was one of our favorite stops along the Sacred Valley tour. It’s a small quaint town home to 15,000 inhabitants, made up of twelve indigenous communities. In the center of town, there is a beautiful open air textile market and, in the backdrop, sits the Chinchero Church.
Moray
When you first walk up to Moray, you’ll feel like you’re in a supernatural space. Moray is an intricate formation of circular terraces that resembles an amphitheater. We know today that Moray was used a laboratory of the sorts, that the Incas used to experiment with different crops and a variety of agricultural techniques. This is yet another reminder of the richness of the Incan empire and their phenomenal methodologies.
Maras
The mystical location of the salt of the Andes, where thousands of small salt pools stagger the hills. The pre-inca carved salt mines of Maras are fed by salt water that comes from the soil of the mountain. Interestingly, local families still work in the mines today using ancient techniques to produce all kinds of salt products.
Ollantaytambo
End your Sacred Valley tour with an intense hike through the Ollantaytambo ruins. While much of Peru’s archeological sites are attributed to the Incas, there is evidence that the town of Ollantaytambo pre-dated the Incas, although they were largely responsible for the expansion and fortification of the area. Today, it is known as the last inhabited Incan town, home to a massive fortress that served as a religious, military and agricultural center. It’s important to also know that many travelers head onwards from Ollantaytambo straight to Aguas Calientes where Machu Picchu is located.
DAY 8: MACHU PICCHU
Now, onto one of the wonders of the world, the truly magnificent Machu Picchu. There are a few ways to tackle this trip, the first being a day trip from Cusco, starting off quite early in the day and taking a train from one of the many stations in town straight to Aguas Calientes. The second and more straightforward option is spending the night in Aguas Calientes as the town can get really crowded and the waiting lines for entry into the ancient complex can last hours. Both are doable, and each comes with a set of pros and cons. Either way, before you head to Machu Picchu decide on which circuit or “path” you want to take.
Each circuit has specific viewpoints and attractions along the way, and the course of the hike itself will vary depending on the circuit. Our favorites have been Circuit 1 and Circuit 2. Circuit 1 offers the post-card view of Machu Picchu that you see online and it takes around 3 hours. Circuit 2 is more of an archaeological path but also offers a clear and less crowded viewpoint of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, but it’s quite short and can be done in less than 2 hours.
If you stay overnight in Aguas Caltientes, consider staying at the Casa del Sol or Sayacmarca. Both locations are very close to the train station and the bus pick up stops for Machu Picchu.
PERUVIAN HERITAGE
Peru’s rich heritage comes alive in the heart of its rural communities, where centuries-old traditions still flourish in the daily lives of its people. The Quechuan women, with their vibrant handwoven clothing and intricate embroidery, are the living threads that bind the past to the present. As they work the land, cultivating crops like potatoes and corn, their hands weave stories of ancient customs passed down through generations. In the serene landscapes of the Andes, these women embody resilience, joy, and a deep connection to the earth and their cultural roots. You will see this mostly in towns surrounding Cusco and along the Sacred Valley. Be sure to sign up for one of these tours to get a closer look at ancient traditions that are kept alive today.
And with that, you can wrap up your 8 days of globetrotting in Peru and head back to Lima to rest, unwind, grab your last-minute souvenirs and head home!