The Ultimate 7 Days in Peru Itinerary

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Do you prefer videos over reading? Do you love both? Check out this corresponding YouTube video that I've made which highlights my 7 day trip to Peru.

The video is called PERU in 7 Days: The Ultimate Itinerary (Machu Picchu, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Lima).

If you want to stay in touch, I suggest subscribing to our channel on YouTube.

Visiting Peru with TripToGo

I spent 7 days in Peru on a group tour with TripToGo. I was selected as an ambassador for their Warm Water on the Go program that provides solar water heaters for rural Andean families that don't have access to hot water.

My tour was slightly different from their typical group tour as we spent half a day in the rural Andean village near Ollantaytambo for this charitable campaign.

Plus, I was filmed for the entirety of the trip by a film crew working for the New York Times! I'm featured in their short film about TripToGo and Warm Water on the Go. Watch it here!

I'm going to be making recommendations throughout this blog post on how you can create your own Peru itinerary for the week. If you'd like it all planned out for you (and don't mind traveling as part of a large group trip) check out TripToGo's website for more details.

Warm Water on the Go

I traveled to Peru with TripToGo as the ambassador for their Warm Water on the Go program. Warm Water on the Go helps rural families near Cusco by providing them with solar powered water heaters.

Having regular access to warm water means better hygiene, comfort and health, especially for those living in remote, colder climates like those in the Andes mountains of Peru.

I was honoured to take part in a ceremony at a small Andean village to present the solar water heaters.

I had the opportunity to meet the community leader and local families, seeing firsthand the impact this program has on their daily lives.

The best part? For every Peru trip booked, TripToGo donates $10 to the Warm Water on the Go program! So, you can feel good about helping local communities when you travel there.

7 Days in Peru Itinerary: Day 1 (Lima)

You've arrived in Peru! I flew to Lima and arrived in the early evening with just enough time to grab some dinner and get a good night's sleep.

This itinerary begins with one full day in Lima. Let's make the most of our time by checking out a few of the best things to do in Lima.

We'll return to Lima at the end of our 7 days in Peru, too.

If you aren't visiting Lima as part of a tour, it's pretty easy to get around using Uber. The public transportation system in Lima isn't the best, but Uber is relatively inexpensive.

Be prepared for traffic congestion throughout the day and give yourself enough time to get from place to place. Pack your patience!

Puku Puku La Paz

Let's start the day off right, with an excellent cup of coffee. Puku Puku is a popular coffee chain with multiple locations throughout Lima and Peru.

There happens to be a Puku Puku cafe attached to the hotel lobby of Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, which is where I suggest you stay. Even if you're not staying at the hotel, I suggest you go to Puku Puku for your morning cuppa.

Even though I practically stumbled upon Puku Puku, I had no idea that they're rated as one of the top 100 coffee shops in the world! I quickly fell in love with their coffee, so I brought back tons of coffee beans for myself and friends back home.

Parque del Amor (Love Park)

Love Park (Parque del Amor) is a public park set high on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is a park dedicated to lovers and romance, and it was named by National Geographic as one of the top 50 romantic destinations in the world.

Its centerpiece is a huge statue called "El Beso" (The Kiss) by artist Victor Delfín. The sculpture depicts two lovers kissing romantically.

The entire park is surrounded by decorated mosaic walls and benches featuring poetry and phrases in both Spanish and Quechua.

The park is on the lengthy Malecón de Miraflores, a boardwalk with stunning views of the Lima coastline. If you have some more time, continue beyond the Love Park to walk the Malecón.

San Francisco Convent Museum and Catacombs

Now, it's time to head to the Centro Histórico (historic city center). Our first stop is the San Francisco Convent Museum and Catacombs (Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It's a striking and well preserved example of colonial architecture, built by the Franciscan order in 1774 after a century of work. The monastery's library has an impressive collection of 20,000 books, including a complete world atlas and the first dictionary edited by the Royal Spanish Academy.

This attraction is most famous for its underground catacombs. It was once used as a cemetery, and there are thousands of human bones. The bones are organized and even arranged into various designs and patterns. It's a little bit creepy, but mostly fascinating.

To visit, you must take a guided tour. They are available in both English and Spanish. Tours are between 45 minutes and 1 hour in length.

Please note that photos and videos are not permitted on the tour. I was allowed to take photos and videos throughout my tour as I had permission along with the New York Times film crew.

Lima Main Square (Plaza de Armas)

Plaza Mayor, also known as Plaza de Armas, is the main town square in Lima. It's located in the historic city center, and you can easily walk from the San Francisco Convent Museum.

It's the oldest square in the city and where Lima was officially founded in 1535. There's a beautiful fountain in the middle of the square, and it's surrounded by historic buildings with amazing architecture.

Some of the structures surrounding Plaza de Armas include the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipale Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palacio de la Union.

Larco Museum

If you visit one museum in Lima, consider the Larco Museum. This museum showcases 5000 years of ancient Peruvian pre-Columbian history. It aims to highlight the bond between ancient civilizations and the natural world.

The permanent collection contains an impressive amount of objects and artifacts, like the largest collection of jewelry by rulers of pre-Columbian Peru. It dives into indigenous cultures and their art, from the Inca, Nazca, Chancay, Vicus and many more.

There's also an Erotic Gallery with a major collection of pre-Columbian erotic art. This is the world's largest collection of erotic ceramics and gives insight into ancient Peruvian sexuality.

The Larco Museum is home to a cafe restaurant serving Peruvian and international cuisine. I suggest going for lunch here. The patio is gorgeous and surrounded by bright and beautiful blooms. They have a vegan and gluten-free menu, too!

Kennedy Park (Cat Park in Lima)

Parque Kennedy, also known as Parque Central, is located in the Miraflores district. Not only is this a gorgeous public greenspace to explore with flowers and works of public art, it's home to some of the cutest inhabitants...

I'm talking about the cats, of course! Kennedy Park is unofficially known as the Cat Park in Lima. Dozens of cats live at Kennedy Park.

These cats are looked after by a group of volunteers. There are cat houses all over the park, as well as dishes of food. They're spayed and neutered and receive visits to the vet when required.

When I visited the Lima cat park, I admired the cats and allowed them to approach me. Keep off the grass and out of flower beds. Many cats were happily snoozing beneath the trees and it's important to let them be.

With that said, some cats are friendly and curious. They'll likely approach you, looking for scratches and love. They're really used to being around people!

Visit a Cat Cafe

If you haven't fully received your cat fix, head over to one of two cat cafes in Miraflores: Cat Cafe de LuhhoCoons or Gatú Cat Café. I went to Cat Cafe de LuhhoCoons as it was really close to my hotel.

This cat cafe is mainly home to Maine Coon cats and there's so much to love about these gentle giants. They're adorable, friendly, and have cute poofy coats. You can tell that these cats are well cared for and loved.

I wouldn't really call this a true "cat cafe" as there are only two beverages available, coffee and hot chocolate from a machine. Also, it can get a bit crowded, and I found that there were children running a bit wild when I visited.

However, I still really enjoyed my visit with the cats. They liked receiving pets and were overall pretty friendly, especially if you had some treats on hand (the cat cafe provides some cat treats for a small fee).

Where to Stay in Lima

I flew in the night before, so I technically spent two nights at the Casa Andina Premium Miraflores. This is a 5-star premium hotel in Miraflores, Lima, Peru.

My room was incredibly spacious and had everything I needed for a comfortable stay, including a desk, a small fridge, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The bathroom had ample counter space and a bathtub/shower configuration.

There's a large buffet breakfast in the morning with local and Western dishes. There's also room service, a spa and a swimming pool on-site. I love how Puku Puku Cafe is right inside the hotel property itself, too.

Book your stay at Casa Andina Premium Miraflores.

7 Days in Peru Itinerary: Day 2 (Cusco)

From Lima, take a flight to Cusco in the morning. I flew with LATAM Airlines, and the flight goes by fairly quickly (about 1 hour 30 minutes). These flights are relatively inexpensive, operate regularly, and you can book your roundtrip flight here.

Sacsayhuamán

Sacsayhuaman (Saqsaywaman) is a remarkable Inca fortress located at the top of a steep hill overlooking Cusco. Both Cusco and Sacsaywaman are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Though I admittedly hadn't heard of Sacsayhuamán before my trip to Cusco, it's one of the most impressive ancient Inca sites in the country.

The fortress consists of massive boulders, perfectly carved to fit together without mortar or anything holding them together.

Sacsayhuaman is the most important archaeological site in Cusco. In Quechua, its name means "satisfied falcon", "spotted eagle", and "place where the hawk is satiated.

After the Spanish Conquest of the Inca Empire, the Spanish slowly dismantled parts of Sacsayhuaman to construct buildings in the Cusco city center.

The remaining sections of the fortress were abandoned and eventually rediscovered by Peruvian archaeologists in 1934.

Need transportation or looking for an informative guide? This half day tour includes a trip to Sacsayhuaman and some other sites around Cusco.

Explore Cusco

Let's spend the afternoon exploring Cusco! I quickly fell in love with Cusco and wish that I had more time there.

I suggest taking a walking tour of Cusco with a knowledgeable guide. It's inexpensive to do so, plus there's even the option to book a private tour.

Whether you take a tour or not, make time to soak up your surroundings at Plaza de Armas, the main square. There's some magnificent architecture all around, plus a pretty fountain in the middle of it.

Cusco has so many great shops with locally made wares. Shop around and feel free to do some haggling on the prices. Sometimes there are local markets with a variety of vendors in the town square.

There are even small details to notice as you're walking around. For instance, on Calle Hatunrumiyoc, there's a huge rock wall masterfully built by the Incas along the cobblestone pathway.

For the best viewpoint, head to the observation deck, Mirador de San Cristobal. It's situated at San Cristobal Church. It offers a sweeping panoramic view of Cusco and the Andes.

Halloween in Cusco

By complete luck, I happened to visit Cusco during Halloween. Let me tell you, Cusco celebrates Halloween like I've never seen!

It felt like the entire city came out to celebrate Halloween. There's a huge gathering in Plaza de Armas and the nearby streets.

Locals and tourists alike wear elaborate customs and parade throughout the streets, asking for candy on the way. I loved seeing all of the costumes. It looked like most of them were handmade and they were so creative.

Even though I didn't think to bring a costume, I would definitely wear one knowing now that Cusco takes Halloween seriously! If you'd like to see a short video all about Halloween in Cusco, watch my Instagram reel.

Where to Stay in Cusco

Hotel Aranwa Cusco Boutique is a luxurious hotel in the perfect location near the city center of Cusco. This 5-star property was once a lavish mansion, dating back to the 16th century.

Nowadays, it's a National Historic Monument and boutique hotel-museum. My room offered a spa-like experience with its jetted bathtub. It is a quiet and comfortable place to stay.

Don't miss the delicious breakfast spread or spending some relaxed moments in the interior courtyard. This hotel offers the perfect mix of cultural heritage and modern comforts.

Book your stay at the Hotel Aranwa Cusco Boutique.

7 Days in Peru Itinerary: Day 3 (Sacred Valley)

From Cusco, let's head to Peru's famous Sacred Valley. It was once a spiritual and agricultural center of the Inca Empire, filled with many important archaeological sites.

Please note that I've allotted both day three and day five of this 7 days in Peru itinerary for the Sacred Valley.

Many Peru itineraries allow for a couple of days in Cusco and the Sacred Valley before venturing to Machu Picchu. Cusco is at a very high altitude, so it's a good idea to spend some time here to get acclimated.

Cusco sits at 11,152 feet above sea level, while the Sacred Valley ranges between 6,700 and 9,800 feet. Machu Picchu has an elevation of 7,972 feet above sea level.

Ollantaytambo Archeological Site

Ollantaytambo is known as the "Living Inca City" because it's the only Inca town that's still inhabited to this day. It was one of the most important towns in the Sacred Valley due to its close proximity to Machu Picchu.

The town is structured around the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site, which is a must visit for anyone traveling to Peru. This complex was a military, religious and agricultural center.

Start by climbing up the stairs across the 17 terraces. This is tougher than it looks in such a high altitude. I found myself needing to stop every so often to catch my breath! It's really not a problem as there are such beautiful views everywhere you look.

At the top, the Temple of the Sun (Templo del Sol) is one of the most famous sites. It's comprised of six massive boulders that fit together perfectly. From here, it's possible to enjoy even more views of the surrounding farmland and mountains.

Where to Stay in the Sacred Valley

You might wonder why I only had one tourist attraction scheduled for the day. While you may be able to fit in some other amazing places as well, like the Inca ruins of Pisac or the salt pans of Maras, this hotel is an entire destination in itself.

Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness is a hotel and wellness center all in one. Located in the stunning Sacred Valley where history and nature collide, the 5-star Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel is an elegant property that was once a majestic 17th century colonial ranch.

This hotel is home to a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, craft shops, a movie theater, an art gallery, a museum, a chapel, and lush gardens.

It's also home to Unno Spa, the largest spa in South America. It's 25,000 square feet and offers an expansive water circuit and specialized spa treatments that take inspiration from ancient Ayurvedic and Andean therapies.

Book your stay at the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness.

7 Days in Peru Itinerary: Day 4 (Machu Picchu)

Having a more restful day for day three of our Peru adventure was a good idea. Today, we're headed to one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu.

From our hotel, it was about a 45 minute drive to the train station at Ollantaytambo. From there, we boarded the train to Aguas Calientes. Then, it's a short bus ride farther up the mountain to the entrance of Machu Picchu.

You can only reach Aguas Calientes by hiking the Inca Trail or by taking the train. There is no road to Aguas Calientes and you cannot arrive by car.

Getting to Machu Picchu

We took PeruRail's Vistadome Train to Aguas Calientes. The VistaDome boasts having the largest windows with the best views as you travel up the mountain.

The scenery is quite spectacular as the train chugs alongside the river, through lush valleys and around the imposing mountains. You might be able to catch glimpses of Inca archaeological sites on the journey, too.

Once we reached Aguas Calientes, hop on a coach bus to reach the entry gates to Machu Picchu. These buses run quite regularly on a loop bringing tourists to and from Machu Picchu all day.

You will need to buy your Machu Picchu ticket well in advance. My ticket and train travel was arranged by TripToGo as part of the group tour far in advance.

Here's where you can buy Machu Picchu tickets from the official tourism website, bus tickets from Consettur Bus (or in person on the day, but there can be long lines) and PeruRail Vistadome tickets.

To make things even easier, it's possible to purchase the Machu Picchu entry ticket, roundtrip bus and train ticket all in one place. Sometimes you can even find tickets close to your date of travel. Get your Machu Picchu official ticket and transportation here.

For those who want to embark on the four-day hike, here's a tour that includes hiking, biking, accommodations, meals, and tickets to Machu Picchu. Considering that it includes everything, the price is quite reasonable for this adventure. Book your trip here.

And don't forget to bring your passport!

Visiting Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was somehow even more incredible than I expected. I've wanted to go since I was in grade six and learned about Machu Picchu in school. It exceeded my expectations, which were quite high to start.

Machu Picchu is a 15th century archaeological site, located high on a mountain ridge. In fact, you're surrounded by lush, green mountains when you visit. Ancient citadel aside, the scenery is quite spectacular in its own right.

It's really the perfect mix of ancient Inca architecture and natural landscapes. My first glimpses of Machu Picchu nearly took my breath away (the high altitude also played a part).

It was quite the feat to construct this sanctuary, so remote and high in the mountains. It was a royal estate for Emperor Pachacuti to highlight the power of the Inca Empire. At the same time, it was much more than that.

Not only was it a natural fortress, but it was an important administrative hub along the vast network of roads that was the Inca Trail. Machu Picchu's citadel is a symbol of the Inca civilization, their ingenuity and their achievements.

Machu Picchu was so isolated and allowed the Incas to preserve their traditions and ways of life. After the fall of the Inca Empire, it was not rediscovered for hundreds of years, until 1911. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Somehow, my trip to Machu Picchu became even more magical the longer I stayed there. Walking through old passageways and between rocky walls, I imagined what it was like for the Incas to visit this magical place centuries earlier.

There are multiple routes (10 different circuits) when visiting Machu Picchu. We took the Classic Route (Circuit 2), which is the most complete and most popular route. You will see the famous viewpoint and tour the majority of the ruins, including upper and lower sections.

Circuit 1 includes the famous viewpoint but none of the ruins themselves, and Circuit 3 includes alternate hikes and the lower ruins. Those hiking the Inca Trail will likely venture on Circuit 3.

Aguas Calientes

After experiencing the magic of Machu Picchu, head back down to Aguas Calientes on the bus. This town might be known as the gateway to Machu Picchu, but it's quite beautiful in its own right.

Aguas Calientes is surrounded by mountains and has a picturesque river rushing through it. Get around town by foot. I suggest getting some lunch, savoring a coffee in a little cafe, and wandering through the artisan markets.

Yes, it is a town that exists primarily for tourism and to access Machu Picchu. Even still, I enjoyed spending a few hours to shop and dine.

Some travelers opt to stay in Aguas Calientes. It's important to note that you cannot bring large luggage aboard the train from Ollantaytambo. Only smaller carry-on sized luggage is allowed.

After visiting Machu Picchu and spending the afternoon in Aguas Calientes, we took the train back to Ollantaytambo and then got a ride back to Cusco. This makes for an incredibly long day, but it's worth it.

7 Days in Peru Itinerary: Day 5 (Cusco/Sacred Valley)

It's day five of my 7 days in Peru itinerary. On my TripToGo trip, there was an optional day trip to Rainbow Mountain. I opted out of this because it's an incredibly early morning and a strenuous hike in high altitudes.

You can set aside this day for Rainbow Mountain if it's on your bucket list. It looks beautiful and I'd like to go myself someday, if I have more time in the future. This full day Rainbow Mountain tour includes transportation from Cusco.

If you decide not to do Rainbow Mountain, here are some spots I can recommend.

Zona Arqueologica Moray

Moray ended up being one of my favorite places to visit in Peru. It's a collection of circular terraces created by the Incas. They're breathtaking to observe with the Andes mountains in the distance.

It might feel very satisfying to gaze upon these terraces of perfect circles. However, it's even better once you learn about their purpose.

Zona Arqueologica Moray was once used as an agricultural experiment site by the Incas. Each terrace has its own microclimate, used to represent various places throughout the Inca Empire.

By growing various crops on different terraces, the Incas could observe and study the effects of altitude, amounts of sunlight and temperature to determine which crops grew best and where.

The Incas were such an impressive and smart civilization with their own amazing technology and feats of engineering, hundreds of years ago.

This popular tour takes you to Moray, the Maras salt mines and Chinchero to see the town and its weavers. Transportation is included.

Mountain View Experience

If you have a private driver or a car, here's a unique experience in the Sacred Valley. We went to Mountain View Experience for lunch, but you could truly spend days here!

This Andean mountain lodge is a boutique hotel with A-frame cabins, delectable cuisine, adorable llamas, outdoor adventures, hot tubs and more.

The lunch menu at their restaurant, Ancestral, is very vegan-friendly. It offers an elevated menu of traditional Andean dishes using locally grown crops. It was one of the best meals I had in Peru.

It's also possible to feed their resident llamas. I went outside to admire the scenery (which is stunning) and before long, I was surrounded by cute llamas.

Someone in our group found some hats and ponchos and threw this outfit on me. I had such a blast here!

I can't wait to return to Peru because I want to spend the night at Mountain View Experience next time. You may want to stay here on your trip, and I can't blame you if you did!

Free Time in Cusco

It's time to spend the rest of the afternoon in Cusco. I always love incorporating free time into my itineraries. There might be something that catches your eye simply by walking around and exploring on your own.

You can also choose to do some things that I recommended to do in Cusco earlier in this blog post that you might not have had the chance to check out.

Cusco has so many cobblestone streets, old buildings, town squares and observation points. Or people watch from a little coffee shop.

Cusco was one of my favorite places from my 7 days in Peru, and I wish that I had more time there. It definitely left me wanting more.

7 Days in Peru Itinerary: Day 6 (Lima)

It's time to fly back to Lima from Cusco to prepare for your journey back home. If you fly from Cusco in the morning, you could possibly have an entire day in Lima. Or you may find yourself with a half day in Lima.

If you didn't do all of the things from day one in Lima that I outlined above, please feel free to see those neighborhoods or attractions.

Spend more time in Miraflores or venture out to another picturesque neighboring district, Barranco. There's some amazing street art and public art, as well as great restaurants and cafes.

More Things to Do in Lima

If you find yourself with more time in Lima, here are some more things to do that are at the top of my list for next time:

• Huaca Pucllana (the remains of an ancient step pyramid plus a museum)
• Magic Water Circuit / Circuito Mágico del Agua (largest public water fountain in the world that lights up at night)
• Explore the Barranco District (street art, vegan restaurants, coffee, art galleries)

Where to Stay in Lima

For my last night in Peru, I stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Lima Miraflores El Pardo. This is another hotel in the Miraflores district, which I feel is the best area to stay in Lima.

This is a 5-star hotel with a beautiful terrace with a view, Italian restaurant, heated swimming pool and fitness center. My room was a very spacious suite with a separate bedroom and ensuite bathroom.

There was also a separate living room and kitchenette, and even a second restroom. This is the perfect place to stay for couples or families who seek some added luxury on their final evening in Peru.

My room was the 1 King, 1 Bedroom Suite that sleeps four. Book your stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Lima Miraflores El Pardo.

7 Days in Peru Itinerary: Day 7 (Lima / Fly Home)

It's our last day in Lima before flying home. I departed in the early afternoon, so I enjoyed some breakfast in Miraflores and bid an extra farewell to the cats in Kennedy Park.

If you have more time in the area, go for a walk on the Malecón, Lima's scenic cliff top walkway. Admire some murals and street art in town. Savor a coffee at a little cafe before you depart Peru on your journey home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peru

If you've started to plan your trip to Peru, you likely have a ton of questions. After spending 7 days in Peru, I'll try my best to answer them for you.

If you have more questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments section below and I'll try my best to answer them right away.