8 Days in Peru: Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

Get ready for one of the great journeys of South America. In eight days you go from Lima’s Pacific clifftops and celebrated food scene up into the Andes for Inca terraces, village markets, a scenic train ride and the citadel of Machu Picchu, finishing in Cusco, the old Inca capital.

This plan suits first-timers who want the classics without rushing: one or two big sights a day, long lunches and early nights. It is built around altitude, too. You head straight down to the Sacred Valley, which sits lower than Cusco, and save the city for the end.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Lima: Miraflores and Barranco	Clifftop Malecón, Pacific sunset, first ceviche
2	Lima: Pueblo Libre and the historic centre	Museo Larco, Plaza Mayor, colonial churches
3	Fly to Cusco, down to the Sacred Valley	Pisac ruins and town
4	Sacred Valley	Chinchero, Moray terraces, Ollantaytambo
5	Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu	Train along the Urubamba, Machu Picchu visit
6	Aguas Calientes to Cusco	Slow morning, train back, first Cusco evening
7	Cusco	Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, San Blas, Saqsaywaman
8	Cusco to Lima and home	Markets, museums, departure

Day 1: Lima’s coast, Miraflores and Barranco

Welcome to Peru! Today is all about ocean views, easy strolls and your first taste of Lima’s food scene.

Morning

Land at Jorge Chávez International Airport and take the official Airport Express Lima bus to Miraflores, the easiest first base (see Getting there below). Drop your bags and take it slow.

Afternoon

Walk the Malecón, the green clifftop promenade above the Pacific. Parque Kennedy is a handy starting point, a short walk from the ocean. Lunch is the perfect moment for your first ceviche.

Evening

Take a taxi south to bohemian Barranco for colourful mansions, street art and sunset over the ocean. Book taxis through an app or your hotel, never off the street (see Heads-up).

Day 2: Museo Larco and historic Lima

Get ready for ancient treasures in the morning and grand colonial squares in the afternoon.

Morning

Start at Museo Larco in Pueblo Libre, an 18th-century mansion whose collection spans more than 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian history. It is open every day, including public holidays, from 9:00 to 19:00. General admission is S/ 50 at the door or S/ 45 if you buy online in advance (the online shop is currently in Spanish only). Cards and cash in soles or US dollars are accepted. Allow two hours, then lunch at the museum café (reservations suggested).

Afternoon

Continue by taxi to the historic centre. Stroll the Plaza Mayor, admire the carved wooden balconies and visit the cathedral and the San Francisco monastery with its catacombs. Check their official sites for current hours and prices. Keep an eye on the news: the UK government notes that protests in Lima often happen in the historic centre and that access can be restricted.

Evening

Back in Miraflores, pack for the mountains and enjoy a relaxed dinner near your hotel.

Day 3: Fly to Cusco, then down to the Sacred Valley

This is the day you swap the coast for the Andes. Hello, Sacred Valley!

Morning

Take an early flight from Lima to Cusco (check times and fares with the airlines), then a transfer arranged by your accommodation straight down to the Sacred Valley.

Afternoon

Stop at Pisac, where Inca terraces curve around the mountainside above the town. This is the moment to buy your Boleto Turístico del Cusco (BTC). The integral ticket costs S/ 130 for foreign visitors, is valid for 10 days and covers 16 sites, including Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, Saqsaywaman and the Qorikancha site museum. You can buy it in person at the included sites or at the central counter on Avenida El Sol 103 in Cusco; it is not sold online. If you only want the Sacred Valley, the partial Circuit III ticket costs S/ 70 and is valid for two days, but the integral ticket is better value for this plan since you also use it in Cusco on Day 7. Children up to 9 enter free, and the ticket is personal, so carry your passport.

Evening

Settle into your valley base. Drink plenty of water, eat light and skip alcohol on your first night at altitude.

Day 4: Chinchero, Moray and Ollantaytambo

Keep your camera handy today: hilltop villages, giant green terraces and a living Inca town.

Morning

Hire a driver through your hotel or a licensed agency. Begin at Chinchero, a hilltop village with Inca walls and a weaving tradition, then continue to Moray’s circular terraces, a giant green amphitheatre. Both are on your BTC.

Afternoon

Add the nearby Maras salt pans, terraced pools glittering on the hillside. They are not on the BTC, so bring soles and check the fee locally. Late afternoon, reach Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town whose fortress terraces rise above the main square (BTC included).

Evening

Sleep in Ollantaytambo. According to PeruRail, it is the most commonly used train station for Machu Picchu and has the widest choice of departures, so tomorrow’s start will be easy.

Day 5: Train to Machu Picchu

This is the big one! Today you ride the rails to Machu Picchu.

Morning

Board the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). PeruRail says the ride takes 1.5 to 2 hours, as the valley narrows into cloud forest. Book on the operator’s official site; PeruRail strongly recommends booking early, especially May to September.

Afternoon

From Aguas Calientes, the Consettur bus climbs to the citadel gate in about 25 to 30 minutes. PeruRail’s planning page lists Consettur fares for foreign adults at US$ 12 one way or US$ 24 return; confirm on Consettur’s official site before buying. Your Machu Picchu ticket is timed and tied to a circuit, so choose an entry time that fits your train arrival. You have 30 minutes of tolerance in low season and 45 minutes in high season; after that you may not get in.

Which circuit? PeruRail describes Circuit 2 (Inka Citadel) as the most complete and recommended route. It takes in the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows and the classic view from a lower terrace, with a visit of up to 2 hours 30 minutes. Circuit 1 focuses on the panoramic postcard view. Circuit 3 includes demanding hikes such as Waynapicchu, restricted to visitors over 18. A guide is not mandatory but is highly recommended, as there are very few information panels on site. PeruRail lists shared guides at about US$ 15 to 20 per person.

Evening

Stay overnight in Aguas Calientes and celebrate: you made it.

Day 6: Slow morning, back to Cusco

Enjoy a slow, happy morning after yesterday’s highlight.

Morning

Sleep in and wander the riverside town. Want a second Machu Picchu visit on another circuit? That needs a separate ticket. Tip: you can ride the bus up and walk down, about 1 hour 30 minutes according to PeruRail.

Afternoon

Take a daytime train back. PeruRail lists 3.5 to 4 hours to Cusco or Poroy, or you can ride to Ollantaytambo and continue by road.

Evening

Check into Cusco and keep it gentle: warm soup and an early night.

Day 7: Cusco, the Inca capital

Get ready to explore the old Inca capital, from its grand main square to the fortress on the hill.

Morning

Start at the Plaza de Armas, framed by the cathedral and colonial arcades. Walk downhill to the Qorikancha, the great Inca Sun Temple later built over by a Dominican convent. The site museum (Museo de Sitio Qorikancha) is on your BTC. The temple and convent visit has a separate ticket, so check the price on arrival.

Afternoon

Climb the steep lanes to San Blas, the artisans’ quarter, for workshops, galleries and the best views over the terracotta rooftops. Then head up to Saqsaywaman, the colossal zigzag fortress above the city, included in your BTC. Take a taxi up if your legs are tired, and check opening hours locally before setting off.

Evening

Celebrate your last night with Andean flavours such as quinoa and trout, sticking to busy, well-lit streets after dark.

Day 8: Markets and departure

Squeeze in one last colourful Cusco morning before you fly home.

Morning

Browse the San Pedro market for fruit, juices and local life, or use your BTC for one more museum such as the Monumento a Pachacuteq or the Museo de Arte Popular.

Afternoon

Fly back to Lima for your international connection. Leave plenty of buffer: the UK government warns that protests in Peru can disrupt roads and trains with little notice.

Getting there and getting around

Lima airport to Miraflores. The official airport bus, Airport Express Lima, links the terminal with four stops in Miraflores: Larcomar/Marriott, the Tourist Information Center on Avenida Larco, Parque Kennedy and Hotel Boulevard. According to Lima Airport, the fare is S/ 20 (about US$ 6) for a single passenger or S/ 15 (about US$ 4) per person when two or more travel together. Buses leave roughly hourly from 7:00 to 22:00 and take about 50 to 70 minutes. For the return, Airport Express recommends leaving Miraflores 3.5 hours before an international flight and 2.5 hours before a domestic one.

Airport taxis. Use the authorised taxi counters in the arrivals halls, where staff walk you to your driver. The airport also lists a public AeroDirecto bus.

Getting around Lima. For a short stay, the UK government recommends licensed telephone or app-based taxis, or taxis booked by your hotel.

Lima to Cusco. Fly. Check schedules and fares with the airlines directly.

Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Use a pre-arranged transfer or a driver booked through your hotel. According to PeruRail, trains take 1.5 to 2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and 3.5 to 4 hours from Cusco or Poroy.

Airport fee. If you connect through Lima, the UK government notes a TUUA airport use fee for transit and connecting passengers that is not currently included in airline tickets. You can pay in advance on Lima Airport’s platform.

Where to stay

Miraflores (Lima). Clifftop parks, plenty of restaurants and the direct Airport Express bus. Best for first-timers and anyone wanting an easy arrival.

Barranco (Lima). Arty and great for evenings out. Suits couples and food lovers.

Ollantaytambo or Urubamba (Sacred Valley). Quieter, lower than Cusco and close to the Machu Picchu trains. Ollantaytambo suits travellers who want to walk to the station. Urubamba suits those after a more rural stay.

Historic centre or San Blas (Cusco). Stay close to the Plaza de Armas for flat walking access, or in San Blas for charm and views. Note that San Blas is uphill, which you will feel at altitude.

Budget

These are the costs we could confirm on official or operator websites today. Prices are per adult foreign visitor.

Item	Typical cost
Airport Express Lima, airport to Miraflores	S/ 20 single traveller, S/ 15 each for 2+
Museo Larco	S/ 50 at the door, S/ 45 online
Boleto Turístico del Cusco, integral (10 days)	S/ 130
Boleto Turístico del Cusco, partial circuit	S/ 70
Consettur bus, Aguas Calientes to the citadel	US$ 12 one way, US$ 24 return (as listed by PeruRail)
Shared guide at Machu Picchu	About US$ 15 to 20 per person (as listed by PeruRail)
Machu Picchu entry	Varies by circuit: check tuboleto.cultura.pe
Train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes	Varies by service and time: check perurail.com

Not included: international and domestic flights, accommodation, meals, private drivers, the Maras salt pans fee, the Qorikancha temple fee and travel insurance. According to the official gazette El Peruano, SERNANP entry tariffs for the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary have applied since 1 May 2026, so check the final total when you book.

Practical tips

• Book early. Machu Picchu tickets are sold only on the Ministry of Culture’s official site, tuboleto.cultura.pe. You pick a date, circuit and entry time, and must confirm payment within 15 minutes. PeruRail recommends buying at least three months ahead in high season. If tickets sell out, PeruRail notes that up to 1,000 next-day tickets are sold in person in Machu Picchu Pueblo each day, from 15:00 to 22:00, with ID.
• Carry your passport. You need it for Machu Picchu entry, the Consettur bus and your BTC. The UK government also advises always carrying ID, as police may ask for it.
• Altitude. The UK government lists altitude sickness as a serious risk in places including Cusco. Take it slowly, drink plenty of water and speak to a doctor before travel if you have health conditions.
• Money. Peru uses the sol (S/). The UK government advises using ATMs inside banks, supermarkets or large buildings during business hours. Carry small notes for markets and the Maras salt pans.
• Dress in layers. PeruRail gives roughly 9 °C to 26 °C at Machu Picchu. Pack rain gear, sun protection and shoes with grip, and dress respectfully in churches.
• SIM or eSIM. An eSIM bought before you fly gets you online straight away. If you prefer a local SIM, buy it at an official carrier store and check the current registration requirements there.

Heads-up

Peru is a joy to travel, and a little preparation keeps it that way. These points come from the UK government’s official travel advice for Peru, plus PeruRail for the Machu Picchu routes.

• Fake taxis. There is a risk of robbery by criminals posing as taxi drivers, especially at Lima’s airport and bus terminals. Use the official airport taxi desks or app-based or phone-booked taxis, and do not hail cabs on the street.
• Express kidnapping. Tourists, especially solo travellers, have been forced to withdraw cash at ATMs, often at night and often involving fake taxis. If it happens, don’t resist, and report it to the police.
• Phone snatching and street crime. Theft and muggings are a significant problem in Lima and Cusco. In Lima this includes tourist areas such as Miraflores and Barranco. Avoid using your phone at the roadside, don’t flash valuables and avoid walking alone in quiet areas at night.
• Protests and strikes. Demonstrations can escalate quickly and may disrupt roads and trains, including services to and from Machu Picchu. Avoid gatherings. Foreigners taking part in political activity risk detention or deportation.
• Drinks. There have been deaths from methanol in alcoholic drinks in Peru. Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them.
• Counterfeit money. Fake US dollar and sol notes circulate, and street money changers in Cusco have passed off old, worthless intis.
• Unlicensed tours and “spiritual cleansing”. Use licensed operators. To check them, contact iPerú, the official tourist information service. We do not recommend ayahuasca or San Pedro ceremonies: the brews are unregulated, and people have become seriously ill or died.
• Closed routes at Machu Picchu. PeruRail lists some Circuit 1 routes, including the Upper Terrace and Inca Bridge routes, as closed from 16 October to 29 December. Check which routes are open on your date before you buy.

FAQ

Do I need a visa for Peru?

It depends on your nationality, so check with the Peruvian embassy or consulate in your country, or the official immigration authority, Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (https://www.gob.pe/migraciones). If you arrive by air, your entry is recorded digitally through a virtual Andean Migration Card (TAM).

Can I buy Machu Picchu tickets at the gate?

Not at the gate. Buy online at tuboleto.cultura.pe. A limited number of next-day tickets are sold in person in Machu Picchu Pueblo, but don’t count on them in high season.

Is the Boleto Turístico del Cusco worth it?

For this plan, yes. The S/ 130 integral ticket covers the Sacred Valley sites plus Saqsaywaman and Cusco museums for 10 days, while two partial tickets would cost S/ 140.

Do I need a guide at Machu Picchu?

It isn’t mandatory, but it’s highly recommended because there are very few information panels. Official guides wait at the entrance.

Can I hike Machu Picchu Mountain or Waynapicchu?

Yes, with the right circuit ticket. PeruRail notes that these routes are restricted to visitors over 18, and the Machu Picchu Mountain round trip takes about 4 hours.

Why start in the Sacred Valley instead of Cusco?

The valley is lower than Cusco, which makes it a gentler place for your first nights in the Andes.