Inca stonework so precise it barely needs mortar.
Peru's Sacred Valley builds toward Machu Picchu gradually, with enough Inca sites along the way to make the payoff feel earned.
Ceviche
Fresh raw fish cured in lime juice with chili and onion, Peru's signature dish.
Lomo saltado
Stir-fried beef with onions, tomatoes, and fries, reflecting Chinese-Peruvian fusion.
Pisco sour
A frothy cocktail made from pisco brandy, lime juice, and egg white.
Anticuchos
Grilled skewers of marinated beef heart, a popular street-food staple.
Machu Picchu
The Inca citadel above the Urubamba River, built in the 15th century and abandoned during the Spanish conquest before remaining largely unknown to the outside world until 1911. Its precise stonework, fitted without mortar, has survived centuries of earthquakes in a region prone to them. Reached either by train and a short climb, or by the multi-day Inca Trail trek through the surrounding mountains.
Sacred Valley
Inca agricultural terraces and markets at Pisac and Ollantaytambo line this fertile valley, which served as an important agricultural and religious region for the Inca Empire. Ollantaytambo's fortress remains one of the few sites where the Inca successfully repelled a Spanish attack. It's also a practical stop for acclimatizing to altitude before continuing toward Machu Picchu.
Miraflores, Lima
Clifftop parks along the Pacific coast anchor this upscale Lima neighborhood, home to some of the city's best ceviche restaurants and a lively paragliding scene above the cliffs. The nearby Larco Museum houses an extensive collection of pre-Columbian art and pottery. It offers a comfortable, walkable base for exploring the capital.
Rainbow Mountain
A striped mineral mountain whose vivid bands of red, gold, and turquoise result from different mineral deposits exposed over time, only becoming widely known to travelers within the past decade as snow cover receded. Reaching it requires a demanding high-altitude day hike from Cusco, with altitude sickness a genuine consideration. The relatively recent 'discovery' of the mountain has made it one of Peru's fastest-growing attractions.
Nazca Lines
Massive geoglyphs etched into the desert floor of southern Peru, depicting animals, plants, and geometric shapes only fully visible from the air. Created by the Nazca culture between roughly 500 BC and 500 AD, their exact purpose remains debated among archaeologists. Small aircraft flights over the desert are the standard way to see the full designs.
Lake Titicaca, Puno
The highest navigable lake in the world, its Peruvian side centered on the city of Puno, gateway to the Uros floating islands built entirely from reeds by their inhabitants. Traditional reed boats and centuries-old customs continue much as they have for generations on these unusual man-made islands. The lake's deep blue color and thin, high-altitude air give the whole area a distinct atmosphere.
9 days covers Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco with reasonable altitude acclimatization built in. 6–7 works if you're comfortable moving faster; 12+ gives more buffer for altitude and adds the Amazon or Lake Titicaca.
1. Days 1–2
Lima
Miraflores and Barranco, with a focus on the city's food scene.
2. Days 3–5
Sacred Valley
Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and acclimatizing to the altitude.
~1.3h flight from Lima to Cusco, then a drive
3. Days 6–7
Machu Picchu
Train to Aguas Calientes and an early entry to the citadel.
~1.5h train from the Sacred ValleyBook ahead
4. Days 8–9
Cusco & Rainbow Mountain
City sights and the high-altitude hike before departure.
~1.5h train back to Cusco
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Peru?
Not for most Western passport holders (EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia) for stays up to 90 days.
Do I need to book Machu Picchu tickets in advance?
Yes, essential — daily visitor numbers are capped and specific entry time slots sell out weeks ahead in peak season (May–September).
How do I deal with altitude sickness in Cusco?
Spend a day or two acclimatizing in the Sacred Valley (lower altitude than Cusco) before going higher, stay hydrated, and take it slow on your first days. Coca tea is a widely used local remedy.
Which airport should I fly into?
Lima (LIM) for this route, with a short domestic flight onward to Cusco (CUZ).