Peru
Peru
Best Months
May–October (dry season)
Trip Length
10–14 days
Best For
Adventure and culture seekers, Couples combining luxury lodge stays with active days
Machu Picchu is extraordinary — and then there's everything else: the Sacred Valley, the Amazon basin, Lima's world-class food scene, and the most photogenic train ride in the world.
Why Go
- —
Machu Picchu is not overhyped. Standing in front of it is a genuinely transformative experience — one of the few travel moments that delivers on every photograph you've ever seen.
- —
Lima has become one of the world's top food cities. Restaurants like Central, Maido, and Astrid y Gastón are extraordinary — world-class in the truest sense.
- —
The Sacred Valley is underrated relative to Machu Picchu — smaller ruins, traditional markets, local villages, and a slower pace that often produces the trip's best memories.
- —
The Amazon Basin (Manu or Puerto Maldonado) pairs remarkably well with the Andes itinerary and adds a completely different dimension to the trip.
Sample 10–14 days Itinerary
Lima
Arrive in Lima. Miraflores neighborhood, Larco Museum, Huaca Pucllana (ancient pyramid in the middle of the city). Dinner at one of Lima's remarkable restaurants — reserve well in advance.
Cusco — Acclimatize
Fly to Cusco (11,200 feet). DO NOT plan any strenuous activity today. Coca tea, rest, light walk through the city. Qorikancha temple and Plaza de Armas. Dinner in the historic center.
Cusco Exploration
Still acclimatizing but you'll feel better. Sacsayhuamán fortress (above Cusco), San Blas neighborhood (artisan workshops), San Pedro market. Evening at leisure.
Sacred Valley
Drive into the Sacred Valley. Pisac ruins and market (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday for the best market). Ollantaytambo fortress — one of the most impressive Inca sites. Overnight in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.
Sacred Valley — Salt Mines & Moray
Maras salt evaporation ponds (still in use today, 3,000+ pools), Moray circular agricultural terraces (used by the Inca for climate research). Afternoon at leisure.
Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu
Board the Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (2 hours through the cloud forest). Bus up to Machu Picchu for afternoon — first impressions without the morning crush. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Machu Picchu, All Day
First bus at 5:30am to arrive before the tour groups. Sunrise over the ruins. Guided tour of the site (required now — solo wandering is restricted). Afternoon at your own pace. Optional: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike (permit required, book months ahead).
Return to Cusco
Morning train back to Cusco. Free afternoon. Cooking class or pisco distillery visit.
Amazon Extension (Optional)
Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (1 hour). Tambopata National Reserve — canopy walks, wildlife (macaws, capybara, giant river otters), jungle lodge, night walks.
Departure
Return to Lima for connecting flights. Final Lima dinner if timing allows.
When to Go
May–October (dry season). October is the shoulder month — good weather, starting to thin out. Avoid February and March when some trails close.
Worth Knowing
January–March is peak rainy season. The Inca Trail often closes February 1–28 for maintenance. Some ruins flood. Not impossible, but the dry season is significantly better.
Best For
- ✓Adventure and culture seekers
- ✓Couples combining luxury lodge stays with active days
- ✓Groups comfortable with some altitude adjustment time
- ✓Foodies (Lima is unmissable)
Budget Guide
Value
$2,500–$4,000/person
3-star hotels, local transportation, group tours, some meals included
Comfortable
$5,000–$8,000/person
4-star hotels and Sacred Valley lodge, private guides, most meals, Vistadome train
Luxury
$10,000–$18,000/person
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (on-site), Belmond Hiram Bingham train, private guides throughout, Lima fine dining
Machu Picchu entry permits must be booked in advance (months ahead in high season). Prices vary by circuit and season. The Inca Trail permit ($200–400/person) is separate and sells out a year ahead — consider the Salkantay alternative.
Plan Your Peru Trip
Tell us your group size, travel dates, and vision. Jenn responds to every inquiry personally within 24–48 hours.