Peru is a land of ancient mysteries, soaring mountains, and vibrant culture. This South American gem had been calling my name for years, and finally, I answered! My two-week adventure took me from the bustling streets of Lima to the awe inspiring heights of Machu Picchu, with plenty of unexpected detours and hidden gems along the way. Get ready to dive into my Peruvian escapade, complete with insider tips, captivating stories, and a healthy dose of wanderlust. Whether a seasoned traveler or a first-time explorer, you’ll find this itinerary will inspire you to pack your bags and discover the magic of Peru for yourself!
Peru Travel Guide: A 2-Week Itinerary
While my family and I certainly could have stayed for longer to see so much more, 2 weeks certainly allowed for us to get more than a good taste of what the country has to offer. There’s so much to do in this country, we hardly scratched the surface.
Day 1-2: Lima
Lima, the capital of Peru. This modern, beautiful city that sits along the coastline is an excellent starting point for your time in Peru, with an international airport making it a very likely entry point.
Stroll through El Parque del Amor, a quaint park popular for visitors to view various landmarks and sites such as the lover’s statue. It’s a simple park but has fantastic panoramic views of the scenic coastline. Of course, right next to it, you can’t miss El Faro Lighthouse, a cute, active lighthouse set on the high cliffs above the ocean.
Make sure to also take a stroll through the Larcomar Shopping Center in the Miraflores district of Lima, offering an array of modern and quality shops for browsing.
Just 30 minutes from Larcomar by taxi is the unmissable Plaza Mayor, the core of the city and considered the birthplace of Lima. It is the very heart of old town Lima and provides numerous beautiful buildings to visit, such as the Cathedral and Museum of Arts and Treasures.
If you want to finish off the day with pure magic, make sure to witness the Magic Water Circuit, a major municipal project of Lima. A city icon and symbol of the recovery of public spaces, it has thirteen cybernetic fountains, putting on a fantastic show of music, water, sound, and lights all intermingled to display a unique and incredible show.
Where to Stay in Lima
Spending only a day in Lima, I opted to book a night’s stay close by the airport, specifically at the Holiday Inn. However, Lima is considered quite safe, so even if you venture further out, you’ll likely have a good experience. If you choose to stay longer than a day in Lima, you might be interested in checking out the vibrant Miraflores or quaint Barranco districts!
Day 3-4: Ollantaytambo
Touching down in Cusco, we skipped the city buzz and arranged a car for the scenic drive straight to the quaint town of Ollantaytambo. This charming little place, with its cobblestone streets and Inca ruins, is an excellent starting point for exploring the Sacred Valley. Upon arrival, be sure to check out Old Town and the market, before hitting the hay for a restful night’s sleep.
The following morning, get an early start, before the crowds, at the Parque Arqueologico Ollantaytambo Ruins. This will give you a little taste of the Inca ruins, priming you for your visit to Machu Picchu. Afterwards enjoy a nice lunch before heading an hour out to your next adventure. Be sure to see Moray and the Salt Pools of Mara for a unique journey into Cusco’s history and traditions.
Where to Stay in Ollantaytambo
There’s many a places to stay in Ollantaytambo that should provide sufficient accomodations. With this said, Sol Ollantay was a very comfortable choice for us.
Day 4-5: Machu Picchu
The early bird gets the worm! To make the most of your time at the Lost City of the Incas, catch the earliest train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (the entry point to Machu Picchu and where you’ll stay) that you can, and make sure to pack light (more on that in my post on what to know for Machu Picchu). Keep in mind also, that the last entry into the site is 2pm (though visitors can be in there until 5:30pm).
Day 6-9: Cusco
After our visit to Macchu Picchu, we took the train back to Ollantaytambo to set off on a drive back to Cusco. Upon arrival to the bustling city, be sure to check out the historic center of the city, Plaza de Armas. There’s plenty of historic buildings, gift shops, and restaurants to take in within this beauitfully landscaped plaza. While in the area, make some time for a class on the historic and cultural significance of chocolate in Peru, at the Choco Museo, with a hands-on experience allowing you to touch and smell the cacao beans and even make some sweets of your own!
My personal favorite part of Cusco is the charming little neighborhoods throughout; specificially Barrio San Blas. It may seem like any old Old Town street, but there is just something magical about San Blas, whether it be the flowers along the street walls or the cobblestone streets. In fact, this famous neighborhood is known for its cultural and artistic significance in Cusco and Peru itself.
While not as impressive as Plaza de Armas, Plazoleta San Blas de Cusco is a very quaint and lovely little plaza to visit. With the stone fountain in the center and the church of San Blas at its side, this plaza stands as an important tourist attraction of colonial architecture.
If your not already tired of ruins, be sure to wander through the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, a former Inca fortress perched atop the hills above Cusco. Afterwards, take a little detour to visit Cristo Blanco, a smaller, but equally impressive, alternative to Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer.
Day 10: Pisac
I know, I know, more ruins. Its hard to appreciate Peru in all its glory without taking in the many Inca ruins that make up its history and culture. Pisac is no different. A small village, Pisac is full handicraft stores, coffee shops, markets, and even higher-end stores and hotels. Much like Ollantaytambo, this town offers a little bit of everything without sacrificing its charm.
Famous for its Sunday market, Pisac is actually a huge draw for tourists. You can easily get lost in the maze of shops and booths, full of handmade goods. You may even stumble across a booth or restaurant selling the Peruvian favorite, Cuy! We didn’t try it, but the roasted guinea pig delicacy is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. One thing that might be worth purchasing here is Coca Leaves, especially if your feeling the effects of the high altitude of the Sacred Valley.
Day 11: Chinchero & Abode of the Gods
A visit at the Chinchero church and community site is a truly unforgettable experience in Peru. Believed to have been used by the indigenous people for spiritual and religious reasons, it is a small town that claims to be the birthplace of the rainbow. A bustling community of locals proud of their heritage, you’ll likely find local vendors selling traditional crafts and textiles, including the beautifully woven blankets, made from alpaca wool, that we just couldn’t resist ourselves from purchasing.
Once we had our fill of tradition at Chinchero, we made our way over to the Abode of the Gods, or Apukunaq Tianan. It’s an unforgettable journey through the rhichness of Andean culture, where majestic sculptures are carved in living rock in representation and honor of gods, myths, and legends of the Andes. Here, past, present, and future intertwine harmoniously.
Day 12: Humantay Lake
Arguably my favorite experience whilst in Peru, I can’t help but recommend Humantay Lake as one of the, if not the, best day trips from Cusco. A hidden gem, it’s one of the most beautiful places I have experienced.
Visiting Humantay is very easy, in theory. The hike technically only takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on your fitness level and its most certainly a very busy trail, so you have no worries about getting lost. With this said, the hike is steep. Make sure to take it slow and steady, as it’s uphill the entirety of the lake, should you choose to do the hike option…
That’s right, what many sources don’t inform you is the alternative option of trekking up to Humantay Lake. That is, by horseback. While there is only one route to and back from Humantay Lake (and no matter what you have to hike back from the lake), there is a chance for you to rent a horse at the beginning of the path from the inhabitants of the community of Soraypampa. Again, it is only available for the uphill portion of the hike, and costed 90 Peruvian soles (~23 USD) at the time of my visit. This option allows you to take in the sites without enduring the physical effort.
As a matter of fact, this is the option that I took advantage of during my visit to this magnificent lake. I wasn’t expecting it to be a guided horseback ride. Not only was it guided, but the guide, without any breaks or water, walked us up to the lake, uphill and rocky the entire way. Needless to say I was impressed and also felt bad, but the inhabitants obviously have grown very accustomed to enduring the trek regularly. If you can, be sure to offer some sort of tip at the end for their tremendous work.
Day 13: Palcoyo
The last, but most certainly not the least exciting, day trip of this amazing Peruvian adventure: Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. Prepare yourself for not only a breathtaking hike but also for even more breathtaking views. Whlie Palcoyo is far lesser known than its bigger brother Vinicunca, or the “official” Rainbow Mountain, it is nevertheless equally as unique and incredible an experience. An absolute must on your Peru travel itinerary. It is also “newer” than Vinicunca, as it has only just been discovered having been completely engulfed in glacial ice until very recently.
Palcoyo is actually not a mountain, or at least not just one mountain, but rather a lookout point on a valley where you have views of three differentrainbow mountains, a red valley, and a jagged stone forest.
Due to social media, Vinicunca very quickly gained immense popularity, with tourism absolutely booming. As a result, Palcoyo, while not nearly as famous, is a much more serene and, again, equally glorious, site. Therefore, to avoid the insane crowds, I chose to visit Palcoyo and was most certainly not disappointed. My family and I practically had the place to ourselves!
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