Seven to ten days is the right length for a first trip to Peru: enough for Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu at a comfortable pace. With five days you can still see Cusco and Machu Picchu, and with two weeks or more you can add Arequipa, Lake Titicaca or the Amazon.
Quick answer
- 5 days: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
- 7 to 10 days: add Lima and a slower pace around Cusco.
- About 2 weeks: add Arequipa, the Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca.
- 18 days or more: add the Amazon rainforest.
- Around Cusco: plan at least 3 to 4 days, including acclimatization.
5 days in Peru: Cusco and Machu Picchu
Five days is the minimum to see Machu Picchu without rushing. Fly into Cusco, go straight down to the Sacred Valley to adjust to the altitude, take the train to Machu Picchu, and finish with a day in Cusco itself.
A short trip like this works best if you connect through Lima on the same day you arrive in Peru, rather than staying there.
7 to 10 days: the classic first trip
What fits
A week to ten days covers Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. You gain time for a food tour in Lima, a full day in the Sacred Valley markets and terraces, and a second visit to Machu Picchu or a hike to Huayna Picchu.
Adding the Inca Trail
The Classic Inca Trail takes four days, so if you want to hike it, plan at least eight days in Peru: a few days to acclimatize in Cusco and the Sacred Valley first, then the trek.
Peru tour packages
See our sample Peru itineraries, from 8 to 11 days, and we will adapt the days, hotels and pace to you. See the trips →
2 weeks: add Arequipa, Colca and Lake Titicaca
With about two weeks you can see southern Peru’s other highlights. Arequipa, the White City, is about an hour and a half by air from Lima. From there, the Colca Canyon is a three to four hour drive, with condors at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. Lake Titicaca is reached from the town of Puno, and you can continue to Cusco by road or by air through Juliaca.
Travel tip
Order matters for the altitude. Arequipa (2,335 m) before Colca and Puno (3,812 m), then Cusco, lets your body adjust step by step instead of flying straight to the highest point.
3 weeks: add the Amazon
The Peruvian Amazon is about an hour by air from Cusco, to Puerto Maldonado and the Tambopata region. Three or four days in a rainforest lodge, with boat trips and guided walks, make a relaxing end to a trip in the Andes.
Sample Peru itineraries by length
| Days | Route | Pace | Sample trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Cusco, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu | Active | Inca Trail & Machu Picchu |
| 7 | Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu | Relaxed | A Journey to Relax Your Mind |
| 8 | Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu | Comfortable | Lima to Machu Picchu |
| 11 | Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu | Comfortable | Peru Highlights |
| 11 | Arequipa, Colca, Lake Titicaca, Cusco | Comfortable | Colca Canyon & Lake Titicaca |
| 18 | Lima, Arequipa, Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Amazon | Unhurried | Delightful and Diverse Peru |
For ideas beyond these routes, Peru.travel, Peru’s official tourism site, covers every region of the country.
Why travel with Arándano Travel?
Arándano Travel designs private, tailor-made trips from our office in Cusco. You tell us how many days you have and how you like to travel; we build the route, choose the hotels and book the flights, trains and Machu Picchu tickets in the right order. Every itinerary can change until it fits you, and we stay in touch every day you are in Peru.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5 days enough for Peru?
Five days is enough for Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu if you fly straight to Cusco. It is not enough to add other regions without rushing.
Is one week enough for Peru?
Yes. A week covers Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu at a comfortable pace, which is what most first-time visitors want to see.
How many days should I spend in Cusco?
Plan at least three to four days in the Cusco area, including the Sacred Valley. That gives your body time to adjust to the altitude before Machu Picchu or any trek.
Should I spend time in Lima?
If you enjoy food and city life, one or two days in Lima are well spent. On a short trip, you can connect straight through to Cusco.
Can I combine Peru with other countries?
Yes. Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador combine well with Peru. Lake Titicaca is a natural link to Bolivia.
Our advice
For a first trip, plan seven to ten days in Peru: enough for Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu without rushing. With more time, add Arequipa and Lake Titicaca, or the Amazon. Tell us how many days you have and we will design the route around you.