Culture guide
Cusco · Peru
Peru Travel Guide
The Peru guide: Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Lima.
9 min read · 7 days · Updated September 20, 2026
- peru
- travel guide
- Destination
- Cusco, Peru
- Duration
- 7 days
- Best time
- Jul
- Style
- Culture · Food · History
- Daily budget
- 65 USD
Peru is the Andes' headline: Machu Picchu's citadel, Cusco's Inca-stone streets, the Sacred Valley's terraces, the rainbow mountains and the Amazon edge — plus Lima, the Americas' food capital, as the landing city. Planning figures: Lima ~$70/day, Cusco ~$60, the Inca Trail permits $700+.
The classic route: Lima (2) → Cusco and the Sacred Valley (4) → Machu Picchu (1) → back or onward to Puno's lake.
What this guide covers
Lima to Machu Picchu
The classic ten days.
Day 1
Lima — arrival
Miraflores and the ceviche.
Day 2
Lima — food & history
The catacombs; the splurge table.
Day 3
Fly to Cusco
Acclimatize: the San Pedro market and the plaza.
Day 4
The Sacred Valley
Pisac's market, Ollantaytambo's terraces.
Day 5
Machu Picchu
The train, the citadel, Huayna Picchu if booked.
Day 6
Cusco — deep
The Inca stones, San Blas, the museums.
Day 7
Rainbow Mountain or Puno
The colored ridge trek or the lake train.
Where to Go
Cusco is the base at 3,400 meters — acclimatize for two days before the treks. The Sacred Valley adds Pisac's market, Ollantaytambo's terraces and Moray's circles. Machu Picchu needs permits; the Inca Trail books 6 months out, the alternative Salkantay trek books weeks out.
- Classic: Lima 2 → Cusco 2 → the Valley 1 → Machu Picchu 1.
- Trek: the Inca Trail 4 (book 6 months) or Salkantay 5.
- North: Lima 3 → the Cordillera Blanca treks 4.
The Altitude Doctrine
Cusco sits at 3,400 meters: arrive, rest, drink water, chew coca leaves, and schedule nothing demanding for 48 hours. Machu Picchu itself is lower (2,430m) and forgiving.
What to know before you go
Money
- Lima ~$70/day, Cusco ~$60; the Inca Trail permit $700+.
- Machu Picchu entries and Huayna Picchu book months out.
When
- May–September is the dry Andean window.
- The Inca Trail closes February for maintenance.
Turn this guide into a trip
The trip planner opens pre-filled with Cusco — adjust the dates and interests to fit your trip.
Plan around this destination
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Ready-made trips
Frequently asked questions
Inca Trail or Salkantay?
The Inca Trail for the Sun Gate arrival (book 6 months out); Salkantay for the wilder five-day version bookable weeks out.
How bad is the altitude?
Cusco is 3,400m — rest 48 hours, hydrate, and the coca tea helps. Machu Picchu is lower and easy.
How many days for Peru?
Ten days does Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu; two weeks adds the lake or the Amazon.