2 Weeks in Peru: The Complete Itinerary
Two weeks in Peru is enough to cover the country’s most significant sights at a comfortable pace — without rushing between cities every night. This itinerary moves south to north: Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, and Lake Titicaca. It can be reversed or extended at either end.
Overview
| Days | Location | Key activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Lima | Arrive, acclimatise, food and museums |
| 3–4 | Cusco | City sights, acclimatise at altitude |
| 5–6 | Sacred Valley | Pisac, Maras, Ollantaytambo |
| 7–8 | Aguas Calientes + Machu Picchu | Ruins, optional Huayna Picchu |
| 9–10 | Cusco | Day trips, return flight or onward |
| 11–12 | Arequipa | Colonial centre, Santa Catalina |
| 13 | Colca Canyon | Condors, canyon descent Day 1 |
| 14 | Colca Canyon / Puno | Ascent, drive to Puno or fly home |
Days 1–2: Lima
Arrive Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport. Take a registered Uber or airport taxi to your hotel (approximately USD 20–USD 30, 25–40 minutes to Miraflores as of 2026).
Day 1 afternoon: Rest and explore Miraflores on foot. Walk the Malecón cliff-top path to Parque del Amor. Sunset over the Pacific.
Day 1 evening dinner:
- Budget: Tanta (Larcomar) — S/35–S/55 per person
- Mid-range: La Mar Cevichería — arrive before 20:00, mains S/65–S/100 per person
- Splurge: Maido — tasting menu USD 120–USD 160 per person; reservations essential
Day 2: Visit the Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre (entry approximately S/45 as of 2026; taxi approximately S/25 from Miraflores). Afternoon: walk the historic centre — Plaza Mayor, San Francisco Cathedral and catacombs (entry approximately S/30). Evening in Barranco.
Hotels Lima:
- Budget: Miraflores Park Hostel — dorm from USD 15–USD 20, private from USD 40–USD 55
- Mid-range: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores — USD 130–USD 180 per night, breakfast included
- Splurge: Belmond Miraflores Park — from USD 350 per night, Pacific views
Days 3–4: Cusco (Acclimatisation)
Fly Lima to Cusco (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes; fares from approximately S/200 as of 2026). Book early morning to avoid afternoon fog delays at Cusco airport.
Crucial: Rest on arrival. Do not visit high sites (Sacsayhuamán, Pisac) on Day 3. Walk the Plaza de Armas, visit Qorikancha (entry approximately S/15), and eat a light lunch. Coca tea throughout the day.
Day 3 lunch/dinner:
- Budget: Mercado de San Pedro — S/10–S/18 for a full meal
- Mid-range: Morena Peruvian Kitchen — S/35–S/55 per person
- Splurge: Chicha por Gastón Acurio — S/55–S/90 per person
Day 4: Sacsayhuamán (entry in Boleto Turístico approximately S/70 partial circuit or S/130 full circuit as of 2026; taxi up S/10, walk back), then San Blas neighbourhood artisan quarter and Cathedral.
Hotels Cusco:
- Budget: Loki Hostel — dorm from USD 12–USD 18
- Mid-range: Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza — USD 70–USD 100 per night
- Splurge: Belmond Hotel Monasterio — from USD 450 per night (oxygenated rooms available)
Days 5–6: Sacred Valley
Drive from Cusco to the Sacred Valley (approximately 1.5 hours by taxi, approximately S/80–S/120 one-way). Or join an organised Sacred Valley day tour from Cusco (approximately USD 25–USD 45 per person as of 2026).
Day 5: Pisac ruins (entry in Boleto Turístico) and Pisac market (Sunday is largest). Maras salt pans (approximately S/10 entry). Moray agricultural terraces (approximately S/10 entry, included in Boleto Turístico partial circuit).
Day 6: Ollantaytambo fortress (entry in Boleto Turístico; one of the finest examples of Inca military architecture). Late afternoon train from Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes (approximately 1.5 hours; economy class approximately USD 55–USD 80 one-way as of 2026).
Hotels Sacred Valley (optional overnight):
- Mid-range: Pakaritampu Ollantaytambo — USD 80–USD 120 per night
- Splurge: Explora Valle Sagrado — all-inclusive from USD 600–USD 900 per person per night
Days 7–8: Machu Picchu
Book in advance: Machu Picchu entry tickets (machupicchutickets.gob.pe) and train tickets (perurail.com or incarail.com). Book 2–4 months ahead for peak season.
Day 7: Early entry to Machu Picchu (06:00 slot). Morning exploring the ruins; afternoon hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate, approximately 1.5 hours return) for the classic elevated view. Evening in Aguas Calientes — dinner and the thermal baths.
Machu Picchu entry: Approximately USD 20–USD 80 per person depending on circuit as of 2026.
Day 8 option A (Huayna Picchu permit holders): Second visit to Machu Picchu for the Huayna Picchu climb (07:00 or 10:00 entry slot). Train back to Cusco in the afternoon.
Day 8 option B: Return train to Cusco and use the day for Cusco city sights you missed.
Hotels Aguas Calientes:
- Budget: Hostal Rupa Wasi — from USD 30–USD 50 per night
- Mid-range: El MaPi by Orient-Express — from USD 100–USD 150 per night
- Splurge: Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (at the Machu Picchu gate) — from USD 900+ per night
Days 9–10: Cusco (Return and Depart for South)
Day 9: Fly Cusco to Arequipa (approximately 1 hour; fares from approximately S/150 as of 2026). Afternoon exploring Arequipa’s historic centre — Santa Catalina Monastery (entry approximately S/50, open until 20:00 Thursday/Friday evenings).
Day 9 dinner:
- Budget: La Nueva Palomino — S/25–S/35 for set menu
- Mid-range: Chicha Arequipa — S/55–S/90 per person
- Splurge: Zig Zag — S/70–S/110 per person
Day 10: Morning: Yanahuara viewpoint and El Misti volcano views. Afternoon: Museo Santuarios Andinos (Juanita the ice maiden, entry approximately S/30). Drive to Chivay or join Colca Canyon tour departure.
Hotels Arequipa:
- Budget: Casablanca Hostel — dorm from USD 10; private from USD 30–USD 45
- Mid-range: Casa Andina Premium Arequipa — USD 100–USD 140 per night
- Splurge: Libertador Arequipa — USD 180–USD 240 per night
Days 11–12: Colca Canyon
Join a 2-day Colca Canyon trek from Arequipa (departs approximately 03:00). Tour costs approximately USD 45–USD 80 per person excluding the Colca entry fee (approximately S/40 as of 2026).
Day 11: Cross the altiplano (peak at approximately 4,910m at Mirador de los Volcanes), reach the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint before 09:00 for condors. Afternoon: descend to the oasis at Sangalle (approximately 3–4 hours). Night at the oasis with natural pool.
Day 12: Pre-dawn ascent (approximately 3.5–4 hours). Return drive to either Arequipa or continue to Puno (approximately 5 hours from Chivay).
Days 13–14: Puno and Lake Titicaca
Day 13: Arrive Puno. Afternoon rest (altitude is approximately 3,830m — higher than Cusco). Evening: light dinner near Calle Lima.
Day 14 (final day): Full-day Uros floating islands and Taquile tour (departs approximately 07:00; returns approximately 18:00; boat fare approximately S/40–S/60 per person as of 2026).
Fly from Juliaca airport to Lima (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes; taxi to airport approximately S/60–S/80) for onward international flights, or continue to Bolivia overland.
Hotels Puno:
- Budget: Hostal Los Pinos — S/80–S/120 per night
- Mid-range: Intiqa Hotel — USD 60–USD 90 per night
- Splurge: Casa Andina Premium Puno (lakeside) — USD 120–USD 160 per night
Total Approximate Costs (excluding international flights)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (14 nights) | USD 200–USD 400 | USD 1,200–USD 2,000 | USD 4,000–USD 8,000 |
| Internal transport | USD 150–USD 250 | USD 350–USD 500 | USD 600–USD 1,000 |
| Food (14 days) | USD 150–USD 300 | USD 400–USD 700 | USD 1,000–USD 2,000 |
| Entry fees and tours | USD 150–USD 300 | USD 300–USD 600 | USD 600–USD 1,500 |
| Total (approx) | USD 650–USD 1,250 | USD 2,250–USD 3,800 | USD 6,200–USD 12,500 |
Prices as of 2026; significant variation depending on season, exchange rates, and specific choices.
Book an experience
Itinerary in the area
Instant confirmation · Free cancellation on most bookings
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is 2 weeks enough for Peru?
- Two weeks is a solid baseline for the classic Peru circuit — Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, and Puno. You will see the highlights without feeling rushed, though you won't have time for Huaraz trekking, the Amazon, or northern sites like Trujillo. A comfortable pace means 2–3 nights in each main city.
- Should I start in Lima or Cusco?
- Start in Lima and end in Lima (or Cusco if flying home from there). Landing in Lima first is gentler — you are at sea level before ascending to Cusco (3,400m). Flying Lima–Cusco on arrival Day 1, then going straight to Machu Picchu, is one of the most common errors that results in severe altitude sickness.
- What is the approximate total cost of a 2-week Peru trip?
- Budget travellers spending carefully can manage approximately USD 800–USD 1,200 for 14 days excluding flights. Mid-range travellers (good hotels, quality restaurants, guided tours) should budget approximately USD 2,000–USD 3,500. A comfortable trip with a mix of upscale accommodation and experiences runs approximately USD 4,000–USD 7,000. Machu Picchu tickets, Inca Trail (if applicable), and internal flights are the largest single costs.