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 CevicherÃa - 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 TurÃstico 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 TurÃstico) and Pisac market (Sunday is largest). Maras salt pans (approximately S/10 entry). Moray agricultural terraces (approximately S/10 entry, included in Boleto TurÃstico partial circuit). Book a Sacred Valley day tour from Cusco in advance - the popular morning departures fill up 3–4 days ahead in peak season.
Day 6: Ollantaytambo fortress (entry in Boleto TurÃstico; 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. A guided Machu Picchu tour that includes train transfers and an expert guide is worth the premium - the ruins are far more meaningful with context on the Inca engineering and astronomy.
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 |
| Search hotels in Lima on Booking.com |
Prices as of 2026; significant variation depending on season, exchange rates, and specific choices.
Related Planning Resources
- 1-Week Peru Itinerary - A shorter version of this circuit: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu in 7 days.
- 3-Day Cusco Itinerary - Detailed Cusco day-by-day: archaeological sites, day trips, and eating out at every budget.
- 3-Day Lima Itinerary - What to do with 3 days in Lima: the museum circuit, Miraflores, Barranco, and the best restaurants.
- Cusco Travel Guide - Base city for the Inca circuit and Sacred Valley.
- Puno Travel Guide - Base for Lake Titicaca and the Uros, Taquile, and Amantanà islands.
- Arequipa Travel Guide - The White City and Colca Canyon, the natural end of the southern circuit.
- Paracas Travel Guide - The south coast starting point: Ballestas Islands and the National Reserve.
- Nazca Travel Guide - Overflight of the Lines and Chauchilla Cemetery, mid-south coast.
- Machu Picchu Tickets Guide - Book well in advance; peak months sell out by January.
- Peru Travel Costs - Full budget breakdown to calibrate spending across each leg of this itinerary.
Book Your Trip
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- Travel Insurance - Get covered before you go
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- Airport Transfers - Pre-book your transfer from Lima Jorge Chavez Airport
- Car Rental - Compare prices across providers
- Tours & Activities - Browse Peru tours on GetYourGuide