A realistically paced 10-day route designed to beat the altitude, taking you from Lima's tables to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu before ending in Cusco.
This 10-day route covers Peru's undisputed heavy hitters: Lima's food scene, the Sacred Valley's ruins, Machu Picchu, and the high-altitude capital of Cusco. It suits first-timers who want to see the main attractions without rushing the logistics.
The key to this itinerary is the altitude strategy. Most people fly from sea-level Lima straight to Cusco at 11,000 feet and spend two days in bed with a headache. Instead, you land in Cusco and immediately take a driver down into the Sacred Valley at 9,000 feet. You slowly work your way up to Machu Picchu, and only sleep in Cusco at the end of the trip once your lungs have adjusted.
You will take three internal flights and two trains to make this work. Pack layers, as you will experience both coastal mist in Lima and freezing overnight temperatures in the Andes.
Depart MIA on LATAM Airlines flight LA 2699 at 23:15, landing in Lima at 05:00 the next morning after a 6-hour 45-minute overnight flight. For the domestic legs, you will take a 1-hour 20-minute LATAM flight from Lima to Cusco, and return on a 1-hour 35-minute LATAM flight later in the week. You fly home on American Airlines flight AA 918, leaving Lima at 22:00 and arriving in Miami at 04:55 the next day.
| Leg | Flight | Route | Times (local) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outbound | LA 2699 | MIA → LIM | 23:15 → 05:00+1 | 6h 45m |
| LIM → CUZ | LA 2130 | LIM → CUZ | 08:10 → 09:30 | 1h 20m |
| CUZ → LIM | LA 2129 | CUZ → LIM | 10:05 → 11:40 | 1h 35m |
| Return | AA 918 | LIM → MIA | 22:00 → 04:55+1 | 5h 55m |
You land early in the morning and head straight to Miraflores, the safest and most practical base for exploring the city. Spend your first afternoon walking the Malecón cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and easing into the local food scene with a casual ceviche dinner at Punto Azul.
Use your full day to see the historic center. Take an Uber to Plaza Mayor and tour the underground catacombs at the Basílica y Convento de San Francisco. In the afternoon, view the pre-Columbian artifacts at the Museo Larco in Pueblo Libre. If you secured reservations months in advance, eat at Central or Maido. If not, Mérito in Barranco is an excellent alternative.
Arrival in the Culinary Capital
Arrive in Lima, settle into Miraflores, and eat a casual ceviche dinner.
Historic Center and Ancient Art
Tour the underground catacombs in the Historic Center and view ancient art at Museo Larco.
The Pullman Lima Miraflores is our best overall pick at $136 per night, offering a rooftop pool and an easy walk to the cliffs. For a better location right by the main park, INNSiDE by Meliá is $107, while the Aloft by Marriott provides a solid value option slightly further south for $98.
You fly into Cusco, but you do not stay there. Hire a private driver at the airport to take you immediately down into the Sacred Valley to the town of Ollantaytambo. This drops you 2,000 feet in elevation, which is critical for preventing altitude sickness on your first day in the mountains. Rest, drink coca tea, and skip alcohol.
The Sacred Valley is the agricultural heartland of the Inca Empire. Hire a driver to visit the hillside terraces at Pisac and browse the town's sprawling artisan market for alpaca textiles. In the late afternoon, climb the massive stone fortress right in Ollantaytambo after the day-tripper buses have returned to Cusco.
Descent into the Sacred Valley
Fly to Cusco and take a private car down to Ollantaytambo to acclimatize.
Inca Ruins and Local Markets
Explore the hillside terraces at Pisac and the fortress in Ollantaytambo.
Del Pilar Ollantaytambo ($120) is a reliable 3-star option near the town center. If you want a more comfortable base for exploring the ruins, Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado in nearby Urubamba runs $158. For true luxury, the Rio Sagrado by Belmond offers heated floors and river views at $899 per night.
Board the PeruRail Vistadome train for a scenic 90-minute ride along the Urubamba River. The landscape shifts dramatically from dry Andean mountains to dense, humid cloud forest as you approach Aguas Calientes, the commercial town at the base of Machu Picchu.
Take the 25-minute bus up the switchbacks to the ruins. You need to book Circuit 2 months in advance to get the classic panoramic photos of the citadel. An afternoon entry slot is best for lighting and avoids the massive morning crowds.
Journey to the Lost City
Ride the scenic train to Aguas Calientes and enter Machu Picchu for an afternoon circuit.
Inti Punku Machupicchu Hotel & Suites is an excellent 3-star pick for $93 near the center. Casa del Sol ($234) sits right next to the train station and includes free transfers, while the 5-star Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel offers gourmet dining and river views for $802.
Take the train back to Poroy station, then ride a taxi 30 minutes into Cusco. Now that you are acclimatized, you can handle the 11,000-foot elevation. Check into your hotel in the steep, cobblestoned San Blas neighborhood, known for its artisan workshops and narrow alleys.
Spend a day exploring the city's hybrid architecture. Visit Qorikancha, the former Incan Temple of the Sun that the Spanish built a church directly on top of. Take a taxi up to the Sacsayhuaman fortress to see the massive, perfectly interlocking stone walls.
On your final full day, walk through San Pedro Market to see vendors selling whole roasted pigs and giant rounds of bread. Take a chocolate-making workshop or visit the Museo de Arte Precolombino, then finish with a farewell dinner at Chicha by Gastón Acurio near Plaza Regocijo.
Return to the Incan Capital
Take the train back toward Cusco and settle into the San Blas neighborhood.
Cusco City Highlights
Visit the Qorikancha temple, the Sacsayhuaman fortress, and take an evening cooking class.
Local Life and Free Exploration
Walk through San Pedro Market and enjoy a farewell dinner at Chicha.
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco ($426) is built into a historic convent and sits just steps from San Blas. Casa Andina Standard Cusco Catedral is a highly affordable alternative at $82, while Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel offers regal mansion interiors for $213.
Take a late morning flight back to the coast. Instead of returning to Miraflores, head to the bohemian district of Barranco. Spend the afternoon walking across the Bridge of Sighs and viewing the neighborhood's prominent street murals before visiting the MATE museum.
Wrap up your Peru trip with Pisco Sours at Ayahuasca Restobar, set in a massive restored 19th-century mansion. The next morning, grab local coffee beans before taking a taxi to the airport for your evening flight home.
Return to the Coast
Fly back to Lima and spend the afternoon exploring the murals of Barranco.
Departure
Pick up last-minute souvenirs before heading to the airport for your flight home.
The Pullman Lima Miraflores ($136) is a great choice again if you want familiar luxury, but the Holiday Inn Lima Miraflores is a solid $102 option close to the Larcomar shopping center. For a high-end final night, the JW Marriott Hotel Lima sits directly on the coastal cliffs for $400.
In Lima, rely on Taxi Directo from the airport, which takes about 40 minutes, and use Uber to navigate between neighborhoods safely. In the Andes, book private drivers to get from the Cusco airport to the Sacred Valley. For Machu Picchu, you will take the PeruRail Vistadome or Expedition trains between Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, and Poroy.
The dry season from May through October is the best time to visit. You get clear, sunny days and cold nights in the Andes, while Lima will be cool and covered in its typical coastal mist.
You need Soles (PEN) for small purchases, local markets, and taxis. Bring crisp, unblemished US dollars to exchange, as vendors and banks will reject any bill with a small tear or mark.
Descend into the Sacred Valley immediately after landing in Cusco. At 9,000 feet, Ollantaytambo is significantly lower than Cusco's 11,000 feet, giving your body time to adjust before you tackle higher elevations later in the trip. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours.
Yes, book them months ahead of time. The government strictly limits daily entries, and tickets for the popular Circuit 2 sell out fast. You cannot buy tickets at the gate.
Skip the street hails and use Uber instead. It is inexpensive, tracks your route, and eliminates the need to negotiate fares in Spanish. From the airport, stick to official counters like Taxi Directo.
Circuit 2 is the classic, comprehensive route that takes you to the upper terraces for the famous postcard view of the ruins. Circuit 1 stays entirely on the upper terraces, while Circuit 3 focuses on the lower ruins and is designed for those with mobility issues or specific mountain hiking permits.
No, stick to bottled or filtered water throughout your trip. Use bottled water to brush your teeth as well, and avoid raw salads or ice in drinks unless you are at a high-end restaurant that uses purified water.