Your first trip to Peru in 8 days: Lima’s historic center and Barranco, then Cusco, the full Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, with a night in the Valley before the train.
Peru Essentials is the classic first trip to Peru. You start at sea level in Lima, where most international flights land, with two days to get over the jet lag and see the historic center and Barranco. Then you fly to Cusco and follow the same route as our most popular Cusco package: a rest day, the city, the full Sacred Valley, Maras and Moray with a night in the Valley, and Machu Picchu. On day 8 you fly from Cusco to Lima and connect with your flight home.
LimaHistoric center and Barranco
Machu PicchuGuided visit, train from Ollantaytambo
The whole Sacred ValleyPisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero
A night in the ValleyBefore Machu Picchu, no 4 am start
Day by day
Day1
Day 1: Arrive in Lima
Arrival
Pickup at Lima airport and transfer to your hotel in Miraflores.
Evening
Walk the clifftop Malecón over the Pacific and have your first ceviche.
Times are the usual schedule of each tour and are confirmed with your final itinerary. Prefer Machu Picchu at opening time? Add a night in Aguas Calientes.
What’s included
Airport pickup and drop-off in Lima
Airport pickup and drop-off in Cusco
Private transfer from Maras to your hotel in the Sacred Valley
All tours in the itinerary, in group, with guide
Hotel pickup for every tour
Machu Picchu train, round trip
Bus up and down to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu entrance and guide
Breakfast and lunch on Machu Picchu day
Buffet lunch on the Sacred Valley day
Not included
International and domestic flights (Lima – Cusco – Lima)
Hotels (quoted on request)
Boleto Turístico (entrance to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Sacsayhuamán and other sites; bought in Cusco)
Meals not listed
Tips
Travel insurance
Prices
Group toursPer person, based on 2 travelers. Tours, transfers and Machu Picchu.
From $719
Private toursYour own guide and vehicle. Train and bus are shared.
On request
HotelsComfortable 3★, Boutique 4★ or Luxury 5★.
On request
Want hotels included? Choose “Include hotels in my quote” in the form and pick 3★, 4★ or 5★.
Questions about this trip
Why start in Lima and not in Cusco?
Most international flights land in Lima, often at night. Two days at sea level help with the jet lag before you go up to 3,399 m in Cusco, and Lima’s food and historic center are worth the stop.
Are the Lima – Cusco flights included?
No. You book your international and domestic flights, and we plan every transfer and tour around your times. The Lima – Cusco flight takes about 1 h 20 min and there are many daily departures.
Is 8 days enough for a first trip to Peru?
It’s enough for the essentials without rushing: Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. With 10 to 12 days you can add the Amazon or Lake Titicaca.
Can I add the Amazon?
Yes. The easiest option is to add our 3-day Amazon Escape after Cusco, with the short Cusco – Puerto Maldonado flight.
Can I do this trip privately or with hotels?
Yes. Every tour can be private, and you can choose “Include hotels in my quote” in the form to get options from 3★ to 5★.
