Your first trip to Peru in 8 days: Lima’s historic center and Barranco, then Cusco, the full Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, with two nights in the Valley around Machu Picchu.
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, two nights in the Valley and Machu Picchu. On day 8 you fly from Cusco to Lima and connect with your flight home. Want the full budget with hotels and flights? See what a Peru trip costs. Traveling with kids? See how we adapt this route for families.
LimaHistoric center and Barranco
Machu PicchuGuided visit, train from Ollantaytambo
The whole Sacred ValleyPisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero
Two nights in the ValleyBefore Machu Picchu, no 4 am start
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 Maras & Moray tour, ending at your hotel in the Sacred Valley with your luggage
Private Sacred Valley tour, ending at your hotel in Cusco with your luggage
Private tours in Lima, Maras & Moray and the Sacred Valley; all other tours 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
Not included
International flights; domestic Lima – Cusco – Lima flights quoted on request
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
Base tripPer person, based on 2 travelers. Tours, transfers and Machu Picchu. Private tours in Lima, Maras & Moray and the Sacred Valley; group tours in the rest of Cusco.
From $790
With 3★ hotelsPer person, based on 2 travelers sharing a double room. Comfortable 3★ hotels with breakfast, such as Tierra Viva or Casa Andina Standard. The exact price depends on your dates.
About $1,180
Base trip + domestic flightsTours, transfers, Machu Picchu and the Lima – Cusco – Lima flights with a checked bag (refundable fare). Hotels not included.
About $1,108
Flights Lima – Cusco – LimaRound trip. Carry-on only and non-refundable, or with a checked bag and refundable. We book it and add it to your quote.
About $194 / $318
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?
Not in the base price. We can book the domestic Lima – Cusco – Lima flights for you as part of the trip; international flights you book yourself, 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. A round trip usually costs about $194 per person with carry-on only, or $318 with a checked bag and a refundable fare.
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★.
