Peru has been on my bucket list for years. It’s easy to make a beeline straight to Cusco and then see Machu Picchu but there is so much more to the country. Take the time to see the other cities, natural attractions and absolutely consider hiking options for the views that aren’t accessible. This trip is less of a vacation and more of an adventure.
DAY 1
At a glimpse: An evening exploring Miraflores
Travel agenda: Arrive at the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. It’s a 40-minute cab or Uber ride to Miraflores, the best area to stay. Drop off your bags and put on your walking shoes. Take a long loop working your way to the Miraflores central park. Admire the Parroquia La Virgen Milagrosa and Kennedy Park. Just next to the park, grab dinner at the Café de la Paz with a great people-watching setup.
Then meander 30 minutes down Ave Jose Larco to Larcomar, a unique cliffside mall with water views. Walk along the path to the Park of Love with mosaics and the “kissing moment.” Make sure to look south to the Lighted Cross, built as a welcome gesture for when Pope John Paul II. Continue along the Malecón Cisneros path to the picturesque Faro La Marina lighthouse. Then circle back around to your hotel!
DAY 2
At a glimpse: Getting to know the history and food of Lima
Travel agenda: Good morning! Begin the day by getting an espresso at Coffee Time Miraflores. Then get ready for a day in the city. Inkan Milky Way Tours offers a Miraflores meeting location, where then you head into the city together. It’s a free walking tour throughout the main historical city of Lima with stops at the monuments and historical landmarks. The guide will also recommend things to do and places to eat along the way if you decide to stay in the city.
After, head back to the hotel and get ready for a night out – but wear your stretchy pants. Next up is the Lima Gourmet Food Tour. The van will pick you up from your hotel and you will be whisked to 3-4 restaurants. The guide does a fantastic job of presenting the very best cuisine in the city, while also giving context to the surroundings. After getting dropped off, get ready for the morning and get a good nights sleep!
DAY 3
At a glimpse: Peru Hop two-day adventure to Paracas and Huacachina
Travel agenda: Sometime between 4AM and 5AM, you’ll be directed to meet outside your hotel where the Peru Hop vehicle will pick you up for an early morning ride down the coast. The first stop is Paracas, a resort beach destination for residents.
First on the to-do list is Isla Ballestas, also known as “the poor man’s Galapagos Islands.” The two-hour tour starts with a trip along the northern face of the Paracas Penisula to see the the Candelabra, a geoglyph (a motif designed in the ground) dating back approximately two thousand years. Then onward to the Isla Ballesta islands with sealife, birds and a fascinating look at the locals who live there.
After the ride, lunch is on the main street along the water and the first real chance to get to know your tour group members.
From here, it’s only one hour to the final destination, Huacachina. Huacachina is the only remaining desert oasis in South America and the little community they’ve created around the lagoon. Just a couple minutes from Ica, the town is almost entirely composed of hotels and restaurants for tourists.
Tip: Peru Hop can book your accommodations or you can opt for your own hotel. DM Mossone was outstanding! Click here for more details about the Peru Hop tour.
Change into your desert outfit and get ready for a memorable afternoon in the sand dunes! First is a wild ride on the large dune buggies, and then sandboarding (aka sand sledding). You’ll also be taken to an incredible sunset location. After a quick descent down to the town, you’ll want to rinse the sand off before dinner. These little streets can also become party-central after hours.
DAY 4
At a glimpse: A short tour of Ica and a local vineyard tour and tasting
Travel agenda: Between 10AM and 11AM, the group will head to the town of Ica. One of the main sites is the cathedral square. There’s also the option to take a short tour of Cachiche, a site dedicated to wizardry. Next, the van will take you to the winery, Nietto. This is where you can sip on wine and pisco from the vineyard on site. There’s also a restaurant upstairs to enjoy lunch.
With a few hours left in the day, you’ll have the option to book an activity like desert 4x4s or enjoy the pool scene at the hotel! Around 6PM, leave Huacachina for a 4 hour drive back to Lima. You will have a chance to stop to use the banos and get a snack, since there isn’t an opportunity for a real dinner.
DAY 5
At a glimpse: Flight to Cusco
Travel agenda: Before leaving for the airport, walk to Buenavista Café for breakfast and to watch the early morning surfers. Then hop in an Uber and head to Jorge Chávez International. Get there two hours beforehand as the airport is not very efficient. It’s an hour flight to Cusco.
Tip: Get a window seat to experience the magnificence of the Cusco Mountains.
Stay in the Historic Center area, within walking distance to Plaza de Armas. Relax at the hotel for a bit. Lying down or just sitting for a couple hours will help you to adjust to the altitude! When ready, start walking around the quaint city. Explore the little streets and boutique shops. Get lunch at Cappuccino Cusco Café and request a table overlooking the square.
From here, its just a short walk across the square to one of the Cathedrals. Both the Iglesia de la Companía de Jesús and the Cusco Cathedral express the traditions of the Peruvian people (in a very ornate way!) Walk just one block further on Triunfo and you’ll see the 12 Angled Stone, a perfectly chiseled Incan stone said to hold the entire wall structure and fit perfectly around the others.
Now walk in the other direction ten minutes to the San Pedro Market. This is a great spot to enjoy a snack and pick up an alpaca sweater for the chillier nights in Peru (looks great in Machu Picchu photos!) Dinner tonight is at Morena Peruvian Kitchen on the main square. The food, service and ambiance are all top notch.
DAY 6
At a glimpse: Full day activity near Cusco
Travel agenda: Option A: Sacred Valley! The main attractions are Moray and the Maras Salt Mines, though if you take a tour it will likely include the colorful local market of Pisaca as well as the archeological site Ollantaytambo. It’s an introduction to the Incan world.
Tip: If you would prefer to go at your own speed, drivers are always available for a fixed rate and are happy to drop you off at a location, wait and then bring you back.
Option B: Rainbow Mountain! Recently discovered from the snow melting on the Andes Mountains, bright “rainbow” mountains have emerged. The colors are the result of exposure and erosion of the sedimentary mineral layers (calcium, iron, copper) after years of tectonic shifts and volcanic activity. Vinicunca is the original site and what most people consider “Rainbow Mountain.”
Instead opt for a tour of Palccoyo Mountain. The hike is shorter and there’s a larger range of colorful mountains. The paths and welcome area are being built now in anticipation of crowds so now is the time to go.
Once back in Cusco, dinner should be at the renowned Chicha por Gaston Acurio. Finally, walk off dinner and head 8 minutes along Trifunfo to Picarones Ruinas for a true Peruvian treat.
Tip: If you are hiking the following days, you will also have an evening meeting to go over the itinerary. Also avoid alcohol today! Picarones are AOK.
DAYS 7 [up to 10]
At a glimpse: Traveling to Machu Picchu
Travel agenda: These are the days you make your way to Machu Picchu, whether you feel more comfortable taking the train or getting there by foot.
If you choose the direct route, you’ll need to take a taxi to nearby Poroy and then it is a scenic 3.5-hour trip along the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley. It will take you to Aguas Calientes, a nice town to explore before experiencing Machu Picchu.
There are also several options for hiking, ranging in time and difficulty. Though it was mentally and physically exhausting, hiking the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu made the experience all the more rewarding. Click here for an example of the hike!
DAY 11
At a glimpse: Machu Picchu morning and afternoon in Aguas Calientes
Travel agenda: Welcome to Machu Picchu! Arrive as soon as it opens to beat the rush and also experience the magic of the morning fog revealing the city. A guide is required and it makes sense, since they will explain the history and meaning of every deliberately placed stone, shape and shadow in this ancient city. After, the Snack Bar outside the ruins is perfect for a bite and beer.
After, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. Loop through the streets, stopping for souvenirs at the Mercado Aguas Calientes, as well as splurging at the Arte Joyeria Rumiwasi store. Stop for an Italian lunch at Incontri del Pueblo Viejo to mix up the cuisine. There are also opportunities to relax, either at the local Hot Spring or at one of the many massage places in town.
If you were on a hiking tour, you will take the one hour late afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, the first and only stop. From there, it’s a shuttle ride back to Cusco. Otherwise it will be the reverse train and taxi scenario.
DAY 12
At a glimpse: Flights back home
Travel agenda: Enjoy one final breakfast at the adorable hole-in-the-wall Jack’s Cafe, before taking a flight home likely from Cusco to Lima first. Maybe even enjoy a morning Cusqueña to commemorate the trip!
