Peru: Cusco & Machu Picchu in 7 Days
A week that climbs gently from the Sacred Valley to Cusco, timing your altitude so Machu Picchu lands at peak energy, not exhaustion.
7 days · Dry season May to September (peak July to August); the Inca Trail closes every February, though Machu Picchu itself stays open year-round. · First-time visitors to the Andes who want the headline Inca sites done in a sensible, altitude-aware order
Cusco sits at roughly 3,400m, higher than Machu Picchu and higher than the Sacred Valley floor below it. The smartest week in the Peruvian Andes ignores the temptation to sleep in Cusco on night one and instead drops straight down into the valley to acclimatize, saving the highest ground for last. This itinerary follows that logic: arrive, sleep low, explore Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and the Maras salt pans, reach Machu Picchu by train, and only then settle into Cusco once your body has caught up. Book Machu Picchu timed-entry tickets and the Ollantaytambo trains months ahead, especially in high season.
Day by day
- 1
Arrive and head down to the valley
Land in Cusco but transfer straight down to the Sacred Valley to sleep at a lower altitude on your first night.
- Fly into Cusco (CUZ) and transfer down to Urubamba or Ollantaytambo
- Take it slow: settle in, hydrate, and rest to start acclimatizing
- Light early dinner of local Andean fare, no alcohol
- 2
Pisac ruins and market
Ease into gentle sightseeing with the hilltop Inca terraces and artisan market at Pisac.
- Explore the Pisac Inca ruins and ceremonial terraces
- Browse the Pisac artisan market for textiles and crafts
- Try papa a la huancaina and chicha morada in the valley
- 3
Moray and the Maras salt pans
See the Incas' circular agricultural terraces at Moray and the thousands of salt ponds at Salineras de Maras.
- Visit the concentric terraces of Moray
- Walk among the terraced salt pans of Salineras de Maras
- Continue to Ollantaytambo to explore its living Inca town
- 4
Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu
Take the train down to Aguas Calientes and ride the switchback bus up to the citadel for your timed-entry visit.
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)
- Bus up the switchbacks and tour Machu Picchu on your assigned circuit
- Optional pre-booked climb of Huayna Picchu or the walk to the Sun Gate
- 5
Up to Cusco
Return toward Cusco, now better acclimatized, and ease into the city center.
- Travel back up to Cusco and check in near the Plaza de Armas
- Visit Qorikancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun beneath Santo Domingo
- Wander the artisan lanes of the San Blas neighborhood
- 6
Cusco in full
Spend a full day on the city's Inca and colonial highlights now that altitude is no longer a worry.
- Climb to the megalithic fortress of Sacsayhuaman above the city
- See Cusco Cathedral and the twelve-angled stone on Hatun Rumiyoc
- Sample chicharron and a pisco sour, browsing San Pedro Market
- 7
Chinchero and departure
Fit in one last weaving town before flying out of Cusco.
- Stop in Chinchero for its weaving traditions and colonial church
- Pick up final souvenirs and Andean textiles
- Transfer to Cusco airport (CUZ) for departure
Plan your trip
Best time to go
Dry season May to September (peak July to August); the Inca Trail closes every February, though Machu Picchu itself stays open year-round.
Getting around
Fly into Cusco (CUZ), usually connecting through Lima (LIM). Shared colectivos and taxis link Cusco with the Sacred Valley towns; PeruRail and Inca Rail run the trains to Machu Picchu, primarily from Ollantaytambo, then a shuttle bus climbs to the citadel. Cusco's historic center is compact and walkable.
Where to stay
- Sacred Valley (Urubamba or Ollantaytambo) — lower altitude for acclimatizing, and the train gateway
- Cusco historic center near the Plaza de Armas — central and walkable once you have adjusted
- Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) — overnight to catch the first buses for an early entry
Budget
Peru is good value day to day, with cheap market food and inexpensive local transport. The major expense is reaching Machu Picchu itself: the tourist trains and entry tickets dominate the budget, so plan and book those early.
Good to know
- Sleep in the Sacred Valley (around 2,800m) your first nights, not Cusco; go easy on day one, hydrate, and skip alcohol while you adjust.
- Reserve Machu Picchu entry tickets and trains well ahead through the official Ministry of Culture platform; Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain need separate permits that sell out fastest.
- Coca tea is a pleasant local comfort but not an altitude cure; descend if symptoms of soroche worsen, and ask a doctor about preventive medication before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Peru?
This itinerary is built as a 7-day route for Peru, with a day-by-day plan you can adapt in TripAlta.
When is the best time to visit Peru?
For this TripAlta plan, the suggested timing is Dry season May to September (peak July to August); the Inca Trail closes every February, though Machu Picchu itself stays open year-round..
How should I get around Peru?
Fly into Cusco (CUZ), usually connecting through Lima (LIM). Shared colectivos and taxis link Cusco with the Sacred Valley towns; PeruRail and Inca Rail run the trains to Machu Picchu, primarily from Ollantaytambo, then a shuttle bus climbs to the citadel. Cusco's historic center is compact and walkable.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
Consider Sacred Valley (Urubamba or Ollantaytambo) — lower altitude for acclimatizing, and the train gateway; Cusco historic center near the Plaza de Armas — central and walkable once you have adjusted; Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) — overnight to catch the first buses for an early entry.
How should I budget for Peru?
Peru is good value day to day, with cheap market food and inexpensive local transport. The major expense is reaching Machu Picchu itself: the tourist trains and entry tickets dominate the budget, so plan and book those early.
Can TripAlta personalize this itinerary?
Yes. Use TripAlta to turn the idea into a personalized plan with dates, travelers, bookings, budget notes, and day-by-day adjustments.