Honestly, trying to cram all of Peru into seven days is a recipe for a breakdown. Most people land in Lima and immediately try to race to the Amazon, the desert, and the Andes all at once. You can't. You shouldn't. If you want a peru one week itinerary that doesn't leave you gasping for air (literally and figuratively), you have to be ruthless with your choices.
Peru is massive. The geography is vertical. One minute you're eating world-class ceviche at sea level, and the next, you're 11,000 feet up where even walking to the bathroom feels like a marathon. For a one-week trip in 2026, the smart move is the "Southern Loop" focusing on Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Anything else is just staring at the back of a bus seat for 14 hours.
Why Lima Isn't Just a Layover
Most travelers treat Lima like a waiting room. That's a mistake. Lima is arguably the food capital of the world right now. In 2026, restaurants like Central and Maido are still topping the global charts, but good luck getting a table without a three-month head start.
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Spend your first 24 hours here. It’s about acclimatization—not to altitude, but to the pace. Walk the Malecón in Miraflores. The Pacific breeze is salty and cold. It helps with the jet lag. If you can’t get into Central, go to Isolina in Barranco. Order the lomo saltado. It’s huge. It’s comfort food that explains Peruvian history better than a museum ever could.
- Day 1: Land in Lima, check into a spot in Miraflores or Barranco.
- The Move: Dinner at a huarique (a local hole-in-the-wall). Don't overthink it.
- Pro Tip: Download Cabify. Don't hail street taxis. It’s safer and you won't get "gringo priced."
The Altitude Strategy (The Part Everyone Ignores)
Here is what most people get wrong: they fly from Lima to Cusco and try to tour the city immediately. Cusco is at 3,400 meters (11,150 feet). Your brain will feel like it’s being squeezed by a giant.
Instead, the second you land in Cusco, get in a car and head down. The Sacred Valley is lower—around 2,800 meters. Those 600 meters make a massive difference in how much you’ll suffer.
Spend Days 2 and 3 in towns like Pisac or Ollantaytambo. In 2026, the Boleto Turístico (the ten-day tourist ticket) costs about 130 soles (roughly $35-$40). It’s annoying to carry a paper ticket, but it gets you into 16 sites. Use it for the Moray circular terraces. It looks like an alien landing strip, but it was actually an Inca agricultural lab. Basically, they were hacking the climate 500 years ago.
The Sacred Valley Flow
- Day 2: Fly Lima to Cusco (early), drive straight to the Sacred Valley.
- Visit the Pisac ruins. The terraces are steeper than they look in photos.
- Day 3: Maras Salt Mines. Thousands of salt pans that have been harvested the same way since before the Incas. It's blindingly white and incredible for photos.
Machu Picchu in 2026: The New Reality
You can’t just "show up" at Machu Picchu anymore. The days of wandering freely are dead. In 2026, the Ministry of Culture is extremely strict about timed circuits. If you buy a ticket for Circuit 2 (the "Classic" route), you can't decide halfway through to go see the Inca Bridge on Circuit 1.
Book your tickets at least 60 to 90 days out. Use the official tuboleto.cultura.pe site.
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On Day 4, take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. The Vistadome train has windows in the ceiling. It’s a bit touristy, yeah, but watching the vegetation turn from dry Andean brush to lush high-jungle is worth the extra cash.
Which Circuit to Pick?
If you want that "postcard shot," you need Circuit 2.
If you’re into hiking and have the lungs for it, try to snag a Huayna Picchu permit (Circuit 3). It’s the steep peak you see in the background. Only a few hundred people are allowed up per day. It’s terrifying if you’re scared of heights, but the view is... well, it's Machu Picchu.
- Day 4: Train to Aguas Calientes, sleep there to beat the crowds the next morning.
- Day 5: Machu Picchu at sunrise. Take the bus up; don't hike the stairs unless you really hate your knees.
Finally, Cusco
By Day 6, you’re finally ready for Cusco. You're acclimated. You can walk up a flight of stairs without gasping.
Cusco is a "layered" city. You’ll see Spanish colonial churches built directly on top of Inca stone foundations. The masonry is mind-blowing. At Qorikancha, the stones fit together so tightly you can't slide a credit card between them. No mortar. Just genius engineering that survives earthquakes while the Spanish buildings crumble.
Spend your last full day wandering San Blas. It’s the artsy district. Steep cobblestone streets, hidden coffee shops, and lots of llamas being led around for photos. It’s okay to take the photo, just tip the lady a few soles.
Logistics and the Boring (But Vital) Stuff
Pack layers. The Andes are weird. One minute you’re sweating in the sun, the next a cloud passes and it’s 40 degrees.
Money: Carry soles. Big hotels take cards, but the guy selling you a chicha morada (purple corn drink) on the street definitely won't.
Health: Drink the coca tea. It tastes like hay, but it actually helps with the altitude. Don't drink the tap water. Ever. Not even for brushing your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach.
Your 7-Day Cheat Sheet
- Day 1: Lima. Eat everything.
- Day 2: Fly to Cusco, drive to Sacred Valley (Pisac).
- Day 3: Moras & Moray. Stay in Ollantaytambo.
- Day 4: Train to Aguas Calientes.
- Day 5: Machu Picchu. Afternoon train back to Cusco.
- Day 6: Explore Cusco (Sacsayhuaman & San Blas).
- Day 7: Last-minute shopping at San Pedro Market, fly back to Lima for your international connection.
This itinerary is tight, but it’s the only way to see the "Big Three" without feeling like you’re on a forced march. You'll be tired, sure, but you won't be miserable.
Before you book anything, check the 2026 entry requirements for your specific nationality. Most Western travelers don't need a visa, but they'll check your passport validity—it usually needs to be valid for six months beyond your stay. Get your Machu Picchu tickets first, then build everything else around those dates. Everything else is flexible; the ruins are not.