Peru Adventure

The Perfect 7 Day Peru
Itinerary for Machu Picchu,
Sacred Valley and Cusco

Plan your Peru Trip

Why Visit Peru?

Visiting Peru, especially the legendary Machu Picchu, is one of those true
bucket list trips. The soaring Andes mountains, vibrant markets, rich history
and breathtaking ancient ruins create a travel experience unlike anywhere
else in the world.

But planning a trip to Peru can be surprisingly complex. Between train
schedules, Machu Picchu permits, altitude adjustments and logistics between
destinations, it is not exactly a destination where you want to improvise.

This seven day Peru itinerary highlights the best of the Sacred Valley, Cusco
and Machu Picchu while allowing time to acclimate and experience the region
comfortably.

Where to Stay?

A house with a garden in front of a mountain with clouds

Sacred Valley

Tambo del Inka

Luxury resort in Urubamba with its
own private train station to Machu
Picchu. The location makes it an
ideal base for exploring the Sacred
Valley.

Ancient ruins of Machu Picchu with stone terraces and buildings on a mountain in Peru, surrounded by lush green forests and steep peaks under a cloudy sky.

Machu Picchu

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo
Hotel

Luxury resort in Urubamba with its
own private train station to Machu
Picchu. The location makes it an
ideal base for exploring the Sacred
Valley.

Aerial view of a historic city square with a large cathedral in the center, surrounded by red-tiled roof buildings, cobblestone streets, and well-maintained green gardens with flower beds and fountains.

Cusco

Palacio del Inka

Historic colonial mansion turned luxury hotel in the heart of Cusco.

Belmond Monasterio

A former monastery with incredible architecture and classic Belmond service.

Listed hotels are preferred partners, meaning Elavated Travel clients may enjoy benefits such as complimentary breakfast, upgrades when available, hotel credits, and VIP treatment.

The Perfect Seven Day Peru Itinerary

Aerial view of a city with red-tiled roofs, colonial church buildings, and a large square with people and trees, surrounded by hills with dry vegetation. 
Day One

Arrival in Cusco and Transfer to the Sacred Valley

Cusco sits around 11,000 feet above sea level, so heading directly to the Sacred Valley
helps travelers adjust more comfortably to the altitude. The valley sits slightly lower and offers dramatic Andean landscapes, traditional villages and a relaxing introduction to Peru.

A llama standing on dry grassland with mountains in the background, surrounded by grazing alpacas or llamas in a semi-arid landscape. 
Day Two

Acclimatization Day

Take the day slowly. Rest, hydrate, drink coca tea and allow your body time to adjust to the altitude.

Relax at your hotel, enjoy the mountain views or explore nearby villages.

Terraced green fields and stone walls in a valley with tall mountains and a small stream. 
Day Three

Sacred Valley Exploration

Spend the day exploring some of the most fascinating sites in the Sacred Valley.

Highlights include:

  • Ollantaytambo ruins

  • Moray agricultural terraces

  • Maras salt mines

  • Pisac market

These locations showcase the ingenuity of the Inca civilization and offer some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Andes.

During our visit we explored the Sacred Valley on a private guided tour, which I highly recommend. Having a knowledgeable guide brings the history of the region to life and allows you to move comfortably between sites while learning about Inca culture and traditions.

A narrow cobblestone street in a tourist town with shops selling colorful textiles and souvenirs, with several visitors walking and browsing. 
Day Four

Transfer to Cusco

Spend the day exploring Cusco’s historic center.

Highlights include:

  • Plaza de Armas

  • San Pedro Market

  • Colonial architecture built on Inca
    foundations

  • Incredible Peruvian restaurants

Cusco blends ancient history with vibrant culture and is one of the most charming
cities in South America.

Ancient Incan ruins of Machu Picchu with terraces on terraced hillsides, surrounded by lush green mountains under a partly cloudy sky. 
Day Five

Machu Picchu

Take the train to Aguas Calientes, the small town that serves as the gateway to
Machu Picchu.

A luxury option is the Belmond Hiram Bingham train, known for its elegant service and spectacular scenery through the Andes.

Once at Machu Picchu, explore the citadel using Circuit Two, this route gives you those iconic aerial views of the citadel while also letting you wander through its historic terraces and temples.

Ancient stone ruins of Machu Picchu with terraced fields and steep mountain in the background, partially obscured by clouds. 
Day Six

Machu Picchu Panoramic Views

Return early to Machu Picchu to experience it from a different perspective.

Circuit One offers dramatic panoramic views of the citadel and surrounding mountains and is perfect for photography.

After your visit, return to Cusco in the afternoon.

Colorful mountain range with stripes of red, yellow, and purple, under a cloudy sky, with a group of people on a trail in the foreground. 
Day Seven

Rainbow Mountain

An early morning departure leads to Rainbow Mountain, famous for its dramatic mineral striped landscape and vibrant colors set high in the Andes.

Due to the extreme altitude, many travelers find the traditional hike quite challenging. During our visit, we chose to explore Rainbow Mountain using anATV tour, which made the experience much more manageable while still allowing us to enjoy the incredible scenery.

I highly recommend this option for travelers who want to experience Rainbow Mountain without the difficulty of a full high altitude hike.

Planning a Trip to Peru?

Planning Machu Picchu requires coordinating train tickets, entrance permits, guides and altitude acclimatization.

Working with a travel advisor ensures every detail is handled so you can focus on enjoying the experience.

Plan your Peru Trip

Mariela Reyes is the founder of Elavated Travel and a Fora Pro travel advisor specializing in curated luxury travel experiences and custom itineraries around the world. Through her partnership with Fora Travel, her clients benefit from preferred partnerships with many of the world’s leading luxury hotels and travel providers.

About the Author