How to Spend 7 Days in Peru
Peru has so much to offer. It is possible to spend 7 days in Peru if you plan your trip in advance and know exactly what you are going for. Lima, the capital and largest city in Peru is served by more than
25 airlines and is only
six hours 45 minutes from Houston TX.
Here is Travelmath’s sample 7 days itinerary to Peru for those who like the combination of nature, adventure and culture:
Day 1
Fly from your hometown to Lima’s
Jorge Chávez International Airport. Lima 's world-class cuisines and restaurants have in recent years attracted lots of visitors from around the world looking for a great eating adventure.
A night’s stay in Lima with dinner or lunch at one of the restaurants owned by celebrity chefs like Gastón Acurio, Javier Wong and Teresa Izquierdo is a must if you are visiting Peru.
Day 2
A
one hour 13 minute flight will take you from Lima to the city of Cuzco. Cuzco is located in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, an ancient Inca capital and the gateway to the great adventures in the highlands of Peru. Sitting at about 11,000 feet above sea level you will need time to get adjusted to the high altitude.
History and culture are well preserved in this city once ruled by famous Inca ruler named Inca Pachacuteq. Of course when the Spanish conquered the city, they left behind the Baroque churches and palaces that were built on top of the Inca city’s ruins.
Here you will find the Inca ruins, walls, temples and colonial architecture intermingled. Ladies in traditional dresses are seen walking around Plaza de Armas, the city squares, cobblestone streets or fresh markets.
The best place to relax is in one of the restaurants or cafés at Plaza de Armas. The plaza was called Huacaypata during the Inca times and it is still an important meeting place for locals and tourists.
Cusco is surrounded by cobblestoned streets and steep alleyways. Visitors who are not used to high altitudes are advised to avoid alcohol on their first day in Cusco.
Day 3, 4, 5 and 6
Cusco is the gateway to the famous citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Visitors have a choice of either taking the Classic 4 days/3 nights Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or take the train to Aguas Calientes and bus to Machu Picchu.
Inca Trail Trekking option:
Reservation must be made at least 6 months in advance for the 4 days/3 nights Inca Trail trekking tour. There are only 500 permits issued per day and 200 are allocated to visitors and 300 for the porters, cooks and guides. These permits are reserved with tourist’s names and passport numbers and cannot be changed once booked. Which means there is no waiting list for Inca Trail permits. Inca Trail is closed in the month of February.
For more information on Inca Trail, go to
Inca Trail Peru’s website and
Tucan Travel’s website.
Your trail will take you to the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu on the fourth day- giving you time to explore and meditate in the ancient city. This tour will end in Cusco for your next day flight to Lima.
Train option:
For those who prefer to visit Machu Picchu in comfort, Peru Rail offers three categories of service to Machu Picchu from Cusco and Ollantaytambo. The cheapest is the Expedition departing from Poroy, a town 20 minutes from downtown Cusco to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. The journey takes about three hours.
Or you can leave from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley for an hour 30 minute trip to Aguas Calientes.
If you are going to Machu Picchu by train, it is recommended you spend 3 days/2 nights exploring Cusco and the Sacred Valley before traveling to Aguas Calientes for an overnight stay. On the fourth day in this part of your journey, take the bus before 6 am to Machu Picchu for a whole day visit.
You will take Peru Rail from Aguas Calientes to Cusco for your next day flight back to Lima.
Note: If you are going with family members who prefer to go on the Inca Trail and you prefer the comfort of a luxurious train, you can met each other in Machu Picchu and catch the train together from Aguas Calientes to Cusco on the fourth day in this part of your tour.
Day 7
Leave Cusco for Lima for connecting flight back home. Depending on where you live you may have time to visit Lima before catching your connecting flight.
There is so much to see and do in Peru. This 7 day itinerary will help you plan a short visit Lima, Cusco, trek on the Inca Trail, visit Machu Picchu and discover the history and mystery of the Inca Empire.
For hotels, airfares and exchange rates, use the following tools:
1.
Hotels
2.
Airfares
3.
Currency converter – US Dollar to Peruvian Nuevo Sol
Have a safe trip!
