WhyYou’ll Love This Tour
Two Worlds, One Journey
From Lima’s coastal food scene to Cusco’s Inca stonework, every day feels genuinely distinct.
Deeper Than the Highlights
A Pachamanca feast, a local community visit, and lunch at Larco Museum set this apart from standard routes.
Crowds Can’t Catch You
Early access to Machu Picchu and smart scheduling mean you explore Peru’s greatest sites in peace.
Overview
Experience Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu on our signature 7-day Peru cultural tour – a private journey designed for travelers who want more than the standard highlights. If you’re looking to explore Peru’s culture and history, this itinerary brings together the country’s most fascinating archaeological sites, living traditions, and colonial heritage in one unforgettable journey. This 7-day Peru itinerary moves from the culinary capital of Lima through the ancient villages and Inca ruins of the Sacred Valley, culminating at the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu. Built on our core philosophy of “German precision, Peruvian passion,” every transfer, guide, and meal is handled with total reliability – backed by over 1,500+ five-star reviews.
Lima: Peru’s Culinary Capital
Your Peru 7-day itinerary begins in Lima, where culture and gastronomy set the tone for the journey ahead. A guided visit to the historic city center introduces you to colonial architecture and centuries of history, while lunch at the Larco Museum – one of South America’s finest pre-Columbian collections – offers an elegant first encounter with Peru’s ancient civilizations. An evening at Dansa rounds out a first night that captures Lima’s reputation as one of the world’s great food cities. This is the Lima experience most tours skip entirely.
Sacred Valley: Living Andean Tradition
From Cusco, your journey descends into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a landscape where ancient tradition and daily life overlap at every turn. A stop at Pisac’s Inca ruins and artisan market opens the valley beautifully, followed by a full day exploring the Moray agricultural terraces, the centuries-old Maras salt mines, and an authentic local Andean community. Unlike standard operators, we build in real encounters – not staged ones. The highlight of this section is a traditional Pachamanca lunch near Ollantaytambo, where meats and vegetables are slow-cooked underground on heated stones, exactly as the Incas prepared them.
Machu Picchu & Ollantaytambo: The Inca Heartland
No Peru cultural tour is complete without the Inca’s greatest achievement. Before ascending to Machu Picchu, you’ll explore Ollantaytambo – one of the best-preserved Inca towns in existence, where original street grids and ceremonial temples still stand intact. A scenic train journey through the cloud forest delivers you to Aguas Calientes for an early morning ascent to the citadel. Our expert guides time your arrival to avoid the crowds, transforming your Machu Picchu visit into the immersive, unhurried experience it deserves to be.
Cusco: The Navel of the World
Your final morning is spent in Cusco – the former capital of the Inca Empire and one of South America’s most extraordinary cities. A private guided tour covers Qoricancha, the Plaza de Armas, and the artisan lanes of San Blas, where Inca stonework and Spanish colonial architecture share the same walls. For travelers planning a week-long Peru tour, few itineraries offer such a complete balance of history, culture, gastronomy, and iconic landmarks. This is the perfect close to a 7-day Peru itinerary that has moved from coastal Lima to the highest reaches of the Andes – seamlessly, privately, and without a single wasted hour.
Itinerary at a Glance
- Day 1 : Arrival in Lima & Dinner Show
- Day 2 : Lima City Tour & Larco Museum Visit
- Day 3 : Flight to Cusco & Pisac
- Day 4 : Visit of Moray, Maras & Local Andean Community
- Day 5 : Ollantaytambo Ruins, Pachamanca Lunch & Train to Machu Picchu
- Day 6 : Machu Picchu
- Day 6 : Cusco City Tour & Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival in Lima & Dinner Show
Today’s Highlight: Arrive in Lima and kick off your Peru journey with a vibrant evening at one of the city’s celebrated restaurants.
Upon landing in Lima, our local staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you directly to your hotel. After freshening up, we’ll take you out for dinner at DanSa – a lively spot that brings together Peru’s incredible culinary traditions and a warm, festive atmosphere. A perfect first night to ease into the spirit of Peru.
Dinner included
Overnight in Lima
Day 2 : Lima City Tour & Larco Museum Visit
Today’s Highlight: Discover Lima’s colonial heart and explore one of the world’s finest pre-Columbian collections over a memorable lunch.
Start the morning with a guided visit to Lima’s historic city center, including its elegant Plaza Mayor, the grand Cathedral, and the charming streets of Barranco and Miraflores.
At midday, we’ll head to the renowned Larco Museum for lunch at its celebrated garden restaurant – a beautiful setting surrounded by bougainvillea and colonial architecture. Afterwards, a private guided tour of the museum itself reveals 5,000 years of Peruvian history through its exceptional collection of ancient gold, ceramics, and textiles.
Lunch included
Overnight in Lima
Day 3 : Flight to Cusco & Pisac
Today’s Highlight: Touch down in Cusco and ease into the Sacred Valley with a visit to Pisac’s Inca ruins and colorful artisan market.
In the morning, we’ll transfer you to Lima’s airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, our team will pick you up and begin the journey into the Sacred Valley – a gentle and scenic introduction that also helps with acclimatization.
Your first stop is Pisac, where you’ll explore the impressive Inca terraces and ceremonial complex before descending into the lively local market. Pick up handcrafted textiles, ceramics, and alpaca goods directly from the artisans who make them, then sit down for a hearty lunch in the valley.
Lunch included
Overnight in Sacred Valley
Day 4 : Visit of Moray, Maras & Local Andean Community
Today’s Highlight: Uncover the agricultural genius of Moray, taste salt harvested for centuries at Maras, and connect with a local Andean community.
This day takes you deep into the living culture of the Sacred Valley. At Moray, the Incas’ remarkable circular terracing – believed to have functioned as an agricultural laboratory – creates a striking sight unlike anything else in Peru.
From there, the Maras Salt Mines offer a vivid landscape of hundreds of terraced salt pools still worked by local families today.
The afternoon is dedicated to a visit with a local community, where you’ll share stories, learn about traditional customs, and experience daily Andean life firsthand.
Lunch included
Overnight in Sacred Valley
Day 5 : Ollantaytambo Ruins, Pachamanca Lunch & Train to Machu Picchu
Today’s Highlight: Explore Ollantaytambo’s towering fortress, share a traditional Pachamanca feast, and board the train toward Machu Picchu.
The morning brings you to Ollantaytambo. one of the best-preserved Inca towns in existence, where the original street grid, water channels, and stone architecture have remained largely intact for centuries. Your guide will walk you through the imposing Temple Hill and the intricate stonework of its terraces.
Lunch is a special occasion: a traditional Pachamanca, where meats, potatoes, and vegetables are slow-cooked underground on heated stones – an ancient Andean cooking method still celebrated today. In the afternoon, board your train through the dramatic cloud forest toward Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.
Lunch included
Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Day 6 : Machu Picchu
Today’s Highlight: Step inside one of the world’s great wonders on a private guided tour through the iconic Inca citadel.
Your morning begins early as you make your way up to Machu Picchu – timed to arrive before the main crowds and make the most of the quiet, golden light over the ruins. Your expert guide will lead you through a 2-hour private tour of the citadel’s most significant areas: the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone, the agricultural terraces, and the panoramic viewpoints that reveal the full scale of this extraordinary place.
After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to Cusco.
Lunch included
Overnight in Cusco
Day 7 : Cusco City Tour & Departure
Today’s Highlight: Spend your final morning exploring Cusco’s most iconic sites before your flight home.
Your last day in Peru begins with a guided tour of Cusco – a city where Inca stonework and Spanish colonial architecture exist side by side on the same streets. Visit Qoricancha, once the most important temple in the Inca Empire, the striking Plaza de Armas, and the artisan neighborhood of San Blas with its narrow cobblestone lanes and workshop galleries.
In the afternoon, our team will transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Lima and onward connection.
Lunch included
- Included
- Airport transfers with our staff accompanying you
- All tours stated in the itinerary with fluent English speaking licensed local guides
- Entrance tickets for all tours
- Private Machu Picchu tour with entrance tickets, train tickets and shuttle bus
- Hotels if selected
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary above (vegan and vegetarian options available). We eat in some of the best restaurants in the area.
- Trekking pole, first aid kit and oxygen for the hikes
- Welcome kit and virtual support during your trip
- Not Included
- Domestic and international flights (will be added in the quote if desired)
Prices
Based on double/triple occupancy and the hotels mentioned below or similar ones in the same category.
- Service
- Comfortable 3-start hotels
- Standard train to Machu Picchu
- Shared/private transfers
- Daily breakfast
- Service
- Upgraded 4-start hotels
- Vistadome train to Machu Picchu
- More comfortable transport
- Restaurant upgrades
- Service
- Luxury 5-start hotels
- Hiram Bingham train (optional)
- VIP private transfers
- Exclusive experiences
Hotels
JW Marriott
- 250 m from the oceanfront
JW Marriott Miraflores offers ocean-view rooms, excellent dining, and a well-equipped gym, in a prime waterfront location beside Larcomar for an upscale stay.
Souma Miraflores
- 650 m from Parque Kennedy
Souma Miraflores offers modern comfort near Parque Kennedy and Larcomar, with air-conditioned rooms, outdoor pool, fitness center, rooftop terrace, restaurant, and convenient access to Lima’s highlights.
Lima 18 Boutique Hotel
- Steps from Huaca Pucllana
Lima 18 Boutique offers charming, intimate accommodation in the heart of Miraflores, with just 11 air-conditioned rooms featuring curated artwork and modern touches, a serene garden terrace, complimentary à la carte breakfast, and attentive personalized service — all within walking distance of Parque Kennedy, Huaca Pucllana, and Larcomar.
Palacio del Inka Luxury Collection
- 500 m from Plaza de Armas (main square)
Palacio del Inka, beside the Koricancha Temple, is a luxury hotel built on original Inca foundations, featuring stunning colonial architecture and guided historical tours.
Novotel
- 350 m from Plaza de Armas (main Square)
Novotel Cusco, set in a restored 16th-century building just three blocks from the main square, offers modern comfort, local charm, and a heated courtyard for relaxing.
Rumi Punku
- 300 m away from Plaza de Armas (main square)
Hotel Rumi Punku is a charming 3-star stay just 300m from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, offering cozy rooms with private bathrooms and cable TV, free WiFi, and a traditional courtyard garden.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
- 250 m from the oceanfront
Inkaterra El Pueblo sits at the foot of Machu Picchu near the train station, offering upscale comfort, lush nature, and an immersive stay for your visit.
Casa del Sol Machu Picchu
- Next to train station
Casa del Sol Machu Picchu is a luxury retreat near the train station, with elegant rooms, modern comforts, private bathrooms, mini-bars, satellite TV, luggage storage, and attentive concierge service.
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
- 5 min from the bus station
Tierra Viva Cusco Machu Picchu offers peaceful rooms with cable TV, mini-bars, and private bathrooms, some with hillside views, plus a panoramic sun terrace and free WiFi, just a short walk from Machu Picchu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does this 7-day Peru tour include?
The tour includes a planned 7‑day itinerary with guided visits, transportation between the included destinations, and accommodation for the nights listed in the program. Entrance tickets for the included sites and activities are part of the package, unless the tour description states otherwise. The tour also includes some meals, such as breakfast and selected lunches or dinners, as described in the daily breakdown.
How long is each day on the 7-day Peru tour?
The tour runs for 7 consecutive days, with daily activities that usually start in the morning and finish by late afternoon or early evening. Some days focus on travel between destinations with sightseeing on the way, while others center on guided visits and free time. Exact start and end times depend on the day’s program, local conditions, and any scheduled entries.
What level of fitness is needed for this 7‑day Peru tour?
The tour is designed for travelers with average fitness. Walking is part of most days, especially during city visits and archaeological sites. Some parts of the itinerary take place at higher altitude, which can feel more intense than similar walks at sea level. Travelers who usually manage several hours of light walking per day handle the program well.
Are airport transfers included in the 7-day Peru tour?
The tour includes transfers that are listed in the detailed itinerary, such as transfers between some airports, hotels, and starting points of activities. If a specific airport transfer is included, it will appear as part of the daily program. Any extra transfers that are not mentioned in the program are not part of the standard package.
Is this tour suitable for first‑time visitors to Peru?
Yes, the 7-day Peru tour suits first‑time visitors who want to see several of Peru’s key highlights in a single week. The itinerary combines guided visits, organized transport, and pre‑booked accommodation, so travelers do not need to coordinate each step on their own. This structure gives a clear overview of the country in a limited amount of time.
