Peru is a country of astonishing contrasts: Pacific cliffs and desert oases give way to snow-bright Andes and a citadel lost to clouds. Across 16 days, you’ll savor Lima’s culinary scene, acclimate in history-rich Cusco, roam the Sacred Valley’s terraces, and greet Machu Picchu at dawn.

The land once ruled by the Inca offers more than ruins—think colorful markets, artisan coffee, ceviche and pisco, and high-altitude hikes that reward determination with unforgettable panoramas. Dry season (May–Sep) is best for trekking; the rainy season (Nov–Mar) paints valleys green and keeps crowds lighter.

Practical notes: Altitude in Cusco (3,400 m/11,150 ft) requires two easy days to acclimate. Book Machu Picchu entry and trains well in advance and bring layers, sunscreen, and bug repellent. Use app-based taxis in cities, keep valuables close in busy markets, and sample street food from busy, well-reviewed vendors.

Lima

Peru’s capital sprawls along dramatic coastal bluffs, where paragliders float over surfers and parks scented with jasmine. Lima fuses pre-Columbian history, colonial plazas, and a dining scene that repeatedly tops global lists—perfect for easing into Peru before the high Andes.

Base yourself in oceanside Miraflores or artsy Barranco. Stroll the Malecón at sunset, explore the UNESCO-listed historic center, and dig into ceviche, anticuchos, and Andean-choclo-laced dishes that tell Peru’s regional story on a plate.

Days 1–4: Barranco, Miraflores, Historic Center + Huacachina Day Trip

• Coastal orientation: Walk the Malecón from Parque del Amor to El Faro. Drop into the Huaca Pucllana adobe pyramid for context on Lima’s pre-Inca past (excellent site museum).
• Historic Lima: Visit Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the San Francisco catacombs; then wander Jirón de la Unión’s balconies and bookstores. Cap it with a pisco sour at a classic bar on Plaza San Martín.
• Barranco’s creative soul: Explore street art around the Bridge of Sighs, galleries like Lucia de la Puente, and sunset viewpoints over the Bajada de Baños.
• Desert and wildlife day trip: Take a long but rewarding day out to Paracas (Ballestas “mini-Galápagos”) and the dune oasis of Huacachina for sandboarding and a sunset buggy ride.

Cafes & breakfast: El Pan de la Chola (sourdough toasts, cold brew), Neira Café Lab (award-winning espresso flights), La Bodega Verde in Barranco (leafy courtyard, smoothies), and La Lucha Sanguchería (butifarra and lúcuma shakes).

Lunch & dinner: Reserve Maido (Nikkei tasting), Kjolle (biodiverse tasting by Pía León), or Isolina (hearty Peruvian criollo in a vintage tavern). Other musts: La Mar (midday-only ceviche), El Mercado (seafood with a buzz), Mérito (Andean-meets-Caribbean), and Panchita (anticuchos and causa).

Evening drinks: Try Ayahuasca (mansion-turned-cocktail bar), Bar Inglés for a classic pisco sour, and Hotel B’s art-filled lounge for a refined nightcap.

Where to stay (Lima):

• Top stays: Belmond Miraflores Park, JW Marriott Hotel Lima, Selina Miraflores Lima
• Browse more: VRBO options in Lima | Hotels.com options in Lima

Getting in and around: Fly into Lima’s Jorge Chávez International. Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to Miraflores is ~45–70 min by taxi (use an app-based service).

Recommended Lima tours (pick 1–4):

• Lima Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour

  

  Sample up to 14 flavors while learning the stories behind ceviche, causa, and Amazonian fruits in Barranco.

• All-Inclusive Highlights of Lima Tour

  

  Efficient full-day circuit through colonial plazas, coastal viewpoints, and artisan districts—ideal for Day 1–2.

• Huacachina Oasis and Mini-Galapagos Most reviewed company in Peru

  

  Boat to the Ballestas Islands for sea lions and Humboldt penguins, then sandboard towering dunes at Huacachina.

• Visit the Sea Lions in Palomino Islands, in Lima Peru

  

  A bracing Pacific adventure—swim among playful sea lions in a protected marine reserve off Callao.

Travel to Cusco (morning of Day 5): Fly Lima → Cusco in ~1 h 20 m; fares often $40–$120 one-way. Check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Cusco

Once the navel of the Inca empire, Cusco layers imperial stonework beneath baroque facades, with alpaca-clad balconies and cobbled alleyways that glow at dusk. At 3,400 m, it’s both a base for Machu Picchu and a destination of museums, markets, and fine Andean dining.

Spend two days acclimating—light walks, coca tea, early nights—then venture into the Sacred Valley’s terraces, salt pans, and living Quechua villages before your Machu Picchu push.

Days 5–6: Acclimatize, City Highlights, and Market Tastes

• Gentle orientation: Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral’s silverwork, and Qorikancha’s Inca walls. Sunset at San Blas mirador.
• Museums: Museo Inka (ceramics, mummies), and the MAP Museum (pre-Columbian art). Keep steps slow on Day 5.
• San Pedro Market: Taste fruit juices, chuta bread, and queso Andino; pick up textiles and pink salt from Maras.

Cafes & breakfast: Three Monkeys Coffee (specialty pour-overs), Museo del Café (bean-to-cup flights), and La Valeriana (pastries for a gentle start).

Lunch & dinner: Morena Peruvian Kitchen (modern classics), Pachapapa (wood-fired trout and cuy in a courtyard), MAP Café (white-cube refinement), Kion (Peruvian-Chinese chifa), Organika (vegetarian-friendly), and sunset at Limbus Restobar for pisco and views.

Where to stay (Cusco):

• Top stays: Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Belmond Hotel Monasterio, Novotel Cusco
• Budget/social: Kokopelli Hostel Cusco, Pariwana Hostel Cusco
• Browse more: VRBO options in Cusco | Hotels.com options in Cusco

Days 7–9: Sacred Valley (Pisac, Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo)

• Pisac: Hilltop ruins with sweeping agricultural terraces; shop the artisan market for woven belts and silverwork.
• Maras & Moray: See concentric agricultural labs at Moray, then the honeycomb of Maras salt pans—still harvested by hand.
• Ollantaytambo: A living Inca town with a fortress of monumental stones; ideal launch point for the Machu Picchu train.

Recommended Cusco/Sacred Valley tours (pick 1–4):

• The Ultimate Full Day Sacred Valley Tour

  

  A well-paced circuit that hits Pisac, Maras, Moray, and Ollantaytambo before the crowds.

• Rainbow Mountain Beat-the-Crowd: Exclusive 8 AM Departure

  

  High-altitude hike to 5,020 m with colorful mineral stripes; go mid-itinerary, after acclimatizing.

• Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market in Cusco

  

  Shop San Pedro Market, then make ceviche and lomo saltado with a pisco lesson—edible souvenirs included.

• Machu Picchu Full-Day Tour by Train from Cusco - Small Group

  

  For travelers who prefer a day trip rather than overnighting in Aguas Calientes—logistics handled.

Logistics to Machu Picchu (morning of Day 10): Transfer Cusco → Ollantaytambo (1.5–2 h by car/van; ~$10–$30 pp), then train to Aguas Calientes (~1 h 45 m; typical one-way $65–$120). Buy bus tickets Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu (25–30 m; ~$24 round-trip) and entry tickets in advance.

Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes)

Aguas Calientes is the gateway village tucked beneath cloud forest. It’s a practical overnight to catch first light at the citadel, when orchids drip with mist and llamas parade along terraces. Choose your Machu Picchu circuit carefully and bring your passport—checked at the gate.

Consider hiking Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for staggering views (separate permits, limited slots). If you prefer trekking, the 2-day Short Inca Trail arrives via the Sun Gate for a memorable first glimpse.

Days 10–11: Train In, Sunrise Citadel, Optional Hikes

• Arrival (Day 10): Check in, stroll the riverfront, and soak in the hot springs if you wish. Early dinner and early night for a dawn bus.
• Machu Picchu (Day 11): Enter at first light for softer crowds and golden photographs. Circuit choices shape your route—Circuit 2 is popular for classic viewpoints.
• Optional hikes: Huayna Picchu (steep, airy stairways) or Machu Picchu Mountain (longer, wider views) with timed entries.
• Return: Afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco.

Cafes & meals in Aguas Calientes: Indio Feliz (Franco-Peruvian, the town icon), Mapacho Craft Beer (Peruvian ales, hearty plates by the river), Full House (great for trout and quinoa), and La Boulangerie de Paris (early breads for the dawn queue).

Where to stay (Aguas Calientes):

• Atmospheric stays: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Casa del Sol Machupicchu Boutique Hotel, Casa del Sol Machupicchu
• Budget/social: Supertramp Hostel or Supertramp Hostel Machu Picchu
• Browse more: VRBO options in Aguas Calientes | Hotels.com options in Aguas Calientes

Recommended Machu Picchu-focused tours (pick 1–4):

• 2-Day Tour: Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu by Train

  

  Link the Valley with an Aguas Calientes overnight for a smooth sunrise entry.

• Entrance Tickets to Machu Picchu

  

  Choose your circuit and time slot—buy early, especially for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain add-ons.

• 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Panoramic Train

  

  Hike via Wiñay Wayna and arrive through the Sun Gate—memorable for active travelers with limited time.

Days 12–14: Back in Cusco—Rainbow Mountain or Extra Valley Time

• Active option: Rainbow Mountain day trip (3 h drive; chilly start, big views). Bring warm layers, cocoa candies, and sun protection.
• Culture-forward option: Extra time in Chinchero for weaving demonstrations or a leisurely lunch in Urubamba’s haciendas.
• Souvenir sweep: Scout alpaca knits (look for “Baby Alpaca” labels), silver filigree, and ceramics in San Blas.

Days 15–16: Return to Lima for a Final Night and Departure

Fly Cusco → Lima (~1 h 20 m; from $40–$120). Check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Spend your last evening in Barranco with a gallery-hop and a seafood feast or a Nikkei tasting menu.

On Day 16, enjoy a slow breakfast—try Puku Puku for one last specialty brew—then head to the airport with ample time for traffic. Farewell, Peru.

Optional: Machu Picchu as a day trip instead of overnight (works best if you’re tight on nights). Consider: Machu Picchu Private Day Trip from Cusco

or the panoramic train option: Excursion to MachuPicchu with Train Vistadome Full Day

At-a-glance 16-day flow

• Days 1–4: Lima (Barranco, Miraflores, Historic Center) + Huacachina/Paracas day trip
• Day 5: Fly to Cusco, acclimatize
• Day 6: Cusco museums and San Pedro Market
• Days 7–9: Sacred Valley (Pisac, Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo)
• Days 10–11: Aguas Calientes + Machu Picchu (sunrise), return to Cusco
• Days 12–14: Rainbow Mountain or extra Valley time + Cusco dining
• Days 15–16: Fly to Lima, final night, depart

Sixteen days in Peru lets you savor the Pacific, the Andes, and the Inca legacy without hurry. With this plan, you’ll eat brilliantly, acclimate smartly, and meet Machu Picchu at its most magical—sunlit, quiet, and unforgettable.