Colombia and Peru offer a vivid pairing: innovative urban energy meets ancient Andean soul. In this 7-day itinerary, you’ll wander Medellín’s leafy neighborhoods, climb the storied rock of Guatapé, then fly south to altitude-kissed Cusco for Machu Picchu and optional high-country hiking. It’s designed for mid-range budgets, with smart splurges where they count.

Medellín rose from turbulent decades to become one of Latin America’s most livable cities—its metro and cable cars stitch together barrios, and its street art speaks in color. Cusco, once the Inca capital, blends cobbled lanes, baroque churches, and Quechua traditions. Expect superb coffee, arepas, bandeja paisa, and then a pivot to quinoa, alpaca, and bright ceviches.

Practical notes: carry a light jacket for Medellín’s “eternal spring,” and acclimatize gently in Cusco (3,400 m). Use ATMs in daylight, rely on registered taxis or app rides, and plan ahead for Machu Picchu tickets and trains. For flights, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com for best schedules.

Medellín

Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring,” Medellín pairs mountain views with a creative pulse. Ride the Metro and Metrocable for a cheap, scenic city tour, then explore El Poblado’s cafés or Laureles’ tree-lined streets. Day trips into Antioquia’s green countryside add waterfalls, reservoirs, and the kaleidoscope town of Guatapé.

Top sights and flavors: Comuna 13’s outdoor escalators and murals, the Botero sculptures downtown, Pueblito Paisa for skyline views, and Mercado del Río for a fast-casual culinary lap. Coffee culture runs deep—don’t miss pour-overs and cold brews at Pergamino or Café Velvet, and hearty Antioqueño plates at Mondongo’s.

• Where to stay (mid-range and value): Browse Medellín stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Specific picks: The Charlee Hotel (rooftop pool, nightlife by Parque Lleras), Hotel Estelar Milla de Oro (business-friendly, walkable to restaurants), Hotel San Fernando Plaza (great value in El Poblado), and Hotel 47 Medellin Street (budget downtown base).
• Getting there: Fly into MDE or JMC via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From major U.S. hubs, nonstop or 1-stop flights often run 5–8 hours, ~$350–$650 roundtrip depending on season.

Day 1: Arrive and Ease into Medellín

Morning: Fly to Medellín. Use airport shuttles/taxis or ride-hail to El Poblado (45–75 minutes depending on airport and traffic).

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs on leafy Provenza streets. Coffee at Pergamino (single-origin pours, patio ideal for people-watching) and a light bite at Café Zorba (Mediterranean-leaning pizzas and mezze) or Alambique (Andean ingredients in inventive small plates).

Evening: Dinner at Oci.Mde (slow-cooked meats; book early) or Mondongo’s (iconic paisa soups and generous plates). Cap the night with a terrace drink at The Charlee’s Envy rooftop or a craft pint at 3 Cordilleras Taproom.

Day 2: Guatapé and El Peñol (Full-Day Tour)

Swap city streets for lakes and painted facades. Climb 740 steps up La Piedra del Peñol for a panoramic sweep of the reservoir, explore Guatapé’s zócalo-adorned lanes, and sample Antioqueño comfort food. Transport, guide, and meals make this an easy, good-value day.

Guatapé Tour: Piedra del Peñol with Boat Tour, Breakfast, Lunch

Post-tour dinner back in Medellín: Mercado del Río (stalls like Cevichería, sushi, and arepas under one roof) or Carmen (contemporary Colombian tasting menus if you want a splurge).

Day 3: Comuna 13, Art, and Views

Morning: Fuel up at Hija Mia Coffee (Aussie-style brunch, flat whites). Join a guided walk through Comuna 13 to understand its past and present; ride the open-air escalators and snack on street treats like mango biche with lime and salt.

Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with Street Food

Afternoon: Head downtown for Plaza Botero’s oversize bronze sculptures, then take the Metrocable to Santo Domingo for sweeping valley vistas. Quick bites: Empanadas at Empanadas de la 75 or an avocado-laden arepa at Arepa de Chicarrón stands.

Evening: Dinner in Laureles at Naturalia Café (comfort food, live music nights) or El Catrín (casual Mexican). Early night—tomorrow you fly to the Andes.

Cusco

Once the navel of the Inca world, Cusco is a living museum where Inca stonework props up Spanish colonial balconies. Its surrounds brim with day hikes, fortresses like Sacsayhuamán, Andean markets, and the gateway rails to Machu Picchu. Acclimatize slowly, sip coca tea, and keep evenings gentle.

Food-wise, expect quinoa soups, chupe de camarones, alpaca steaks, and airy pastries. Neighborhoods to wander: San Blas (artisan studios and stair-stepped views) and around Plaza de Armas for churches and convivial restaurants.

• Where to stay: Explore options on VRBO Cusco or Hotels.com Cusco. Specific picks: Novotel Cusco (historic courtyard, great location), Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel (elegant and central), value hostels Kokopelli Hostel Cusco and Pariwana Hostel Cusco, or splurge at Belmond Hotel Monasterio.
• Getting there from Medellín: Morning flight MDE → LIM → CUZ typically 6–9 hours including the connection, ~$220–$350 one-way. Compare routes on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Day 4: Fly to Cusco and Acclimatize

Morning: Fly Medellín to Cusco (connect in Lima). Grab a window seat—the Andes reveal serrated horizons on approach.

Afternoon: Check in and take it easy. Gentle loop of Plaza de Armas, Cathedral exterior, and the San Pedro Market for fruit smoothies and empanadas. Sip coca or muña tea; avoid alcohol today.

Evening: Early dinner at Morena Peruvian Kitchen (lomo saltado and trout ceviche) or Pachapapa in San Blas (oven-baked cuy, pizzas, and hearty Andean dishes). Turn in early for tomorrow’s big day.

Day 5: Machu Picchu by Panoramic Train (Full-Day Tour)

Door-to-door logistics handled—transfer to Ollantaytambo, scenic train to Aguas Calientes, guided visit to the citadel, and return the same evening. Bring passport, layers, sunscreen, and water; reserve well in advance in peak season.

Machu Picchu from Cusco Full Day Tour by Panoramic Train

Tip: If you decide to overnight in Aguas Calientes for a slower pace, consider Casa del Sol Machupicchu or Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel for a nature-forward stay.

Day 6: Rainbow Mountain Hike or Easy Inca Sights (Full-Day Tour or DIY)

For hikers ready for thin air, Rainbow Mountain is a memorable challenge with otherworldly color bands and herds of alpaca en route. Late departures help avoid dawn crowds; pack warm layers, gloves, and cash for trail snacks.

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

Prefer something lighter? Do a half-day of nearby ruins instead: Sacsayhuamán’s cyclopean walls, Q’enqo’s carved passages, and San Blas’ stairways. Food ideas today: breakfast at La Valeriana (pastries), lunch at Green Point (creative vegan Peruvian), dinner at Cicciolina (tapas and Andean-fusion pastas).

Day 7: Cusco Morning Wander + Departure

Morning: Last sips of Cusco—espresso at Three Monkeys, browse alpaca textiles near Calle Triunfo, and step into the Qoricancha complex (Temple of the Sun) for a final Inca-to-colonial snapshot.

Afternoon: Fly out of Cusco (often via Lima). Check fares and times on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. If you have a long layover in Lima, Miraflores and Barranco offer easy food stops before your international flight.

Optional Bogotá Add-On (if you swap Medellín)

If you prefer Bogotá’s museums and highland flavor, you can mirror Days 1–3 there with a historic center focus and a signature day trip:

La Candelaria, Monserrate and Museums Bogotá Private City Tour

For a unique underground wonder, consider the Salt Cathedral day trip: Bogota Zipaquira Salt Cathedral Private Tour + Lunch.

Money-Saving Tips (Budget ~50/100): Choose shared tours over private, eat menú del día lunches, and use ride-hail for short hops. In Cusco, buy a partial Boleto Turístico if you’re only visiting a few sites. In Medellín, the Metro + Metrocable is scenic and cheap.

Why you’ll love this route: It balances city sightseeing and hiking, mixes guided days with free time, and keeps travel efficient across two countries in one week. From street murals to stone citadels, you’ll collect stories that link past and present across the Andes.