Ultimate 7-Day Peru Itinerary Using Cusco as Your Home Base

Peru is an incredible country with so much to offer from ancient ruins to breathtaking landscapes! This 7-day Peru itinerary uses Cusco as your home base to visit Machu Picchu and explore other fascinating Inca sites. Below you’ll find everything you need to plan the perfect trip, including where to stay, how to get around, and the must-see experiences along the way!

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Getting to Cusco

Most international flights arrive in Lima, Peru’s capital. From there, you’ll take a short flight to Cusco, where you can easily grab a taxi or Uber to get into the city center.

Where to Stay in Cusco

Cusco is a large tourist city and the perfect home base for this 7 Day Peru itinerary. There are a range of accommodations in this city including hostels, hotels and Airbnbs. I personally stayed in a hotel because it was priced well and included breakfast which was a nice bonus.

How to Get Around

You’ll find a mix of transport options in Cusco, including walking, local buses, and ride-sharing services. Be prepared to utilize a combination of these methods to explore the city and its surrounding Sacred Valley sites.

Walking

Cusco is a super walkable city, with tons to see and do right in the city center. We stayed at Muru Hotel, which was about a 15-minute walk from the main plaza and honestly, we didn’t mind the walk at all.

One thing to know before arriving: Cusco is a very hilly city, and a lot of the streets have stairs. So be ready to burn a few extra calories! But don’t let that scare you, you can always grab a taxi or Uber when you need a break.

Something I didn’t expect was how narrow some of the side streets are, including the sidewalks. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself hugging a wall when a car comes by. Just stay aware of your surroundings and try not to stand in the street when cars are approaching.

Uber

Ubers are very common in Peru and incredibly affordable. I personally used Uber almost the entire time, except for the first day, when I arranged a taxi ahead of time to get from the airport to our hotel.

During our trip, most Uber rides within the city were under $2 USD. When we headed to Machu Picchu, the ride to the Poroy train station (about 30 minutes away) cost around $13 USD. On our last day, our ride from the hotel to the airport was just under $6 USD. All of our drivers were friendly, and most Ubers arrived within 2–3 minutes.

Taxi

Another option for getting around Cusco is by taxi, and you’ll find plenty throughout the city. I didn’t use taxis much during my time in Peru, but if you choose to take one, be sure to agree on the fare ahead of time and double-check whether it includes mileage. It’s a good way to avoid surprises later!

Day 1: Explore the City

Our flight landed early, so we were in the city and checked into our hotel by 10:30 a.m. Your day might look a little different depending on when you arrive and whether you want to rest before heading out. We weren’t too tired and were excited to be in Cusco, so we decided to start exploring right away. If your hotel offers it (and they usually do), be sure to take a moment to drink the coca tea—it’s a must for helping with the altitude before you start adventuring.

San Blas Market

Stop by the San Blas Market for an early lunch! Head toward the back of the market, where you’ll find a row of food vendors and you’ll likely see people eating at the counter. We got a fresh fruit smoothie and chicken sandwich with cheese, egg, and vegetables for around $5 USD.

The market also has small food shops if you want to grab snacks, and there are some great souvenir stalls outside too. I actually found the best prices on souvenirs here, so I definitely recommend checking them out!

Sapantiana Aqueduct

Now its time to see some of the city, so head over to the Aqueduct. The Sapantiana Aqueduct was built during the 17th century to provide fresh water from the surrounding mountains into the city. t’s part of the colonial-era water system that blended Incan engineering principles with Spanish construction techniques. Today its a peaceful, popular photo spot that shows a glimpse into the past.

Calle 7 Borreguitos

Right next to the aqueduct, you’ll find Calle 7 Borreguitos, also known as Siete Borreguitos. This charming street is a popular photo spot thanks to the many colorful flowers hanging along its walls. You can snap a great photo right at the entrance, or if you don’t mind a few stairs, walk down the street to soak it all in from different angles.

Plaza De Armas

From here, head over to the Plaza de Armas to soak in the view, grab a pastry, and do a little shopping. The plaza is usually lively, with a mix of tourists and locals hanging out. You’ll likely be approached by people offering souvenirs, tours, or massages, just politely say “no gracias” and keep walking, and they’ll usually leave you alone.

After this, the red eye flight and elevation was beginning to catch up with us so we headed to our hotel to rest a bit before dinner. You should take the first day a bit slower while you are getting used to the altitude, however light active is actually good and will help you acclimatize better.

Stop by a Grocery Store

Before heading back to your hotel, stop by a grocery store to grab water and some snacks. The tap water in Peru isn’t potable, so you’ll need bottled water daily to stay hydrated. We also picked up snacks and coca leaf candy to help with the altitude.

There are plenty of small markets on most streets, but if you want more options visit Gato’s Market. This was the biggest grocery store we found in the city.

Green Point Vegan

Grab dinner at Green Point Vegan Restaurant. Even if you’re not vegan or vegetarian (my partner and I aren’t either), this place is absolutely worth trying! The food is so good you won’t even miss the meat or dairy. We weren’t super hungry, so we split the samosas and ceviche, and both were incredible.

Day 2: Moray and Salt Mines

Walking Tour

Start the day with a two-hour walking tour of Cusco to get familiar with the city and learn a bit about its history. That was our plan but unfortunately, the tour guide never showed up, so we had to adjust our morning schedule. Thankfully, it was a free walking tour, so no money lost. Maybe because it was free, the guide felt it was okay to skip it? If you want to do a walking tour there are several paid options available both in the city and online that might be more reliable,

Cusco Cathedrals

If you don’t end up doing a walking tour, this is the perfect time to explore the two churches located in the Plaza de Armas. Both require a small fee to visit but are worth stopping into admire the architecture.

Iglesia de la Companía de Jesús

Cost: 10 sols (around $2.75 usd)

Also known in English as the Church of the Society of Jesus, this impressive Baroque church in Cusco, Peru, was built by the Spanish between 1578 and 1593 on the site of an Inca palace. The church features two side chapels and a bell tower, and its interior is richly adorned with famous paintings and altars covered in thin sheets of gold. It stands as a powerful symbol of the blending Spanish colonial and Incan heritage.

Basílica Catedral de Cuzco

Cost: 40 sols (around $11 usd)

Also known in English as the Cusco Cathedral, this iconic landmark took nearly 100 years to complete, with construction finishing in 1654 under Spanish rule. The cathedral is a stunning blend of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architectural styles. Some of the stone used in its construction was brought down from the nearby fortress of Sacsayhuamán. Both the interior and exterior are incredibly impressive and it’s definitely worth a visit when you’re in Cusco!

Moray and Maras Tour

Grab lunch before starting you midday tour to the Moray and Maras ATV Tour. The midday tour starts at 1:00pm or you can start at 6:30am if you prefer an earlier start. One thing to note is meals are not included in the specific tour linked so be sure to eat before you go and bring snacks.

Moray

You’ll travel around 1 hour from Cusco to their homebase where you’ll practice driving the ATV for a bit before hitting the road. The ATVs are semi automatic so you will have to change gears but they do a good job of explaining how to drive the ATV and when to change gears. The 30-45 minute drive is pretty bumpy and dusty, so wear something you don’t mind getting dirty.

Once you arrive at the Moray you’ll have some time to explore and learn about its purpose and history before heading back to the shop. If you don’t already have a tourist ticket you can purchase it at the Moray.

Maras

After parking the ATVs, you’ll hop back in the van for a 15–20 minute drive to the Maras Salt Mines. Along the way, there’s a quick stop where you can sample locally made salt and chocolate and browse a few souvenir stands if you’re interested. The last 5–10 minutes of the drive is down a narrow, bumpy dirt road, so it’s definitely best to let the pros handle the driving.

Before heading all the way down, we stopped for a quick photo from above the salt flats, Once you’re at the bottom, there are free bathrooms and a couple of small shops if you want to pick something up. Our tour was running a little behind, so most of the shops were already closing up by the time we got there.

The tour will drop you off just a few blocks from the Plaza around 7:30pm-8:00pm. Grab dinner before heading back to your hotel for the night.

Day 3: Sacsayhuaman

The next day will be spent in the city visiting the iconic Sacsayhuaman ruins. The road up to the entrance is pretty steep and has quite a few stairs. If you’re not feeling up to you can easily grab an uber or taxi to take you to the entrance.

To visit Sacsayhuaman you will need either the Full Tourist ticket or Circuit One. If you plan on doing the Moray tour the previous day, you should buy the full tourist ticket to access both. You can purchase a guide at the entrance to learn more about the history, or just take your time walking though the ruins. Be sure to cross the field and climb up the stairs for a beautiful view of the ruins with the city and mountains in the background.

Cristo Blanco

After finishing up at Sacsayhuamán, take a short walk over to Cristo Blanco. Head down the entrance path, cross the small bridge to the left, and make your way up the hill. Cristo Blanco offers another stunning view of the city and is definitely worth the quick detour!

Explore the City

Once you’re done here, head back into the city for lunch (or brunch) before spending the afternoon exploring. You can check out local shops, pop into a few museums, or just relax and people-watch in the Plaza.

If you have some free time, I recommend getting a massage at one of the many spas in the area. You can compare prices to find the best deal, but they’re usually all reasonably priced. We got full-body massages for 50 soles at Cusco Spa that day. While they were good, but we actually preferred the massage at Kantu Spa later in the week.

Day 4: Humantay Lake

You’ll kick off day 4 bright and early with a hike to Humantay Lake. Most tours will pick you up between 3:30–4:00 a.m. for the 3-hour drive out to the trailhead. A buffet breakfast and lunch are usually included, but I recommend packing a few snacks to keep your energy up during the 6-mile hike.

Humantay Lake is absolutely stunning, but I won’t sugarcoat it, the hike is tough. The incline is steep, and the high altitude (over 12,000 ft!) makes it even more challenging. That said, it’s totally doable with the right mindset. And if you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to rent a horse. Just be sure to bring around 80 soles in cash so you have the option to go that route if needed.

Be sure to read this article so you know exactly what to expect on this hike!

Since this is a full-day tour, you likely won’t get back to Cusco until around 6 p.m. Once you’re back, grab some dinner and head to your hotel for a well-earned rest—you’ll need it!

Day 5: Machu Pichu

The day you’ve been waiting for—it’s finally time to see Machu Picchu! While Peru is full of breathtaking places, I know for most people (myself included), this iconic wonder is the main reason for planning a trip here.

Take the Train to Aguas Calientes

Start the day off early by taking the train from Poroy to Aguas Calientes. Train times vary, but we chose the 7:35 a.m. departure, which got us into Aguas Calientes around 11:00 a.m. When booking your Machu Picchu tickets, make sure to leave yourself enough time to grab lunch before heading up. Since we arrived at 11, we booked our entry for 1:00 p.m.—which worked out perfectly.

After a quick bite, head to the bus line that takes you up to Machu Picchu. You’ll see signs with time slots like “1:00 p.m.”, that’s your cue to get in line. If your ticket time is later than what’s currently being called, they won’t let you board just yet, so plan accordingly!

Explore Machu Picchu

Once you get to the top, look for the line that matches your circuit. Circuit 3 enters from the bottom, to the right of where the bus drops you off. Circuits 1 and 2 enter from the left side, up a flight of stairs. There are bathrooms at the top (they cost 2 sol), plus a little snack shop if you need a quick bite or drink before heading in. One thing to note is there is not bathrooms once you get inside Machu Picchu, so I recommend using it before heading inside.

Once you make your way through the gates into Machu Picchu, just follow the signs to start exploring. It might feel a little crowded at first, but if you hang back for a few minutes, the groups tend to move ahead. It becomes much easier to enjoy the site without feeling like people are right on top of you. Plan to spend around 2–3 hours here, depending on your pace. We took our time snapping lots of photos and soaking it all in and ended up spending about three hours.

Once you’re back in Aguas Calientes, check into your accommodation for the night before heading out for dinner. Alternatively, you could take a late train back to Cusco, but we preferred to stay the night in Aguas Calientes and head back the next morning. This made for a more relaxed experience after a full day traveling and visiting Machu Picchu.C

Checkout this article for a detailed guide about what to expect at Machu Picchu.

Where to Stay in Aguas Calientes

Day 6: Travel back to Cusco

We took an early train back to Cusco around 8:30 a.m., but you can definitely catch a later train if you want to spend more time in Aguas Calientes. There’s a waterfall and hot springs not far from town that lots of people visit while they’re in the area.

We didn’t have the option to take the train back to the Poroy Station like we did on the way to Aguas Calientes. Instead, we took the train to Ollantaytambo and then hopped on a bus to the Wanchaq Station in Cusco. From there, you can walk back to the city center—it takes about 20–30 minutes—but we decided to grab an Uber since we were pretty hungry by that point.

Spend the Rest of the Day in Cusco

Spend the rest of the day exploring Cusco or doing a little shopping. If you opted to do the walking tour on day two instead of visiting the cathedrals, this is a great time to check those out! Cusco also has several museums—ranging from art to history—that are worth a visit if you’re in the mood to dive deeper into the local culture.

Watch a Live Performance

At 7:00 PM, catch a live performance at the Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo. You’ll experience traditional music played live and watch dancers perform a variety of cultural dances in vibrant costumes. The show lasts about 30–40 minutes and is a fun, engaging way to learn more about the local culture. Bonus—admission is included with the full tourist ticket!

Day 7: Scared Valley Tour

Spend your last full day in Peru on one more adventure. There are quite a few great day tours you can take from Cusco. We had originally planned to do the Pallay Punchu tour, but after struggling with the altitude at Humantay Lake, we realized it might be too challenging. Luckily, we were able to switch to the Sacred Valley tour instead and it ended up being an incredible experience!

The Sacred Valley Tour kicks off around 7:30 AM, but heads up it doesn’t include breakfast, so make sure to grab something to eat beforehand. The tour follows a loop through the valley, so depending on the company you go with, your first stop might vary a bit. Either way, you’re in for a full day of history, culture, and stunning views.

Chinchero

Chinchero is a small village about 40 minutes from Cusco that’s full of charm and history. You’ll get to see beautiful stone terraces and an old colonial church built right on top of an Inca site. This village is also known for its traditional textile weaving. You’ll have a chance to watch locals demonstrate how they process alpaca wool, from natural dyeing techniques to spinning and weaving it into beautiful handmade pieces. It’s such a cool way to see ancient traditions still alive today!

Sacred Valley Lookout

After Chinchero you’ll make a quick stop at the Sacred Valley Lookout spot for a few pictures. The views of the Andes and the surrounding villages are absolutely stunning here!

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is the furthest point on your journey, and it’s such an incredible place to explore. You’ll get to wander through impressive Inca ruins while learning about the site’s history and importance. Just a heads up—there are quite a few stairs here, so be ready for a bit of a workout. But trust me, the climb is worth it. At the top, you’ll find what was once one of the Inca’s sun temples, along with amazing views of the surrounding valley.

Urubamba

By this time, it’ll be around 1:00 and you’ll definitely have worked up an appetite. You’ll head to Urubamba for a delicious buffet lunch and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by how many options there were and how tasty everything was! There’s a wide range of soups, appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. Coffee and teas are included, and if you’re craving something else, you’ll have the option to purchase other beverages too.

Pisac

The last stop of the day is Pisac, where you’ll get to explore another beautiful Inca ruin. This sprawling site sits high above the valley and offers some seriously breathtaking views. It’s such a cool spot to walk through, you’ll pass by ancient agricultural terraces, ceremonial areas, and even spot cliffside tombs carved into the mountains across the way.

Still in Pisac, you’ll head about 10 minutes down the road to a local jewelry shop, where you’ll get a quick behind-the-scenes look at how they make beautiful pieces from silver and various stones. It’s a fun little stop, and after the demo, you’ll have some free time to browse in case you want to pick up a souvenir or two.

Cusco

You’ll get back to Cusco around 6:00 PM, just in time to grab some dinner and relax a bit. It’s the perfect chance to soak up your last evening in the city before heading back to your hotel to pack up and get ready for tomorrow’s departure.

Saying Goodbye to Peru

Depending on your departure time, you might just have time to grab breakfast before heading to the airport. But if your flight’s later in the day (like mine was), you’ll have almost the whole day to enjoy Cusco one last time.

We started our morning with a visit to the Qoricancha Site Museum to soak in a bit more history, then grabbed brunch and took it easy for a bit. We also picked up a few last-minute souvenirs before treating ourselves to a foot massage and facial at Kantu Spa (highly recommend them—it was the perfect way to end the trip!).

Cost to Visit Peru

Wondering how much a week in Peru costs? The table below gives a general idea with average prices, but for a full breakdown of everything we spent, be sure to check out this article!

7 Day Peru Itinerary

Peru is an incredible destination, and Cusco makes the perfect home base for exploring Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Use this 7 day Peru itinerary to help plan your perfect trip and feel free to adjust it to match your own travel style and priorities!