Start your cultural immersion in Peru's capital city, Lima. Head to the historic center where you'll find colorful colonial architecture and some of the oldest streets in the city. Visit the Plaza Mayor, also known as the Plaza de Armas, and see the Park of the Reserve, a beautiful park with dancing water fountains. Finish your day with a coffee at the famous Café del Museo.
Explore the ancient Pachacamac archaeological site, a sacred coastal sanctuary dedicated to the creator god Pacha Kamaq. Admire the huge adobe structures and pyramids built between 200 and 1450 AD. If you're interested in museums, check out the Santuario del Señor de los Milagros.
Take a flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Once there, visit the Plaza de Armas, and see the Cusco Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun, both incredible examples of colonial architecture on Inca foundations. If you have more time, visit the Inka Museum or explore the San Pedro Market.
Explore the beautiful Sacred Valley, a region in the Andean mountains containing many famous Incan ruins. Visit the incredible terraced circular amphitheater in Moray, then explore the Incan fortress of Ollantaytambo, and finally, the beautiful Salineras de Maras, a salt mine built into the side of a mountain.
Visit the legendary Incan city of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This incredible feat of engineering and architecture lies high in the Andes, and it's believed to have been built in the 15th century by the Incas. Take a trip on the scenic Machu Picchu train and explore the ruins with a guided tour.
Head back to Lima for your final day in Peru. Visit the beautiful Parque del Amor, with views of Lima's stunning coastline. Take lunch at the Miraflores Central Park and capture the beauty of the historic Bridge of Sighs. Finish the day with a visit to the Huaca Pucllana, a clay and adobe pyramid ceremonial centre built by the Pre-Inca civilisations.
You can fly between Lima and Cusco for around 200 USD roundtrip, and several flights connect these two cities every day. Travel around Lima and Cusco by bus or taxi. Uber is also available in Lima. You can reach Pachacamac by taxi or airport shuttle. To get to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, you'll need to take a train from Cusco. Consider booking your train tickets ahead of time to secure seats.
If you have extra time, visit the Nazca Lines or explore the Amazon rainforest. If you have less time, consider skipping Pachacamac or choosing only one location in the Sacred Valley. Keep in mind that there's a lot of walking required at the ruins, so bring comfortable shoes.
The primary airport you'll be using is Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), located in Lima, about 11km from the city centre.