Begin your cultural immersion in Peru's capital city, Lima. Visit the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, and the Catacombs of San Francisco. Walk through the historic streets of downtown Lima and grab a bite to eat in one of the nearby restaurants.
Take a flight to Cusco early in the morning to visit the iconic Machu Picchu by train later in the day. Take a guided tour of this lost city of the Incas, and explore the ruins of the Sacred Valley.
Observe Cusco's pre-Columbian architecture starting at the Coricancha Temple, where the Incas dedicated the temple to the Sun God. After that, climb uphill to the San Blas district to witness and honor the works of local artists that come from the district.
Take a long road trip from Cusco to Pisac and see the ancient ruins of Pisac. Afterward, visit the artisanal market in Pisac, where you can buy locally made handicrafts. Head to Ollantaytambo to view the magnificent Incan ruins and their engineering feats.
Drive towards the Andes northwest of Cusco and visit the curious circular terraces of Moray, believed to have been an agricultural experimental site in ancient times. Afterward, stop by Maras Saltpans, used to mine salt for centuries, before returning to Cusco by the afternoon.
Take a long drive to Puno to explore the legendary Lake Titicaca tours, the highest navigable lake on earth, surrounded by the beautiful view of the Andes Mountains. Visit the floating islands of Uros, created entirely from reeds, and learn about the lifestyle of the indigenous people of the area.
Take a long drive from Puno to Arequipa, known as the White City, with fascinating architecture and history. Visit the beautiful Santa Catalina Monastery, constructed in the 16th century and home to more than 100 nuns.
Witness one more example of the beautiful architecture in Arequipa and take in the picturesque countryside view from the Yanahuara lookout. Visit the Museo Santuarios Andinos to see the important Inca artifacts found on Mount Ampato such as the Mummy of Juanita, the indigenous girl who died as a tribute to the Incan gods.
To get to all the locations on this itinerary, a combination of flights, taxis, and buses may be required. Costs vary by location, and it's recommended to book experiences with tours that include transportation when possible. Flights may require an average of $150 - $200 per person per flight, while taxis cost approximately $10 - $15 for short distances, and $30 - $50 for long distances.
If you have more time, you can explore the Nazca Lines, the Ballestas Islands, or the Rainbow Mountain by adding an extra day or two to the itinerary. It's suggested to spend two nights in Lima, three nights in Cusco, one night in Puno, and two nights in Arequipa for the proposed itinerary. If you have less time, consider cutting down additional day trips, but do not miss out on Lake Titicaca since it's a must-see destination.
The main airport to enter Peru is the Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) located in Lima, just outside of the city center. The airport is serviced by numerous international airlines and offers domestic flights to other locations in the country.