Ultimate 9-Day Adventure in Peru from San Francisco

Day 1: Arrival and Lima Introduction

Lima, Peru on August 1, 2025

1:00pm

Arrive in Lima from San Francisco

Land in Lima, the vibrant capital of Peru, and transfer to your hotel to settle in and rest after your international flight.
USD0, 0h30m

4:00pm

Walk Through Miraflores District

Enjoy a relaxing stroll along the Malecón in Miraflores, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and get a feel for local life and stunning coastal views.
USD0, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner at La Mar Cebichería

Savor fresh ceviche and other seafood delights at La Mar, open 12pm to 11pm, one of Lima’s most celebrated restaurants.
USD30, 1h30m
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Day 2: Lima Cultural Tour

Lima, Peru on August 2, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at El Pan de la Chola

Fuel up with artisan bread and specialty coffee at this popular bakery in Miraflores, open from 7am onwards.
USD10, 1h

9:30am

Visit Historic Center of Lima

Explore the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral of Lima, and the San Francisco Monastery, open 9am-5pm, to admire colonial architecture and learn history.
USD5, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Panchita

Taste traditional Peruvian criollo dishes such as anticuchos (grilled skewers) at Panchita, open 12pm-11pm.
USD20, 1h

2:30pm

Larco Museum Visit

Discover Peru’s pre-Columbian art and artifacts at the Larco Museum, open 9am-7pm with beautiful gardens and a café.
USD12, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at Central Restaurant

Experience world-class modern Peruvian cuisine at Central, ranked among the best restaurants globally, open 6pm-11pm.
USD80, 2h
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Day 3: Travel to Cusco & Acclimatize

Cusco, Peru on August 3, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel in Lima

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before your morning flight to Cusco.
Included in hotel, 1h

9:00am

Flight from Lima to Cusco

Fly the approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Lima to Cusco; arriving early allows time to acclimate to the high altitude.
USD120, 1h20m

11:00am

Check-in and Rest

Settle into your Cusco hotel and rest to help adjust to the altitude (3,400m elevation).
USD0, 2h

1:00pm

Light Lunch at Cicciolina

Delight in Mediterranean-inspired dishes made with local ingredients, open noon-11pm.
USD25, 1h

3:00pm

Walk through Cusco Plaza de Armas and San Blas

Explore the colonial heart of Cusco, including the main square and the artsy San Blas neighborhood, ideal for gentle walking while acclimatizing.
USD0, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner at Chicha by Gastón Acurio

Enjoy innovative Peruvian dishes in this upscale yet cozy restaurant located near the Plaza de Armas; open 7pm-11pm.
USD40, 1.5h
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Day 4: Sacred Valley Exploration

Sacred Valley, Peru on August 4, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Start the day early with breakfast before your full-day Sacred Valley tour.
Included, 1h

8:00am

Sacred Valley Tour: Pisac, Ollantaytambo

Visit Pisac’s traditional market and impressive ruins, then continue to Ollantaytambo fortress. Tours typically run 8am to 6pm.
USD60, 10h

12:30pm

Lunch at Tunupa Restaurant in Urubamba

Enjoy traditional Andean cuisine with farm-to-table ingredients in a beautiful setting, open 11am-5pm.
USD30, 1h

7:30pm

Dinner at Hotel in Cusco

Relax with a casual dinner at your hotel to rest after a long day.
USD20, 1h
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Day 5: Start Inca Trail Trek or Alternative

Cusco / Inca Trail on August 5, 2025

6:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Eat a substantial breakfast to prepare for the Inca Trail trek or alternative day hikes if not trekking.
Included, 1h

7:00am

Start Inca Trail Trek (Day 1)

Embark on the iconic multi-day Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu; permits required in advance. Alternatively, take a full-day hike to Rainbow Mountain or visit local ruins.
USD400 (trek permit and guide), 7h

7:30pm

Dinner at Campsite or in Cusco (if not trekking)

Enjoy a well-prepared meal by your trekking guides or dine at a Cusco restaurant like Green Point, open 12pm-10pm if staying in town.
USD20, 1h
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Day 6: Inca Trail Continue

Inca Trail on August 6, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Campsite

Start your day with breakfast served at your campsite to fuel your trek.
Included, 1h

7:30am

Continue Inca Trail Trek (Day 2)

Trek through the Andean highlands, visiting sites like Dead Woman’s Pass and ancient Incan ruins along the trail.
Included in trek, 7h

7:30pm

Dinner at Campsite or Cusco restaurant if returning

Relax with dinner at your campsite or nearby facilities, prepared by guides.
Included / USD20, 1h
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Day 7: Machu Picchu & Return

Machu Picchu / Cusco on August 7, 2025

4:00am

Early Wake-up and Breakfast

Prepare early and enjoy a quick breakfast before continuing to Machu Picchu.
Included, 30m

5:00am

Machupicchu Sunrise Visit

Arrive early to witness the magical sunrise over Machu Picchu; the site opens at 6am, allowing limited early access with permits.
USD60, 4h

10:00am

Return to Aguas Calientes and Lunch

Enjoy lunch in the town of Aguas Calientes at Indio Feliz, known for fusion cuisine, open 11am-10pm.
USD25, 1h

12:00pm

Train back to Cusco

Take a scenic train ride back to Cusco, arriving by evening.
USD80, 3h

6:00pm

Dinner at Cusco hotel or nearby

Enjoy a light dinner to relax after the day's exertion.
USD20, 1h
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Day 8: Cusco City Exploration

Cusco, Peru on August 8, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Green Point

Start with a healthy, vegetarian-friendly breakfast at Green Point, popular for fresh ingredients.
USD12, 1h

9:30am

Visit Sacsayhuamán and Qorikancha Temples

Explore these fascinating Incan archaeological sites in and around Cusco, open 7am-5pm.
USD15, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Limo Cocina Peruana & Pisco Bar

Enjoy exquisite Peruvian cuisine and exceptional pisco cocktails overlooking Plaza de Armas.
USD30, 1h30m

3:00pm

Museum of Popular Art

Visit this museum showcasing traditional Andean arts and crafts, open 9am-6pm.
USD7, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner at MAP Café

Dine at the museum café offering elegant local dishes, open 6pm-10pm.
USD35, 2h
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Day 9: Return to San Francisco

Cusco to Lima to San Francisco on August 9, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Have a final breakfast in Cusco before check-out.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Flight from Cusco to Lima

Fly from Cusco to Lima for your connecting international flight home.
USD120, 1h20m

11:30am

Connect flight Lima to San Francisco

Board your long-haul flight back to San Francisco, concluding your Peru adventure.
Included in ticket, approx. 8h
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