Two days in Lima, a flight to the Sacred Valley at Pisac and Ollantaytambo, a morning at Machu Picchu, then two days in Cusco.
7 days, 43 stopsBalanced paceMay to SepApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: The historic center, Larco Museum and the Magic Water Circuit
Lima's colonial center and its catacombs, ancient Peru at the Larco Museum, then the fountains of the Magic Water Circuit at night.
Check the weekday. Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI) is closed on Mondays.
1
9:30 AMPlaza MayorStart where Lima was founded in 1535, between the Cathedral and the Government Palace. Avoid any demonstrations here.About 30 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 5 min
2
10:00 AMSan Francisco MonasteryVisits are guided and go down into the crypts beneath the church. Allow about 1 hour and ask for the next tour time on arrival.About 1 hour 45 min here
S/[fee]; visits are guided
Walk about 12 min
3
12:00 PMPlaza San MartínHave lunch in one of the bars and restaurants under the arcades of this 1921 square.About 1 hour 15 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 15 min
4
1:30 PMOptionalMuseo de Arte de Lima (MALI)Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and to 5 PM on Saturdays. Skip it on Mondays.About 1 hour 15 min here
S/[fee] at the box office or online
Taxi to Pueblo Libre, about 20 min
5
3:00 PMLarco MuseumAllow about 2 hours for the galleries and the visible storage rooms. The museum opens every day from 9 AM to 7 PM.About 2 hours 15 min here
General admission: PEN 50 (about $15) · Pay at the door or online
5:15 PMLarco Museum CaféEat in the museum gardens. The restaurant is open daily until 10 PM, and you can book a table ahead.About 1 hour 15 min here
Pay as you go
Taxi to the Parque de la Reserva, about 25 min
7
7:00 PMMagic Water CircuitThe park opens at 3 PM, and the fountain shows start at 7:30 PM, 8:10 PM and 9 PM.
S/[fee] at the gate
Before you go
Book these aheadMachu Picchu (day 4): timed tickets, or tickets that often sell out.
Go slowly at altitudeCusco is above 2,500 m, where altitude sickness is a risk. Take the first day easy, and see a doctor before you travel if you have had it before.
Book Machu Picchu firstEntry tickets are timed and tied to one circuit. Buy them before the train, then match your train and bus to the entry hour.
Check the weekly closuresIn Lima, MALI and the Pedro de Osma Museum close on Mondays and Huaca Pucllana on Tuesdays. In Cusco, Qorikancha opens late on Sundays.
Pack a small daypackMachu Picchu allows only small backpacks of up to 20 litres, so leave big bags at your hotel in Cusco or Lima.
Carry photo IDPeru requires you to carry photo identification at all times, and you need your passport to enter Machu Picchu.
Buy the tourist ticketPisac, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo and Tambomachay use the Boleto Turístico del Cusco. The all-circuits ticket covers them all.
Where to stay for this plan
Stay two nights in Miraflores, one in Machu Picchu Pueblo, then three near the Plaza de Armas or in San Blas in Cusco.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
Plan last checked Nov 7, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.
