Peru Itinerary: 7 days to Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

Peru itinerary tip: Do you want to combine a visit to Cusco and Machu Picchu with the Sacred Valley and don't know how? And anyway, how long should one stay in each place? We will show you how to plan and design 7 days for Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu!Peru itinerary for 7 days

In this itinerary of Peru, we will show you how to connect Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in 7 days.

First day in Cusco

You arrive in Cusco, either by plane from Lima or by bus from Puno or Arequipa. Today you take it easy, because eventually you have to get used to the height of 3,430 meters. An exploration walk is scheduled for today. The best way to start is in the main square of Cusco, the Plaza de Armas. With a papaya juice, a coca tea or a coffee in your hands, you sit on the stone steps in front of the cathedral and let the action fall on you. You can also check the Tourist Information of iPeru (Portal Flours 177) and get a map of Cusco, to make it easier to get your bearings.

Then you can explore the San Pedro market or run to the bohemian San Blas district. Another option is to visit the cathedral that is worth seeing (preferably with a German audio guide) or a visit to the Korikancha sun temple on Avenida del Sol.

Tips: A City tour in Cusco is a good option. And if you don't know how many days to spend in Cusco? we help you.

Second day in Cusco

Today you are probably better acclimatized and can take a walk on your own to the ruins over Cusco. There are two possibilities: either it is in possession of the tourist ticket ("Tourist Ticket" for 130 soles) and it starts directly at the Inca fortress Saqsayhuaman or does not have a ticket and does the trek to not have to show a ticket (in this case no you can enter Saqsayhuaman).

Option 1 (you have the ticket): You walk through the main square towards San Cristóbal. That takes just under 15 minutes. In the church of San Cristóbal you have the first great view over Cusco. From there, follow the main road and reach the lower entrance to Saqsayhuaman in 3 minutes. There you must show your ticket, but you can also buy it there. If you are a student, you will receive the ISIC ticket for 70 soles. From the entrance, the walk to the ruins lasts another 10 minutes. Soon you will run out of breath, but please take it easy 😉

We believe that Saqsayhuaman is one of the most impressive Inca ruins in the country, so it is really worth the entrance. If you have explored the ruins with their gigantic stone walls, you can go to the White Christ. From there you also have a great view over Cusco.

If you want to make the round trip, follow the road to Pisaq within 200 meters and reach the ruins of Q'enqo. These are also included in the ticket. Behind Q'enqo, a path leads to a plateau where the lunar temple is located, which is free. From there you can walk back to San Blas through the "Inca Trail".

Option 2 (no ticket): In principle, you do the walk upside down. You start your walk in San Blas at the bar "KM 0". Right next to the bar, the alley goes up steeply, you pass some smaller shops and accommodations. Follow the path uphill continuously, less than 10 minutes, until you reach a main road. You cross this (be careful) and climb the hill until you reach a wide and clear path. This takes 10 minutes to the lunar temple, which you can visit for free. Facing the ruins, a path leads over the countryside, which simply follows up a paved road that leads to Q'enqo. Although you can only visit these ruins with a ticket, there is also "Q'enqo chico" (Little Q'enqo) and you can enter this place without a ticket. Simply follow the path until you see the eucalyptus forest and the "Q'enqo chico" sign on the left. Follow the main road for another 4 minutes and you will see the statue of the white Christ White. Enjoy an excellent view and then walk on the opposite side of Saqsayhuaman. Of course, you cannot enter the ruins without a ticket, but you already have a good view of the White Christ and you can walk back to San Cristobal without a ticket. Therefore, you leave at the end of the entrance and you can walk back to the center of the San Cristobal district. Enjoy an excellent view and then walk on the opposite side of Saqsayhuaman. Of course, you cannot enter the ruins without a ticket, but you already have a good view of the White Christ and you can walk back to San Cristobal without a ticket. Therefore, you leave at the end of the entrance and you can walk back to the center of the San Cristobal district. Enjoy an excellent view and then walk on the opposite side of Saqsayhuaman. Of course, you cannot enter the ruins without a ticket, but you already have a good view of the White Christ and you can walk back to San Cristobal without a ticket. Therefore, you leave at the end of the entrance and you can walk back to the center of the San Cristobal district.

The rest of the day you can use it in many ways. You may want to make a detour to the Chocolate Museum, walk through several backyards in search of the perfect baby alpaca scarf or sweater, explore museums and art galleries.

Sixth day: visit to Machu Picchu and return to Cusco

Surely you've been waiting for this day: at 5.30 a.m. m., The first shuttle buses will reach the ruins. The first tourists queuing at 3:00 a.m. of the night to be one of the first visitors of the day. Crazy or? But you can also save $ 24 for the bus trip (round trip) and walk to Machu Picchu. That takes about an hour. An early visit to Machu Picchu makes sense, especially if you want to climb one of the picturesque mountains, "Huayna Picchu" or "Mountain" (tickets must be booked at least one month in advance!).

If you want to avoid the masses, that's fine, that will never be possible in Machu Picchu, you can start the bus later. In the afternoon, tourist crowds fall significantly and it is at least a little quieter in Machu Picchu.

Either way, we recommend that you take the train back to Cusco after your visit to Machu Picchu. First of all, the prices to spend the night in Aguas Calientes are much more expensive and secondly, in Cusco, it is simply better 😉

Seventh day: free day in Cusco

A "last day off in Cusco" should not be missing in any travel program. Why? Because everyone wants to stroll through the various markets, buy the latest souvenirs, sit in the big cafes and enjoy the lively nightlife at night.

That was our advice for a trip to Peru for 7 days.