Visit Southern Peru in 1 week

You want to get to know the key parts of Peru and you only have one week of vacation? This itinerary is made for you!

Go for a trip through the beautiful UNESCO cities of Cuzco, Lima, Arequipa and the Machu Picchu or lake Titicaca. Explore the South part of the city by bus, train or plane, and have your breath taken away when facing the marvellous landscapes.

Here is a glimpse of the beautiful experiences awaiting in this 1-week road trip in Southern Peru:

• Stroll through the lively and colourful districts of Miraflores and Barranco in Lima
• Take a trip to the impressive Colca Canyon from Arequipa
• Spend a night on the Uros Islands with the local community on Lake Titicaca in Puno
• Sit on a bench in the Plaza de Armas and watch the local life of Cuzco unfold before you
• Discover the beautiful Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World

To travel safely and without any worry on your mind, we recommend Chapka Insurance!

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Itinerary of a 1-week road trip in Southern Peru

 

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Some practical information before your trip to Peru

 

In Peru, we don’t really recommend renting a car, as the distances are quite long, the roads are not always in good condition, and the traffic rules are quite particular… This is why, for this itinerary, the journeys will be made by plane, bus or train.  Do not necessarily take into account the travel times indicated by Google Maps: the times and connections are not good. To book your trip, we advise you to go to BusBud for buses, IncaRail or PeruRail for trains.

You want to buy a paper travel guide? We recommend this one! In our opinion, it is the most complete and the most visual!

Need a road map to prepare your itinerary? We recommend this one, the most detailed and the most pleasant to read!

The best period for this itinerary in Peru is complicated to define because the climate is very different in different regions. You will not be able to really reconcile the best season for each place during your trip. Since this itinerary is mostly inland, the dry season, from June to October is a good compromise as you will have less (or no) rain. Click here for more information.

A trip is also about culinary discoveries, so if we had to recommend you some Peruvian specialities, it would be ceviche, raw fish, marinated in citrus juice and seasoned with red onions and aji chilli (be careful, only eat it when you are on the coast, as you risk a digestive mishap if you eat it somewhere else…). You can’t miss the lomo saltado, a sautéed beef fillet served with some vegetables, rice and/or chips. Finally, there is aji de gallina, a chicken stew, mixed with condensed milk and aji peppers, usually served with rice.

 

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Contents: 1-week road trip in Southern Peru

1- Lima – Stop 1 of the 1-week road trip in Southern Peru
2- Arequipa – Stop 2 of the 1-week road trip in Southern Peru
3- Puno – Stop 3 of the 1-week road trip in Southern Peru
4- Cuzco – Stop 4 of the 1-week road trip in Southern Peru
5- Machu Picchu – Stop 5 of the 1-week road trip in Southern Peru

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Itinerary of a 1-week road trip in Southern Peru: step by step

 

What to do in Lima?

Peru’s capital and “City of Kings”, it is the ideal first stop to acclimatise to the country before embarking on this 1-week road trip in Southern Peru.

• Head to Lima’s historic center, go to Plaza de Armas also called Plaza Mayor and observe the colonial fountain, the Palacio de Gobierno, and the Changing of the Guard (at noon) or the capital’s Cathedral.
• Tired of the busy atmosphere? Step in San Francisco Monastery, a true oasis of calm with a baroque architecture beautifully preserved. For a Harry Potter-y atmosphere, be sure to go to the monastery’s library. Want a more unique tour? Go to the catacombs, down under the monastery where over 75 000 skeletons lie!
• Plan the next steps of your trip by learning about the Peruvian history in one of Lima’s many museum: Museo de la Nación, Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Perú, Museo Taurino…
• Discover the city and its warm and colourful atmosphere by going for a walk in the Miraflores district, which runs along the Pacific, with its green spaces such as the Malécon or the Parque del Amor, which offer a breathtaking view of the ocean.
• For street art lovers, the Barranco district is a must, with its colourful houses and numerous murals. There are also often street musicians who will make your walk much more enjoyable. Take the Bajada de Baños, the main avenue, which leads directly to the beach!
• For an immersion in the local culture and gastronomy, head to the mercado central. For those on a budget, you won’t find a better value for money restaurant!

 

What else to do in Lima? 

 

• If you want to get to know the city and its history like the back of your hand, we recommend taking a guided tour, whether it’s just the historic part of town or the modern parts.
• For those who like to discover places through gastronomy, we share your opinion and we can only recommend this food tour which will take you to less touristy markets and districts, for an authentic and gourmet experience.
• Do you have a good command of the panoramic mode of your camera or smartphone? Then head to the top of the Cerro San Cristobal in the north-east of the city for a breathtaking view of Lima and the ocean. Ready to go?
• Don’t feel like you have to leave Lima to start your exploration of Peru’s historical sites. Head to the Huaca Pacllana site, a large brick pyramid dating back to 300 AD. Click here for more information on tours.

 

Where to sleep in Lima?

 

• Mid-range: Sleep for great value in the pleasant Miraflores area at the Faraona Grand Hotel. The rooms are spacious, clean and the staff very friendly. Everything you need to start your trip to Peru on the right foot!
• High-end: Treat yourself to comfort for your first nights on Peruvian soil by staying at the Hotel Antigua Miraflores. Between tradition and modernity, with an attentive staff, comfortable rooms and a warm decoration, you can hardly do better!

 

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What to do in Arequipa?

One of the most beautiful cities in Peru with the mountains in the background. One thing is sure, this stop of your 1-week road trip in Southern Peru will not leave you indifferent!

• Get blown away on the stunning main square of the whole city, surrounded by palm trees and beautiful colonial churches. You will get a true feel of the heart of Arequipa and understand its nickname the « white city ».
• Step in the impressive Arequipa Cathedral, the largest and most important church in the city, built on volcanic white stone. For an even more interesting tour, go to the other side of the square and admire the Iglesia de la Compania.
• Explore Santa Catalina Monastery, its chapels, bedrooms and kitchens will let you get an idea of what the 16th century nuns’ life was like. And everything is merry and colorful: the perfect setting for a picture.
• Meet the local celebrity, the « Inca Ice Maiden », at the Museo Santuarios Andinos. Discover the corpse of a young 12 year old girl who was killed as an offering to gods in 1450.
• The Peruvians’ answer to the Americans and their Grand Canyon? The Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, with a vertical drop of 3270 metres. Explore breathtaking landscapes and watch the majestic condors fly overhead! The easiest way to discover this marvel is to go on an organised tour over 1 or 2 days (beware, this requires a minimum of physical condition). If you are flexible on your travel dates, you may want to add a day to this itinerary to really appreciate the canyon and the city of Arequipa.
• As Arequipa is full of surprises, it is also possible to go rafting on the Chile River to get the full thrill (and cool off).

 

Where to sleep in Arequipa?

 

• Mid-range: stay at Hosteles Gutiérrez Mansión, a charming hotel with all the necessities and very well placed to visit the city. The manager will be happy to answer your questions and give you tips on how to discover Arequipa and its region!
• High-end: treat yourself to a luxury stay at CIRQA – Relais & Châteaux. You will find all the comfort and standing of a great hotel while remaining in an authentic atmosphere. A delicious breakfast, friendly staff, superb architecture and decoration, clean and spacious rooms… This establishment is a real gem!

 

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What to do in Puno?

A starting point for discovering Lake Titicaca, an essential stop in this 1-week road trip in Southern Peru.

• Head to the Uros Islands, floating islands hand-built from reeds. Discover the traditional houses built with such resourcefulness!
• Get a fascinating and authentic glimpse of the indigenous culture when going to Amantani Island.
• Last island of the lake, a must-see: Taquile Island. This island is famous across the whole country for its expert weavers creating incredibly beautiful textiles. Walk along the archeological sites and enjoy the stunning view over lake Titicaca.
• You can discover these islands on a day trip or even spend the night on one of them for an experience close to the local communities.
• You would like an even more impressive view point. Go up the top of Cerrito de Huajsapata, and you will fill your camera’s memory card up in a minute. The panoramic view over the lake and the city is exquisite.

 

Where to sleep in Puno?

 

• Mid-range: immerse yourself in the Peruvian atmosphere by staying at the Olimpo Inn. You will hardly find a better value for money in the city! Well located, spacious and clean rooms, friendly staff, good breakfast, possibility to organise excursions… the Olimpo has everything to please!
• High-end: sleep in comfort with a superb view of the lake at the GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca. With its delicious restaurant, wellness area, gym and perfect sunset view, this 5-star hotel is ideal for relaxing after a day of exploring.
• Sleep on the islands: Treat yourself to a night on one of the islands with the local communities for a unique experience on this trip. For a medium budget we recommend Ecoturismo, Los uros, and for those with a bigger budget we recommend Amalia Titicaca Lodge.

 

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What to do in Cuzco?

Ancient capital of the Inca Empire at the top of the Andes. It is a city rich in culture and history that awaits you on this stop of your 1-week road trip in Southern Peru. 

• Visit Plaza de Armas, the city’s cultural center with restaurants, bars, coffee shops … A good excuse to take the time to get used to the altitude on a patio! You also like cultural experiences? Good! Head to the impressive cathedral of Cuzco, symbol of the Spanish conquest.
• You love local markets? Head to the spectacular Mercado de San Pedro, filled with fruits, veggies and meat. Need a little vitamin C to take away? There are over 30 fresh juice stands! For a more authentic market, head to the Mercado San Blas, higher up in the city.
• Do not leave without tasting the local dishes: alpaga steak will please your taste buds! You will also get to taste cuy, or as we call it: guinea pig.
• Do not miss Sacsayhuaman, an Inca site with a stunning view over Cuzco and the mountains. And if you struggle to pronounce that name, just think it’s kind of pronounced like « Sexy Woman ». Easy, right? We recommend doing a guided tour to learn more about the Incas, their philosophy and their way of life. There are also other interesting Inca sites in the area, which are also included in this tour.
• For a great view of the city and its surroundings, walk up to the Cristo Blanco, which overlooks Cuzco from its hilltop. Beware, the climb will not be easy, and it is almost entirely stairs!

 

Day-trips in the Cuzco region:

As Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, there are many vestiges in the area, but also very beautiful landscapes and natural sites. It is therefore a very good base for day trips. If you can extend your trip a little, we recommend adding nights in Cusco to enjoy all the richness of the region!

• First of all, there is the discovery of the Sacred Valley, a superb region with magnificent landscapes but which also gathers several Inca sites, such as Maras, Moray, Pisac or Ollantaytambo. To discover them we recommend this excursion.
• Then there is the famous Rainbow Mountain, whose real name is Vinicunca, which rises to 5200 metres. The walk to get there is quite easy, except at the end where the climb becomes quite steep! If you have trouble with the altitude, take some coca leaves to chew. Once at the top, the effort will be worth it, and you will just have to marvel at this wonderful landscape and take pictures of it from all angles! To discover it, we recommend this excursion.
• Finally, if we had a third place to advise you, it would be Laguna Humantay. It is a superb lake, at the foot of the glaciers, with a breathtaking turquoise water. One can only be in awe of such a landscape. The first part of the walk to get there is quite easy, but the second half is a bit more difficult as the climb is long and constant. To discover it, we recommend this excursion.

 

Where to sleep in Cuzco?

 

• Mid-range: for a good value for money sleep in Cuzco, we can recommend the Hotel Limacpampa in the historic district or the Posada San Blas, located in the San Blas district, a little higher up in the city. Both are charming establishments with spacious and comfortable rooms, friendly staff and an airport shuttle service.
• High-end: experience an exceptional night’s stay at the Palacio del Inka. This luxurious hotel, located 5 minutes walk from the centre, will immerse you in a soft historical atmosphere, while maintaining comfort and quality. Spacious rooms, a beautiful inner courtyard, restaurant, bar, tea with coca to help you cope with the altitude… Everything is there for a perfect stay.

 

 

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What to do in Machu Picchu?

Fourth wonder of the world at the top of Machu Picchu mountain, enough to finish this 1-week road trip in Southern Peru with a breath of fresh air. 

• Explore this sacred Inca religious site built in the 1450’s. UNESCO only allows 2500 visitors per day, between 6am and 4pm. So be sure to get your tickets before-hand otherwise you won’t be able to explore it! It’s better to buy your tickets in advance than not to have any! To get all the information about the different tickets and their combinations, and to buy them, click here.
• Machu Picchu is also surrounded by other mountains on which it is possible to hike to enjoy the scenery even more and see the site from another angle. For example, there is the Huayna (Wayna) Picchu, which is 2700 metres high. The climb can be a bit difficult, with narrow passages, so we don’t recommend it if you are afraid of heights! There is also the Machu Picchu mountain (different from the site itself), which is opposite Huayna Picchu, culminating at 3082 metres. The climb there is easier but a little longer than for Huayna Picchu.
• Aguas Calientes is the closest town to Machu Picchu, it has no particular interest as it is entirely dedicated to tourism. There is a very large covered market with all kinds of souvenirs, as well as small craftsmen. It’s a good time to spend your last soles and buy small souvenirs for your loved ones!

 

How to get to Machu Picchu?

 

• I can already hear you saying “But how do I get there?”. So I answer that first you have to decide how to get to Aguas Calientes, the departure city for Machu Picchu! For that, there are 2 options, the first one by train with Inca Rail or Peru Rail, the second one, by choosing to follow the Inca Trail, a trek of several days which will make you pass on the historical way that the Incas also used to go to Machu Picchu. To do this, you must go through an agency.
• Then, you have to decide how to go up to Machu Picchu. For this, there are 2 options, first of all walking, which can be a bit tiring because of the altitude and the fact that most of it is uphill with stairs, but it allows you to take your time and admire the landscape. Count on 2 to 3 hours of walking. The second option is to take the shuttle bus that goes from Aguas Calientes to the summit of Machu Picchu in about 30 minutes. There are departures every 10 minutes between 5:30am and 3:30pm to go up, and until 5:30pm to go down. You can buy your tickets directly on site or in Cusco, up to 3 days before the date of use. Click here for more information.
• If you prefer not to worry about the logistics, then booking a guided tour from Cusco or Ollantaytambo will be more suitable! We can recommend this one.

 

Where to sleep near Machu Picchu?

 

• Mid-range: if you arrive in Aguas Calientes the day before your visit to Machu Picchu, you will find all the necessities by staying at Inkas Land. We appreciate its flexibility for breakfast times and luggage storage, but also the good advice of the staff. It’s good value for money!
• High-end: Treat yourself to all the comforts for before or after your Machu Picchu adventure by staying at the Amakonkay Machupicchu. The rooms are clean, spacious, the location is excellent and the breakfast is very good. If you want to make your stay in Machu Picchu absolutely unique, book at the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, a 5-star hotel that balances comfort, modernity and heritage. A real treat!

 

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Learn more about your road trip in Southern Peru…

 

• You want to know all the information about the country ? It’s here.
• Then, to rent a car at the best price, we advise you this website.
• Finally, to book a flight at the best price, we advise you this website.
• You are looking for a great travel insurance for your 1-week road trip in Southern Peru? We recommend this one!

 

Do not hesitate to share your trip with us, we can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!

 

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If you have any information, good tips, or simply a comment about this itinerary, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below! The whole team will be happy to hear from you!