Peru itinerary 14 days

Planning to visit Peru? Here we share a thrilling 14-day Peru itinerary that covers a rich range of attractions, along with stacks of special experiences that offer insights into the country’s cultural heritage. Encompassing Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, plus Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon and Arequipa, it’s a fabulous way to spend 14 days in Peru.

Peru itinerary 14 days

Before going into day-by-day detail, here’s a handy overview of this Peru itinerary for 14 days.

It covers many of the best things to do in Peru, including awe-inspiring ancient sites in Peru, plus plenty of natural wonders and immersive cultural experiences.

New to Peru? You’ll want to read our first-timers guide to Peru. For more inspiration, why not browse all our Peru itineraries?

While we cover a rewarding 14-day vacation right below, you could also consider our 10 days in Peru itinerary and 7 days in Peru itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive in Lima; explore the city at leisure

After arriving in Lima — Peru’s lively capital — check-in to your hotel before venturing out to explore the city at leisure ahead of tomorrow’s guided tour.

For example, you could head to the charming coastal district of Miraflores, where Parque del Amor is a pretty place to soak up the spirit of Lima in colorful surroundings, thanks to its mosaics, vibrant sculptures and Pacific Ocean views.

Day 2: Guided tour of Lima with gourmet dining 

Day 2 of this 14 day Peru itinerary will see you do a deep dive into Lima’s top attractions. 

Start your day exploring Lima’s Historic Centre — a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site that simply oozes colonial charm. 

Begin at the iconic Plaza Mayor, where landmarks like the Government Palace, Archbishop’s Palace and Lima Cathedral showcase baroque and neoclassical architecture.

Next, continue to San Francisco Monastery — don’t miss exploring its eerie catacombs.

After covering Lima's historic centre, head to the Larco Herrera Museum. Housed in a beautiful 18th-century mansion, it showcases an extensive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, including intricate gold and silver pieces, pottery, and a renowned collection of Moche erotic ceramics.

Given that Peru has a justified reputation for being the culinary capital of South America, we suggest spending your evening in one of the best restaurants in Lima to enjoy Peruvian specialties, preferably from a beachfront restaurant that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

Day 3: Sacred Valley culture experiences

Start your day with an early flight from Lima to Cusco (1.5 hours), then head straight to the spectacular Sacred Valley to see its artisan traditions up close, and in action.

Your first stop is the Awanacancha Textile Centre, where local artisans showcase the process of transforming alpaca and llama wool into intricate textiles using natural dyes. You’ll also get to feed alpacas and llamas.

Next, continue to Pisac Market, where bright stalls brim with handmade textiles, pottery and silver jewelry. It’s a great place to practice your bargaining skills, and pick up unique souvenirs like woven blankets and hand-carved trinkets.

Come the afternoon, more local culture awaits at the Pablo Seminario Ceramic Workshop in Urubamba, where renowned artist Pablo Seminario blends traditional Incan techniques with contemporary designs.

Day 4: Maras Saltpans and Ollantaytambo 

Day 4 will see you explore the breath-taking Sacred Valley with visits to the Maras salt marshes, the Moray terraces, and Ollantaytambo — an impressive Inca fortress and citadel.

Start out at the Maras Salt Marshes, where 3000+ salt evaporation pools cascade down a mountainside.

These salt pans — which have been in use since Incan times — are fed by a natural saltwater spring and produce Peru’s famed pink salt. Be sure to walk the narrow paths for breath-taking views of the shimmering pools.

Next, head to the nearby Moray Terraces, — an ancient Incan agricultural laboratory of comprises circular terraces that resemble giant amphitheaters.

Ingeniously, they were used to experiment with crops at varying microclimates. 

Come the afternoon, visit the historic town of Ollantaytambo — one of Peru’s most impressive Incan archaeological sites. 

Climb the stone terraces of the fortress to admire the Sun Temple before exploring the town’s charming cobblestone streets, Fun fact — they still retain their original Incan layout.

Day 5: Discover Machu Picchu

Day 5 of this Peru itinerary is devoted to discovering Machu Picchu — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Start your day with a scenic train transfer from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. From Ollantaytambo Station, it’s a 1.5–2-hour journey through breath-taking Andean landscapes before you reach Aguas Calientes — gateway to the Machu Picchu UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On arrival, take a short shuttle bus (30 minutes) up the winding mountain road to the entrance of Machu Picchu.

Begin your guided tour at the Main Plaza — a vast open area surrounded by terraces and ceremonial structures that serve sweeping views of the citadel — before exploring the Sacred Sun Dial (Intihuatana).

Other key highlights include the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Quarters, and the terraced agricultural zones.

After the tour, head down to Aguas Calientes — your charming base for the night.

Day 6: Explore Aguas Calientes 

Start your day exploring Aguas Calientes. Scenically-sited in the lush Andean foothills, its vibrant streets are loaded with with artisanal shops selling handmade textiles, ceramics and traditional Peruvian crafts.

After stocking up on souvenirs, head to Aguas Calientes Hot Springs.

Just a short walk from the town center, these natural thermal baths are the perfect place to relax after you’re a few days exploring the Sacred Valley.

After lunch at a local restaurant, it’s time to begin your scenic journey back to Cusco.

Day 7: Uncover Cusco’s historic landmarks

Day is dedicated to exploring Cusco’s historic sights, starting out at the Santo Domingo Church, which was built on the foundations of Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) — the most significant Incan temple. 

Inside, admire how colonial architecture has been blended with perfectly preserved Incan stonework, and don’t miss the Qorikancha viewpoint for excellent views of Cusco’s terracotta rooftops and surrounding mountains.

Next, head to Sacsayhuamán, an impressive Incan fortress located just above Cusco. This massive archaeological site features giant stones that were precisely cut and fitted together without mortar. 

In the afternoon, explore Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s vibrant main square. We suggest taking a guided tour of both Cusco Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus. 

The cathedral — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — boasts stunning colonial architecture, intricate wood carvings, and paintings from the Cusco School of Art, including rather a unique version of the Last Supper with a guinea pig as the main dish.

Day 8: Train transfer to Lake Titicaca

Begin your day with a journey with a sublimely scenic train ride from Cusco to Puno on the edge of Lake Titicaca, one of the world’s highest navigable lakes. 

Operated by PeruRail’s Titicaca Train, this rather luxurious journey takes around ten hours, but offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to soak up the breath-taking landscapes of the Andean highlands. Think rolling green hills, snow-capped peaks, and picturesque valleys dotted with llamas and alpacas. 

Midway, the train stops at La Raya Pass. At 4319 meters, this is the highest point of the journey, where you can stretch your legs and admire the majestic mountain views. 

You’ll arrive in Puno by late afternoon. If time allows, take an evening stroll through Puno’s main plaza and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, perhaps trying dishes like trout from Lake Titicaca.

Day 9: Discover Lake Titicaca's culture

Start your day with an early boat departure from Puno to explore the wonders of Lake Titicaca. 

Your first stop is Llachon village. Located on the Capachica Peninsula, this traditional lakeside community invites visitors to learn about their way of life, and enjoy a serene kayaking trip on the lake’s crystal-clear waters.

Next, visit Taquile Island, with its terraced hills and panoramic lake views. Famous for its centuries-old weaving traditions, the islanders are known for their UNESCO-recognized textiles. 

In the afternoon, continue to the Uros Islands — a unique community of floating islands made from totora reeds. 

Here you can take a tour to find out how the Uros people construct their islands, boats and homes from the reeds, and take a ride on a traditional reed boat.

Day 10: Transfer to Chivay via Colca Canyon

More epic landscapes await on day 10 courtesy of a scenic 6-7-hour drive from Puno to Chivay, via viewing the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. 

Your first stop is the Lagunillas Viewpoint, where you can soak up stunning views of shimmering lakes surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Keep an eye out for Andean birdlife, including flamingos, Andean geese and crested ducks.

As you continue your journey, you’ll pass through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve — a vast high-altitude plain that’s home to herds of wild vicuñas, alpacas and llamas grazing peacefully in their natural habitat. 

Then, as you approach Chivay, you’ll see panoramic views of the canyon’s terraced slopes and deep valleys carved by centuries of natural erosion.

Day 11: Visit Cruz del Condor viewpoint 

Next on this thrilling 14-day Peru itinerary is an early-morning trip from Chivay to the famous Cruz del Condor viewpoint — one of the best places to admire Colca Canyon.

If you arrive at sunrise, you’ll get to witness enormous Andean condors soaring on thermal currents above the canyon. 

On your way back to Chivay, stop at the traditional Andean villages of Maca and Yanque to visit charming colonial churches and browse markets that showcase handmade crafts, colorful textiles and regional food produce.

Come the afternoon, you could head to La Calera Hot Springs (they’re just outside Chivay) to soak in warm water while soaking up stunning views of the surrounding Andean mountains.

Day 12: Explore Chivay; transfer to Arequipa 

Begin your morning exploring charming Chivay. Plaza de Armas is the perfect place to start. Be sure to visit Chivay market ahead of enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, it’s time to depart for Arequipa via the scenic Pampa Cañahuas — a stunning reserve within the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Park. 

Along the way, look out for vicuñas, llamas and alpacas grazing the high-altitude plains. 

As you descend into Arequipa, you’ll get to see the impressive volcanic peaks of Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu.

Day 13: Tour Arequipa’s historic sights

The final full day of this Peru itinerary will see you tour Arequipa.

Located at the foot of an ice-capped volcano — El Misti (5821m) — this architecturally attractive destination is famed for having one of the most beautiful settings, of all Peruvian cities.

Start your day with a visit to Santa Catalina Monastery, a sprawling 16th-century complex of colorful courtyards and cloisters. 

Surrounded by grand colonial architecture, Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas is another highlight, with the Basilica Cathedral a masterpiece of baroque design.

In the afternoon, culture vultures will want to visit the Juanita Museum (Museum of Andean Sanctuaries) to see the well-preserved Ice Maiden mummy and learn about Incan rituals. 

Round off your day with a walk around the Yanahuara district, with its cobblestone streets, arched viewpoint, and buildings crafted from pearly-white volcanic rock.

Day 14: Depart from Arequipa airport 

On day 14 you’ll transfer to Arequipa airport ready for your flight home.

Given that it only takes around 20 minutes to get there from town, depending on the time of your flight, you might have time for some last-minute shopping or sight-seeing before you leave.

Two weeks in Peru: How to plan your itinerary

Now you know the kind of experiences that await on a 14 day Peru itiinerary, read on for practical information that'll lighten the load of planning your own trip. 

Best time for a 14-day Peru itinerary

How to get around Peru

Do I need a visa for 14 days in Peru?