Classic Peru – 8 Day Peru Itinerary

Your Classic 8 Day Peru Itinerary kicks off with your arrival in Lima, Peru’s vibrant capital. Upon landing, your dedicated guide will greet you in the airport lobby, holding a sign with your name for a smooth transfer to your hotel. Once there, your guide will provide an overview of your schedule and helpful tips for the days ahead.

Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a free evening to explore Lima’s culinary delights, lively streets, or simply relax and prepare for the adventures awaiting you.

Day 2 of your Classic 8 Day Peru Itinerary takes you on an immersive journey through Lima, blending stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. Start with a morning pickup from your hotel, setting the stage for an unforgettable day.

Your adventure begins at Morro Solar in Chorrillos, where breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean meet fascinating stories of Peru’s past. Next, visit the artistic and bohemian district of Barranco, famous for its colorful murals, the charming Bridge of Sighs, and its lively main square.

Continue to Miraflores, where you’ll stroll through the iconic Love Park, admire Victor Delfín’s celebrated sculpture, and enjoy panoramic ocean views. Don’t miss the vibrant Kennedy Park, beloved for its resident cats and buzzing atmosphere.

A culinary highlight awaits at a local market in Surquillo, where you’ll savor exotic fruits and enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch, diving deep into the country’s world-renowned gastronomy.

The journey concludes in Lima’s historic center, with visits to San Martin Square, the Main Square, and the mysterious catacombs of the San Francisco Monastery, all guided by a local expert sharing Peru’s fascinating stories. Before returning to your hotel, enjoy an optional stop at the Inca Market, perfect for authentic souvenirs to commemorate your day in Lima.

Our Classic 8 day Peru itinerary continues as your transport takes you to the airport to check in for your flight to Cusco, marking the next chapter of your adventure.

Welcome to Cusco

Upon arrival in Cusco, your guide will greet you at the airport, holding a sign with your name for a smooth transfer to your hotel. At 1PM you begin your day tour with a fascinating exploration of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. The Cusco City Tour takes you to the city’s most iconic landmarks, starting with Koricancha, the Temple of the Sun. Once the most important spiritual center during Incan rule, Koricancha showcases the incredible precision of Incan stonework, standing in striking contrast to the Spanish colonial church built atop its foundations.

Next, head to the impressive Sacsayhuaman Fortress, perched on a hill overlooking Cusco. Marvel at the massive stones used in its construction and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city and the valley below—a perfect spot for capturing unforgettable photos.

The tour continues with visits to smaller yet equally intriguing sites, including Tambomachay, Qenq’o, and Puka Pukara. Each offers a unique perspective on Incan engineering, ceremonial practices, and daily life.

To conclude your tour, enjoy a stop at artisan shops outside Cusco. Browse and purchase beautifully crafted alpaca sweaters, blankets, artwork, and souvenirs, bringing home a piece of Peruvian culture to remember your journey.

Your day begins with an 8:00 AM pickup from your hotel in Cusco as the tour takes you into the lush and fertile Sacred Valley, one of the most significant regions of the Inca Empire. Along the way, enjoy several scenic stops at lookout points, perfect for capturing photos of the valley’s breathtaking landscapes.

Pisac: Markets and Ruins

The first destination is the charming town of Pisac, known for its extensive market held where you can barter for unique souvenirs, textiles, and local goods. Nearby, explore the Inca ruins of Pisac, which feature intricate terracing and housing structures believed to have been used for agricultural experiments. This site offers an incredible glimpse into the ingenuity of Incan engineering.

Urubamba: Lunch Amid Stunning Scenery

Continue to Urubamba, where you’ll enjoy a delightful lunch surrounded by the valley’s serene beauty, offering the perfect break before heading to your next stop.

Ollantaytambo: Fortress and History

Next, visit the town of Ollantaytambo, home to a magnificent fortress that played a pivotal role in Incan history. It was here that the Incas successfully repelled Spanish attacks, and its towering stone terraces and dramatic valley views make it a must-see destination.

Train Journey to Aguas Calientes

At 7:00 PM, board the PeruRail Expedition Train at Ollantaytambo Station for a scenic journey to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town).

• Note: Backpacker and Economy options include the round-trip Expedition Train, while 3, 4, and 5-star packages include the Vistadome Train for your return journey to Cusco. For a premium experience, the Hiram Bingham Train is also available upon request at an additional cost.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, spend your evening exploring this quaint town at your leisure. Meet with your guide for a quick briefing on the following day’s visit to Machu Picchu, then relax and prepare for the highlight of your Classic 8 day Peru itinerary.

Rise early this morning for one of the highlights of your Classic 8 Day Peru Itinerary —a visit to the world-renowned Machu Picchu. Board one of the first buses to the ancient citadel and enjoy breathtaking morning views as the mist lifts to reveal this iconic Incan masterpiece.

Begin your exploration with a two-hour guided tour, where your expert guide will share the fascinating history and secrets of the site, from its sacred temples to its ingenious stonework. Afterward, take your journey to new heights and add an optional hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for panoramic views of the citadel and surrounding valleys. Please note that these hikes come at an additional cost and are subject to availability.

Following your visit, descend back to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time to relax, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy a meal before catching your return train to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, a transfer will take you to your hotel for a well-deserved evening of leisure and exploration at your own pace.

Our Classic 8 Day Peru Itinerary continues with a scenic and enriching journey to Puno. Start the day with a morning pickup from your accommodations at approximately 7 AM and a transfer to the bus terminal, where you’ll board a comfortable touristic bus.

As you travel through Peru’s highlands, your guide will lead you through fascinating stops at historical and cultural landmarks. Highlights include the pre-Incan ruins of Pukara, the impressive Raqchi archaeological site, and the charming colonial church of Andahuaylillas, often called the Sistine Chapel of the Andes. A delicious buffet lunch is included during the tour, offering a taste of the region’s flavors.

You’ll arrive in Puno by 5 PM, where a transfer will take you to your accommodations. Enjoy a free evening to explore this lakeside city at your leisure, preparing for the adventures ahead on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Your adventure continues with a fascinating day exploring the iconic Lake Titicaca, starting bright and early at 6:00 AM. Your guide will pick you up from your accommodations to transfer you to the pier, where your 7:00 AM boat tour begins.

The first stop is the enchanting Uros Floating Islands, where you’ll witness a demonstration of how these unique islands are constructed using Totora reeds. Interact with the locals, learn about their rich history, and discover how they maintain their way of life in the modern world. You’ll also have the chance to try staples of their diet and see the innovative uses of the Totora reed in their daily lives.

Next, journey to Taquile Island, arriving at approximately 11:00 AM. A short, scenic 30-minute hike brings you into the heart of the island’s community, where you’ll meet skilled weavers and knitters renowned for their intricate crafts and textiles. For about an hour and a half, immerse yourself in their vibrant cultural traditions, including demonstrations of traditional dress and dance, followed by a stop at a local restaurant for lunch at 12:30 PM.

After lunch, enjoy a brief walk to a picturesque lookout point, offering stunning views of Lake Titicaca and the surrounding Andes. Take in the serene beauty of the lake before descending back to the pier to board your return boat to Puno. Along the way, your guide will share intriguing stories and historical insights about the lake, adding depth to your experience.

You’ll spend the night in Puno, reflecting on the day’s unforgettable encounters and the natural beauty of this iconic region.

This morning, your guide will pick you up from your lodging for a seamless transfer to the airport, where you’ll board your domestic flight back to Lima. With that, your unforgettable journey through Peru comes to an end.

As your Classic 8 Day Peru Itinerary concludes, we hope your time with Karikuy Tours has been filled with awe-inspiring experiences, from the breathtaking Andes and the mysterious Nazca Lines to the serene beauty of Lake Titicaca and the vibrant energy of Lima. Each destination, a chapter in a story you’ll cherish for years to come.

If you have questions, need assistance, or wish to plan another unforgettable journey, we’re always here to help. Thank you for trusting Karikuy Tours, and we look forward to welcoming you back to explore more of Peru’s wonders. Until next time, safe travels!

The itinerary allows you to arrive at any time on day 1, our guides will be ready to pick you up from the airport and take your lodging. You are free to choose what date you arrive in Peru. The most popular months to travel are from April to August.

To give you the best pricing as well as  the flexibility to schedule your tour at your convenience, group tours have you join different daily groups departing for each tour. These tours group sizes differ on location but can be anywhere from 6 people to 25 people. For the 4 and 5 star tour options you have private tours included that are just yourselves and a guide.

Peru gives most travelers temporary Visas upon arrival. These Visas are from 30 days to 6 months. If you are unsure if your country needs a Visa you can check here, countries marked NO are given Visas upon arrival, countries marked SI require a Visa to enter Peru.

Our tours do not include international or domestic airfare. We do not include international airfare to keep our prices low as you can purchase your own international airfare at better prices directly from the airline websites or Google Flights. We can assist you with domestic airfare as we get good prices, you will need to contact us and we will send you the pricing with domestic airfare included.

Our tours include transfers to and from the airport, and between your tours and hotels. So technically you do not need to hire your own transport. If you want to get transportation on a free day or evening we would recommend you have your hotel call you a taxi or UBER also works really well in Peru. Please note that all our Backpacker category tours do not include transfers.

Yes we do accept 50% deposits, make sure to choose that option at checkout, full price of a tour is due 45 days before your arrival to Peru so we can pay all the reservations in advance. We have some of the best customer service when it comes to cancellations, we work with our customers to get the best outcome even going above and beyond our own terms and conditions. 

The most popular Machu Picchu admissions are the 2A or 2B Circuits, these give you the longest circuit to see the most at Machu Picchu including the classic photo locations. We include these to our tours.

Please note however that since 2023 that these new circuits sell out quickly due to their popularity. You should try to make your reservation 3 months or more in advance to secure these admissions. Once these advanced purchase admissions sell out you can only purchase walk in admissions that will have you spend an extra day at Aguas Calientes to secure them in person. Please try to book in advance and contact us to check availability.