Peru 2-Week Itinerary: The Complete 14-Day Plan

A day-by-day itinerary covering Peru's highlights from coast to highlands. Lima, desert oasis, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca in 14 days.

Quick Answer

14 days covers Peru's classic route: Lima (2 days) → Paracas/Huacachina (2 days) → Cusco (3 days) → Sacred Valley (1 day) → Machu Picchu (2 days) → Lake Titicaca (2 days). Total budget: $1,500-3,000 per person depending on style. Best months: May-September. Book Machu Picchu tickets and trains in advance.

Itinerary Overview

This 14-day itinerary covers Peru's classic highlights in a logical route that minimizes backtracking and builds in proper altitude acclimatization. You start at sea level in Lima, visit the southern coast, then gradually move to higher elevations in Cusco and Puno.

The route works for all budgets - the same destinations are accessible whether you are backpacking on $50/day or traveling comfortably on $200/day. The difference is in accommodation, transport class, and dining choices.

14 days

Total duration

$1,500-3,000

Total budget per person

6 cities

Destinations covered

May-Sep

Best months

Days	Destination	Highlights	Transport to Next
1-2	Lima	Food scene, Miraflores, historic center	Bus to Paracas (3.5h, S/40-70)
3-4	Paracas & Huacachina	Ballestas Islands, sandboarding, dunes	Bus to Lima (4h) then fly to Cusco (1.5h)
5-7	Cusco	Acclimatize, city tours, ruins, food	Colectivo to Sacred Valley (1h, S/10-15)
8	Sacred Valley	Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Moray, salt mines	Train to Aguas Calientes (1.5h, S/200-500)
9-10	Machu Picchu	Citadel visit, Aguas Calientes	Train to Cusco (3.5h) then bus to Puno (6-7h)
11-12	Puno / Lake Titicaca	Uros islands, Taquile, lake tours	Taxi to Juliaca airport (45 min, S/40-60)
13-14	Return	Fly Juliaca → Lima or direct home	Flight (1.5h, S/150-350)

Days 1-2: Lima

Start in Peru's capital. Use these 2 days to recover from your flight, eat well, and see the highlights. Lima's food scene alone justifies 2 days. Stay in Miraflores for convenience.

Day 1: Arrive & Miraflores

Morning: Arrive at Jorge Chávez airport. Taxi or airport shuttle to Miraflores (45 min, S/50-70 / $13-18). Check into hotel.
Lunch: Ceviche at a local cevichería. S/25-40 ($7-11).
Afternoon: Walk the Malecón (coastal cliffs), visit Parque del Amor, explore Parque Kennedy.
Evening: Dinner in Barranco (taxi 10 min). Try Lima's food scene.

Day 2: Historic Center & Food

Morning: Visit Lima's historic center - Plaza Mayor, San Francisco catacombs (S/15 / $4), colonial architecture.
Lunch: Menu del dia in Surquillo market. S/12-18 ($3-5).
Afternoon: Larco Museum (pre-Columbian art, S/35 / $9) or free time for shopping.
Evening: Pisco sour at a bar, anticuchos from a street cart. Pack for early bus tomorrow.

Transport to Next Stop

Day 3 morning: Bus from Lima to Paracas. Depart 6-7am from Cruz del Sur or Oltursa terminal. Duration: 3.5 hours. Cost: S/40-70 ($11-18). Book the day before at the terminal or online.

Days 3-4: Paracas & Huacachina

Two days on Peru's southern coast. Wildlife, desert, and adventure before heading to the highlands.

Day 3: Paracas & Ballestas Islands

Morning: Arrive Paracas ~10am. Drop bags at hotel. Take Ballestas Islands boat tour (2h, S/35-65 / $9-17). See sea lions, penguins, and birds.
Lunch: Fresh seafood on the Paracas boardwalk. S/25-40 ($7-11).
Afternoon: Bus to Ica (1h, S/10-15 / $3-4), then taxi to Huacachina (5 min, S/5-10).
Evening: Sunset dune buggy + sandboarding tour (2h, S/80-120 / $21-32). Stay in Huacachina.

Day 4: Huacachina → Lima → Cusco

Morning: Climb dunes for sunrise or relax by hostel pool. Check out.
Midday: Bus Ica → Lima (4h, S/35-75 / $10-20). Arrive Lima ~2-3pm.
Evening: Fly Lima → Cusco (1.5h, S/150-350 / $40-92). Arrive Cusco. Take it easy - you are now at 3,400m. Coca tea, light dinner, early bed.

Altitude Warning

You are going from sea level to 3,400m in one flight. Drink water on the plane, skip alcohol, eat light, and go to bed early. Tomorrow is an easy acclimatization day - do not plan strenuous activities.

Days 5-7: Cusco

Three days in Cusco gives you time to acclimatize properly and explore the former Inca capital. Don't rush - altitude affects everyone differently.

Day 5: Acclimatize & Easy Exploration

Morning: Sleep in. Slow breakfast with coca tea. Walk to Plaza de Armas at a gentle pace.
Midday: Light lunch near the plaza. S/15-25 ($4-7).
Afternoon: San Pedro Market (browse, snack, buy fruit). Walk slowly through San Blas neighborhood.
Evening: Early dinner. Rest. Drink lots of water. No alcohol today.

Day 6: City Sightseeing

Morning: Sacsayhuamán fortress (walk or taxi uphill). Impressive Inca stonework. Entry with Boleto Turístico (S/130 / $34 for 10-day pass).
Midday: Lunch in San Blas. Try ají de gallina or lomo saltado.
Afternoon: Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun, S/15 / $4). Cathedral on Plaza de Armas (S/25 / $7).
Evening: Dinner in the plaza area. You should be feeling better at altitude by now.

Day 7: Cusco Surroundings

Morning: Rainbow Mountain day trip (optional, strenuous, 5,036m) OR visit Tambomachay, Puka Pukara, and Q'enqo ruins (included in Boleto Turístico).
Afternoon: Free time. Shopping for alpaca goods, chocolate museum, or rest before Sacred Valley tomorrow.
Evening: Pack for Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu (you will be away 3 nights). Leave heavy bags at your Cusco hotel.

Day 8: Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley sits lower than Cusco (2,800m vs 3,400m) so you will actually feel better here. It is packed with Inca sites and is the gateway to Machu Picchu.

Day 8: Sacred Valley Highlights

Early morning: Colectivo from Cusco to Pisac (1h, S/10 / $3). Visit Pisac ruins (S/70 Boleto Turístico partial) and Pisac market (best on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays).
Midday: Colectivo to Ollantaytambo (45 min, S/8 / $2). Lunch in town. S/15-25 ($4-7).
Afternoon: Ollantaytambo fortress (included in Boleto Turístico). Impressive terraces and stonework. Walk the old Inca town streets below.
Optional: Moray circular terraces and Maras salt mines (taxi from Ollantaytambo, S/60-80 round trip / $16-21, or join a tour S/40-60 / $11-16).
Evening: Stay in Ollantaytambo (cheaper than Aguas Calientes). Your train to Machu Picchu departs from here tomorrow morning.

Transport to Machu Picchu

Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes: 1.5 hours. PeruRail Expedition: S/200-300 ($53-79) round trip. Inca Rail: S/180-280 ($47-74) round trip. Book in advance - trains sell out in peak season. First trains depart around 5-6am.

Days 9-10: Machu Picchu

The highlight of most Peru trips. Two days gives you time to visit the citadel and enjoy Aguas Calientes without rushing.

Day 9: Arrive Aguas Calientes

Morning: Early train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (1.5h). Arrive mid-morning.
Midday: Check into hotel. Lunch in town. S/20-35 ($5-9).
Afternoon: Explore Aguas Calientes. Hot springs (S/20 / $5), market, or rest before tomorrow's early start.
Evening: Early dinner and early bed. Set alarm for 4-5am depending on your entry time.

Day 10: Machu Picchu & Return

Early morning: Bus up to Machu Picchu (25 min, S/24 / $6 one-way). Enter at your ticketed time.
Morning: Explore the citadel (2-4 hours depending on circuit). Optional: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike (book separately, S/200 / $53 extra).
Midday: Bus back down to Aguas Calientes. Lunch.
Afternoon: Train back to Cusco (3.5h via Ollantaytambo) or to Ollantaytambo (1.5h) then colectivo to Cusco.
Evening: Arrive Cusco. Rest. Tomorrow you head to Puno.

Machu Picchu Tickets

Entry ticket: S/152 ($40) for foreigners. Tickets are timed and limited to specific circuits. Buy from the official government website. Huayna Picchu add-on: S/200 ($53) extra - sells out months ahead. Bring your passport (required for entry).

Days 11-12: Lake Titicaca

The final major stop. Puno and Lake Titicaca offer a completely different experience from Cusco - indigenous Aymara culture, floating islands, and the world's highest navigable lake.

Day 11: Cusco to Puno (Scenic Route)

Morning: Tourist bus from Cusco to Puno (6-7h, S/60-100 / $16-26). Departs ~7am. Includes stops at La Raya pass (4,335m), Andahuaylillas church ("Sistine Chapel of the Americas"), and Raqchi Inca temple.
Afternoon: Arrive Puno ~2pm. Check into hotel near Plaza de Armas.
Evening: Walk Jirón Lima (pedestrian street). Book island tour for tomorrow. Light dinner - you are at 3,812m now.

Day 12: Uros & Taquile Islands

Morning: Full-day tour: Uros floating islands + Taquile Island (S/25-40 / $7-11 per person). Depart Puno port ~7am.
Midday: Lunch on Taquile Island (S/15-25 / $4-7 extra). Lake trout is the specialty.
Afternoon: Return to Puno ~4-5pm. Free time to explore or rest.
Evening: Final dinner in Puno. Try trucha (trout) or sopa de quinoa.

Days 13-14: Return

Getting home from Puno. You have two main options depending on your international flight.

Option A: Fly from Juliaca

Taxi from Puno to Juliaca airport (45 min, S/40-60 / $11-16). Fly Juliaca → Lima (1.5h, S/150-350 / $40-92). Connect to international flight or spend a final night in Lima.

Fastest option. Works if your international flight departs from Lima.

Option B: Bus to Cusco, Fly Home

Bus Puno → Cusco (6-7h, S/20-30 / $5-8). Spend night in Cusco. Fly Cusco → Lima next day (1.5h) and connect to international flight. More time but lets you revisit Cusco.

Good if you want a final night in Cusco or have an early Lima flight.

Budget Breakdown

Here is what 2 weeks in Peru costs at different budget levels. All prices are per person.

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Comfortable
Accommodation (14 nights)	S/1,400-2,100 ($370-553)	S/2,800-4,900 ($737-1,290)	S/5,600+ ($1,474+)
Food (14 days)	S/560-840 ($147-221)	S/1,120-1,680 ($295-442)	S/2,100+ ($553+)
Transport (all legs)	S/800-1,200 ($211-316)	S/1,500-2,500 ($395-658)	S/2,500-4,000 ($658-1,053)
Activities & entries	S/600-900 ($158-237)	S/900-1,500 ($237-395)	S/1,500-3,000 ($395-790)
14-Day Total	S/3,360-5,040 ($885-1,327)	S/6,320-10,580 ($1,663-2,784)	S/11,700+ ($3,079+)

Key Costs to Pre-Book

Machu Picchu entry: S/152 ($40) per person. Book online in advance.
Train to Machu Picchu: S/180-500 ($47-132) round trip. Book 2-4 weeks ahead.
Lima → Cusco flight: S/150-350 ($40-92). Book early for best prices.
Cusco Boleto Turístico: S/130 ($34) for 10-day pass covering 16 sites.
Inca Trail (if chosen): $600-800 per person all-inclusive. Book 6+ months ahead.

Alternatives & Variations

This itinerary is flexible. Here are common modifications depending on your interests and pace.

Skip the Coast (Save 2 Days)

If you want more time in Cusco or a more relaxed pace, skip Paracas/Huacachina and fly directly from Lima to Cusco on Day 3. Use the extra days for Rainbow Mountain, a longer Sacred Valley exploration, or the Inca Trail (4 days).

Add the Inca Trail (Replace Days 8-10)

The 4-day Inca Trail replaces the Sacred Valley day and Machu Picchu days. You will need to book 6+ months ahead and budget $600-800 per person. Arrives at Machu Picchu on Day 4 of the trek. Strenuous but unforgettable.

Skip Puno (Save 2 Days)

If Lake Titicaca does not interest you, end in Cusco and fly home from there. Use the extra days for Arequipa and Colca Canyon instead (fly Cusco → Arequipa, 1h).

Add Amazon (Need 3+ Extra Days)

Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (45 min) for 3-4 days in the Amazon rainforest. Jungle lodges cost $100-300/day all-inclusive. Best added before or after the main itinerary - it requires extra days.

Planning Tips

What to Book in Advance

Machu Picchu entry tickets (2-4 weeks+)
Train to Aguas Calientes (2-4 weeks+)
Internal flights (1-2 weeks+ for best prices)
Inca Trail if doing it (6+ months)
First night accommodation in each city

What to Book Locally

Bus tickets (buy day before or same day)
Lake Titicaca island tours (book in Puno)
Sacred Valley tours (book in Cusco)
Food tours in Lima (book 1-2 days ahead)
Dune buggy tours in Huacachina (book on arrival)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not acclimatizing: Do not plan strenuous activities on your first day in Cusco. Give yourself 24-48 hours to adjust.
Booking Machu Picchu last minute: Tickets sell out. Book as early as possible, especially June-August.
Taking the 22-hour bus Lima to Cusco: Fly. It costs S/150-350 ($40-92) and saves an entire day. The bus is exhausting.
Overpacking: You will carry your bag on buses, trains, and up stairs. Pack light. Laundry is cheap everywhere (S/5-10/kg).
Not bringing layers: Cusco and Puno are cold at night (near freezing). The coast is warm. You need clothes for both.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does 2 weeks in Peru cost?

Budget: $1,500-2,000 per person (hostels, local food, buses). Mid-range: $2,000-3,000 per person (hotels, restaurants, some flights). Comfortable: $3,000-5,000+ per person (nice hotels, all flights, guided tours). This includes accommodation, food, transport, activities, and entrance fees but not international flights.

Is 2 weeks enough for Peru?

Yes, 2 weeks is enough to see the highlights: Lima, the southern coast (Paracas/Huacachina), Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca. You will not feel rushed if you plan well. For a more relaxed pace or to add northern Peru (Máncora) or the Amazon, you would need 3-4 weeks.

What is the best route for 2 weeks in Peru?

The classic route goes: Lima (2 days) → Paracas/Huacachina (2 days) → fly to Cusco (3 days to acclimatize and explore) → Sacred Valley (1 day) → Machu Picchu (2 days) → Lake Titicaca/Puno (2 days) → fly home from Juliaca or back to Lima. This route flows logically south to southeast with minimal backtracking.

Should I fly or take buses in Peru?

Mix both. Fly Lima to Cusco (1.5h vs 22h bus) to save time. Use buses for shorter routes: Lima to Paracas (3.5h), Paracas to Ica (1h), Cusco to Puno (6-7h with scenic stops). Internal flights cost S/150-400 ($40-105). Buses cost S/20-120 ($5-32) depending on distance and company.

Do I need to book Machu Picchu in advance?

Yes. Entry tickets must be purchased in advance and sell out, especially in peak season (June-August). Book 2-4 weeks ahead minimum. Train tickets (Cusco/Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes) should also be booked in advance. The Inca Trail requires booking 6+ months ahead through a licensed operator.

How do I handle altitude sickness on this itinerary?

This itinerary builds in acclimatization. You start at sea level (Lima, coast) then fly to Cusco (3,400m) with 3 days to adjust before going higher. Drink coca tea, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol on arrival, and take it easy the first day. Most people adjust within 24-48 hours. Consider Diamox (consult your doctor).

What is the best time of year for this itinerary?

May to September (dry season) is best for Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca - clear skies and no rain. The coast (Lima, Paracas, Huacachina) is fine year-round. June-August is peak season with higher prices and more crowds. April-May and September-October offer good weather with fewer tourists.

Can I do this itinerary in reverse?

Yes, but it is less ideal for altitude acclimatization. Starting in Puno (3,812m) without acclimatization is risky. The recommended direction (Lima → coast → Cusco → Puno) gradually increases altitude. If you must reverse it, fly to Juliaca and spend 2-3 days acclimatizing in Puno before moving to Cusco.