Who is this 16-day Peru tour suited for?
Over 16 days with 14 nights in the country, the trip combines Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lake Titicaca. It suits travelers who want to experience Inca sites, Andean villages and train rides, and who can tolerate altitudes up to roughly 3,830 m; the dry season from May to October is most favorable.
It's a cultural trip at a moderate pace. The longest leg is the drive from Cusco to Puno at roughly 7 h, plus two domestic flights and a train ride of under 2 h. No hiking is required, but Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo and Pisac all involve many steps, at altitudes between 2,430 and 3,481 m.
The route's character comes from its altitude progression. The first highland nights are in the Sacred Valley at 2,870 m, the night before Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes at 2,040 m. Cusco follows only after that, with Puno on Lake Titicaca right at the end. This gives the body four nights before it sleeps in Cusco at roughly 3,400 m.
Highlights
- Machu Picchu with a guide early in the morning, after a night in Aguas Calientes.
- Train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes with PeruRail or Inca Rail.
- Inca sites in the Sacred Valley: Pisac, the terraces of Moray, and the temple hill of Ollantaytambo.
- Cusco: World Heritage old town, Qorikancha and Saqsaywaman, with four nights to explore.
- Lake Titicaca: boat trip to the reed islands of the Uros and to Taquile.
- Lima: old town, Barranco and the cuisine PromPerú praises the city for.
Who it suits less
Those with heart or lung conditions should have the altitude cleared by a doctor beforehand; according to healthytravel.ch, altitude sickness can affect anyone from around 2,500 m, regardless of age or fitness. Those seeking beach and relaxation are in the wrong place on this route. And those wanting to travel spontaneously in high season risk fully booked time slots for Machu Picchu.
Sources: healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · PeruRail · PromPerú (peru.travel) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel)
Why does the route go to the Sacred Valley first, and only then to Cusco?
Those who sleep directly in Cusco at roughly 3,400 m right after landing risk altitude sickness more easily. That's why, from Cusco airport, you go straight to the Sacred Valley at 2,870 m, then to Aguas Calientes at 2,040 m, and only after four nights to Cusco; Puno at roughly 3,830 m comes last.
| Stage | Nights | Sleeping altitude | Travel to the stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lima | 2 | near sea level | Arrival from your own departure airport, transfer roughly 50 min |
| Sacred Valley (Urubamba) | 3 | 2,870 m | Flight Lima–Cusco roughly 1 h 15 min, drive roughly 1 h |
| Aguas Calientes | 1 | 2,040 m | Train from Ollantaytambo, 1 h 22 min to 1 h 46 min |
| Cusco | 4 | roughly 3,400 m | Train to Ollantaytambo, drive roughly 1 h 30 min |
| Puno | 2 | roughly 3,830 m | Road roughly 7 h or PeruRail Titicaca train 10 h 30 min |
| Lima | 2 | near sea level | Drive to Juliaca roughly 40 min, flight roughly 1 h 40 min |
healthytravel.ch recommends raising sleeping altitude above 2,500 m by no more than 300 to 500 m per day. The trip's biggest jump, from Aguas Calientes to Cusco, therefore comes only after four nights between 2,040 and 2,870 m; from Cusco to Puno it's then just over 400 m more. The CDC even cites Cusco as an example of the rule to sleep lower first after landing.
Modes of transport are two domestic flights, the train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, and road transfers. Driving is done only during the day, since the FDFA and the Federal Foreign Office, Germany advise against overland travel at night. The return from Puno goes via Juliaca airport rather than the long road back to Cusco.
Sources: FlightConnections · healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Wikipedia · PeruRail · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PeruRail · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Inca Rail · PromPerú (peru.travel)
Day by day
- 01
Day 1 · Overnight: Lima
Arrival in Lima
Arrival → Lima
The first day is devoted to the journey from your home airport. You land at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), which according to FlightConnections is connected nonstop to 69 destinations in 21 countries (as of September 2026): in Europe this includes Madrid, Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam; in North America Miami, Atlanta, Houston, New York, Los Angeles and Toronto; in Latin America Panama City, Bogotá, Santiago de Chile, São Paulo and Buenos Aires. Those starting elsewhere connect through one of these hubs; the generator searches live for the right connection. For the transfer into the city, PromPerú estimates roughly 50 min by car. The first two nights are spent in Miraflores or San Isidro, which PromPerú describes as hotel districts right on the Pacific. Lima sits practically at sea level, its old town at 138 m: here the body recovers from the journey before heading into the highlands. Practical tip: keep your passport handy. For domestic flights and long-distance buses in Peru, according to the Federal Foreign Office, Germany, your passport or a copy is required; a theft report is not sufficient.
- 02
Day 2 · Overnight: Lima
Lima: old town, cathedral and Museo Larco
Miraflores → Old town → Miraflores
The first full day is devoted to the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991. Around Plaza Mayor, which PromPerú calls the founding core of the city, stand the cathedral and the government palace; the colonial- and republican-era balconies are typical of the district. Also in the center are the church and convent of San Francisco, known for their catacombs. In the afternoon, the Museo Larco is a good choice, one of the museums PromPerú highlights for Lima. Cebiche and causa limeña belong on the dinner table; PromPerú calls Lima the culinary capital of all of South America. Practical tip: the Federal Foreign Office, Germany warns of theft, especially in the evening in the city center, Miraflores and Barranco. Taxis are therefore best booked via an app or by phone.
- 03
Day 3 · Overnight: Sacred Valley
Flight to Cusco, drive to the Sacred Valley
Lima → Cusco → Urubamba
The flight from Lima to Cusco takes roughly 1 h 15 min according to PromPerú. Cusco sits at roughly 3,400 m, but the first highland night is deliberately spent lower: the transfer drives directly to Urubamba in the Sacred Valley, roughly 1 h from Cusco and at 2,870 m. This exact sequence is described by the CDC using Cusco as an example: after landing, sleep one to two nights lower than the airport's elevation. The afternoon stays free. Early signs of altitude sickness such as headache, nausea or restless sleep typically appear, according to the CDC, 2 to 12 hours after arrival. PromPerú recommends minimal exertion on the first day, plenty of fluids, light food such as soup, rice and potatoes, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco.
- 04
Day 4 · Overnight: Sacred Valley
Sacred Valley: market and ruins of Pisac
Urubamba → Pisac → Urubamba
The Sacred Valley follows the Vilcanota River, along which villages, fields and Inca sites line up. Urubamba is the valley's largest town and thus a convenient base for three nights. Today's destination is Pisac, which combines a large Inca site with a crafts market; PromPerú explicitly names the market as an experience in the valley. In the morning you visit the terraces, then there's time to browse the market. For lunch, try chicha, the Andean corn beer. The pace stays gentle, since many still tire quickly on the second day at altitude. Practical tip: pay cash in soles at the market. Withdraw cash from an ATM with your credit card; don't exchange money on the street.
- 05
Day 5 · Overnight: Sacred Valley
Moray and the salt terraces of Maras
Urubamba → Moray → Maras → Urubamba
The excursion heads up onto the plateau above the valley. Moray consists of circular terraces stepped into the earth, which PromPerú describes as an Inca agricultural experiment station: each terrace forms its own microclimate. The same excursion includes the salt pans of Maras, which lie in steps along the hillside. PromPerú gives Maras and Moray an elevation of 3,481 m, roughly 600 m above the hotel in Urubamba. This is how good acclimatization works: go higher during the day, sleep lower again at night. healthytravel.ch recommends raising sleeping altitude above 2,500 m by no more than 300 to 500 m per day. Practical tip: pack your bags in the evening for Machu Picchu. According to PeruRail, the train fare includes a backpack up to 8 kg and 100 cm total dimensions, or hand luggage up to 12 kg and 115 cm.
- 06
Day 6 · Overnight: Aguas Calientes
Ollantaytambo and train to Aguas Calientes
Urubamba → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes
Ollantaytambo, at 2,792 m, was from the mid-15th century the royal estate of the Inca ruler Pachacuti. In the morning, you climb the terraces to the temple hill; the village's residents still live today in a rectangular street grid with some of the oldest continuously inhabited houses in South America. At midday, the train departs: PeruRail and Inca Rail both run services from Ollantaytambo. According to the PeruRail timetable, the ride takes 1 h 22 min to 1 h 46 min depending on the train, for instance departing at 12:55 and arriving at 14:25; the railway reserves the right to change this. Aguas Calientes, at 2,040 m, has no road connection and owes its name to the hot springs. Practical tip: large luggage is stored free of charge at the left-luggage office at Ollantaytambo station, open from 04:15 to 21:00.
- 07
Day 7 · Overnight: Cusco
Machu Picchu with a guide, evening to Cusco
Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu → Ollantaytambo → Cusco
The most important day of the trip starts early. The bus takes roughly 20 min up to the site according to PeruRail; on foot it's roughly 2 h. Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m; entry is hourly between 6 am and 3 pm, and those who slept in town take one of the first time slots. With the guide, you walk the booked circuit, for instance Circuito 2 'Machupicchu Clásico' or Circuito 3 'Realeza', which includes the route up Waynapicchu. The ticket is issued in your name and is valid only for the booked date and hour; bring your passport. In the early afternoon, the train returns to Ollantaytambo, for example at 14:55, arriving at 16:31. From there it's roughly 1 h 30 min by road to Cusco, where the first night at roughly 3,400 m follows in the evening.
- 08
Day 8 · Overnight: Cusco
Cusco: Plaza de Armas and Qorikancha
Cusco
Cusco was the Inca capital and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983; the Spanish built churches and palaces directly onto the Inca walls. The walk begins at Plaza de Armas with its Andean Baroque buildings. From there, head to Qorikancha, the former Sun Temple, above which the church and convent of Santo Domingo now stand, and to the twelve-angled stone, which PromPerú counts among the old town's sights. The day is deliberately short, since every climb costs more breath than usual at this altitude. Practical tip: those with headaches should not ascend further until they subside. If vomiting, unsteady gait or breathlessness at rest are added, the CDC advises: descend immediately and seek medical help.
- 09
Day 9 · Overnight: Cusco
Saqsaywaman, San Pedro market and San Blas
Cusco → Saqsaywaman → Cusco
In the morning, visit Saqsaywaman with a local guide — the large Inca site that PromPerú counts among the destinations close to Cusco. The main ceremony of the Inti Raymi sun festival takes place here every year on 24 June. For lunch, head to the San Pedro market, which PromPerú describes as a place of local food culture. In the afternoon, there's time for the San Blas district with its craft workshops. Anyone now tolerating the altitude well will notice it in calmer sleep and fewer headaches; anyone still having symptoms should postpone strenuous plans. Practical tip: days in the dry season are sunny and mild, but it turns cold quickly after sunset; average lows in Cusco in June and July are only just above zero.
- 10
Day 10 · Overnight: Cusco
Free day in Cusco
Cusco
The third full day in Cusco is free and also serves to acclimatize further before Puno. Those feeling fit can book a full-day excursion: PromPerú counts Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain, and the mountain region around Ausangate among the destinations around Cusco. Both are worthwhile only for the well-acclimatized; those with heart or lung conditions should clear such excursions with a doctor beforehand. Museums, churches or an afternoon on the plaza are quieter options. Those traveling in June should schedule this day around Inti Raymi: the festival begins on 24 June around 9 am at Qorikancha and ends with the main ceremony at Saqsaywaman; PromPerú advises arriving two to three days beforehand. Practical tip: for the long drive the next day, prepare water, snacks and warm clothing.
- 11
Day 11 · Overnight: Puno
Across the Altiplano to Puno
Cusco → Puno
The road from Cusco to Puno is, according to PeruRail, 241 miles or roughly 390 km, and the drive takes about 7 h. It climbs out of the Cusco valley up onto the Altiplano, the closed high basin at whose northern end Lake Titicaca lies. Driving is done only in daylight: the Federal Foreign Office, Germany reports nighttime attacks on long-distance buses in the Puno area, and the FDFA advises against overland travel at night. With a private transfer, a stop can be added in Raqchi, 117 km from Cusco, where PromPerú describes walls of the Wiracocha Temple up to 14 m high. The alternative is the PeruRail Titicaca train with dining and observation cars: 10 h 30 min, running from May to December on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 07:30 from Wanchaq, arriving at 17:50. Puno sits at roughly 3,830 m.
- 12
Day 12 · Overnight: Puno
Lake Titicaca: Uros and Taquile
Puno → Uros → Taquile → Puno
Lake Titicaca sits at 3,810 m, covers roughly 8,300 km², and is, according to PromPerú, the highest navigable lake on Earth. The boat first heads to the Uros, whose islands are built entirely by hand from totora reed. After a severe storm in 1986, many families rebuilt their islands closer to shore; in 2011, roughly 1,200 Uros lived on about 60 reed islands near Puno. From there, continue to Taquile, whose residents PromPerú describes as master weavers; remains of pre-Inca and Inca-era buildings survive on the island. Trout from the lake makes a good lunch. Practical tip: bring cash in small bills for the islands. Mornings on the lake are very cold, afternoons warm; dressing in layers makes for a more relaxed day.
- 13
Day 13 · Overnight: Lima
From Puno via Juliaca back to Lima
Puno → Juliaca → Lima
The airport for Puno is in Juliaca, according to PeruRail 26 miles or roughly 42 km away, with the drive taking roughly 40 min; PromPerú allows for up to an hour. Those flying only in the afternoon can visit the Chullpas of Sillustani in the morning, an ancient burial site that PromPerú links to funerary rituals of the Inca, the Colla and the Tiwanaku culture. The flight from Juliaca to Lima takes roughly 1 h 40 min. This takes you in a single day from roughly 3,830 m back to sea level. In the evening, there's time for a first meal in Miraflores, where the second Lima stage begins. Practical tip: plan the transfer to the airport generously, since the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, Germany and the BMEIA warn of road blockades that can hold up traffic in the highlands.
- 14
Day 14 · Overnight: Lima
Lima: Barranco, Miraflores and cuisine
Miraflores → Barranco → Miraflores
The last full day belongs to modern Lima. PromPerú describes Barranco as an artists' district with galleries and cafés; it's also home to the Puente de los Suspiros, the Bridge of Sighs. Paragliders launch, according to PromPerú, from the Malecón, the seafront promenade. The Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Hispanic site, is one of the attractions PromPerú names in Lima. Those wanting to dig deeper into the cuisine can book a market tour with tastings, listed by PromPerú among Lima's experiences. From May to November, fog often hangs over the coast, but rain is rare in Lima. Practical tip: coca tea doesn't belong in your luggage. Anyone traveling to Germany risks confiscation even for small amounts, according to the Federal Foreign Office, Germany; for other countries, check customs rules beforehand. Cultural artifacts may only be exported with a permit, according to the BMEIA.
- 15
Day 15
Return flight from Lima
Lima → Return flight
Depending on departure time, the morning stays free, perhaps for a last walk along the Malecón or a lunch of cebiche. For the transfer to Jorge Chávez Airport, allow roughly 50 min as on arrival, and build in a buffer for evening traffic. The return flight goes nonstop or via a hub to your home airport; FlightConnections gives just under 6 h from Lima to Miami, roughly 11 h 50 min to Madrid, and roughly 12 h 35 min to Paris (as of September 2026). Practical tip: spend or exchange remaining soles before departure; cash over 10,000 US dollars must be declared according to the BMEIA.
- 16
Day 16
Arrival after the return flight
Return flight → Arrival
When you arrive depends on your home airport: after short hops within South America you're often back the evening before, after a long haul with a connection only later this day. Peru is on UTC−5 year-round and has no daylight saving time; how noticeable the adjustment is depends on where you live. A free day before returning to everyday life is worthwhile.
When is the best time for this route?
The dry season from May to October, with mostly sunny days and cold nights in the highlands, suits this route best. In 2026, Machu Picchu's high season runs from 19 June to 2 November with up to 5,600 visitors per day instead of 4,500; those traveling in these months should book tickets and trains especially early.
Climate at the overnight locations: Lima, Urubamba in the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Puno
| Lima | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 |
| Low °C | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 |
| Rainfall mm | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Urubamba (Heiliges Tal) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
| Low °C | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| Rainfall mm | 129 | 127 | 96 | 44 | 9 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 18 | 63 | 72 | 137 |
| Cusco | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 |
| Low °C | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Rainfall mm | 129 | 127 | 96 | 44 | 9 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 18 | 63 | 72 | 137 |
| Puno (Titicacasee) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 |
| Low °C | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | -0 | -3 | -3 | -2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Rainfall mm | 84 | 92 | 60 | 25 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 34 | 21 | 71 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station JORGE CHAVEZ INTL (8 km, 34 m), auf 150 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station TENIENTE ALEJANDRO VELASCO ASTETE INTL (32 km, 3310 m), auf 2870 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station TENIENTE ALEJANDRO VELASCO ASTETE INTL (3 km, 3310 m), auf 3399 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station JULIACA / INCA MANCO CAPAC INTL (44 km, 3826 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
The table shows the route's pattern: in the highlands, almost no rain falls from May to September, but average lows in Puno drop below zero in June and July. From December to March it rains heavily; according to the Federal Foreign Office, Germany, heavy rain can trigger flooding and landslides. Lima stays dry almost year-round, but is often under fog from May to November.
Two festivals shape planning: Inti Raymi in Cusco on 24 June falls right in the middle of high season and can be scheduled into the four Cusco nights. La Candelaria in Puno takes place in February, during the rainy season. The Ministry of Culture closes the Inca Trail every year in February; this doesn't matter for the train variant of this trip.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú
Where do you stay overnight on this trip?
Standard is 14 nights in 4-star hotels with breakfast, which the generator searches for live: in Lima in Miraflores or San Isidro, in the Sacred Valley in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, one night in Aguas Calientes, in Cusco's old town, and in Puno near the lake or in the center.
Lima
Miraflores and San Isidro lie on the Pacific, and PromPerú highlights upscale hotels by the sea there; Barranco is the choice for anyone who'd rather stay among galleries and cafés. From the airport it's roughly a 50-min drive.
Sacred Valley
Urubamba is the valley's largest town, lies roughly 1 h from Cusco, and is considered a good base for acclimatizing to the altitude. Ollantaytambo is smaller but has the train station for the trains to Aguas Calientes right at its doorstep. Both towns sit lower than Cusco and are therefore well suited for the first highland nights.
Aguas Calientes
The town, at 2,040 m, is reachable only by train or on foot. Location matters here: staying near the bus stop means reaching the early entry slots without rushing. Large luggage stays in storage at Ollantaytambo station.
Cusco
For four nights, a hotel within walking distance of Plaza de Armas or in the San Blas district is worthwhile. PromPerú recommends supplemental oxygen for persistent altitude symptoms; those sensitive to altitude should ask about it when booking.
Puno
Nights on Lake Titicaca are very cold, so heating in the room matters more than the view. Those who'd rather stay with a family on Amantaní or Taquile instead of a second hotel night stay, according to PromPerú, in the hosts' own home and eat traditional dishes with them.
Sources: PromPerú (peru.travel) · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · PeruRail · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Wikipedia
How can the trip be shortened, extended or adapted?
It becomes shorter by cutting one Cusco night and the second Lima stage, bringing it to roughly 13 days. It becomes longer with Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, with the Tambopata rainforest, or with the Inca Trail instead of the train. Families should plan shorter travel days and more time to adjust to the altitude.
Shorter: 13 days
With three nights in Cusco and the return flight from Juliaca via Lima without a second Lima stage, every highlight is preserved. The Sacred Valley shouldn't be shortened: its three nights are the foundation of the whole altitude plan.
Longer: Arequipa and Colca Canyon
Instead of flying from Juliaca to Lima, drive by road from Puno to Arequipa, whose old town of white volcanic stone has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000. From Arequipa it's, according to PromPerú, 151 km or roughly 3 h to Chivay in the Colca Valley, and a further 42 km to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, where you can see Andean condors with wingspans of up to 3 m in the early morning. The flight back to Lima takes roughly 1 h 15 min. This adds four to five extra days.
Longer: the Tambopata rainforest
Three nights at a lodge in the Tambopata National Reserve fit before the second Lima stage: a flight from Lima to Puerto Maldonado of roughly 1 h 40 min, then roughly 2 h by boat. Visits are permitted only with licensed agencies. For areas below 2,500 m such as Madre de Dios, healthytravel.ch recommends the yellow fever vaccination, at least ten days before arrival.
Inca Trail instead of the train
Those wanting to walk to Machu Picchu replace the train ride with the classic Inca Trail, four days and three nights. Travel agencies purchase the tickets for their guests, and the trail is closed every February.
Different season
In the rainy season from November to April, the route remains feasible but needs buffer: an extra day in Cusco absorbs delays from landslides or blockades. Those traveling in February can experience La Candelaria in Puno, where, according to PromPerú, more than 40,000 dancers perform over two weeks.
With children
Altitude affects children just as it does adults, so the same order with the Sacred Valley first applies. Instead of 7 h on the bus to Puno, the PeruRail Titicaca train with dining and observation cars is more comfortable if the day of the week fits. Minors traveling without, or with only one, parent need a consent letter according to the BMEIA.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Wikipedia · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PeruRail · PeruRail · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine
What does TalkTravel book, and what do you pay locally?
The generator puts together, live, the flights from your departure airport and back, the domestic flights Lima–Cusco and Juliaca–Lima, 14 hotel nights with breakfast, and the transfers between stages. Machu Picchu with a guide, the train to Aguas Calientes, and the boat trip to the Uros are fixed program items; the price is shown only in the specific offer.
- Flights: from your departure airport to Lima and back, plus Lima–Cusco and Juliaca–Lima, economy class as standard.
- Hotels: 14 nights, 4-star category with breakfast as standard, changeable.
- Transfers: Lima airport, Cusco airport–Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo–Cusco, Cusco–Puno and Puno–Juliaca airport.
- Program: train Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes and back, bus to the site, Machu Picchu entry with guide, boat tour to the Uros and to Taquile.
The Machu Picchu ticket is personal: it's issued with name and passport number, is valid only for the booked date and hour, and, according to the Ministry of Culture's terms, cannot be rebooked or refunded. It's therefore booked as soon as flights and trains are fixed, and without delay.
Paid locally: lunch and dinner, tips, optional excursions such as Vinicunca, admissions not included in the offer, and any baggage surcharges on the train. Cash is needed on the islands of Lake Titicaca and at markets; the BMEIA also recommends US dollars in small bills outside Lima.
This page deliberately does not list prices. The price depends on travel date, departure airport and number of travelers in the specific offer (as of September 2026).
Sources: Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · PeruRail · PeruRail · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · FlightConnections