Peru is a country that surprises. It’s home to captivating natural beauty, vibrant cities, welcoming locals, and out-of-this-world landmarks and attractions. Well, there’s never been a better time to embark on a 7-day Peu tour, unlocking the adventure of a lifetime.
Having the ability to instantly steal your heart, South America’s third-largest country bursts with endless potential for unforgettable excursions. From the bustling streets of Cusco to the ancient alleyways of Lima and the sight of Machu Picchu in the mist, there aren’t many places on Earth quite like Peru.
Spend one week in Peru alongside expert guides, discovering far more than most will ever see while staying overnight in hand-picked, tasteful, and convenient accommodation. Mingle with locals and immerse yourself in an authentic Peruvian vacation.
Unleash your curiosity and feed your thrill for excitement with our 7-day Peru tour. Leave no stone unturned. Peru is waiting!
Top Tip: If you’re looking for something a bit different, head out on our luxury Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu. Perfect for your first (or tenth) visit!
7-Day Peru Tour Details
Ready to get going? Any worthwhile Peru adventure relies on proper prior planning. Keep reading for every bit of need-to-know information, ensuring a smooth and memorable excursion.
Highlights of Your 7 Days in Peru
Type of Tour: Adventure, Culture, History, Journey by Train and Car, and Accommodation ( 3 and 4-star Hotel Stays).
Suitable for: Eager adventurers looking to see the many amazing sights of Peru, including Cusco, Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley, and the Maras Salt Mines.
Difficulty: Easy to moderately challenging.
Considerations: Available year-round based on prior bookings.
Useful Information About Our Peru Travel Itinerary
- Your safety is our top priority.
- Our vehicles adhere to strict safety travel protocols, and our team will carefully handle all of your belongings throughout your trip.
- Enjoy overnight stays at curated 3- and 4-star hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes. These include San Agustin, El Mapi, Inti Punku, or similar hotels.
- See unique sites throughout the country with ample opportunities for sightseeing and photography.
- Experience world-famous Peruvian highlights such as Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and various archeological sites.
- Witness the glorious scene of the sunrise over Machu Picchu on day two, with a day framed by birds flying overhead. Make your way to the sacred city via a distinct shortcut involving no hiking.
- Please come prepared for a lot of mosquitoes in the lost city of the Incas (Machu Picchu). We advise that you bring a sufficient supply of insect repellent.
- In just three days, you can visit the wonders of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, the Maras Salt Mines, and the Moray Archeological dig site.
- We use only local staff and natural resources.
- We are a proud local company that practices sustainable responsibility.
- There will be a briefing with a Sparrow Explorer agent in our office or your hotel before your trip.
Top Tip: Pressed for time? If you’re wondering what to do in Peru with fewer days, book this 4-day Cusco City tour, bringing you the best of the iconic city.
Our 7-Day Peru Trip Itinerary
With anticipation at an all-time high, let’s get into how you’re going to spend a week in Peru.
Day 1: Transfer In – Cusco City Tour
On the first day, the tour starts with a pick-up from your hotel at 1 PM. You will be taken to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, where you will visit the famous cathedral. Afterward, you will proceed to the Q’oricancha, the Temple of the Sun, where you can observe the blend of Inca culture and Catholicism.
From there, you will walk down to Avenida El Sol and take a car to the Inka site of Sacsayhuaman. Your guide will explain the history and construction of this impressive site. The tour will then continue to Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay before returning to Cusco, either at the main square or your hotel, depending on your preference.
Day 2: Cusco – Pisac – Moray – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
The second day begins with an early pick-up from your hotel at 7 AM. You will be driven to Pisac, where you will explore the Inca ruins and have an opportunity to visit the local market. Next, we will stop at Urubamba for lunch before continuing to the Salt Mines and Moray archeological site, known as the Andean farming laboratory.
The tour will then proceed to Ollantaytambo, an Inca fortress built with pink granite rocks. After the tour, we will head to the train station to catch a train to Aguas Calientes, the town near Machu Picchu. In Aguas Calientes, you will have dinner at a restaurant and spend the night.
Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco City
This day begins early with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a bus ride to Machu Picchu. You will have the opportunity to witness the sunrise if the weather permits. Upon arrival, your guide will provide a 2-hour tour of the Machu Picchu site, highlighting its history and significance.
After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore the site on your own. Your guide will provide your bus ticket back to Aguas Calientes, where you will meet and receive your train tickets. You will then take the train to Ollantaytambo, where a private car will be waiting to transfer you back to Cusco and your hotel.
Day 4: Explore Maras Salt Mines & Moray
The morning begins with a guided tour of the Maras Salt Mines and Moray, two intriguing Incan sites near Cusco. The Maras Salt Mines are terraced salt pans used since ancient Incan times, where visitors can witness the traditional salt extraction methods employed by local families.
The tour then proceeds to Moray, an archeological site with unique circular terraces that likely served as agricultural experimental laboratories for the Incas. In the afternoon, we return to Cusco for a traditional Peruvian lunch at a local restaurant, where we can savor the diverse flavors and fresh ingredients characteristic of Peruvian cuisine.
Day 5: South Valley Tour
The South Valley tour in Cusco is a captivating journey that combines ancient history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. Explore hidden treasures such as Inca terraces, pre-Inca ruins, and a colonial church while immersing yourself in the natural beauty and local traditions. The tour concludes in a lively market town, offering a taste of authentic Peruvian cuisine and engaging encounters with friendly locals.
Day 6: Rainbow Mountain
The Rainbow Mountain tour takes you on a challenging trek to the captivating and vibrant Rainbow Mountain in the Andes of Peru. The hike offers stunning views, a landscape transformed by colorful mineral deposits, and a breathtaking summit at 5,200 meters. After enjoying the beauty, the return journey provides more opportunities to appreciate the remarkable Andean landscapes.
Day 7: Transfer Out of Cusco City
On the final day of the tour, you will check out of your hotel in Cusco. The tour will conclude with a transfer from your hotel to Cusco Airport, timed according to your flight schedule. The exact departure time will be coordinated with the tour office, ensuring a smooth and timely transfer.
As you bid farewell to Cusco, you can reminisce about the rich history, stunning landscapes, and captivating culture that you have experienced during your journey through the heart of the Inca Empire.
What Is Included in Your 7-Day Peru Tour
- Transportation: Transportation for the entire tour of Peru and day trips throughout the region are included from the start to the end of the tour. This includes hotel pickup and dropoff, transfers from Cusco Airport, bus transportation from Cusco to all Sacred Valley tours, and the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and train tickets from Ollantaytambo are included as well, alongside final transfers from the Cusco Train Office to your hotel.
- Professional Tour Guides: Each trusted and knowledgeable Sparrow Explorer guide is a trilingual university graduate who can speak Spanish, English, and Quechua. Each of our tour guides is a local citizen of Peru who grew up in and around the area and has a wealth of knowledge. They are a vibrant, joyful, and enthusiastic group of professionals eager to share everything they know about ancestral locations and traditions.
- Briefing & Entrance Fees: Before kicking off your Peru tour, you will be invited to a specialized briefing session with our tour guides at our offices or your hotel. This debrief will provide you with all the necessary information regarding safety, entrance fees, and other regulations for the duration of your tour.
- Food, Water, & Meals: Please note that lunch and dinner are not included in this tour package. However, our professional chefs do prepare several snacks and breakfast options daily for your convenience. It is your responsibility to inform us of any allergies or nutritional needs. We use only the best healthy and organic ingredients. Vegetarian food options are available at no extra cost.
- Accommodation: This tour package includes accommodation throughout your seven-day adventure in Peru. Accommodation will consist of both 3 and 4-star properties.
- Equipment: Sparrow Explorer is proud to provide you with the best equipment to make your trip a safe and comfortable experience. Our equipment includes an oxygen tank and a First Aid Kit for altitude and safety concerns.
What Is Excluded in Your 7-Day Peru Tour
- Meals & Extra Snacks: Snacks for your tour outside of normal mealtimes, such as daily lunch and dinner, are not included.
- Tips & Gratuities: Please note that tipping is not required. Tips or gratuities to our guides are given at your own discretion and are greatly appreciated.
- Travel Insurance: While we do not provide travel insurance, we highly recommend that our travelers invest in an extensive insurance policy. However, even without travel insurance, you can still enjoy this tour.
Insiders Tip: Cusco is a magnificent city that is worth all your time. But, when time isn’t on your side, check out this half-day Cusco City tour.
Helpful Information for Our 7-Day Peru Tour
Capping the best Peru itinerary out there is a quick list of the most valuable pieces of information for your excursion.
Altitude Sickness
It’s common to start to wonder about altitude sickness if thinking of coming to Peru, especially in Cusco. However, it’s easy to solve this problem. You just need to spend a
few days in Cusco drinking plenty of water and coca tea.
However, if you are concerned about altitude sickness, these are common symptoms to look out for:
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Tingling
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Vomiting
If you have any problems, contact our company or a doctor who can help you. But these symptoms are usually going to be temporary. However, sometimes our customers require medication, so we suggest you have an (acetazolamide or dexamethasone) and come a few days before to Cusco.
Weather
The weather in the Andes is unpredictable, which is why we suggest you be ready for a rainy or sunny day. However, waterproof clothes and/or ponchos will definitely help.
First Aid Kit
All of our mountain guides have first aid kits and receive extensive training in first aid in the mountains. Every year, they receive classes from doctors who treat the most frequent problems, such as diarrhea, cuts, headaches, scrapes, etc. At the same time, they have an oxygen tank should the need arise. However, bringing your first aid kit for the trek is also recommended.
Travel Insurance
Our tours do not include travel insurance, so we highly recommend getting insurance before leaving for Peru. Travel insurance is essential if an emergency arises or if you have a severe illness. However, you can still book this tour if you do not have travel insurance.
Environmental Impact
This company is a travel agency that protects our environment. We’re a sustainability-focused company that uses biodegradable packaging for meals. This way, we reduce our impact on the planet and help lessen the effects of global warming.
Community
The most important thing for us is our workers, and of course, it means their families and the communities that everybody feels so proud of. Because they still have our culture, and thanks to all of those things, it is possible to learn more about our ancestors, their traditions, behaviors, customs, etc.
Thanks to their knowledge about our culture, we can learn more about our ancestors, their traditions, behaviors, customs, and more.
However, our job is to help them with books, computers, buildings, and the most essential points: teaching everybody how vital our culture is and protecting everything left by our ancestors. We believe in “Love just the things that you know.”