The Best Two Week Itinerary for Peru - Family Peru Itinerary
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If you’re looking for a perfect itinerary for Peru, you’re in the right place. I’ve put together an itinerary for Peru in 2 weeks that is full of activities including exploring the ancient Incan ruins, taking you to the beaches of Lima, climbing a volcano, and taking you to one of the most iconic spots in all of Peru - Machu Picchu. This is the perfect post for anyone planning at trip to Peru. If you’re wondering how many days in Peru is enough, I recommend spending at least 10 days in Peru to two weeks in Peru. However, you can visit some of the iconic spots while spending only one week in Peru. While you can’t see all of Peru in two weeks, this guide will show you the highlights of the country while immersing in local traditions, customs, and food.
Peru is a country rich in culture, especially Inca culture. Currently the country is home to 84 languages with many of them being indigenous and have been passed down throughout generations. This Peruvian itinerary will get you up close with this unique culture and environment.
Let’s dig into the perfect two week itinerary for Peru.
Table of Contents
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Day 4-6: Sacred Valley
Day 7-9: Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
Day 10-12: Cusco & Travel Home
Optional Day 12-15: Cusco & Travel Home
READ NEXT: Top 5 Activities for Families in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Here is a full map of things you need for your trip to Peru. You can select or deselect the layers to only see certain areas. I broke it down to Peru, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, and Cusco.
Day 1-4: Lima
Where to Stay in Lima
We stayed in an Airbnb in Miraflores. I definitely recommend staying in Miraflores as other parts of the city are not as safe or convenient. Use the map below to find the best place to stay in Lima that fits your group size and budget.
Day 1
You have made it to your hotel or Airbnb and settled in. Since you’ve spent a lot of planning a trip to Peru, it’s time to enjoy every second of this magnificent country.
Your first day in Peru is going to start with a walking tour of Lima’s Historic Downtown area. Since you are most likely (and I recommend) staying in Miraflores, you’ll want to hire a guide to pick you up and take you through the historic downtown Lima.
This tour will take you to the Historic Center of Lima. This is where the most important events in Peruvian history occurred. The Foundation of Lima by the Spanish Conqueror Pizarro and years later the Proclamation of Independence of Peru. You’ll also learn about Peru’s pre-Columbian past. You will walk around the Plaza San Martín,Jirón de la Unión, Plaza de Armas, and of course the mysterious Catacombs of San Francisco. The guide and tour is flexible, so be sure to stop to try churros, have a coffee, and watch the changing of the guard!
After your walking tour, take some time to wind down. Consider sitting in a local cafe or park or even take a nap.
This evening you’re going to head to dinner at Lacomar. Yes, Lacomar is technically a giant shopping center, but they also have some incredible waterfront restaurants where you can enjoy an authentic Pisco Sour or Chilcano while looking at the sea. Don’t forget to try Ceviche in Peru, it’s phenomenal.
I recommend eating at Mangos or Popular and asking for a table with a view. Ask the hostess “¿Puedo tener una mesa con vistas, Por favor?”
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Day 2
Today is going to be slow and steady. Wake up at your leisure, find some coffee, and get your walking shoes on. Today is your day to do a self-guided walking tour of Miraflores. Why self guided? Because the Lima coastline deserves your attention and time.
This walking tour is going to start at the Grau Miraflores Park. Then you’ll stay along the Malecon paths and take it leisurely past the Miraflores Light House, through Parque del Amor (Love Park), and on to Larcomar shopping center. (We stopped here, but there is much more to be explored past this!)
At Larcomar you can stop for an afternoon cocktail or a nice coffee with a view. After this, you can either head toward Kennedy Park or continue on the Malecon down to Barrancas.
Stay along the path until you get to a little park. Here you’ll find the beginning of the Bajada de Banos and the Bridge of Sighs It’s a gorgeous and Instagramable spot in Lima.
The Malecon continues on through Chorrillos. As you continue walking you will eventually end at the Cruz del Cerro. Here you will have absolutely stunning views of Lima and the beaches.
At this point, you’ve walked about 6 miles. Feel free to hail an Uber or a taxi and head back to Miraflores for a lunch break and to spend time petting the many cats of Kennedy Park.
For dinner, be sure to make reservations at Huaca Pucllana to eat amid the historic ruins and sacred sites of Huaca Pucllana. Huaca Pucllana is a 1,500-year-old archeological complex and a must visit spot in Lima.
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Day 3
Today you’ll be taking a traditional Peruvian cooking class with Haku Tours. This class was a highlight of our family trip to Lima. We took the class with 2 adults, 2 children, and a baby! There was only one other family in class so it was intimate and a good cooking pace for all.
This tour does start with shopping through a local market, so you get to experience shopping with a local for all of your ingredients before cooking.
We cooked Causa Limeña, Lomo Saltado, Salsa and potatoes, as well as had an entire Peruvian fruit tasting class. We also made the famous Peruvian drink, Chicha Morada - a sweet corn based drink. If you have food allergies or are vegetarian/vegan, you can let them know and they will work with you.
After a several course meal, it’s time to walk over to the Inka markets to stock up on souvenirs, Alpaca fur ponchos and hats, and maybe even some Inka ceramics or jewelry. These markets are HUGE, so be ready to shop!
While you’re out, be sure to stop in to an Inkafarma for altitude meds. You’ll start taking them today in preparation for your trip to Cusco tomorrow.
CHECK OUT MY GUIDE FOR: 9 Tips to Get your Child to Sleep on a Plane
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Days 4-6: Sacred Valley
Where to Stay in the Sacred Valley
There are so many places to stay in the Sacred Valley. Use the map below to choose what works for your budget and group size. I recommend staying in Ollantaytambo if you don’t stay at Casa Andina!
Day 4
It’s going to be an early wake up today. Be sure to schedule an Uber to pick you up from your Lima hotel or Airbnb.
We chose to jump on the 08:05 direct flight from Lima to Cusco. This is an easy 1-hour domestic flight. We arrived in Cusco by 09:35 AM!
Waiting for us was, Edwin, our tour guide and Michael, our driver, from Peru Spirit Adventure. They helped us load up bags and then we hit the road right out of Cusco and into the Sacred Valley.
We booked the 2-Day Sacred Valley Tour with them and have no regrets. We saw so much and it was very convenient to have the same guide/driver the entire time. It was also nice to be driven around and not have to try to figure out the roads and entry into the sites on our own. I would absolutely do this again.
After Peru Spirit Adventure picked us up, we headed to a llama farm where we were introduced to different breeds of llamas and alpacas. We also got to experience some indigenous weaving and music.
From there we headed to the town of Pisac. Here we had a delicious lunch, then walked around the town, and shopped in the street markets. I recommend getting a hat here! I wore mine every single day after I got it!
After the town, we headed to Parque Arqueológico Pisac or the Pisac Archeological Site. This is where you will purchase your 10-day Cusco tickets that will get you into many sites in the Sacred Valley & Cusco.
This site is incredible. INCREDIBLE. It sits at 9,751 ft, so be prepared to feel a bit short of breath and light headed. Take your time and take in the unbelievable scenery.
**When our baby got altitude sickness (throwing up) the guides were extremely helpful and patient. They even bought a bottle of Oxygen for us so we could help alleviate some of his discomfort. The van does carry O2 as well.
Once you’ve gone through the site, it’s time to head to your hotel. We chose to stay at Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel & Villas. We went with the Senior Villa Matrimonial. The Villa is a 71 m² comfortable room with 1 king-size bed, a queen sized sofa bed, and a terrace where you can view the beautiful landscape of the Sacred Valley. The room had a mini kitchen and a fireplace. It was PERFECT for our family.
Day 5
Today you’ll wake up and have breakfast at the hotel. (At Casa Andina, the breakfast buffet is INCREDIBLE and included with your stay.) Your guides will pick you up and it’s time for another day exploring the incredible Sacred Valley.
The first stop is going to be a short walk around the town of Ollantaytambo. After a quick orientation, you’ll head into the Ollantaytambo Archeological Site. (you will again use your Cusco ticket for entrance)
This site was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region, built the town, and a ceremonial center. At the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru, Ollantaytambo served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, leader of the Inca resistance.
Once you’ve climbed and learned all about Ollantaytambo, it’s time to head high into the Andes Mountains to Moray. Moray is a fascinating Inca site that many still speculate over.
Moray’s circular terraces (muyu in Quechua) composed of three groups that descend 490 feet (150 meters) from the highest terrace to the lowest. Each muyu has 12 levels of terraces with the largest depression having a diameter of 600-feet. Interestingly the temperature from the top of the terrace to the bottom changes by approximately 27 degrees F.
Many believe this site was used as an experimental farm where Inca people studied how climate changes crop growth. It’s truly a must see site in the Sacred Valley.
Once you’re done here, it’s a short drive to lunch at InkaSal restaurant— I recommend ordering the Causa Limena and Lomo Saltado. - it was so good. This restaurant has gorgeous views of the Sacred Valley.
After lunch, it’s time to head to the final stop of the day - Maras Salt Mines. These mines date back to pre-Inca times. They are also the largest prehispanic salt mines in Peru.
On site you will see over 3500 pools and your mind will have hard time computing it all. Each salt pool is owned and mined by a local family of the local Maras community. The salt is collected and sold in local shops or nearby towns.
In the afternoon, you’ll arrive back at your hotel. For us, it was Casa Andina and we made it back just in time for the 4PM Baby Alpaca feeding. We ordered room service for dinner and sat by the fireplace in our room relaxing the for the rest of the evening. HIGHLY recommend Casa Andina - it’s such a great hotel.
PS - We hired Miguel Palomino who went with us the entire day and took family photos. You MUST hire a photographer for at least part of your trip to Peru. If you’re looking to book family photos in Peru, check out Flytographer using THIS LINK. Use code BIGBRAVENOMAD to get $25 off your first session!
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Day 6
Today is going to be an exciting and slow day. Today, you’re transitioning from the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes which is the gateway to Machu Picchu!
We chose to take the afternoon train for two reasons. First, we wanted to have a bit of a down day and let the kids play on the playground at Casa Andina and have a slow breakfast. Second, we wanted to take the PeruRail Vistadome Observatory train for the entertainment and larger windows.
We scheduled a taxi to pick us up for a ride from the hotel down to the Ollantaytambo train station. Since PeruRail limits baggage, we checked most of our luggage at their luggage room before walking to the platform. The luggage check is BEFORE you enter the platform. It’s free to store luggage if you have tickets and very easy.
The train was on time and had easy boarding. Make sure you have your passport with you. The PeruRail Vistadome Observatory car has large tables and comfy seats.
You’ll get the chance to go back to the entertainment car for a cultural show and live music. You’ll also be offered a simple drink (coffee, water, tea) and a snack box. I felt like it was worth the price for one way, but I wouldn’t do it both ways.
**We had a hiccup with our Machu Picchu tickets, so we had to go to the tourism office and get tickets for the next day. I will have a blog on how to get last minute tickets to Machu Picchu if you can’t get the circuit or time you wanted originally. While we were out Jimmy also got our bus tickets for the next day.
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Days 7-9: Machu Picchu
Day 7
We scheduled a guided family tour through the Sumaq. This tour was a huge splurge for us and you can find details about it here. They sent a guide for the kids and guide for the adults. The kids got back packs with explorer hats and gear inside. This tour also includes lunch!
We didn’t have to meet our guide until 1PM, so we walked around town for a little bit. We also restocked on bottled water, diapers, and few other things we needed.
I signed the big kids up for a private cooking class with the Sumaq chef. At 11 AM they made quinoa cookies with icing. It was really cute and lasted about 30-40 minutes, so it was perfectly timed for us to grab some lunch before we left.
After lunch at the hotel, we headed to the bus station and started making our way to Machu Picchu. The bus goes up a very windy road for about 30 minutes. It’s comfortable, but the busses do fill up every single seat, so be readu for that!
As soon as we stepped of the bus to Machu Picchu, our two guides were waiting for us. We all used the bathroom before entering the site because there are no restrooms inside.
READ MORE on What to know Before Going to Machu Picchu with kids
Our tour lasted about 3 hours. The guides were every knowledgeable and took so many photos and awesome videos of us the entire time. The children’s guide had easy to understand visuals, kept the kids engaged, and even held their hands when walking around.
READ NEXT: What to Pack for Day Trip to Machu Picchu
Being inside Machu Picchu when you’ve thought about visiting your whole life was incredible. We did circuit 1-2 the first day and I recommend that if it’s your only day or your first day. It goes up higher, so you are looking down on the site for part of it — giving you a change for the iconic pictures of the entire site.
READ NEXT: What to Pack for Day Trip to Machu Picchu
Day 8
Today we were up early for our 0800 entry into Machu Picchu. Unlike yesterday, we are going to be walking Circuit 4 and we are going without a guide. This circuit is lower and looks more directly at Machu Picchu and the mountains than down on it.
We pretty much just walked along the marked path taking in everything we saw. It went pretty quick as there is very little elevation change on this Circuit. If you are spending 2 week in Peru, take the time to visit Machu Picchu more than one day.
However, we were also headed over to the back side of the site to hike Huchuy Picchu which is the smaller mountain of the 2 at Machu Picchu. You have to get tickets to hike this or Huayna Picchu (the larger mountain). We opted to get the tickets when we purchased our entry tickets for Machu Picchu. The entry times are one hour apart, so if you enter the citadel at 10, then your hike window starts at 11.
At the entrance to the start of both mountains, you will have to show your tickets and passports. You are also required to log in and out of their trail book.
I would rate the Huchuy Picchu trail as moderate due to the rocky trail, thin steps, and steep incline. The trail rises 220 feet in elevation in only 0.3 miles. Its over quicky, but you’ll definitely be winded.
At the top you’re rewarded with some great views of the Machu Picchu citadel from a different angle.
Read More about What to Know Before Visiting Machu Picchu with Kids
CHECK OUT MY GUIDE FOR: The Best Hiking Gear for Kids
After we came down from the hike, we made our way to the exit. We had a coffee and snack at the little cafe by the bus stop and then headed back down into Aguas Calientes.
We had lunch at a local restaurant then rested in the room for a little bit before heading to the Hot Springs. The town Aguas Calientes gets is name literally from these springs. We weren’t super impressed, but if you have extra time in Aguas Calientes, it’s worth a stop in.
Day 9
Today you are going to have breakfast at the hotel and then leave Aguas Calientes on the early train - 08:52 - bound for Ollantaytambo.
For us, we decided to book the regular seats on PeruRail and actually thought it was still a great ride. It is much cheaper and the seats are practically the same. The only real difference is there is no entertainment or snacks, but the snack cart does come around and you can pay for drinks/food.
Once you arrive in Ollantaytambo you will either get on the bus to Cusco (if you booked the tickets that way) or find you driver. For us, we hired Daytrip again. We have used Daytrip all over Europe, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. They are always prompt - will provide age appropriate car seats if necessary, and the let you choose stops along the route.
Our Daytrip driver was waiting at the gate for us as we deboarded the train. He helped carry and load our bags and even had water waiting for us in the car. I mentioned we hadn’t had lunch, so he made a stop at a cafe he liked in Urubamba for us.
Our drive was supposed to be from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, so we chose to make a stop at Sacsayhuaman. The Daytrip driver waited for us in the parking lot. We used our Cusco Tourist tickets to get in.
Sacsayhuaman was a fortress built in the 15th century. It took over 50 year and and estimated 20,000 men to build it. Many of the stones in the structure are over 100 tons and 10+ tall. The Sacsayhuaman fortress has 3 terraces that reach up to 60 feet high. The main wall is about 1770 feet in length.
Whether you choose to add this as a day trip from your time in Cusco or as a stop on your drive from the Sacred Valley, you must add Sacsayhuaman to your list of must do in Peru.
It was a short 15 minute drive from Sacsayhuaman to our Airbnb. Once we arrived, we had a smooth check in and settled in for the evening.
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Where to Stay in Cusco
We stayed in an Airbnb inside the Old City. I definitely recommend staying as close to Plaza De Armas as your budget will allow. Use the map below to find the best place to stay in Cusco that fits your group size and budget.
Day 10
Since you’re in a new city, the best way to get oriented is with a walking tour! We hired Peru Spirit Adventure again for a Cusco half day walking tour. Our guide Anthony was waiting outside our Airbnb at 0800 and ready to show us Cusco!
Our tour was 4-5 hours long. We learned so much about Cusco and Anthony was amazing with our kids and our pace. He never seemed bothered when we needed to stop to nurse the baby or console a crying kid.
We visited Plaza de Armas, the San Blas Neighborhood, he showed us the 12-Angled stone, taught us about all of the Inca stone foundations thru the city, let us stop at Starbucks for some coffee, and walked us by the Arch of Santa Clara.
Then he took us down to the San Pedro Market in Cusco. It is a massive and fantastic market. You can literally get anything here. Anthony took us to his favorite fruit vendor, then to his favorite fruit smoothy blender. He was patient as we spent about an hour shopping for gifts and souveniers.
After the market, he patiently took us over to a big grocery store to get diapers and wipes for the baby.
We ended our day with Anthony with a tour of the The Qoricancha. The Qoricancha, or Temple of the Sun, was the most important religious building during the Inca Empire. This building is absolutely fascinating and is a must see in Cusco. Lucky for our, our Airbnb was literally next door so we got to see it’s beauty a lot!
After our tour, we decided to grab lunch at the nearby restaurant called Chull’s Peruvian. It is fantastic. So good, in fact, we ate there twice! And with full bellies we made our way back to our hotel and hung out for the rest of the evening by the fireplace.
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Day 11
Today is your day! You get to pick how you spend your last full day in Cusco. For us, this was our last full day in Peru, so we mailed some things home, bought some last minute souvenirs, did some packing. But we also went out into town and did some last minute exploring.
We started our morning with a stop at the Qoricancha museum. This is different than the temple of the sun. It is a tiny museum, but has some really cool artifacts AND MUMMIES! The kids loved that.
From the Museo de Sitio Qoricancha, we walked back toward Plaza de Armas to fuel up on coffee before heading to the Museo Casa Concha. This museum has many artifacts taken from Hiram Bigham’s exploration of Machu Picchu back in the early 1900s.
This museum is exceptional and totally needs to be on your must see in Cusco list! (Spoiler alert! There are also mummies here!)
After perusing the Museo Casa Concha, we made our way back to Plaza de Armas where we shopped through a local artisan market and many of the adventure outfitter stores.
We had a long lunch at Tunupa which is located right inside of Plaza De Armas. I recommend eating here at least once during your time in Cusco — their food is phenomenal and their view of Plaza de Armas is really great.
After a delicious meal, we walked around a bit taking photos and window shopping. Along the walk home we found a little market with alpacas, so we stopped in and got some ice cream and pet the animals.
We then meandered back to our Airbnb and prepared for an early travel day the next day.
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Day 12
This was our final morning in Peru as we flew from Cusco to Lima and then from Lima to Panama. However, if you’ve got a full two weeks - this day will be your day to travel from Cusco to Puno.
There are four ways to travel from Cusco to Puno.
Take a private car which takes about 7 hours and you can stop along the way.
Take a bus which leaves around 07:30 AM and arrives around 18:00 in the evening. It makes around 4 stops along the way to use the restroom and explore a little.
Take the Titicaca Train which is an experience in itself. It only makes one stop, but offers a 3 course meal, onboard restrooms, and panoramic views the whole way.
You can fly. You will have to fly to Lima and then to Puno, so it takes just about as long as the other routes.
No matter how you decide to get to Puno, it’s worth the trip. Once you arrive, you’ll check into your hotel or Airbnb and settle in.
Day 13-14
For the next two days you’re going to explore Puno, Lake Titicaca, the Uros Islands, and more.
I suggest taking a private tour of this area to be sure you can beat some of the crowds at the more touristic locations.
Day 15
The day has come for you to fly home! I hope you have loved your time in Peru as much as we did. Our Peru family trip was something we will never forget.
This comprehensive two-week Peru itinerary for families will take you on an unforgettable adventure filled with diverse experiences and breath taking sights. From exploring the mystical Machu Picchu citadel and immersing yourself in indigenous markets to indulging in the country's culinary delights and soaking in the breathtaking landscapes, our curated journey ensures that you make the most of your time in Peru.
Whether your family has history enthusiasts, nature lovers, or foodies, this two week Peru itinerary guarantees a well-rounded exploration that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Feel free to combine days if you have less time to spend in Peru This itinerary can be shortened or lengthened to meet your family’s trip length. Get ready to embark on your 14-day Peru adventure and discover the true essence of this iconic South American country. Book your trip now and let the magic of Peru unfold before you!
Have you been to Peru? Tell me about where you went and what you loved the most in the comments.
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