8 Days in Peru – Wonder of the World Itinerary!
If you only have 8 days in Peru, you’ll make the most of your time by splitting it equally between the new and old capital cities of Lima and Cusco. Peru is a land of abundance, cultural richness, and spectacular landmarks spread out across the ancient Inca Land. Our escapade started in Lima (where all great adventures in Peru begin) then took us to the phenomenal wonder of the world Machu Picchu! This was our amazing experience.
8 Days in Peru Itinerary
- Day 1 – Arrive in Lima then Depart for Cusco. Cusco City Tour (Half-Day): Korikancha Temple, Sacsayhuamán, Tambomachay, and Plaza de Armas
- Day 2 – Sacred Valley: Awana Kancha, Mirador de Taray, and Ollantaytambo
- Day 3 – New Wonder of the World – Machu Picchu
- Day 4 – Fly back to Lima / Lunch at El Hornero / Inka Market
- Day 5 – Miraflores boardwalk and Lima day tour/Huaca Pucllana Site/Ballet Folklorico and dinner at the Brisas del Titicaca/Dance the night away after the show.
- Day 6 – Historic city center/Peruvian Gastronomy Museum/Eat the Cuy/Magic Water Circuit Fountains
- Day 7 – BBQ with amigos
- Day 8 – Depart Lima
Day 1 – Arrive in Lima & Depart for Cusco. City Tour (Half-Day): Korikancha Temple, Tambomachay & Sacsayhuamán , and Plaza de Armas
Our flight to Lima landed around 11:30 pm and right away our vacation started with a bang. No sooner had my wife cleared customs that my officer decides to do the old shakedown routine. What a way to start, I thought. The customs agent said my name came across his computer as a “hold for Interpol”. That’s right, freaking INTERPOL😂!
At that point in my life I had never even been to Europe with the exception of a short layover in Amsterdam on the way to South Africa. I was taken to a little room in the back for some dire warnings about not being able to see the judge for another 3 days. Unless, I “cooperated” (of course). The cooperating session cost me $60 US dollars and they let me go with a “Welcome to Peru, enjoy your stay”.
My childhood friend Liz and her husband picked us up and we laughed off the incident. Unfortunately, these things happen in Latin America so we just rolled with it. We soon arrived to their home and had our first Peruvian beers (Cusqueña). As it always is when catching up with cool old friends, time flies. It got really late on us quick and we had a flight to Cusco to catch around 8 am. We would all wake up in a few hours to make the trip back to the airport but took comfort in knowing that we would have several days together after the Cusco part of the trip.
Cusco Imperial City Tour
Condor Travel handled all of the arrangements for our 4 days in Cusco and we couldn’t have been happier with their service. They arranged our flights, had a driver waiting for us at the airport, and had us booked at the lovely Casa Andina Premium Cusco for 3 nights. Our hotel was actually in the 2022 romantic comedy “Without Saying Goodbye” which was filmed in several locations across Peru. The driver/guide stayed with us until we were checked in and even served us some Coca leaf tea while we waited on our room.
The altitude of Cusco is 11,152 feet above sea level! That’s 2.11 miles and more than twice of the mile high city of Denver in the US. You best believe that you will feel it, especially coming from a sea level city like Lima or Houston (where we’re from). To help alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness we did as the locals and drank coca leave tea daily during our stay. If you want an even more authentic experience, just put the leaves in your mouth and get to chewing. Either way works.
Korikancha Sun Temple
Our tour got kicked off at the Korikancha sun temple (this beautiful temple has many spellings). It was one of the most important and sacred temples of the Inca empire. The ruins are located in Santo Domingo Plaza. Like they did all across the Americas, when the Spanish arrived in Cusco they destroyed most of Korickancha. They then built the Santo Domingo Church on the foundations and the remaining walls of the temple, only preserving a small part of its indigenous beauty.
Tambomachay
We continued on to the archaeological site Tambomachay (Spanish name is El Baño del Inca). The grounds here consist of a series of aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls that run through the rocks. It was fun learning about the Inca ingenuity in how they built their aqueducts and moved water to where they needed it. We enjoyed this short stop and it was pretty close to Cusco. Tambomachay is located just 5km away from the city and can also be reached by bus.
Sacsayhuamán
Heading back towards Cusco is the towering Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán. This is a massive structure with well crafted stone masonry and impressive vistas. There is plenty to see in these ruins and you have to use your imagination to visualize just how big this place was during it’s hey day. The giant stone walls are just a portion of what remains after the Spanish took it apart to use the material elsewhere in their empire. It would have been a site to behold. Walking around what remains is still mesmerizing.
Plaza de Armas
The city tour comes to an end in the historic heart and center of Cusco, at the Plaza de Armas. Here our guide taught us many things about the way of life during the time of the Inca and the many customs and ceremonies that would take place (and still do) in the very important square. The Spanish being the Spanish of that era, demolished three Inca palaces and temples here as well, just like they did in Mexico, Colombia, and elsewhere during their conquest. They then built the 2 main churches on either sides of the square where the former palaces stood.
We were completely spent at the end of this tour. That being said, it was a well paced tour, we learned quite a bit, and it allowed us to get acclimated to the altitude. After being dropped off at our hotel we had dinner and called it a night. I don’t even think we made 9 pm, we were so tired. With day one in the books, we slept satisfied and happy.
Day 2 – Sacred Valley: Awana Kancha, Mirador de Taray, and Ollantaytambo
Awana Kancha
We had a good breakfast at our hotel and met a few tourists from the UK who were also going on our tour. The bus pulled up around 8:30 am and we made our way towards stop 1 of 3 at the Awana Kancha. This place bills itself as “the living museum of the Andes” and is more of a farm/petting zoo with some outdoor instructional exhibits. A couple of things that we really liked about this place. First, it was the native Alpacas! They have a lot more now than during our visit, but it was cool seeing them and touching them.
The second thing was not just learning about how the Inca made colors out of plants in the area but the live demonstrations. It’s one thing for them to show you some plants and tell you hey they made lots of colors out of this. But it’s very cool to watch them demonstrate it for you so there is no doubt. This a was a fun informative pit stop on the way to Ollantaytambo.
El Mirador de Taray
El Mirador de Taray is located on the road between Cuzco and the village of Pisac in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This was a pullover stop for 20 minutes or so but the beauty of this area is something to behold. The explorer in me wanted to tell the tour guide that I was good and would take a cab back. I seriously considered walking to nearby Pisac and spending the night, but wife overruled me. This place is worthy of more time. The scenery here is absolutely superb!
Ollantaytambo
The final stop and main event was Ollantaytambo. This village in the Sacred Valley sits on the Urubamba River amid some really pretty snow-capped mountains. There are also some massive Inca fortress ruins with the large stone hillside terraces to admire. Our guides did a really good job telling us the stories of this region and about a great inter Inca war that broke out here. Ollantaytambo was even the temporary capital at one point during the war against the conquistadors. Fascinating stuff and it was all easy to follow and visualize as we listened to our well informed hosts.
It’s a big complex that includes temples, Bath fountains, and an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings. The elaborate (and vertical) terraces were quite impressive in both their size and strategic placement. The Inca thought of agriculture and defense when constructing these marvelous structures. It made sense why they chose to build a town in this mythical sacred valley spot.
Of course my wife had to do some shopping in the village square. We were shown several arts and crafts areas where some local jewelry and other hand made trinkets were made. My wife also tried on a few Cholita hats before settling on the brown bowler hat that fit her perfectly. Lunch was prepared for us at local restaurant and we sipped on more coca leaf tea before returning to Cusco.
Dinner at Cicciolina’s
This evening we had more energy and our bodies were becoming more and more adjusted to the altitude. We took a stroll to the main plaza til the sun came down then settled in for dinner at Cicciolina’s which had been recommended to us by the staff at our hotel. This fusion Italian/Spanish/Peruvian restaurant was fantastic and their 4.5 rating out of almost 6,000 reviews on Tripadvisor is well deserved! Give it a try!
Day 3 – New Wonder of the World – Machu Picchu Day!!
To say that we were excited for this day would be an epic understatement. Very few places on this planet have we dreamed about visiting like we did for Machu Picchu! We had seen so many documentaries on it, read so much about it, and saw way too many screensavers in our lifetimes not to be giddy as kids as the tour company picked us up from our hotel to transfer us to the train station in the nearby town of Poroy.
Getting to Machu Picchu from Cusco
You will have to take the Cusco train to the town of Aguas Calientes. Take note that the “Cusco” train station is actually in the town of Poroy. It’s a cheap taxi/Uber ride, but give yourself at least an hour to get from Cusco to the train station. The train ride is a scenic 3.5-hour trip each way along tracks that run right along the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley. Adding to the beauty are the dramatic canyon walls on either side of the path.
There are two regular and one boujee train companies to choose from. They are the Inca Rail, Peru Rail, and the Belmond Hiram Bingham train. We rode the Peru Rail Vistadome cars and they were just fine. The cars had panoramic windows, they served coffee, and even had a cultural performance onboard for the ride back. The Hiram Bingham service is a gorgeous train for those that want that white glove treatment. You can expect white tablecloth meals with wine during the journey. It’s obviously much more expensive.
Upon arrival in the town of Aguas Calientes you will get on these little buses for the 30 minute drive all the way up to the entrance/visitor’s center of Machu Picchu. Not going to lie, that bus ride was a little suspect in some parts. There might have been some body parts tightening up and clenching around some of the bends 😂. But once we arrived, it was sheer joy! There she was in all her glory.
Machu Picchu grounds
Man I really love that pic! Okay let me get back to the post. When you get to the entrance make sure you get your passport stamped! It’s a nice big cool stamp too. Our guide wasted no time once our tickets were scanned and dove right into the tour. He took us to all the different sections of the sacred grounds and explained in detail and story, all the great facts, legends, and myths. It was freaking surreal to be quite honest. We were really in Machu Picchu. No words can properly explain it. You will have to experience it for yourselves. It literally moved some people to tears, no joke.
As we made our way towards the top viewing platform to get the shot taken and seen by millions around the world, we thoroughly enjoyed every area and room we were taken to. The various sections of ruins are easily identifiable and you are given a map when you first enter. When the tour reaches the free time to roam part, you’ll have a good idea of where to go. Instead of me going on and on about how magical this place is, how about a pic slideshow.
By the time we got to the ledge where every visitor takes the obligatory Machu Picchu pic, it had gotten quite warm. I had to buy an undershirt from the gift shop because (don’t ask me why) I wasn’t wearing one under my hoodie. Of course the only one they had in my size was one stating that I completed the Inca Trail. And I had everybody and their mother congratulating me and/or asking me how was the 4 day/3 night hike. It was funny then and still funny now.
Day 4 – Fly back to Lima / Lunch at El Hornero / Inka Market/Anticuchos
I was so happy when I woke up this day because we were still in Cusco and we were really in Machu Picchu the day before. I was not dreaming. I even took a peek at my digital camera pics just to make sure. We had our last breakfast in this treasure of a city and said goodbye to the wonderful hotel staff and made our way to the airport for our flight back to Lima. Our good friend Liz would be there waiting for us with open arms (literally). 😊
Lunch at El Hornero
No sooner had we left the airport that our Lima 101 class began in earnest! First up would be some excellent cuts of meat at El Hornero in San Isidro. This parilla restaurant was delicious and the carne was mouth watering. It is here that we were also introduced to Peru’s national drink, the Pisco Sour. Side note about this drink, Chile also claims it as their own so the neighbors have alcohol beef in addition to soccer, lol.
Another drink that ended up being one of our favorites was Inca Kola! Don’t let the ugly yellow color deter you from trying it. We found it to be pretty good. So if you like steak and a great vibe then give this place a visit and I promise you won’t be disappointed. There are a few El Hornero locations in Lima and you can use the link I provided to find one close your location.
Inka Market
After the nice heavy lunch we went back to my friend’s house to get settled in and properly catch up (and take a nap). We were received warmly by her kids and even her maid. Of course the first thing my wife asks is why she doesn’t have one. Liz would be taking us shopping at night at the Inka Market in Miraflores and then to dinner in the area so, we rested up and hung out with her fam before going out for the evening.
The Inka market is located in the Miraflores district (which we would tour in daylight the next day). Here you can find all sorts of artisan crafts and typical Peruvian souvenirs. Everything from traditional textiles, Inca style jewelry, Peru’s famous alpaca scarves/shawls, and of course Pisco! Like all Latino outdoor markets, they expect you to haggle, err.. negotiate 😄. So make sure you sharpen up your bargaining pitch.
Anticuchos (Beef Hearts) for Dinner
I really wish I was introduced to this delicacy earlier in our trip (as in as soon as we landed). This was something special, no joke. I had never in my life thought about eating beef heart meat nor had I ever seen it or tasted it. It was a such a pleasant surprise to my taste buds that if I have one lesson learned from this entire trip is that I didn’t eat more of it. I think out of the 8 days we were in Peru, I only ate anticuchos twice. The first time at Pepe’s (in picture below but no longer open) and then at our going away bbq our last day in Peru.
Day 5 – Miraflores Boardwalk and Lima day tour/Huaca Pucllana Site/Ballet Folklorico and dinner at the Brisas del Titicaca/Dance the night away after the show.
This was a pretty special day as it was my birthday! We woke up late on this overcast Friday morning and enjoyed a big breakfast where Liz informed us we would tour the city via the Mirabus. WTF is a Mirabus?, I asked puzzled. “You know those double decker open air tour buses”, Liz responded matter of factly. My friend had truly been assimilated while living in Peru 😆. The Mirabus! I loved it. Her Spanish had also improved dramatically, it was awesome.
So back to the Mirabus tour. It took us all around the Miraflores and San Isidro districts which were some really nice areas. During the tour we were able to get off and walk around the Huaca Pucllana excavation site. This urban archeological site is a great adobe and clay pyramid right smack in the middle of Miraflores. The surrounding urbanization reduced it’s size but it’s still impressive.
And of course all of my pics were either blurry or were shit. I was able to take some barely decent ones (albeit gray due to weather) along the famous “Malecón” (“Miraflores Boardwalk”). It’s unfortunate that the weather didn’t cooperate because Lima really does have a nice coastline. Really wish I had better pics to share but if you walk along this boardwalk you will absolutely enjoy the vibe and views. Slideshow below.
Embarcadero 41 – Lunch on the coast with a view
We had built up quite an appetite from the day touring and there could only be one choice for lunch. Ceviche, more ceviche, and then just a little more ceviche. Peru is world renown for this seafood delight and it is considered their flagship dish which they take immense pride in. Embarcadero 41 does the country proud in the various ways they serve it. Follow that link to their website and just watch all the various examples of the amazing food created there by their chefs.
Noche de Folklore dinner and show at the Brisas del Titicaca
When I stated earlier that our friend was an ultimate host, I literally meant the compliment as in there is no comparison. We started the early evening at their home pre-game drinking and got introduced to some of their friends who would be joining us for the night. It was here that I met a character that still cracks me up to this day when I think back to this night or look at the pictures and videos. My Arabic amigo Jalamela. Lmao, okay that is an inside joke. The dude was Peruvian and was a ball of fun to be around.
For my birthday night celebration they had a chauffeured van booked that took us to and from the Brisas del Titicaca. This venue puts on a super entertaining show on the weekends. We saw dances and performances from the different regions of Peru and all were accompanied by a live band/orchestra. While the dancing takes place on the main floor, there are also different performers in costumes walking around having fun with those in attendance. The whole time we were eating, drinking, and having a great time.
Before we got too far into the night they brought out my birthday cake. We had to cut the cake before the dance club part of the evening started. It was a very nice surprise as I wasn’t expecting one and this birthday was already one for the books. It was only about to get better. When the folklore dances are done there is a live cover band that comes on and a dj to dance the night away. And man did we dance. It was perfect.
Day 6 – Historic city center/Peruvian Gastronomy Museum/Eat the Cuy/Magic Water Circuit Fountains
There might have been a couple of hangovers on this day. We didn’t get started til late in the morning as we recovered from the night before. I’ve stated many times on various blog posts in the past, my favorite parts of any old cities, is their historic center. We walked the plaza and got to admire the beautiful square with it’s old churches and government buildings. And there was a certain energy in the air as well and the place started to get packed. We would soon find out why.
Our visit just happened to coincide with a religious holiday because on July 16th is when Peru celebrates one of the virgins. We got to witness a religious procession in honor of Our Lady of Carmel. It was a slow moving parade of sorts with music, incense being burned, and images of the Virgen being carried by the faithful. The whole thing reminded me of the catholic procession scene in the Godfather II movie.
Visit the Museum of Peruvian Gastronomy
Some blocks away was the Museum of Peruvian Gastronomy. This was an educational stop to learn and shed some light on the details and nuances of Peruvian cuisine. The exhibits go over the history of Peruvian cooking and methods used. We learned quite a bit about the native plants, vegetables, and fruits used in popular dishes and how food has evolved in Peru. I’d say this stop is worth at least an hour.
Peruvian Cuy!
For lunch we were taken to a restaurant to have Cuy (guinea pig). I know what you’re thinking, wtf?! Yes I know that Guinea pigs are beloved pets in the US where kids/adults keep them as household companions. But they are also loved in Peru (and Ecuador) as well, but for another reason. They are raised to be eaten! Guinea pigs originated in the Andes and are known as cuy and were domesticated by indigenous people for their meat. The pigs are fattened up and bigger than the ones found in the US.
So what does it taste like? I’d say that their meat taste a little like rabbit and you can order it fried or grilled. Don’t be scared, you have to give it a chance! Along with the Cuy we had other Peruvian dishes, which I apologize upfront because I don’t have the names. I do have some nice pics though, lol. Maybe someone can name them in the comments.
Magic Water Circuit Fountains
We were taken to the Magic Water Circuit Fountains in the evening to watch the spectacular lights and water show. I had left my camera at Liz’s house and she sent me her pics later on. After searching 3 external hard drives, I can’t find that file. Oh well, it’s 2023 and if you just google Water Fountains in Lima and click images you can get your fill of pics of them. I have also linked to the official site which has a nice intro video. You can’t leave Lima without checking them out.
Day 7 – Going away BBQ with amigos.
Our last and final day had arrived and it landed on a Sunday fun day. Breakfast and coffee with our amiga and her beautiful wonderful family was followed up with tasty farewell BBQ and drinks. Our new buddies from my birthday night came over and we even caught a soccer game on tv. My wife and I packed our luggage that night and couldn’t thank our hosts enough for the kindness, generosity, and warmth shown to us throughout our stay. Epic time, Epic hosts, Epic Peru 💖
Summary/Things to know/Other links
- This is a vacation we took in 2011 but all the places we mentioned are still there. Lima, Miraflores, the Malecón, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu didn’t go anywhere, lol. Both Viator Cusco and Viator Lima all list the places that we visited in the tours that they offer. All of the website links are up to date (2023).
- There are still only 2 ways to get to Machu Picchu. Hike the Inca Trail or cab/train/bus it like we did.
- You must have your passport to visit Machu Picchu.
- Always do your due diligence before planning any trip and check the US government website for any travel advisories and other important information. Political unrest does happen every once in a while.
- Delta and LATAM Airlines have direct flights from Lima to Cusco.