Morning — Colonial Downtown Panorama

Begin with a scenic orientation through the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the political and spiritual heart of the former City of Kings. Gaze up at the yellow façade of the Municipal Palace, the ornate balconies of the Palacio Arzobispal, and the commanding lines of Lima’s Cathedral, first consecrated in the 16th century. Inside, chapels gleam with gilded altars and quiet stone—the perfect place to feel the city’s layered time.

Casa Aliaga — A Living Colonial Mansion

Step into Casa Aliaga, granted by conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Captain Jeronimo de Aliaga. Still held by the same family, the house preserves carved cedar staircases, painted tiles, and salons hung with ancestral portraits—an intimate window into Lima’s aristocratic past that few destinations can match.

Afternoon — Pueblo Libre & Larco Museum

Continue to the traditional district of Pueblo Libre and the exquisite Larco Museum, set in a whitewashed viceregal mansion draped in bougainvillea and built atop a 7th-century pre-Columbian platform. Its galleries unfold a masterclass in ancient Peruvian civilizations—Chavín, Moche, Nazca, Wari, Lambayeque, Chimú and Inca—through gold and silver finery, feathered regalia, ritual vessels and the renowned collection of erotic ceramics that illuminate beliefs about fertility and cosmology.

Don’t miss the visible storage—row upon row of impeccably catalogued ceramics—and the garden café for a refreshing maracuyá juice or a light dessert before you return to the coast.

Rest of Day — At Leisure

The late afternoon is yours. Meander the Malecón in Miraflores, browse indie galleries in Barranco, or settle in for an early dinner: citrus-bright ceviche, creamy ají de gallina, or wood-fired anticuchos. Pair with a classic pisco sour or a zesty chilcano.

Tips: Modest attire is respectful inside churches; photography may be restricted in parts of Casa Aliaga and the Cathedral. Lima traffic is lively—allow buffer time between districts. Evenings can be cool along the cliffs; carry a light layer.

Afternoon — Cusco Highlights Tour

Begin at the Convent of Santo Domingo, a Renaissance–Baroque complex built atop the Inca Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun). Perfectly fitted ashlar walls still ring the base—ancient chronicles recall gold sheathing and solar iconography once dazzling these chambers.

Continue to the Cusco Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, an imposing repository of colonial art, carved pulpits and silverwork. Then ride up to the hilltops for the cyclopean terraces of Sacsayhuamán, whose zigzag ramparts command sweeping views over Cusco’s red-tiled roofs.

Trace Inca ritual landscapes at Qenqo—its carved channels, niches and amphitheater-like curve suggest ceremonies tied to agriculture and cosmos—before visiting Puka Pukara (“Red Fortress”), a strategic complex of walls, bathhouses and watchtowers crowning a prominent ridge.

Flight Note: Lima → Cusco flight not included. Schedule a morning arrival in CUZ by 10:30 to keep the full tour.

Altitude & Comfort Tips

• Cusco sits at ~3,400 m—walk gently on day one; hydrate well and avoid heavy meals.
• Wear layered clothing; afternoons are warm in the sun, cool in shade and evenings.
• Good footwear for uneven stonework at the archaeological sites.

Moray — The Inca’s Living Geometry

Walk the rim for wide-angle views of ever-widening terraces stepping down 30+ meters. Temperature shifts between levels could mimic different Andean zones, letting Inca agronomists test crops from maize to quinoa. Notice the impeccable stone retaining walls, discreet stair stones, and channels that wick rain from the bowl—form meeting function with elegant restraint.

Maras — The Terraced Salt Pans

Continue a short drive to the otherworldly Salineras de Maras. Fed by a mineral spring since pre-Inca times, thousands of honeycomb ponds climb the hillside in chalk-white tiers. As water evaporates under highland sun, crystals blush pink with trace minerals—long prized by local communities and once taxed by the Inca state. From the mirador, the valley drops away in dramatic folds, making for stunning photos.

Browse small cooperative stalls for pink salt, herb blends and artisanal snacks (own expense). Purchases support families who still tend the pans by hand.

Return to Cusco

Afternoon transfer back to your hotel in Cusco. The rest of the day is at leisure—ease into a café on the Plaza de Armas, sample cuy or alpaca at a contemporary Andean kitchen, or wander San Blas’ ateliers for ceramics and textiles.

Practical Tips

• Sun is intense at altitude—use high-SPF, hat, and sunglasses.
• Wear sturdy shoes for uneven paths and terrace steps.
• Carry small cash for community stalls and restroom stops.
• Hydrate steadily; keep movements unhurried to respect the altitude.

Bus to the Citadel

At Aguas Calientes, switch to the shuttle for a ~25-minute switchback climb to Machu Picchu. Each bend reveals a higher sweep of jungle-clad ridges until the citadel appears—stone upon stone, poised between Huayna Picchu and the roaring river far below.

Guided Exploration — The Inca’s Mountain Sanctuary

With your expert guide, trace the citadel’s spine from the Guardian’s Hut overlook to the Temple of the Sun, Royal Residence, ritual fountains and agricultural terraces. Learn how emperor Pachacuti likely envisioned this retreat in the 15th century, how its ashlar masonry locks like a puzzle, and how the jungle kept the site unseen during the colonial era. Watch mist drift and condors ride thermals while llamas graze on emerald lawns.

Back to Aguas Calientes — Lunch & Leisure

Return by shuttle to Aguas Calientes for lunch at the renowned Café Inkaterra, a thatched, garden-rimmed spot tucked between rails and mountains. The afternoon is yours: browse artisan markets, sip a coca tea by the river, or simply rest to the sound of rushing water.

Good to Know

• Bring: Passport (checked against your ticket), reusable water bottle, hat, high-SPF, light rain layer.
• Bags: Citadel limits large backpacks; keep a small daypack.
• Rules: No drones/tripods; follow one-way circuits set by park staff.
• Health: Hydrate steadily; the cloud forest can be humid and sunny in turns.
• Timing: Entry windows are fixed—please be punctual for bus/train schedules.

Optional: Second Entry to Machu Picchu (own arrangement)

A second visit lets you follow a different one-way circuit for alternate viewpoints and photos. Required items—second-entry ticket and shuttle bus Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu—are subject to availability and must match your preferred entry time. Carry your passport; it is checked at the gate.

• Huayna Picchu (extra permit; limited spaces): A steep, switchback hike ~360 m above the citadel to dizzying terraces and lookout points. Expect narrow stairs and exposure—best for sure-footed hikers.
• Inti Punku (Sun Gate) (access/routes vary by regulation; subject to availability): A rewarding ascent ~390 m above the site with classic postcard views when permitted. Check current rules before booking.

Prefer a gentler morning?

Stroll the riverside path, sip coca or muña tea, visit the local market, or soak (own cost) in the hot springs that gave Aguas Calientes its name.

Afternoon — Train & Road Back to Cusco

Meet at the Aguas Calientes station for your train to Ollantaytambo, watching the Urubamba flash silver between jungle walls. On arrival, your driver awaits for the scenic road transfer across the Sacred Valley and up to Cusco. Check in and enjoy a relaxed evening at altitude.

Practical Tips

• Book early for second-entry tickets and Huayna Picchu permits; bring your passport and respect fixed time slots.
• Pack light for the citadel: small daypack, water, hat, high-SPF, rain shell; trekking poles may require rubber tips and are sometimes restricted.
• Huayna Picchu has steep, narrow steps with drop-offs—avoid in rain or if you’re uncomfortable with heights.
• Keep your train boarding pass handy; arrive at the station 30–40 minutes before departure.

Departure Notes

• Allow ample time for altitude-friendly pacing at the airport—walk unhurriedly and hydrate.
• Keep your passport, e-ticket and any souvenirs (salt, textiles, ceramics) easily accessible for screening.
• Pack fragile items in soft layers; liquids must meet airline regulations (100 ml per container, in a clear bag).

Included Today: Private hotel → CUZ airport transfer.
Optional: If your flight departs later, consider a light lunch and gentle stroll—save stair climbs for another visit.