Exploring Peru: A Guide from Lima to Machu Picchu
Peru is a land of rich history, stunning landscapes, and ancient civilizations. In this Peru travel guide, I'll share my unforgettable journey, including top destinations like Lima, Cusco, and the world-famous Machu Picchu.
Preparing for Altitude
Cusco and Machu Picchu are at high elevation which can affect travelers who are not accustomed to altitude. Altitude sickness, with its headaches, nausea and shortness of breath, can really sneak up on you so be prepared with a little advance preparation before you leave home. Consult with your local travel clinic or family doctor for prescription medication. The hotels we stayed at provided complimentary coca tea, a traditional remedy, and coca candies are readily available at stores.
How I Explored Peru
My travel companion and I wanted the comfort and convenience of an organized tour so I booked us with one of the Virtuoso preferred tour operators I use. Our tour included private transfers, accommodations, small group tours of between 4 and 12 guests, entry tickets, transportation, and a local host in each new destination who helped us understand the next steps on the itinerary and gave recommendations for local activities and restaurants. This was a wonderful way to travel to a new destination with complex logistics.
Discovering Lima: Top Attractions and Culinary Delights
Our journey began in Lima, the bustling capital of Peru, known for its colonial architecture, world-renowned cuisine, oceanfront cliffs, and crazy traffic. The historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts well-preserved buildings such as the Plaza Mayor, the ornate San Francisco Monastery, and the impressive Government Palace. One of the highlights was exploring Miraflores, an upscale district perched along the cliffs with sweeping views of the Pacific and home to Huaca Pucllana, built 1000 years before Machu Picchu and used for ritual activities; the site remained largely unknown until the 1980s when excavations uncovered its historical significance. We visited Parque del Amor (Lovers' Park), famous for its romantic sculptures, mosaic-tiled benches, and the towering El Beso statue depicting an embracing couple. Lima is also a culinary capital, and we couldn’t leave without trying the national dish of ceviche at Punto Azul (an excellent recommendation from our local host), located several blocks from our Hotel Pullman Miraflores.
Cusco: A Cultural Hub in the Andes
A short flight to Cusco brought us to a city steeped in history and culture and our home for a night at the Casa Andina Premium Cusco hotel. At 3,400 meters above sea level, exploring its cobbled streets and ancient ruins took a little acclimatization. Our full day tour included the Plaza de Armas - the city’s cultural heart - surrounded by boutiques, restaurants, markets and stunning colonial buildings, including Cusco Cathedral and the Church of La Compañía de Jesús.
A visit to Qoricancha, once the most important temple in the Inca Empire, revealed the fascinating blend of Inca and Spanish influences, as its foundations now support the Santo Domingo Convent – it’s like the stones hold the stories of two worlds. It was interesting to learn how Inca temples were built with precisely cut, interlocking stones and slightly inclined walls to withstand earthquakes while less important structures, like homes and storage buildings, used rougher stonework.
Sacsayhuamán: The Fortress Above Cusco
Just outside of Cusco, we visited Sacsayhuamán (pronounced a bit like ‘sexy woman’), an impressive Inca fortress overlooking the city. I couldn’t believe the scale of the site and the size of the stones—some over 100 tons! It’s mind-boggling how they achieved that level of engineering without modern tools; our guide explained how the Incas used wooden inserts and water to split large stones along natural faults. The walls were constructed in a distinctive zigzag pattern and feature the Inca symbols of the puma, condor, and serpent.
Sadly, much of the smaller stonework from the site was removed and repurposed by the Spanish for construction in Cusco but despite this loss, the engineering precision and monumental scale of Sacsayhuamán remain truly astounding. Standing atop the fortress provided a breathtaking panoramic view of Cusco below.
A short distance away for our next stops, Qenqo is a fascinating site that feels a bit mysterious. It’s thought to have been a ceremonial center, with carved rock channels, underground chambers, and an altar likely used for ritual offerings. Puca Pucara, or "Red Fortress", is a smaller Inca site, with strategic hilltop position and reddish tint at sunset that was used as a military outpost or a resting spot for Inca nobles traveling to and from Cusco.
The Sacred Valley: From Pisaq to Ollantaytambo
Descending into the Sacred Valley, we explored Pisaq, a town famous for its archaeological site and vibrant artisan market. The ruins of Pisaq are perched high above the valley, with burial chambers and impressive agricultural terraces, where the Incas perfected crop cultivation on steep slopes. Did you know that Peru is home to over 3,000 varieties of potatoes and hundreds of types of corn and quinoa, many still grown using traditional methods?!
We couldn’t help but enjoy ourselves when school children eagerly asked to take photos with us—it was a heartwarming and unexpected part of the day that blended the ancient with the modern.
Further into the valley, Ollantaytambo was another fascinating stop. “Tambo” is a Quechua word for a station (like a roadhouse) that provided shelter and supplies along the Inca routes. Ollantaytambo has massive terraces and temples that are remarkably intact, and it’s easy to see the many watchtowers along the route. It’s a very pretty town with narrow cobblestone streets and family-run restaurants. Here we stopped for the night at the Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel, and an early departure to Machu Picchu.
Aguas Calientes: The Gateway to Machu Picchu
From Ollantaytambo, the scenic Vistadome train whisked us along to Aguas Calientes, the small town at the base of Machu Picchu. The comfortable 90 minute journey followed the winding Urubamba River, providing breathtaking views of the lush steep mountains. Porters on the train served tea and a few snacks.
Space onboard the train is limited to passenger seating, and there is no dedicated luggage area or underseat storage, so travellers are restricted to bringing 1 overnight bag weighing no more than 17 pounds. Our hotel in Cusco stored our larger luggage for our return.
Visiting Machu Picchu: Essential Tips for an Unforgettable Experience
Machu Picchu operates on a timed ticket system, where visitors enter during their designated time slot. To reach the site, we boarded a designated bus that climbed up steep switchbacks, offering dramatic views of the valley and mountains; the ride took about 30 minutes and can only be done by one of the licensed buses with their skilled drivers. Washrooms at the visitor centre are paid, so be sure to bring some soles coins with you and use the washrooms before you enter the site. Weather can also change quickly here as we discovered, so pack a light rain jacket or poncho. There are lots of stairs with handrails, and some sections that could get slippery or muddy, as well as uneven stone sections, so it’s important to watch your step and wear suitable footwear; that may seem obvious, but there were people walking around uncomfortably in heels or flip flops.
Our group embarked on Trail 2, a route that provided fantastic perspectives of the ruins while offering a manageable yet rewarding hike. The benefit of being in a small group tour became very clear as we were able to climb the staircases quickly and take advantage of the best photo opportunities without crowds. It also gave us time to stop and enjoy the many orchid varieties and wildflowers.
Walking through the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone, and the Temple of the Condor, I marveled at the incredible structures and the surrounding mountains and sheer cliffs added to the site’s mystical atmosphere, making it clear why Machu Picchu is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. I would really recommend visiting with a licensed guide who can share the history and mysteries of this spectacular site as there is so much to see and learn.
After several incredible hours exploring this UNESCO wonder, it was time to head back to Aguas Calientes on the bus. We were welcomed with a delicious beverage for our stay at the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, located in a lovely location on the riverbanks and the perfect location for exploring the town.
For anyone enjoying a long day of hiking, a soak in Aguas Calientes' hot springs would be a perfect way to recharge - and if you forget your swimsuit, you can rent one from enterprising locals. The winding town also has a butterfly garden, and lots of boutiques, restaurants, and a bustling market to enjoy - the perfect way to spend a morning exploring its hilly streets. We found a lovely store selling silver near the hot springs where they proudly demonstrated their jewellery-making skills.
From Aguas Calientes, we embarked the train back to Cusco where the porters entertained us with a fashion show of locally produced alpaca products and a costumed dancer who performed a Saqra which is known for its joyful, lively steps.
For our final night in Cusco, we enjoyed more time to explore and to have a delicious meal with live music at the Inkagrill, then a quick repack for our next journey and morning flight.
Next Stop: The Jungle & Galapagos
From Cusco, we headed off for our next adventure with Three Days in Peru’s Jungle followed by an expedition cruise in the Galapagos.
Final Thoughts
From Lima’s coastal beauty and vibrant districts to the ancient wonders of the Sacred Valley and the breathtaking heights of Machu Picchu, this journey through Peru was a deep dive into history, culture, and natural beauty. It left me wanting to return and explore more regions in Peru.
Every moment in Peru is like stepping into a vibrant history book paired with unparalleled natural beauty. What would you like to experience in Peru? Share your questions with me or reach out for a personalized travel itinerary!
