2 days in Peru: the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   MorningWorth the time, book ahead

   Machu Picchu

   A fifteenth century Inca citadel on a ridge high above the river, with terraces, temples and houses wrapped in cloud forest. Arrive early with a booked time, follow the route, stay behind the ropes and give the morning mist time to lift.

   Go when Morning, soon after opening, when the mist lifts.

   Local tip Entry is timed and limited, and the route through the ruins is one way. Bring your passport, water, sun protection and a rain jacket. Check ahead on the rules.

   

   About 51 min by car42.1 km
2. 2
   MorningWorth the time

   Moray

   A set of circular terraces that step down into the ground like an amphitheater, thought to have been used to test crops at different heights. Photogenic and quiet early in the morning.

   Go when Morning, when the terraces are quiet.

   Local tip A short walk at the rim is enough. Keep to the marked paths, because the terraces are a fragile site and the steps are uneven.

   

3. Lunch

   Empanadas from the bakery

   Baked empanadas filled with cheese or meat, from the wood oven of the market bakery. A light first lunch at altitude.

   Local tip Eat lightly on your first day, and drink plenty of water.

   About 50 min by car40.5 km
4. 3
   AfternoonA base for the night

   Aguas Calientes

   The town at the foot of Machu Picchu, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo. There is no road link from the valley, so most visitors come by train. A base of steep lanes, a river and a hot spring, and an early night before the big day.

   Go when Afternoon, after the train.

   Local tip Go to bed early, because the buses to Machu Picchu start before dawn. Most visitors arrive and leave by train, so book your return seat too.

   

   About 42 min by car30.6 km
5. 4
   AfternoonWorth the time

   Ollantaytambo

   An Inca town whose street plan is still the old one, below a fortress and a hillside of terraces. Climb the terraces slowly, because the steps are steep, and the thin air makes them feel steeper.

   Go when Afternoon, with time for the terraces and the lanes.

   Local tip The steps are steep, so stop to breathe. The fortress is best in soft light, and the town has lanes worth a walk once the day groups leave.

   

6. Dinner

   Corn, cheese and a bowl of soup

   Large-kernel Andean corn with fresh cheese, then a warm bowl of quinoa soup. Plain, filling and gentle on the stomach.

   Local tip Skip the heavy meat and the alcohol on your first night.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. Drive from OllantaytamboAbout 51 min by car42.1 km

   Where Day 1 ended.
2. 1
   MorningWorth the time

   Plaza de Armas

   The central square of Cusco, ringed by arcades and two grand churches, on what was the heart of the Inca capital. Take it slowly, sit on a bench and let your breathing settle.

   Go when Morning, with a slow start.

   Local tip Sit and let your body settle after the valley. Cusco is high, so a gentle first hour is best, and the cafes around the square are a good place for a quiet tea.

   

   About 13 min walk1.1 km
3. 2
   MorningWorth the time

   Sacsayhuamán

   A fortress on the hill above Cusco, whose zigzag walls are built of enormous stones fitted without mortar. High and breezy, with a long view over the city. Take it slowly, since you will be at altitude.

   Go when Morning, while the air is cool.

   Local tip It is high above the city, so the walk up is hard. Take a taxi to the top and walk down if you feel the altitude. Bring water and sun protection.

   

4. Lunch

   Chicken soup and a salad

   A bowl of chicken soup with noodles and herbs, a Peruvian favorite for settling the stomach.

   Local tip Drink plenty of water, and avoid raw food from street stalls.

5. Dinner

   Lomo saltado

   Strips of beef stir-fried with onions, tomatoes and chilies, served over rice and fries. A classic of Peruvian cooking.

   Local tip It can be spicy, so ask for it mild if you prefer.