As a travel advisor with Pure Magic Vacations, I help clients plan many different kinds of journeys around the world. I recently travelled through Peru on National Geographic Journeys: Explore Machu Picchu, an eight-day guided tour operated by G Adventures that visited Lima, the Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu was the landmark I had most anticipated, but the highlights of my journey extended far beyond it. Peru’s culture, breathtaking landscapes, welcoming communities, incredible food and remarkable history made every stage of the trip memorable.

In this day-by-day recap, I’ll share the places, experiences, and memorable moments that shaped my journey, while offering a closer look at what travelling through Peru can be like.

Peru in 8 Days: Itinerary at a Glance

• Day 1: Lima and Miraflores

• Days 2–3: The Sacred Valley, Moray, Maras, Potato Park, Ollantaytambo and Pisac

• Day 4: Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

• Day 5: Machu Picchu

• Day 6: Cusco and the Cusco Planetarium

• Day 7: Historic Lima

• Day 8: Departure

 

Day 1: Miraflores and Historic Lima

My journey began in Lima, Peru’s bustling capital. After a long flight, I was immediately drawn to the city’s coastal setting. Lima is often treated as a gateway to Peru’s better-known destinations, but it’s well worth taking time to explore.

I stayed in Miraflores, which made it easy to walk along the Malecón de Miraflores, a scenic clifftop promenade overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, I visited Parque Antonio Raimondi, Faro La Marina and Parque del Amor.

That afternoon, I joined a historic city tour to learn more about Lima’s past and character. As I explored, I began to understand why Peru appeals to travellers interested in culture, history and world-class cuisine.

Day 2: Moray, Maras and the Sacred Valley

The next morning, we flew to Cusco and began our journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The scenery changed almost immediately. Towering mountains, winding rivers and traditional villages created postcard-worthy views around every corner.

Our first stop was Moray, an ancient agricultural site known for its enormous circular terraces. Looking down into these carefully engineered rings, I couldn’t help but admire the ingenuity of the Inca civilization. It’s remarkable to think that agricultural experiments were taking place here centuries before modern farming science.

Looking down over the circular agricultural terraces of Moray, one of the Sacred Valley’s most remarkable Inca sites.
 

We then visited Maras, where thousands of salt pools cascade down the mountainside. These terraces have been used since pre-Inca times, which made the experience even more fascinating. Naturally, I brought home a little salt as a reminder of my time there.

That evening, we enjoyed a meal at Inkalicious Restaurant featuring traditional Andean ingredients and flavours. Our food had been cooked underground throughout the day, and the flavour was incredible. Food became one of my favourite ways to connect with Peru’s culture and history.

As a vegetarian, I also appreciated how easy it was to find suitable meals throughout the trip. Vegetarian and vegan choices were widely available, and many restaurants offered an entire page of meat-free options. Peru’s celebrated food culture was one of the highlights of my journey.

Lomo saltado, one of Peru’s best-known dishes, served with rice, corn and fried potatoes during the journey.
 

Day 3: Potato Park, Ollantaytambo and Pisac

One of the most meaningful experiences of the trip was visiting Potato Park, a community-led conservation project dedicated to preserving native potato varieties. Before this visit, I’d never understood how central the potato is to Andean culture.

I learned that Peru is home to approximately 3,500 varieties of potatoes. That’s right: 3,500! I had no idea there were that many varieties in the world, let alone in one country. Learning about traditional farming methods gave me a much deeper appreciation for the connection between agriculture, heritage and community in this region.

I met an alpaca during our group’s visit to Potato Park in the Sacred Valley.

We also learned about traditional weaving techniques passed down through generations. Watching local artisans transform natural fibres into vibrant textiles was fascinating.

Later, we explored the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac. Ollantaytambo felt like stepping directly into history. Its massive stone terraces and remarkably intact streets offered a glimpse into life during the Inca Empire.

Perched high above the valley floor, Pisac offered some of the most spectacular views of the trip. Standing among centuries-old ruins and looking across the surrounding mountains was a moment I won’t soon forget. It was also one of the first times I felt the effects of the elevation. Climbing the stairs and trails left me noticeably out of breath!

The dramatic peaks and valleys of the Andes formed the backdrop to much of the journey through Peru.
 

Day 4: The Train to Aguas Calientes

I’ve taken many train rides over the years, but the journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes ranks among my favourites. As the train followed the Urubamba River through steep mountain valleys, the landscape seemed to change constantly.

Every window, including those in the roof, framed another remarkable view. Aguas Calientes is a small town at the base of Machu Picchu and serves as the starting point for most visitors.

The excitement in town was contagious. Everyone seemed to share the same anticipation for the following morning. That night, I went to sleep knowing I was only hours away from visiting one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites.

 

Day 5: Visiting Machu Picchu

I’ve seen thousands of photos of Machu Picchu, but none of them prepared me for the real thing. Mine won’t fully prepare you, either.

As the morning mist slowly lifted from the mountains, the ancient citadel revealed itself. The setting was every bit as dramatic and magical as people describe. Walking through the temples, terraces and stone pathways with our guide, Edward, brought the site’s history to life.

Beyond its architectural brilliance, the location itself was extraordinary. Surrounded by jagged Andean peaks and cloud forests, Machu Picchu seemed almost suspended between earth and sky. It was easy to understand why it remains one of the world’s most celebrated travel destinations.

We couldn't have asked for better weather. Our day began with a cloudy 6:00 a.m. start at the bus stop, but the sun appeared as we reached the top and gradually cleared the sky. The entire experience was emotional and completely unforgettable.

 

Day 6: Cusco and the Cusco Planetarium

After the excitement of Machu Picchu, I enjoyed spending a full day exploring Cusco. Ancient Inca stonework forms the foundation of many colonial-era buildings, creating a fascinating blend of cultures and architectural styles.

Walking through the city’s streets gave me a deeper appreciation for Peru beyond its archaeological sites. Cusco felt like a place where different periods of history were still visible everywhere we looked.

That evening, we visited the Cusco Planetarium. Learning about Inca astronomy was another memorable part of the trip. The Incas closely observed the heavens and used their astronomical knowledge to guide agriculture, ceremonies and daily life.

Looking through telescopes beneath the clear Andean sky offered a meaningful connection to the Inca people’s enduring relationship with the stars.

 

Day 7: Plaza Mayor and Historic Lima

Returning to Lima gave me an opportunity to experience another side of Peru’s history. The historic centre is filled with beautiful colonial architecture and significant landmarks.

We visited the San Francisco Monastery and its famous catacombs, which were both fascinating and slightly eerie. I also spent time exploring Plaza Mayor before enjoying one final taste of Peruvian cuisine and, of course, a traditional pisco sour.

I may have enjoyed more than one pisco sour during my time in Peru! It felt like the perfect way to celebrate the end of an incredible journey.

 

Day 8: The Journey Home

As I boarded my flight home, I realized Peru had given me much more than incredible photographs. It gave me a deeper appreciation for one of the world’s most fascinating civilizations and left me hoping to return one day.

 

What I Loved Most About Peru

Machu Picchu was extraordinary, but many of the moments that stayed with me came from the experiences surrounding it:

• Learning from local communities in the Sacred Valley

• Watching the morning mist clear over Machu Picchu

• Exploring remarkable examples of Inca engineering

• Experiencing Peru’s rich culinary traditions

• Travelling through breathtaking mountain landscapes

• Meeting fellow travellers who shared the same sense of wonder

 

What This Guided Peru Itinerary Was Like

This was a varied and active itinerary, with internal flights, road travel, a scenic train journey and plenty of walking. I noticed the elevation while exploring some of the archaeological sites, but having the transportation and daily arrangements organized made the journey much easier. I was also impressed by how widely vegetarian and vegan meals were available.

Would I Recommend This Guided Peru Itinerary?

Absolutely. National Geographic Journeys: Explore Machu Picchu offered an excellent balance of history, culture, nature and adventure. The eight-day G Adventures itinerary included Peru’s most iconic landmarks while also creating opportunities to learn from local communities and better understand the traditions of the Andes.

Travelling as part of a guided tour added important context to everything I saw. Our guides helped bring the history to life, while the planned transportation and experiences made it easier to navigate a destination with changing elevations and several different stops.

Whether you are visiting Peru for the first time or have always dreamed of seeing Machu Picchu, this journey offers memorable experiences from beginning to end. 

Pure Magic Vacations travel advisors help clients plan guided journeys and other vacations throughout the world. National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures is one way to explore Peru, while Adventures by Disney offers a different style of guided experience. One of our Travel Advisors can help you compare the options and find an itinerary suited to your interests, comfort level and preferred way of travelling.
 

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About the Author

Marie LaRocca is a Travel Advisor with Pure Magic Vacations, specializing in Disney vacations and luxury adventure travel around the world. She is passionate about creating personalized travel experiences that become lifelong memories.

Follow along for travel inspiration on Instagram @mariespuremagicvacations
 

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Planning magical vacations for families since 2011, Pure Magic Vacations is EarMarked by Disney Travel Agency - Platinum Level