Last Updated on November 8, 2026 by Michael R. Barthelmess
So What’s the best 5 day Peru itinerary? The best itinerary depends on your personal schedule and what you want to experience in Cusco. However, one of the most popular and highly recommended itineraries is as follows: Arrive in Cusco on day one for light sightseeing, take the Sacred Valley tour on day two, hop on the train to Agua Calientes on day three, take the Machu Picchu guided tour on day four and the return to Cusco airport on day five.
This complete description of the 5-Day Peru itinerary will go through all the details along with a precise schedule of everything you can see and experience during the Peru tour package.
This itinerary highlights locations in the the highlands and the cloud forest, Cusco, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
Activities include some light walks in Cusco, A full day excursions into (Urubamba) Sacred Valley, exploring the small town of Aguas Calientes, and the enigmatic Machu Picchu Tour.
Machu Picchu Itinerary: 5 Days from Cusco
If you have five days starting and ending in Cusco, I recommend visiting Machu Picchu on Day 4 and sleeping in Aguas Calientes on Day 3. That overnight is the key to this route: on the morning of your visit, you’re already in town and can plan around your entrance ticket without having to catch a train from the Sacred Valley first.
| Day | What you’ll do | Where you’ll sleep |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Cusco. Keep the afternoon light, with a short walk around the Plaza de Armas if you feel comfortable. | Cusco |
| 2 | Explore the Sacred Valley, including Ollantaytambo. Return to Cusco, or stay in Ollantaytambo if you prefer less backtracking. | Cusco on the standard route; Ollantaytambo as an alternative |
| 3 | Take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. If you slept in Cusco, allow time for the road transfer to the station. | Aguas Calientes |
| 4 | Visit Machu Picchu on your reserved route. Return by train to Ollantaytambo, then continue by road to Cusco. | Cusco |
| 5 | Depart from Cusco. If your flight leaves later in the day, spend the morning in the historic center. | Departure day |
Does this work if you fly into Lima? Count Day 1 as the day you reach Cusco. If your international flight lands in Lima at night and you fly to Cusco the next morning, start the five day count that morning. This distinction matters when you’re deciding whether the itinerary fits between your international flights.
Day 1: Arrival to Cusco
Welcome to Cusco! You are now at around 11,000 feet (3,229 meters) above sea level. Upon arrival at the Cusco airport, our guide, and one of our drivers, will be waiting for you at the entrance.
Remember to pick up your luggage and make yourself out through the main exit.
You will pass the gates at the airport before spotting our team, holding up a sign with your name(or one of your group members’ names) on it.
Your arrival time will most likely be between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm depending on a few factors. The exact time will, of course, be on your personalized itinerary.
After our team has picked you up from the airport, we will drive to your Cusco hotel. The finalized hotel chosen from our list will be in your personalized itinerary for reference.
The drive to your hotel will take anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on how dense traffic is.
Most hotels are located near the Cusco main square, this ensures you are close to stores, drug stores, restaurants, banks and currency exchange houses.
Once you’ve checked in at the hotel our driver and guide will depart for the day. Please take these first 24 hours to go through the acclimatization protocol so you can check on how to deal with elevation sickness.
Day 2: The Sacred Valley Tour
Today we head out for the Urubamba Valley for a nice day of hiking. This particular tour is not as intensive as the Machu Picchu hike which takes place later in this itinerary however it can present a challenge.
The tour starts between 8:30 am and 9:00 am at your hotel where our guide and driver will pick you up.
Throughout the trip we’ll visit markets and shops where the locals will happily haggle the prices of their items with travelers but remember, they are seasoned traders who do this for a living so they might drive a hard bargain.
Their products are handmade for the most part so regardless of paying $1-$3 more or less you’ll be taking home something special while also helping out the local economy. It’s really a win-win for everyone.
We continue on this 5-day Peru itinerary with the full-day tour and climb to the top of the Ollantaytambo fortress for an amazing view of the terraced valley and gaze at the snow-capped peaks of the Andes’ most sacred mountains.
To the locals, the Andes are known as the “Apus” which translates to Mountain spirit. This is a term you will hear quite commonly throughout this trip through the Peruvian highlands.
At around 1:00 pm we’ll gather and step into one of the best restaurants in the Sacred Valley to enjoy a feast, this buffet style lunch will be focused on Peruvian specialties.
We’ll have time to rest before we continue with the excursion throughout the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
We return to Cusco by the evening, the scheduled time is 6 pm. We recommend getting a good night’s sleep in preparation for the early train ride to Aguas Calientes the following morning.
Should you sleep in Cusco or Ollantaytambo? On this route, returning to Cusco gives you two nights in the same hotel. Choose it if you would rather leave your main luggage there and take a small bag on the train. If you dislike backtracking, ask to finish the valley tour in Ollantaytambo and sleep there instead. You trade a hotel change for an evening in town and a shorter trip to the station the next morning. Arrange the hotel, luggage transfer and train departure together before booking.
Day 3: Train to Aguas Calientes
We begin this leg of the trip by having our Machu Picchu guide and driver pick you up at your hotel.
The pick up will be scheduled for 9:00 am however this can change depending on your personalized itinerary.
Be sure to be ready at the hotel lobby by 8:30 am, this should give you enough time to pack the necessary items you’ll need for Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu as well as have breakfast.
Traveler’s Tips:When packing for Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu remember that your luggage will stay in your Cusco hotel.
You will need to pack for approximately 2 full days unless your itinerary has been extended to spend a few more days in Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu or if you are heading to another location.
Two days of packing should include a day pack, personal items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, pajamas, undergarments, jacket or jumper, a couple of pairs of pants, insect repellent, sunblock, a good camera (or camera phone), your itinerary, a flashlight.
The ride to Aguas Calientes will take approximately 2 hours and is considered one of the most beautiful train rides on earth.
You’ll travel though the amazing highland scenery to the lush and green cloud forest as your train rides lower in elevation.
The climate in Aguas Calientes will be more humid (this will feel like a huge relief) due to its location.
If you were feeling a bit under the weather due to the high elevation in Cusco, the time in Aguas Calientes will feel wonderful since it is at a lower altitude.
Upon leaving the train station our Aguas Calientes guide will walk you to your hotel. Aguas Calientes is so small that you don’t need a car to get around the town, a brief walk will get you to any point you want to reach.
Once you check into your hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day to yourself.
We suggest taking a couple of hours to visit the local hot spring, this is precisely the reason why this town is called Aguas Calientes which translates to thermal waters.
These hot springs are no more than a 10 minute walk from your hotel and the entrance fee is around $3.
End the evening with a good meal in one of the many restaurants in Aguas Calientes. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep since the 5 day Peru Itinerary has the Machu Picchu transport leaving early the following morning.
Day 4: Machu Picchu Guided Tour
After breakfast in Aguas Calientes, take the shuttle up to Machu Picchu. Plan your departure around the entry time on your ticket, allowing time for the bus queue. An early ticket gives you an early visit, but clouds can hide the sunrise.
Your guide follows the route printed on your ticket. That choice determines which viewpoints and archaeological areas you can see. Compare the official Machu Picchu circuit maps before booking, particularly if you have a specific photograph or landmark in mind. Plan to follow your route through to the exit rather than count on exploring independently afterward.
If you want to climb Huayna Picchu or visit the Temple of the Moon, tell your advisor which experience matters to you. Huayna Picchu and the Gran Caverna, the route associated with the Temple of the Moon, are separate ticket choices. Confirm availability for your dates before arranging the return train.
After the visit, return by shuttle to Aguas Calientes to collect your bags. Leave time for lunch if your train schedule allows. Take the train to Ollantaytambo, then continue by road to Cusco for your final night.
Day 5: Ending The 5 Day Peru Itinerary
This is your final day in Cusco as part of this 5 Day Peru itinerary. This package includes your transfer back to the airport, remember to be ready and at your hotel lobby at least 3 hours prior to your flight out of Cusco.
Remember to have a good breakfast and if you have time, please go out and walk around the city to get those last few pictures as well as any souvenirs you might have missed.
We enjoyed having you stay with us and we hope you enjoyed the trip we as a certified Machu Picchu Travel Agency put together for you. Have a great flight and happy travels! End of Services
If you wish to extend your stay please let your travel advisor know so we can put together some more amazing experiences for you.
Explore our Machu Picchu vacation packages to compare this route with other trip lengths.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 5 Day Peru Itinerary
Will the 5 day Peru itinerary include my Machu Picchu permits?
Yes. All packages including the Machu Picchu Hike will also include your entrance permits.
Can I customize the 5 day Peru Itinerary with other activities, tours and/or destinations?
Of course. We specialize in customizable Peru tour packages.
Is the 5 day package to Machu Picchu available year round?
Yes. This package is available throughout the entire year.
Can I visit Machu Picchu 2 days in a row?
Yes. We would simply have you stay an additional night in Aguas Calientes and have a second Machu Picchu entry permit for the second day.
Can I upgrade trains with this package?Yes. We can upgrade the expedition to the Vistadome or Hiram Bingham if you prefer.
Is the 5 day Peru Itinerary a private or group tour?
This package is priced out as a group tour but can be taken as a private tour upon the travelers request.
How many people will be in my group?
We like to keep groups small so the average group size is 8 travelers.
Can I have my passport stamped at Machu Picchu?
Yes. Travelers can stamp their passports with a silhouette stamp of Machu Picchu in the entrance.
