This post contains affiliate links
Our 14-Day Peru Itinerary: The Perfect Family Adventure from Machu Picchu to the Amazon Rainforest
Peru had been sitting on our family’s bucket list for years, and after finally spending two unforgettable weeks exploring this incredibly diverse country, I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation.
In just 14 days, we wandered through ancient Inca ruins, stood in awe at Machu Picchu, explored colorful mountain towns, experienced the energy of Cusco, and finished our adventure deep in the Amazon rainforest.
One of the things that surprised me most? Every stop felt completely different. Peru isn’t just one destination. It’s several incredible vacations rolled into one.
If you’re planning a trip to Peru, here’s the exact itinerary we followed, along with what we’d change if we did it again.
Peru Itinerary at a Glance
- Days 1-2: Lima
- Days 3-6: Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley)
- Day 6-7: Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu
- Days 7-9: Urubamba (Sacred Valley)
- Day 9: Cusco
- Days 10-13: Amazon Rainforest (Posada Amazonas)
- Days 13-14: Lima and departure
Days 1-2: Lima
We landed in Lima around 4:00 a.m., so honestly, our first day was mostly about recovering from the overnight flight.
Rather than trying to pack in sightseeing while completely exhausted, we kept things relaxed and enjoyed exploring the city’s beautiful Miraflores neighborhood and soaking in its incredible food scene and ocean views.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Miraflores, which we would absolutely recommend. It’s in the heart of Miraflores, offers very comfortable accommodations, and includes breakfast.
Lima is one of South America’s culinary capitals, so make sure to leave room in your schedule (and your stomach) for some amazing meals before heading into the Andes. We ate dinner at a fabulous seafood restaurant called Barra Maretazo, which had amazing food, especially the ceviche.
Days 3-5: Ollantaytambo
One of the best decisions we made was spending three nights in Ollantaytambo after landing in Cusco.
Many travelers decide to stay in Cusco, but Ollantaytambo sits at a lower elevation, making it an ideal place to acclimate before exploring higher into the Sacred Valley and Cusco. Instead of fighting altitude sickness, we spent a few days slowing down, exploring, and letting our bodies adjust to the elevation.
We stayed at Hotel Intitambo, a charming, reasonably priced boutique hotel right in the heart of town. Its central location made it easy to walk everywhere, the included breakfast was excellent, and the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming or helpful. I’d happily stay there again.
During our time in Ollantaytambo, we explored the impressive archaeological site, wandered the cobblestone streets and local markets, and enjoyed simply soaking up the atmosphere of one of Peru’s oldest continuously inhabited towns.
One day, we hired a private taxi to explore more of the Sacred Valley, visiting the colorful weaving village of Chinchero, the stunning Maras Salt Mines, and the fascinating circular agricultural terraces of Moray. It was an easy and affordable way to see several of the area’s highlights without feeling rushed, and one of our favorite days of the trip.
Looking back, Ollantaytambo turned out to be much more than just a place to acclimate. It became one of our favorite stops in Peru and a destination well worth spending a few days exploring.
Days 6-7: Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu
From Ollantaytambo, we boarded the scenic train to Aguas Calientes, the small town nestled at the base of Machu Picchu. Rather than trying to squeeze everything into one whirlwind day, we chose to spend the night there so we could experience Machu Picchu over two days. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of our entire trip.
We stayed at Panorama B&B, a clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced hotel that was perfect for a one-night stay. Its convenient location made it easy to catch the early-morning bus to Machu Picchu while still within walking distance of the town’s restaurants, shops, and train station.
If your budget and schedule allow, I highly recommend purchasing tickets for two different Machu Picchu circuits. Not only does it give you more time to soak in one of the world’s most incredible archaeological sites, but each circuit offers a completely different experience.
On our first day, we explored Circuit 1, which takes you to many of the iconic panoramic viewpoints you’ve seen in photos. Standing above the ancient city and seeing Machu Picchu emerge through the mountains for the very first time is a moment I’ll never forget.
The following day, we returned for Circuit 2, which allowed us to walk through much more of the ancient citadel itself. Exploring the temples, terraces, and stone passageways after taking in the breathtaking views the day before gave us a much deeper appreciation for this incredible place.
Spending two days also meant we never felt rushed. Instead of trying to cram everything into a few hours, we had time to slow down, enjoy the experience, and truly appreciate why Machu Picchu is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
If there’s one piece of advice I’d give anyone planning a trip to Peru, it’s this: if you can make two days at Machu Picchu work, do it. It was absolutely worth it.
Days 7-8: Urubamba
After leaving Machu Picchu, we checked into the beautiful Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness.
Honestly, this stop isn’t absolutely necessary.
If you’re trying to maximize your time, I’d recommend heading directly to Cusco instead.
For us, though, it was exactly what we needed.
After several busy days of sightseeing, having a chance to relax, enjoy the resort, and recharge before the second half of our adventure was well worth it.
Sometimes slowing down is part of the vacation, too.
Day 9: Cusco
Although we only spent one night in Cusco, we packed a lot into our day, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip.
We checked into Rumi Wasi, an adorable boutique hotel tucked into a beautifully restored 17th-century colonial building. Its location couldn’t have been better, just a short walk from Cusco’s main attractions while still feeling peaceful and full of character.
From there, we spent the day wandering the charming cobblestone streets of the San Blas neighborhood, popping into artisan shops, cafés, and hidden courtyards before making our way to Sacsayhuamán, the massive Inca fortress overlooking the city. Standing among those enormous stone walls, it’s hard to believe they were built centuries ago without modern machinery.
Adding to the magic, the city was buzzing with celebrations leading up to Inti Raymi, the famous Festival of the Sun. Colorful parades, traditional dances, music, and festivities filled the streets, giving us an unexpected glimpse into one of Peru’s most important cultural celebrations.
Looking back, I wish we’d had at least one more day in Cusco. Between the historic neighborhoods, incredible Inca sites, and vibrant atmosphere, it’s a city that’s easy to fall in love with.
Days 10-13: The Amazon Rainforest
After exploring the Andes, we traded mountain peaks for the jungle and flew from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, where one of the most unforgettable parts of our trip began.
We booked our Amazon experience through Rainforest Expeditions, staying three nights at Posada Amazonas, an eco-lodge tucked deep inside the Tambopata National Reserve. Getting there is part of the adventure. After landing in Puerto Maldonado, we were greeted by the Rainforest Expeditions team before taking about a one-hour bus ride to the river. From there, we climbed aboard a motorized canoe for another hour-long journey into the rainforest, enjoying a freshly prepared lunch as we cruised deeper into the jungle.
Believe it or not, this ended up being the easiest and most relaxing part of our entire Peru itinerary. Once we arrived, everything was taken care of. The guides, excursions, meals, and logistics were seamlessly organized, so all we had to do was soak in the experience.
During our visit, we explored the rainforest on guided hikes, climbed a canopy tower for breathtaking views above the jungle, searched for wildlife by boat, and learned so much about one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Every excursion felt different, and every day brought new surprises. Monkeys swung through the trees, colorful birds filled the canopy, and even the sounds of the rainforest at night became part of the adventure.
The lodge itself struck the perfect balance between comfort and immersion. You feel completely surrounded by nature while still having a comfortable bed, delicious meals, and welcoming common areas to relax between excursions. It was the kind of experience that had our entire family putting down their phones and simply enjoying where we were.
A Unique Opportunity to Contribute to Science
One of the things that makes a visit to Posada Amazonas so special is its partnership with both Rainforest Expeditions and Wired Amazon, which gives guests the opportunity to participate in real citizen science projects. During our stay, we worked alongside researchers to collect and discover new species as part of the ongoing New Species Project in the Tambopata National Reserve.
Every sighting helps scientists better understand and protect one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Knowing our family was able to play a small role in real conservation research made the experience even more meaningful, and it quickly became one of the highlights of our stay.
If you’re considering adding the Amazon to your Peru itinerary, I can’t recommend it enough. It was one of the biggest highlights of our trip and something we’ll all remember for years to come.
Thanks to my partnership with Rainforest Expeditions, my readers can save 20% on select stays at Posada Amazonas until December 2027 with code STAYINGBLONDE20.
I’ll also be sharing a complete review of Posada Amazonas soon, including our favorite excursions, what to pack, our citizen science experience with Wired Amazon, and why it ended up being one of our favorite family travel experiences ever.
Day 13-14: Return to Lima
After an incredible three days in the Amazon, we flew back to Lima for one final overnight stay before our early flight home.
Since our international flight departed around 3:00 a.m., we didn’t venture back into the city. Instead, we booked a room at the Holiday Inn Lima Airport, which was the perfect choice for a short layover. The hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle, making it incredibly easy to catch those middle-of-the-night flights without the stress of arranging transportation.
We were only there for about 11 hours, but after two weeks of adventure, it was exactly what we needed: a comfortable place to shower, repack our bags, grab a few hours of sleep, and recharge before heading home.
If you’re flying out of Lima on a late-night or early-morning international flight, I’d definitely recommend spending the night at the airport rather than making the trip back into the city.
Would We Change Anything?
Overall, I wouldn’t change much about this itinerary. The pacing felt comfortable, especially traveling with teenagers.
If I were adjusting anything, I’d probably:
-
Skip the two nights in Urubamba unless you specifically want a resort break.
-
Add another night in Cusco.
-
Keep two days at Machu Picchu. It was absolutely worth it.
-
Definitely keep the Amazon rainforest. It ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the trip.
Final Thoughts
Peru completely stole our hearts.
From the ancient stone streets of Ollantaytambo to standing above Machu Picchu at sunrise, from colorful festivals in Cusco to watching wildlife deep in the Amazon rainforest, every part of this journey felt like a completely different adventure.
If you’re wondering whether Peru is worth the long flight, the answer is an easy yes.
It’s one of the most geographically diverse, culturally rich, and unforgettable countries we’ve ever visited, and it’s a trip our family will be talking about for years to come.
If you’re planning your own Peru adventure, I hope this itinerary helps you create an unforgettable journey.
Planning Your Own Peru Adventure?
Every trip teaches you a few things, and Peru definitely did. From booking Machu Picchu months in advance to navigating the altitude, figuring out when you’ll need cash, and staying healthy throughout the trip, we learned plenty along the way.
Rather than squeeze all of those tips into this itinerary, I’m putting together a dedicated guide with everything I wish I’d known before we left.
In it, I’ll be covering:
-
Why Machu Picchu should be the very first thing you book
-
Why I recommend spending two days at Machu Picchu (and which circuits to choose)
-
How we avoided altitude sickness
-
Why you should always carry Peruvian soles
-
Tips for staying healthy throughout your trip
-
What surprised us most about traveling through Peru
-
And plenty more practical advice for first-time visitors.
Stay Tuned.
Mom of two and seeking sanity in the everyday. Let’s chat about family, school struggles, travel, and living our best life. Located in the San Francisco Bay area.
