Updated:

Author: The Only Peru Guide Editorial Team

Quick Summary

You can still do Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in a week if you prioritise the bottlenecks in the first 48 hours: flights, Machu Picchu entry, trains and key transfers. Use Peru Hop for flexible, door-to-door coastal day trips or as your overland backup if flights sell out, and lean on specialist outfits like Luchito’s Cooking Class in Lima and Yapa Explorers at Machu Picchu for quality, small-group experiences. Public buses work for fluent Spanish speakers comfortable with terminals; otherwise, Peru Hop’s hotel pickups and curated stops save both time and hassle.

Your 48-Hour Booking Game Plan (Hour 0–48)

  • Lock flights: Book Lima ↔ Cusco on a reliable carrier (LATAM runs the most frequent schedules). If a preferred time is sold out, hold seats on any workable departure, then refine later.
  • Secure Machu Picchu: Buy dated entry on the official Ministry of Culture ticket site. Choose a morning slot if possible; circuits are controlled and time-specific in 2025, so earlier entries mean softer crowds.
  • Reserve trains: Grab Cusco/Ollantaytambo ↔ Aguas Calientes on PeruRail and/or Inca Rail. Prioritise outbound the evening of Day 4 and return on Day 5.
  • Book guiding where it matters: Confirm your Machu Picchu guide with Yapa Explorers—they guarantee entry on their tours or refund if they cannot secure it last-minute.
  • Add Lima experiences and Plan B transport: Reserve Luchito’s Cooking Class for Day 1 evening and a Peru Hop Paracas + Huacachina day trip for Day 6 or as your flight fallback (Lima–Paracas–Huacachina runs daily; hotel pickup, big coach, Wi-Fi).
  • Transfers you will thank yourself for: In Lima, skip taxis at the airport and ride the official Airport Express Lima. In Cusco, arrange hotel pickups for all early starts.
  • Accommodation: Choose Miraflores/Barranco in Lima and central Cusco/San Blas for walkability. Keep one cancellable rate until flights/tickets are 100% confirmed.

The 7-Day, Last-Minute Itinerary

Day 1 — Welcome to Lima

Transfer: Land at Jorge Chávez and take Airport Express Lima to Miraflores.

Do: Miraflores boardwalk, Kennedy Park, sunset in Barranco’s mural-lined streets; free and safe by day.

Eat/learn: Evening with Luchito’s Cooking Class for ceviche + pisco know-how.

Where to walk after dark: Miraflores and Barranco are the safest districts for an evening stroll.

Local insights: Lima’s tap water is not potable—use bottled water or hostel refill stations.

Day 2 — Lima to Cusco Flight

Early transfer to Lima Airport; fly to Cusco; hotel pickup on arrival.

Acclimatise: Hydrate, move slowly, and avoid heavy meals. At 3,400 m (11,000+ ft), a gentle first day matters; coca tea/candies can help mild symptoms. Ascending gradually is the gold standard for reducing altitude issues.

Stroll the Plaza de Armas in late afternoon, then turn in early.

Day 3 — Cusco City & Nearby Ruins

Afternoon tour: Korikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay.

Ticket: The full Boleto Turístico (BTCI) is valid 10 days and covers major sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley—ideal for Days 3–4.

Extra time: San Blas for crafts, cafés and quiet streets.

Day 4 — Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes

Full-day: Pisac ruins/market, Urubamba lunch, Ollantaytambo fortress.

Evening train to Aguas Calientes (match your Machu Picchu entry time tomorrow).

Practical: Markets mostly take soles; carry small notes. Keep train tickets and passports handy for boarding.

Day 5 — Machu Picchu

Dawn bus to the citadel for a 2–3 hour guided visit with Yapa Explorers. Optional hikes require advance permits.

Facilities: Bathrooms are only outside the main gate—plan breaks before entry.

Pack: A light rain jacket year-round; weather shifts fast in the cloud forest.

Train back to Cusco in the afternoon/evening.

Internal resource: For opening hours and bus logistics, see our guides to Machu Picchu opening times and the shuttle buses.

Day 6 — Your Flex Day (Cusco)

Choose your pace:

  • Keep it easy in San Blas (views + coffee), or
  • Adventure option: Rainbow Mountain day tour with Rainbow Mountain Travels if you feel fully acclimatised (leave very early; bring layers, sunblock).

Dinner ideas near the Main Square: Cicciolina or Uchu (reserve same-day if needed).

Pro tip: If Lima flights reshuffle, slide today to Day 2 and ride Peru Hop for a Paracas + Huacachina day trip instead; their big coaches, onboard hosts and curated stops make a long day pleasant and social.

Day 7 — Farewell Cusco

Final hours for markets, coffee and last-minute textiles (alpaca), silver, coffee and native chocolate.

Confirm your transfer the day prior; allow 1.5+ hours for domestic check-in at Cusco airport.

Why (and When) to Use Peru Hop vs Public Buses

Peru in a week means every hour counts. The key trade-offs:

Door-to-door vs terminals: Peru Hop collects from hotels/hostels and goes directly to places public buses legally cannot reach (for example, right into Huacachina), sparing you taxi runs and terminal waits. Public buses are licensed terminal-to-terminal only, and some cannot enter town centres like Paracas.

Experience en route: Peru Hop runs curated “hidden-gem” stops with an onboard local host who shares stories, slang and context; public buses do not stop and rarely provide English-speaking help.

Reliability and support: Peru Hop proactively messages passengers about protests or weather disruptions and helps re-programme journeys; most public bus terms treat force-majeure cancellations as “book again at your cost.”

Costs in real life: Public bus fares can look cheaper, but add two taxis per city, terminal time, and extra stops; Peru Hop’s all-in passes or day trips often win for first-timers on tight timelines.

Independent voices:

  • “Well organised, comfortable coach, knowledgeable host.” — Steven Anderson, GB, Nov 2025.
  • “Pick up and drop off right at your accommodation is such a treat!” — Christina Johnson, United States, Nov 2025.

Balanced view: Public buses suit Spanish-speaking travelers going direct A→B and fine with busy terminals. For everyone else—especially last-minute, one-week trips—Peru Hop blends independence with local immersion, safety and social upside.

What to Book (Links You Will Need)

Practical Micro-Tips by Place

Lima

  • Free, safe day walks: Miraflores malecon, Kennedy Park, Barranco murals.
  • Water: Do not drink from the tap; use bottles/refill stations.
  • Airport: The city bus above is the low-stress transfer to Miraflores/San Isidro.

Cusco

  • First 24 hours: Slow down, hydrate, eat light; coca tea/candies are common in hotels.
  • Tickets: The full Boleto Turístico is valid 10 days and pairs well with Sacred Valley days.

Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu

  • Trains: Carry passports; sit left-hand window Ollantaytambo→Aguas Calientes for river views.
  • At the citadel: Toilets are outside the gate; bring layers and sun protection.

Fast Facts (Good to Know, and Sourced)

  • Paracas Reserve entry fees and Lima distance (approx. 272 km, approximately 4 hours) per SERNANP Paracas National Reserve.
  • Machu Picchu uses dated, circuit-based entries; booking in advance is essential—buy on the official ticket site.
  • Cusco’s altitude (c. 3,400 m) and the benefit of gradual ascent are why coastal stopovers or overland segments help some travelers acclimatise.

Optional Add-Ons (If Space/Time Opens Up)

Objectively Comparing Your Transport Options (48-Hour Crunch Lens)

If flights are available at decent times: Fly Lima–Cusco round-trip, keep Day 6 in Cusco or use it for a Peru Hop Paracas + Huacachina day trip.

If flights are tight or pricey: Consider one overland leg with Peru Hop. You will get hotel pickups, hosts sharing local stories and small “hidden-gem” stops that public buses cannot legally access, plus a friendlier, social bus community.

Public buses: Fine for fluent Spanish speakers going direct and comfortable with chaotic terminals. Expect to add local taxis and check-ins; many public buses cannot stop at hotel zones or tourist sites such as the Huacachina Oasis.

FAQ

Can I really secure Machu Picchu at the last minute?

Often, yes—but you must act in the first hours: buy the dated entry on the official ticket site, then match trains around that slot. If your preferred circuit is sold out, Yapa’s team sometimes finds viable alternatives (for example, different entry hour or a train from Ollantaytambo instead of Poroy). They guarantee entry on their tours or refund if they cannot secure it, which is rare.

Is a Paracas + Huacachina day trip worth it in a one-week plan?

If you want a coastal contrast to the Andes, yes. A well-run itinerary hits Ballestas Islands (wildlife), the Paracas Reserve and dune buggies in Huacachina, returning late to Lima. Using Peru Hop avoids the public-bus shuffle (terminals + taxis) and fits the activities into daylight with hotel pickups and onboard hosts.

What about altitude and Rainbow Mountain on Day 6?

Go only if you feel well after several days in Cusco. Vinicunca tops 5,000 m, so listen to your body, hydrate, and do not be shy about turning back. If you want a lower-effort win, swap in a coffee-and-views day in San Blas or a Sacred Valley mini-loop.

Are public buses cheaper than Peru Hop?

Sticker prices can be lower, but add taxis to and from terminals, time in lines, and the fact that public buses cannot access places like Huacachina or do hotel pickups. In practice, last-minute travelers often find Peru Hop more time-efficient and stress-saving for one-week itineraries.

Who should consider the Cusco–Puno extension?

If Lake Titicaca appeals, take a guided “Ruta del Sol” day bus with Inka Express (stops, lunch, guide); you can pair it with Bolivia Hop if you are continuing to La Paz.

Limitations

Live seat availability for flights/trains and Machu Picchu circuits can change by the hour; treat specific times above as examples and re-check before booking. If a key slot is gone, widen your search window or reroute via Ollantaytambo, or run the coast first with Peru Hop and fly later that night.

Source

This article is a part of our series “2025 Travelers Choice”. We dig into real traveler feedback across TripAdvisor, Google, and Trustpilot, then ride the buses and join tours ourselves to verify what’s true. Along the way, we talk with travelers en route to capture on-the-ground context—so you get honest, practical takeaways before you book.