Itinerary Lima, Cusco & Arequipa

Seasonality: June is one of the best times to visit Peru, especially for hiking and cultural exploration. It’s dry season in the Andes and the Amazon, with clear skies perfect for trekking (such as the Inca Trail), vibrant festivals, and comfortable temperatures in both the coast and highlands.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	2200 USD
🏨 Accommodations	1360 USD
🧳 Gear	200 USD
🗺️ On-site	1240 USD
Total	5000 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇵🇪 Lima - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Plaza Mayor & Historic Centre ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Colonial square surrounded by the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace. Start at sunrise for fewer crowds.

• [ ] 🏛️ Convento de San Francisco & Catacombs ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Baroque monastery with bone-filled catacombs and atmospheric cloisters.

• [ ] 🏙️ Barranco District ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Lima’s bohemian quarter: street art, indie galleries, charming cafés.

• [ ] 🍃 Parque Kennedy & Miraflores ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Stroll through Lima’s lively, leafy neighborhoods; great for people-watching.

• [ ] 🌊 Malecón de Miraflores & Parque del Amor ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Coastal cliffs with Pacific Ocean views, sculpture gardens, and paragliding take-off spots.

• [ ] 🏺 Museo Larco ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Pre-Columbian treasures in a lush garden setting; fantastic restaurant on-site.

• [ ] 🌳 Huaca Pucllana ⭐ (~1h)

  • Ruins of a clay pyramid in the heart of Miraflores; guided tours recommended.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Ayahuasca Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Chic bar in Barranco, Peruvian craft cocktails, stylish crowd.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Mercado Surquillo ⭐⭐

  • Local produce and cevicherías; try classic ceviche (~10 USD).

• [ ] 🍽️ Central Restaurante ⭐⭐⭐

  • World-renowned fine dining (pre-booking essential, pricey—splurge option).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏛️ Parque de la Reserva & Magic Water Circuit (~1.5h)
  • Light/fountain show after dark.

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🇵🇪 Cusco & Sacred Valley - 6 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Plaza de Armas & Cathedral ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Central square enveloped by colonial and Inca structures.

• [ ] 🏛️ Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Blend of Inca temple and colonial church.

• [ ] 🏙️ San Blas Neighborhood ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Artistic quarter with cobbled streets and local workshops.

• [ ] 💎 Sacsayhuamán Fortress ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Massive Inca stonework with panoramic city views.

• [ ] 🏛️ Museo Inka ⭐ (~1h)

  • Rich collection of regional archaeology.

• [ ] 🌳 Tambomachay & Puka Pukara ⭐ (~2h)

  • Small Inca sites on the city’s outskirts; take a half-day walk or taxi tour.

• [ ] 🧗 Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) ⭐⭐⭐ (~1 day)

  • Strenuous high-altitude trek (acclimatization required). Depart early morning.

• [ ] 🚞 Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, Maras) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2 days)

  • Day trips to terraced valleys, vibrant markets (Pisac), impressive ruins (Ollantaytambo), experimental Inca farms (Moray), salt pans (Maras).

• [ ] 🚉 Machu Picchu ⭐⭐⭐ (~1 day)

  • Iconic Inca citadel—take train to Aguas Calientes & early shuttle up. Pre-book entry and timed slot.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Museo del Pisco Cusco ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Taste Peru’s pisco in artisanal cocktails; atmospheric bar.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍲 San Pedro Market ⭐⭐

  • Mountain produce and local dishes—try adobo or fresh juice (~7 USD).

• [ ] 🍽️ Chicha por Gastón Acurio ⭐⭐⭐

  • Top local chef’s take on Andean classics.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏛️ Tipón Inca Ruins (~2h)

  • Ingenious waterworks, quiet trails.

• [ ] 🚵 Mountain biking/Multi-sport tours (~1 day)

  • Adventure travel agencies offer biking, ziplines, rafting.

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🇵🇪 Arequipa & Colca Canyon - 4 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Santa Catalina Monastery ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Walled convent-city with vivid colors and fascinating history.

• [ ] 🏙️ Plaza de Armas & Basilica Cathedral ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Main square and towering cathedral in dazzling white stone.

• [ ] 🏛️ Museo Santuarios Andinos ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • See the famous “Ice Maiden” mummy, Juanita.

• [ ] 🌳 Yanahuara District ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Peaceful quarter with lookout terrace and views of Misti volcano.

• [ ] 🌄 Colca Canyon ⭐⭐⭐ (~1-2 days)

  • Trek or guided tour; condor viewpoints, terraced villages, hot springs.

• [ ] 🏞️ Sabandía Mill ⭐ (~1h)

  • Historic watermill and gardens just outside town.

• [ ] 🕍 Church of La Compañía ⭐ (~0.5h)

  • Ornately carved Jesuit church.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍺 Chelawasi Public House ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Craft beer bar with local brews and casual atmosphere.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍛 Picantería La Nueva Palomino ⭐⭐⭐
  • Classic Arequipa cuisine (rocoto relleno, chupe de camarones), ~12 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🚶 Sabandía hiking trails (~2h)
  • Easy, scenic walks through the volcanic foothills.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇵🇪 Lima

• [ ] 🎬 The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) — ⭐ 7.8 — Scenes of Che’s journey through Lima and the Andes — Prime Video
• [ ] 📺 Street Food: Latin America - Lima (2020) — ⭐ 7.8 — Ceviche and Peruvian food culture — Netflix

🇵🇪 Cusco & Sacred Valley

• [ ] 🎬 Paddington (2014) — ⭐ 7.2 — The beloved bear is from ‘deepest, darkest Peru’ — HBO Max
• [ ] 📺 National Geographic: Machu Picchu Decoded (2019) — ⭐ 7.1 — Investigating the citadel — Disney+

🇵🇪 Arequipa

• [ ] 🎬 Madeinusa (2006) — ⭐ 7.0 — Surreal drama set amid Andean culture — Netflix

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🍜 Local specialties

🇵🇪 Lima

• [ ] Ceviche
• [ ] Lomo Saltado
• [ ] Anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers)

🇵🇪 Cusco & Sacred Valley

• [ ] Cuy al horno (baked guinea pig)
• [ ] Alpaca steak
• [ ] Chicha morada (purple corn drink)

🇵🇪 Arequipa

• [ ] Rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy pepper)
• [ ] Chupe de camarones (shrimp chowder)
• [ ] Ocopa (potato in spicy peanut sauce)

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇵🇪 Lima

1. Plaza Mayor & Historic Centre
2. Ayahuasca Bar
3. Mercado Surquillo
4. Casa Suyay (Miraflores)
5. Central Restaurante

🇵🇪 Cusco & Sacred Valley

1. Plaza de Armas & Cathedral
2. Museo del Pisco Cusco
3. San Pedro Market
4. Tierra Viva Cusco Saphi
5. Chicha por Gastón Acurio

🇵🇪 Arequipa & Colca Canyon

1. Santa Catalina Monastery
2. Chelawasi Public House
3. Picantería La Nueva Palomino
4. Katari Hotel at Plaza de Armas
5. Plaza de Armas & Basilica Cathedral

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Lima
• [ ] ✈️ Lima → Cusco
• [ ] 🚅 Cusco → Arequipa (Via train or luxury bus, overnight is common)
• [ ] ✈️ Arequipa → Lima → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Lima	2	Casa Suyay (Miraflores)	160 USD
Cusco	3	Tierra Viva Cusco Saphi	240 USD
Sacred Valley	3	Inkaterra Urubamba Lodge	480 USD
Aguas Calientes	1	El Mapi by Inkaterra	90 USD
Arequipa	3	Katari Hotel at Plaza de Armas	240 USD
Colca Canyon	2	Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs	150 USD
Total	14		1,360 USD

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