8-Day Peru with Friends: Essential Inca Capital

One week of shared adventures for your crew: Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

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Route Overview

Trip Map

Route map of the 8-day Peru tour: Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

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8 Days in Peru for Friends: The Essential Inca Capital

This 8-day Peru tour with friends combines adventure, culture and great food for your whole group. After a guided day in Lima, fly to Cusco for a free afternoon and a guided tour of its Inca walls and colonial streets. Visit Chinchero and Ollantaytambo, spend a night in the Sacred Valley and ride the panoramic train to Machu Picchu. We sort out the logistics so your group can focus on the fun.

At a Glance

Itinerary Summary

Your 8-day Peru trip with friends at a glance, from Lima and Cusco to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Tap any day to see the details.

  1. Day 1Welcome to Lima: Your Peruvian Adventure BeginsLima
  2. Day 2Discover Lima: Classic City Tour & Time at Your LeisureLima
  3. Day 3Flight to Cusco & Day at Your LeisureCusco
  4. Day 4Uncover Cusco: Classic City Tour & Andean CharmCusco
  5. Day 5Explore the Sacred Valley & Ollantaytambothe Sacred Valley
  6. Day 6Ride the Panoramic Train to Machu Picchu: A Voyage Through Inca LandsAguas Calientes
  7. Day 7Machu Picchu Revealed: Guided DiscoveryCusco
  8. Day 8Morning Flight to Lima & International Flight HomeDeparture
In Detail

Detailed Itinerary

Every day of your trip, with where you'll spend the night.

Lima coastline and city skyline Day 1

Welcome to Lima: Your Peruvian Adventure Begins

Your private driver welcomes you in the arrivals hall and escorts you along the coast to your hotel in Miraflores. The rest of the day is yours: stroll the clifftop malecón, watch paragliders drift over the Pacific and enjoy a first taste of the cuisine that has made Lima one of the great food capitals of the world.

Overnight in Lima
Miraflores cliffs over the Pacific Ocean in Lima Day 2

Discover Lima: Classic City Tour & Time at Your Leisure

Explore Lima with your private guide, starting in the historic center with the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral and the San Francisco Monastery and its catacombs. Continue to the clifftop districts of Miraflores and Barranco, with ocean views from the Love Park and the colorful streets of Lima’s bohemian quarter, then enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Lima
Red rooftops and churches of Cusco Day 3

Flight to Cusco & Day at Your Leisure

Fly over the Andes to Cusco (approx. 3,400 m), the ancient capital of the Incas. Your driver takes you to your hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to rest and acclimatize. Take it easy, drink plenty of water and enjoy a first evening stroll to the Plaza de Armas as the city lights up.

Flight to Cusco Overnight in Cusco
Zigzag Inca walls of Sacsayhuamán in Cusco Day 4

Uncover Cusco: Classic City Tour & Andean Charm

Stone by stone, Cusco reveals its secrets. Your private guide leads you from the Cathedral and the golden past of the Koricancha to the impressive zigzag walls of Sacsayhuamán, overlooking the red rooftops of the city. Continue to Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, three sacred sites that tell the story of Inca worship, defense and water engineering.

Overnight in Cusco
Andean village of Chinchero in the Sacred Valley Day 5

Explore the Sacred Valley & Ollantaytambo

Spend a full day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas with your private guide. Visit Chinchero, an Andean village famous for its weavers and colonial church, admire the valley views, and continue to Ollantaytambo, whose massive Inca temple fortress and stone streets are still in use today. Spend the night in a boutique hotel in the valley.

Overnight in the Sacred Valley
Observatory car of a panoramic train to Machu Picchu Day 6

Ride the Panoramic Train to Machu Picchu: A Voyage Through Inca Lands

Board a panoramic train in Ollantaytambo and follow the Urubamba River as the landscape turns from Andean fields to cloud forest, with glass ceilings framing the snow-capped peaks. Arrive in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu, and spend a relaxed afternoon in this mountain town.

Panoramic train Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel Day 7

Machu Picchu Revealed: Guided Discovery

Take an early bus up to Machu Picchu and discover the Inca citadel with your private guide: the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Sun and the Intihuatana stone, set between towering green peaks above the Urubamba River. After the tour, return to Aguas Calientes and board the panoramic train back to Cusco.

Good to Know

  • Duration: the guided tour lasts approx. 2–2.5 hours.
  • Bus: the shuttle between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu takes approx. 25 minutes each way.
  • Tickets & circuits: entry tickets are sold for a specific time slot and circuit, and the route inside the citadel depends on the circuit booked. Re-entry is not permitted.
  • Passport: you must carry the original passport used to book your ticket.
  • Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain: these hikes require a separate ticket and must be booked in advance.
  • What to bring: sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, a rain jacket and water. Large backpacks, walking sticks without rubber tips, and food are not allowed inside the site.
Panoramic train Overnight in Cusco
Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima Day 8

Morning Flight to Lima & International Flight Home

Transfer to Cusco airport for your morning flight to Lima, where you connect with your international flight home. End of services.

Flight to Lima Transfer to the airport · End of services
Know Before You Go

What's Included

A transparent breakdown of what's covered in your package and what isn't.

Included

  • Private arrival and departure transfers
  • 7 nights in hotels of your chosen category, with daily breakfast
  • Private guided Lima city tour: historic center, Miraflores & Barranco
  • Private guided Cusco city tour: Cathedral, Koricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara & Tambomachay
  • Private guided Sacred Valley tour: Chinchero & Ollantaytambo
  • Panoramic train Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
  • Machu Picchu entrance ticket, private guided tour and round-trip shuttle bus
  • All entrance fees for the visits listed in the itinerary
  • 24/7 assistance during your trip

Not Included

  • Domestic flights Lima – Cusco – Lima (quoted separately)
  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Activities and entrance fees on free days
  • Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets
  • Tips and personal expenses
Secure Booking

Tour Package Rates

Per person based on double / twin room accommodation. Choose your preferred service level.

Essential ★★

Comfortable stays, essential services
$2275Estimated Total
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Comfort ★★★

Standard premium service, upgraded hotels
$2699Estimated Total
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Deluxe ★★★★★

Top-tier luxury hotels & private experiences
$4150Estimated Total
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8-Day Peru with Friends: Essential Inca Capital: Questions Answered

What's included in this 8-day Peru trip with friends?

It includes 7 nights in your chosen hotel category with breakfast, private transfers, guided tours of Lima and Cusco, a Sacred Valley tour with an overnight stay, panoramic trains and a private guided visit to Machu Picchu with all entrance fees.

Can we add activities for our friends group?

Yes. We can add a pisco tasting, a cooking class, a night out in Barranco or extra adventure activities, and arrange rooms for your group.

Can I see Cusco and Machu Picchu in one week?

Yes. This 8-day itinerary is designed for a week of travel: one day in Lima, two days in Cusco, a night in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, with a morning flight home on the last day.

When is the ideal time for this 8-day trip?

April to November is the dry season in Cusco and Machu Picchu; June to August is the busiest time.

What should I know about the altitude?

You fly from Lima to Cusco (approx. 3,400 m) and spend the rest of the day resting. The Sacred Valley (approx. 2,800 m) and Machu Picchu (approx. 2,430 m) are both lower than Cusco, which makes this route very comfortable. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol on the first evening and ask your doctor before traveling if you have a medical condition.

How much does the 8-day Peru trip with friends cost?

Your price depends on the hotel category (Essential 2★, Comfort 3★, Superior 4★ or Deluxe 5★) and the number of travelers. See the Rates tab for current prices per person in a double or twin room.

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