Plan PeruSmarter.
Practical Peru itineraries, route guides, where-to-stay advice, and Machu Picchu planning for first-time visitors — without the fluff.
Common Planning Questions
What are you trying to figure out?
Peru is not hard to visit, but it can be easy to plan in the wrong order. Start with the question that matters most to you.
Everything You Need
How can we help you plan?
Itineraries
Day-by-day Peru itineraries for first-time visitors, non-hikers, and altitude-conscious travelers.
Where to Stay
Practical where-to-stay guides for Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
Routes & Logistics
How to get between Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu
Tickets, trains, where to stay, how to visit without hiking, and what to book first.
Itineraries
Peru Itineraries for First-Time Visitors
Day-by-day plans with logistics, hotels, and what to book first.
Peru 10-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu — the most popular first-timer route with enough time to acclimatize.
Peru 7-Day Itinerary: The Compact Classic
A tighter version of the classic Peru route — Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu in one week.
Peru Without Hiking: A Complete Itinerary
See everything Peru has to offer — including Machu Picchu — without any hiking or trails.
Where to Stay
Where to Stay in Peru
Practical guides to the best areas, with honest recommendations.
Best Area to Stay in Lima for First-Time Visitors
Stay in Miraflores for most first-timers
Miraflores vs Barranco — which Lima neighborhood is right for you? A practical guide to choosing your base.
Miraflores vs Barranco: Which Lima Neighborhood?
Miraflores for safety; Barranco for atmosphere
A detailed comparison of Lima's two most popular tourist neighborhoods — with pros, cons, and hotel recommendations.
Best Area to Stay in Cusco
Historic Center for most first-timers
Historic Center vs San Blas — the two best areas to stay in Cusco, with hotel recommendations.
Routes & Logistics
Getting Around Peru
Step-by-step transport guides for every major Peru route.
Lima Airport to Miraflores
How to get from Jorge Chávez Airport to Miraflores — private transfer, official taxi, or Uber.
Lima Airport to Barranco
Getting from the airport to Barranco — slightly further than Miraflores, same transport options.
Lima to Cusco: Flight Guide
The only practical way to get from Lima to Cusco is by flight. Here is how to book and what to expect.
Cusco to Ollantaytambo
Colectivo, private taxi, or organized tour — how to get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
The train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes is the standard route to Machu Picchu — book early.
Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Official Consettur bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu entrance — or walk up in 1–1.5 hrs.
Our Approach
"Peru is not hard to visit, but it can be easy to plan in the wrong order. Travel Smart Peru helps you make the big decisions first: where to stay, how to get around, how to pace the altitude, and what to book before you go."About Travel Smart Peru
Common Questions
Peru Planning FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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