Perfect Peru 7-Day Itinerary: From the Amazon to Machu Picchu

In Peru for a week and want to fill your 7 days with amazing sights and activities? Here’s how I spent 7 days visiting Peru – itinerary includes visiting the Amazon Rainforest as well as Machu Picchu.

Intro

Peru is a beautiful country with so many different landscapes and iconic regions and sights. It’s hard to explore all of Peru in just 7 days. But if you do only have 7 days, you’re going to want to visit the must-visit places and go to all the must-see attractions. I put together an easy 7-Day itinerary in Peru that visits the iconic Amazon Rainforest and the world-famous Machu Picchu.

Note that this itinerary includes two multi-day tours to make the most out of your time by seeing a lot in a short period of time with a tour guide, and they take out the guesswork of logistics. I hope you book the mentioned tours for your Peru trip too! But of course, feel free to tailor this itinerary to fit your own interests, pace, and/or schedule.

Recommended Peru Tours & Activities

Book unforgettable experiences and check out the below recommended Peru tours, activities and attractions that are mentioned throughout this post:

• Day 1-3: Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge With 3-Day Lake Sandoval Tour
• Day 5-6: 2-Day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour

Peru 7-Day Itinerary

The above map shows all the points of interest mentioned in this Peru itinerary. The points are color-coordinated as:

• Day 1 Points of Interest → RED
• Day 2 Points of Interest → ORANGE
• Day 3 Points of Interest → YELLOW
• Day 4 Points of Interest → GREEN
• Day 5 Points of Interest → DARK BLUE
• Day 6 Points of Interest → PURPLE

HOW TO USE THE ABOVE PERU: AMAZON & MACHU PICCHU MAP:

High-Level Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Puerto Maldonado & Amazon Lodge Pick-Up

For your 1st day in Peru, you’ll arrive in Puerto Maldonado (PEM Airport), where a pick-up driver awaits your arrival. They will bring you to the Amazon Lodge Check-in Offices before taking a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River. After a short boat ride, you’ll arrive at your Amazon Lodge, your home for the next 3 days!

There are several Amazon Lodge options you can stay at with some having multi-day tour inclusions and meals. I opted to stay at Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge and booked the 3 Day, 2 Night Lake Sandoval Tour, and I’m so glad I did!

For details for the full stay and tours, check out my 3-Day Lake Sandoval Tour Review (with Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge). The subsequent 3 days of this 7-day Peru itinerary will be based on the 3-Day Lake Sandoval Tour.

Once you’re settled in at your Amazon Lodge, then you’ll take your first trek through the Amazon Rainforest! Your guide will stop to go over the many flora and fauna you’ll come across in this biodiverse rainforest. The night ends with a night boat safari searching for caiman lurking in the waters.

Book 3-Day Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge Stay & 3-Day Lake Sandoval Tour

Book the exact Amazon Lodge by clicking here or search availability for your dates in the widget below:

Day 1 in Amazon Rainforest • photos by Jeanie A

Day 2: Amazon Rainforest – Lake Sandoval Tour

The 2nd day of both your Peru trip and the 3-Day Amazon Lodge tour will have you exploring more of the Amazon Rainforest, but more specifically, Lake Sandoval located within Tambopata National Reserve. You’ll explore the lake and look out for all kinda of wildlife, from Monkeys, to Birds, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot an otter!

After your day on the lake, you’ll return back to the Lodge. But the day won’t be over yet, and you’ll get to do another Amazon Rainforest trek to a lookout tower. Climb the steps up and you’ll get amazing panoramic views of the Amazon overlooking it’s thick forest canopy.

Lake Sandoval & Lookout Tower • photos by Jeanie A

Day 3: Amazon Rainforest – Clay Lick & Depart Puerto Maldonado, Arrive Cusco

On the last day of the 3-Day Lake Sandoval Tour, you’ll do your last trek through the Amazon Rainforest and observe parrots licking clay. This is a fascinating look at nature and animal behaviors.

Then after saying farewell to your Amazon Lodge, you’ll check out back in Puerto Maldonado and catch a flight to Cusco Airport (CUZ).

Last day in the Amazon Rainforest • photos by Jeanie A

Once in Cusco, you’ll get to explore a bit of the city. We stayed at Hotel Royal Qosqo, which is a short couple minute walk to the main square, Plaza de Armas de Cusco. Book the exact stay by clicking here or search availability for your dates in the widget below:

Day 4: Cusco – Acclimate & Explore

Cusco is located 11,000 ft above sea level, so you’re sure to feel the effects of the higher altitude. Before doing any hikes (like at Machu Pichu), it’s best to take some time to acclimate to the elevation.

So relax at your hotel and/or do some light exploring of Cusco! We explored the Plaza de Armas de Cusco, enjoyed lunch with a view of it, did some souvenir shopping, and also visited Qorikancha Museum.

Exploring Cusco • photos by Jeanie A

Day 5: Cusco – Sacred Valley Tour & Aguas Calientes – Hot Springs

On Day 4 of your 7-day Itinerary, you’ll start your adventure towards Machu Picchu! We opted to take a 2-Day Tour that took us through Sacred Valley, included an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes, a guided tour through Machu Picchu, and the transportation back to our Cusco hotel.

For full details of this experience, check out my 2-Day Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu By Train Tour Review. The subsequent 2 days of this 7-day Peru itinerary will be based on the 2-Day Tour through Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

On this day, the bus driver brings you to several stops where you learn about Peruvian and ancient Incan cultures. You’ll get to stop at Awana Kancha, an alpaca & llama wool farm with a textile museum, several viewpoints where you can learn about Incan agriculture, engineering, and ruins.

Then you’ll hop on a train with scenic views all around you as you make your way to Aguas Calientes. Explore the town and take a relaxing dip in the warm waters of the hot springs!

Book 2-Day Tour to Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

I recommend booking a tour to explore this region as it takes the guesswork out of all the logistics since all transportation is included. It also includes a tour guide every step of the way so you won’t get lost or confused. To book your 2-Day through Sacred Valley and to Machu Picchu, click here or click “Book Now” in the widget below:

Tour through Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes • photos by Jeanie A

Day 6: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Tour & Return Cusco

On the 6th day, you’ll get to visit a wonder of the world: Machu Picchu! Meet your Machu Picchu tour guide, hop on a bus to climb up the mountain, and walk through the Machu Picchu site. You’ll learn so much about the ruins, the amazing creativity and engineering that went into it, and about the Incan people and culture. This will surely be one of the highlights of your Peru trip.

Return to Aguas Calientes for a lunch before leaving to Cusco in the early afternoon. You’ll take the same scenic train and bus back to Cusco.

Machu Picchu & Aguas Calientes • photos by Jeanie A

Day 7: Depart Cusco

Unfortunately, your time in Peru has come to an end but hopefully this short week-long trip has you wanting to come back for longer! Head to the airport and go to your next destination, or return home.

Final Words

This 7-day itinerary includes several big hitters that Peru offers! From trekking through the Amazon Rainforest spotting amazing wildlife, to exploring ancient Incan ruins and learning about their fascinating culture. You’ll surely get an amazing taste of Peru, but hopefully you’ll go back wanting to experience more of what this beautiful country has to offer!

Planning your trip to Peru?
If you have any questions or want to swap travel stories, let’s chat in the comments.