Packing for Adventure

This was our exact 10-day Peru itinerary including flights, hotels, transfers, and tours. It’s written day-by-day so you can easily follow the same route. It includes Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Puno, and Lake Titicaca, all in an efficient, no-backtracking loop.

Here’s how our trip unfolded:

Day 0: Trip Preparations

• Clean to come home to a clean house
• Last minute packing
• Dropped pups off with dog sitters with food and their favorite toys

Day 1: Fly to Lima

SLC → Atlanta → Lima

9:45 AM — Depart Salt Lake City
3:33 PM — Arrive in Atlanta
5:50 PM — Continue to Lima
11:35 PM — Arrive in Lima, Peru

Check-in: Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport
Conveniently connected to the airport, perfect for early flights the next morning.

After landing late at night, we were supposed to check into the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport. However this was the one and only hiccup we ran into on our trip – they didn’t have a place for us to sleep. We got it worked out after a lot of phone calls…

• No baggage claims necessary if you are able to use carry ons

Day 2: Travel to the Sacred Valley

Fly to Cusco • Transfer to the Sacred Valley

10:50 AM — Fly from Lima to Cusco
12:15 PM — Land in Cusco

From the Cusco airport, we had a private transfer straight to the Sacred Valley, which helps with altitude adjustment.

Check-in: Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
A peaceful hotel set in a former monastery, perfect for resting before Machu Picchu.

Day 3: Machu Picchu Tour

Train to Machu Picchu • Group Tour • Lunch at Inkaterra

This was our big travel day into Aguas Calientes.

We took the Expedition Train toward Machu Picchu, then met up with our group tour of the ruins.

Afternoon:
We toured Machu Picchu with a guide, the classic upper viewpoints, terraces, and temples.

Lunch:
Inkaterra Café (included with the tour), located right by the river and the train tracks.

Check-in: Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
We stayed here for two nights, giving us time for more exploring the next day.

Day 4: Machu Picchu Hike

This was our self-guided day back inside the site.

We hiked to the top of Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

We explored more of the little town of Aguas Calientes after the hike, and spent a second night at Tierra Viva Machu Picchu.

Day 5: Return to Cusco

We took the train back from Aguas Calientes toward Cusco and checked into:

Hotel: Los Portales Hotel Cusco
We stayed here to two nights and we were able to get some well-needed rest after the big hike the prior day.

We used this day to explore Cusco at our own pace before our tour the next morning.

Day 6: Tour of Qurikancha

This day centered around the Qurikancha (Temple of the Sun) — one of the most important Inca temples in Cusco.

We learn about the Inca stonework and the colonial church built on top of it.

Second night at Los Portales Hotel Cusco.

Day 7: Travel to Lake Titicaca

Fly to Juliaca • Transfer to Puno

11:10 AM — Depart Cusco
12:05 PM — Arrive in Juliaca

We had a private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno with an English-speaking guide.

Check-in: La Hacienda Puno
We stayed here for two nights while visiting Lake Titicaca.

Day 8: Exploring Lake Titicaca

Floating Islands of Uros • Island of Taquile Tour

This was our Lake Titicaca tour day.

We took a guided boat trip to:

• The Floating Islands of Uros — man-made reed islands
• Taquile Island — famous for textiles and terraced hills

This was one of the most memorable cultural days of the trip.

Second night at La Hacienda Puno.

Day 9: Return to Lima

Puno → Juliaca • Fly to Lima

We had a private transfer from Puno to the Juliaca airport.

1:15 PM — Fly from Juliaca to Lima
2:50 PM — Arrive in Lima

We had this night on our own in Lima before our red-eye flight home. We visited the Larco Museum.

Day 10: Return Home

Lima → Atlanta → SLC

1:05 AM — Depart Lima
9:00 AM — Arrive in Atlanta
2:00 PM — Final flight to Salt Lake City
3:56 PM — Land in SLC

After picking up the puppies, unpacking, and catching up on laundry, we ended the night with full hearts: grateful for the memories and the rewarding journey we’d just experienced.

Stay Tuned: the next post will detail the places in Peru we’d love to see next time!

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