5 Days in Peru: Lima, Machu Picchu & Cusco
Machu Picchu
A curated 5-day journey through Peru, blending design-led hotels, immersive cultural moments, and one of the world’s most scenic train ride. From Michelin dinners in Lima to bird-watching in the cloud forest. This itinerary is tailored for the thoughtful traveler.
Day 1 | Lima
Morning
Touch down in Lima and ease into the rhythm of Miraflores. Pre-arrange a driver for a seamless airport transfer, then stretch your legs with a light stroll through the coastal promenade. Pause for a flat white at Puku Puku Café, a laid-back favorite for locals and travellers alike.
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon browsing artisan shops and wandering through Parque del Amor, where sculptural romance meets ocean views.
Evening
Dinner at Rafael, a refined but lively spot tucked into a colonial-style home, a perfect introduction to Peru’s layered culinary scene.
Essentials
Dine
Rafael - An elegant Peruvian with contemporary flair and seasonal seafood
Sip
Puku Puku Café - A cozy place for slow mornings and people-watching in Miraflores
Stay
Pullman Miraflores - sophisticated, modern, and ideally located for your first night in Peru
“The Miraflores coastline is at its best in golden hour. Grab a chilled chicha morada, find a spot along the cliffs, and watch the sun slip behind the Pacific.”
Day 2 | Lima
Morning
Grab a breakfast sandwich from La Lucha Sanguchería (the pan con chicharrón, with crispy pork, sweet potato, and salsa criolla, is a local favorite), then enjoy a leisurely stroll through Parque 7 de Junio, where local artists display their vibrant works.
Afternoon
Spend time exploring the Museo de Sitio Pucllana, a pre-Incan adobe and clay pyramid dating back to 400 - 700 AD that once served as an important ceremonial center. Afterwards, have lunch at their onsite restaurant Huaca Pucllana, where you can dine overlooking the ancient ruins.
Evening
Experience an unforgettable dinner at Maido, ranked among Latin America’s best restaurants, where Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura blends Peruvian ingredients with Japanese technique in an innovative Nikkei tasting menu.
Essentials
Dine
Maido - A world-renowned Nikkei restaurant where Peruvian flavors meet Japanese artistry
Huaca Pucllana - Contemporary Peruvian cuisine served with a view of ancient adobe ruinsSip
La Lucha Sanguchería - Enjoy a refreshing chicha morada with a classic pan con chicharrón sandwich
Stay
Pullman Miraflores - well-located for a morning run in Parque del Amor or setting off on foot for your day’s explorations
“Book Maido well in advance, tables for the tasting menu often fill weeks ahead, especially on weekends.”
Day 3 | Machu Picchu
Morning
Fly early from Lima to Cusco, then enjoy the scenic drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. Board the PeruRail train, winding past dramatic mountains and rivers en route to Aguas Calientes.
Afternoon
Arrive in Aguas Calientes and check into Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Spend the afternoon on the property’s lush trails, taking in an orchid garden walk and visiting the hotel’s tea plantation.
Evening
Settle in for an intimate dinner at Inkaterra’s restaurant, where Andean ingredients are prepared with contemporary elegance. Return to your casita to find a crackling fire lit just for you, the perfect prelude to an early night’s rest before tomorrow’s sunrise at Machu Picchu.
Essentials
Dine
Inkaterra – Seasonal Andean-inspired cuisine with views of the Urubamba River
Sip
PeruRail Vistadome – A journey in itself, where coca tea and panoramic windows accompany the Sacred Valley views
Stay
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel – An eco-luxury retreat where evenings end by the fire, preparing you for the adventure of Machu Picchu at dawn
“Skip the packaged day-trip trains, staying overnight in Aguas Calientes means early morning access to Machu Picchu before the crowds.”
Day 4 | Machu Picchu
Morning
Waking up in Aguas Calientes means first entry to Machu Picchu before the day-trip trains arrive, with clear skies often opening just before the late-morning mist and fog settle in. Your private guide will meet you at your hotel at dawn and lead you through Circuit Two, taking in the citadel’s most iconic terraces and temples. From there, continue to the base of Huayna Picchu, where access is limited to 400 daily visitors and must be pre-purchased. The climb is steep but rewarding, offering unmatched panoramic views of the ruins and valley below.
Afternoon
By midday, as the crowds begin to build, descend back to Aguas Calientes for a well-earned lunch at Ollantay Café, known for its riverside setting and specialty coffee sourced from local farms. Afterward, return to Inkaterra and surrender to the soothing effects of a Coca Leaf Body Ritual, a 75-minute treatment rooted in ancient Andean tradition, designed to restore energy after a morning of trekking.
Evening
As evening falls, celebrate with dinner at Indio Feliz, a colorful bistro where French flair meets Peruvian flavors. Finally, retreat to the lush gardens of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, where the hum of the surrounding forest creates a serene close to your day.
Essentials
Dine
Ollantay Café - A cozy riverside stop where you’ll find light bites, and exceptional coffee grown in Peru’s highlands
Indio Feliz - Where Peruvian ingredients meet French techniques in hearty dishes like trout and wood-fired chickenSip
Inkaterra Spa – A warm coca leaf infusion as part of the evening healing ritual, traditionally used to restore balance and energy in the Andes
Stay
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel – an eco-luxury lodge hidden among 12 acres of cloud forest, with stone pathways, orchids, and the sound of rushing river just beyond your casita
“The early hours often bring the clearest skies, capture your photos before the mist rolls in and the crowds appear.”
Day 5 | Cusco
Morning
Board the PeruRail train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo, watching as the Urubamba River winds through the Sacred Valley. From there, arrange a private driver to bring you onward to Cusco. Arrive by midday and check into Inkaterra La Casona, a 16th-century manor turned boutique hotel on the historic Plaza Nazarenas, where colonial charm meets discreet luxury.
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon at the Museo de Arte Precolombino, a beautifully restored colonial mansion housing 3,000 years of pre-Columbian art. Its intimate galleries feature ceramics, goldwork, and wood carvings that showcase the depth of Peru’s ancient cultures. Afterwards, set out on a self-guided walking tour of Cusco, taking in the cobblestone streets, colonial facades, and nearby Inca ruins. Pause along the way at Three Monkeys Coffee, a specialty café serving Peru’s finest beans roasted on site.
Evening
End the day with dinner at Cicciolina, one of Cusco’s most beloved restaurants. Here, Andean flavors meet Mediterranean inspiration in dishes like alpaca carpaccio, handmade pastas, and wood-fired mains. Return to Inkaterra La Casona and round off the night with a perfectly shaken Pisco Sour beside an expertly lit crackling fire.
Essentials
Dine
Cicciolina - a rustic-chic favorite blending Andean ingredients with Mediterranean style
Sip
Three Monkeys Coffee - Peru’s best beans, roasted on site
Stay
Inkaterra La Casona – Overlooking Plaza Nazarenas, this Relais & Châteaux property combines understated luxury with a deep sense of place in Cusco’s historic center.
“Cusco is best absorbed on foot. Follow a self-guided route from Plaza de Armas to San Blas, winding past Inca walls, colonial balconies, and hidden courtyards.”
