Planning a trip to Peru can feel overwhelming at first. There’s so much to see, so many landscapes that are completely different from each other, that it’s hard to know where to start. But if you have a week available, don’t worry: with good planning, you can have a complete, intense, and varied experience that will leave you wanting more.
In this post, we’ll guide you through what to do in Peru for one week, from the moment you land at the airport until you leave with your suitcase full of memories. And we’ll do it in a realistic, emotional, and useful way just like a friend would if they had already been there.
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The inevitable starting point: Your arrival in Lima
No matter if you’re coming from Europe, the United States, or elsewhere in Latin America all international flights land in Lima. So, Peru’s capital will definitely be your first point of contact with the country.
Where to stay in Lima
If you’re continuing to other regions, the most practical option is to stay one night near Jorge Chavez International Airport. There are comfortable hotels just minutes away, like Costa del Sol Wyndham, which is directly connected to the airport perfect if you have an early flight.
But if you have more time and want to start feeling Peru from day one, you can stay in neighborhoods like Miraflores or Barranco. They’re safe, well-connected, and allow you to enjoy the coast, local cuisine, and a bit of Lima’s cultural vibe before heading off to other parts of the country.
Plan your domestic flights wisely
From Lima, you can take short flights (1 to 2 hours max) to most major tourist destinations. That’s why many people plan their trip based on air circuits, avoiding long bus rides.
Domestic airlines like Latam, Sky Airline, or Jet Smart offer multiple daily flights to the southern region of the country. Tip: buy your domestic tickets in advance because prices tend to rise close to the travel date.
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Realistic itinerary: What to do in Peru for one week
Day 1 & 2: First destination in the south of the country
As soon as you land in your first southern destination, you’ll begin to feel that special energy where the ancient blends with the everyday. Cobblestone streets, stone walls, and the way locals greet you with calm and wisdom let you know you’re in a special place.
Explore the historic center and connect with the city
An excellent start is to stroll through the historic center without rushing. Many southern cities have main squares full of history, colonial churches, and traditional markets where everything feels more human.
If you land in an Andean city, you might visit:
- San Pedro Market: Perfect for seeing bright colors, tasting new fruits, and chatting with local vendors.
- Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun): A site that combines Inca and colonial architecture. Its history is as powerful as its presence.
- San Blas neighborhood: Ideal for wandering narrow streets, visiting artisan workshops, and sitting in a café with a view.
How to Get There from Lima:
The fastest and most comfortable option is to fly from Lima. Flights take 1 to 1.5 hours with several departures daily. Once at the local airport, take a taxi or shuttle to your accommodation. It’s best to stay in central areas so you can explore on foot.
Take time to acclimate
If you’re over 3,000 meters above sea level, take it slow. Altitude sickness (soroche) can appear if you don’t give your body time to adjust. That’s why these first days are perfect for gentle walks, staying hydrated, eating light, and resting if needed.
Enjoy the food and the conversations
Start with a hearty local soup or try a chairo if it’s chilly. Street vendors offer everything from anticuchos to Andean bread with fresh cheese. Don’t be surprised if a local starts chatting with you as if you were lifelong friends. That’s part of the charm.
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Day 3: Connect with nature
If you’re wondering what to do in Peru for one week that balances culture and nature, this third day will be unforgettable. One of Peru’s greatest treasures is its rapidly changing geography. You can wake up in the Andes, have lunch in a warm valley, and fall asleep in the desert under a star-filled sky.
This day is ideal for stepping away from the urban setting and reconnecting with the basics: earth, water, and wind. Depending on your route, here are some options:
Visit a desert Oasis
If you’re headed to the southern coast, stop at Huacachina—a postcard-perfect oasis just five minutes from Ica. Surrounded by dunes, it’s great for enjoying the desert’s silence or going on a buggy ride and trying sandboarding.
How to get there:
Take a direct bus from Lima to Ica (about 4 hours), or fly from your current city to Lima and then continue by road. Buses are comfortable, safe, and frequent.
Take a boat ride on a mirror-like lake
If you’re near the highlands, visit a lake that reflects the sky like a sacred mirror. Lake Titicaca is the most famous, but alternatives like Lake Umayo offer fewer crowds and breathtaking views.
These boat rides often include visits to small inhabited islands or stops to rest, reflect, and take in the scenery.
Hike through a quiet Canyon
The Colca Canyon is among the deepest in the world and is ideal if your route includes Arequipa. Witness condors soaring at sunrise and visit mountain villages that move at a different pace.
Tips for the Day:
- Wear sunscreen, even if it’s cold.
- Dress in layers: sun, rain, and wind can all happen in one day.
- Respect the altitude: take it slow.
- Bring water and snacks to keep your energy up.
This is a day to let nature speak to you. The silence, the colors, the textures—they all have something to say.
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Day 4: Experience living culture
By the middle of your trip, you’re more acclimated, relaxed, and emotionally open. It’s the perfect time to engage with Peru’s living culture. Not just observing, but participating.
If you’re wondering what to do in Peru for one week to truly connect with the country, this day might become your favorite—because it’s not about ticking off places, but about meaningful encounters.
Join Hands-On artisan workshops
Across Peru, rural communities offer immersive artisan workshops. One standout is traditional Andean weaving, where Quechua women teach you—with pride and patience—how they dye wool with natural ingredients and weave using waist looms.
Where to Find Them:
Communities around the Sacred Valley host these experiences, often with support from local associations. You can also find ceramic workshops on the coast and ancestral cooking classes in the Andes or Amazon regions.
Listen to oral legends
Many Andean legends are passed down orally. If you take the time to chat with elders in small towns, they might share stories about sacred mountains (apus), lagoons, or earth spirits.
These tales offer a deep understanding of Peru’s spiritual worldview and are often overlooked in typical guides about what to do in Peru for one week—yet they reveal a side of the country that’s deeply human and poetic.
Share the everyday moments
Some of the most magical travel moments happen in adobe kitchens, eating freshly baked bread with herbal tea, sharing laughter or silence with local families.
Many communities welcome guests not as tourists but as visitors. All they ask is respect and willingness to learn.
How to access these experiences:
Platforms like Turismo Rural Comunitario by Mincetur and independent NGOs promote real connections between travelers and communities. Some rural lodges also help coordinate such activities.
This day is about filling your soul, not your camera roll. It’s about observing how people live and discovering something within yourself.
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Day 5: Adrenaline or rest—you choose
After days of history, nature, and culture, it’s time to decide: move your body or soothe your soul?
If you’re still figuring out what to do in Peru for one week, this fifth day becomes a turning point. You’re no longer arriving—you’re deep into your experience. And now, the choice is yours: adventure or peace?
If you love adventure:
- Sandboarding in Huacachina
- Mountain biking through Inca trails
- Rock climbing in Arequipa or the Cordillera Blanca
- Paragliding over Lima’s Miraflores coast
If you need rest:
- Andean herbal spa treatments with muña, ruda, or coca
- Reading by a lake or mountain
- Strolling leisurely through a local market
Whether you’re chasing thrills or seeking calm, this day allows you to slow down (or speed up) on your own terms. And it proves that answering what to do in Peru for one week depends not just on where you go, but on how you choose to feel.
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Day 6: Flavors you’ll never forget
If you’re wondering what to do in Peru for one week that truly connects you to its essence, set aside a full day to explore its flavors. Food in Peru isn’t just a side note—it’s an entire narrative. Each dish tells a story of land, people, and tradition.
Beyond Ceviche:
- Coastal: Tiradito with ají amarillo
- Highlands: Ají de gallina or rocoto relleno
- Jungle: Juane wrapped in bijao leaves
Where to eat:
- Local markets like Surquillo, San Pedro, or Arequipa Central
- Award-winning restaurants like Central, Maido, Kjolle
- Traditional eateries (picanterías, huariques) for authentic flavors
Take a cooking class:
Many travelers say the highlight of their week was learning to cook a Peruvian dish themselves. From walking through vibrant markets to preparing dishes with local chefs, this hands-on experience adds a new layer of meaning to your journey.
And yes if you’re still planning what to do in Peru for one week, a cooking class (or even a pisco sour workshop!) will leave your palate as full as your heart.
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Day 7: Emotional closure and return
The last day is always bittersweet. Return to Lima a night before your international flight to avoid stress and enjoy one final walk through Miraflores or Barranco.
Treat yourself:
- Coffee with an ocean view
- Handcrafted souvenir
- One last dessert: suspiro a la limeña or lucuma ice cream
As you pack, reflect. Those little objects in your bag are more than souvenirs—they’re proof that you were truly there.
Final tips for making the most of your week in Peru
- Plan, but leave room for surprises.
- Don’t overpack your itinerary. Take time to connect.
- Talk to locals—they hold stories Google doesn’t.
One week that changes the way you see
Seven days may not be enough to see all of Peru, but they are enough to fall in love. Discovering what to do in Peru for one week is less about checking places off a list and more about opening yourself up to transformation.
Peru stays with you. Like a warm echo that whispers: come back anytime there’s always more waiting for you.
