My 12-Day Peru Itinerary: Exploring Machu Picchu & the Amazon Rainforest

Some trips leave postcards in your memory; this one carved an entire chapter.

For 12 unforgettable days, I traveled through Peru, experiencing everything from 15,748-foot mountain passes to the heartbeat of the Amazon rainforest. It was challenging, emotional, and transformative… the kind of adventure that reminds you how small you are and how connected we all are.

If you have ever dreamed of standing before Machu Picchu, trekking through the Andes, or floating down an Amazon river at sunset, this itinerary is your sign.

You can book this exact trip, the Amazon to the Andes itinerary with G Adventures, and follow the same route I did across four incredible regions of Peru.

Why Peru Stole My Heart

I have visited dozens of countries, but few blend adventure, spirituality, and community the way Peru does.

What makes traveling here with G Adventures special is that it is not tourism for tourism’s sake. It is community-based travel. Every guide, meal, and lodge supports local families and preserves cultural traditions through the Planeterra Foundation.

This trip, part of the national Live Peru to the Fullest campaign, was designed to show that adventure can be both thrilling and responsible.

12-Day Peru Itinerary Highlights

Below is a breakdown of my journey, along with tips and insights from each region.

Day 1: Arrive in Lima — Coffee, Coastlines & Courage

I landed in Lima, Peru’s coastal capital, ready to explore. My first stop was Miraflores, filled with ocean views, street art, and that soft Pacific breeze. I grabbed an espresso at Puku Puku Coffee and wandered through Barranco, Lima’s bohemian heart painted with color and history.

Dinner? Maido Restaurant. It is currently ranked the #1 restaurant in the world. I walked in with no reservation and somehow got a seat at the bar, proof that being a little delusional and hopeful sometimes pays off.

Day 2–3: Cusco & The Sacred Valley — Altitude and Awe

Flying into Cusco at 11,000 feet above sea level felt surreal and slightly dizzying. I sipped coca tea to adjust and took it slow. The city itself is a living museum filled with cobblestone streets, Incan walls, and bright plazas where locals sell handwoven scarves.

From Cusco, we descended into the Sacred Valley, a region so beautiful it looks like a painting. We visited the Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Co-op, where women use ancestral techniques to dye and weave alpaca wool. Supporting their work helps sustain families and preserve ancient traditions.

Lunch at Parwa Community Restaurant was another highlight, a farm-to-table meal cooked by locals in the small village of Huchuy Qosqo. Every purchase helps fund education and local infrastructure.

Day 4–6: The Lares Trek — 15,748 Feet and Full of Heart

Instead of the crowded Inca Trail, our group took the Lares Trek, a breathtaking route through remote Andean villages.

We hiked across mountain passes, past turquoise lagoons, and through herds of alpacas, all while learning about local Quechua communities who call this region home. The highest point, Pachacutec Pass, sits at 15,748 feet (4,800 meters). I cried at the top… not from pain, but from pride.

Every campsite was part of a G Adventures-supported project. In Cuncani, the community reinvests tourism income into healthcare, nutrition, and electricity, a tangible example of travel creating impact.

Packing Tip: Bring layers, hydration tablets, and humility. The altitude is no joke, but the reward is worth every breath.

Day 7: Machu Picchu — The Moment I’ll Never Forget

We took the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then an early-morning bus up the winding road to Machu Picchu.

When the clouds lifted and I saw the citadel for the first time, I froze. It is more than a wonder of the world; it is a masterpiece of resilience and imagination.

Our guide explained how its architecture aligned with celestial movements and symbolized balance between humanity and nature. Standing there, after days of trekking, I understood why travelers call this place life-changing.

Day 8–9: Cusco — Culture, Coffee & Cobblestones

Back in Cusco, I explored at my own pace, visiting Three Monkeys Coffee, shopping for souvenirs, and eating lomo saltado at Morena Peruvian Kitchen (highly recommend).

Cusco is one of those places that makes you want to stay longer… to journal, people-watch, and breathe in the mountain air. While in Cusco, visit the San Blas neighborhood (photo on the right above), take a chocolate-making class, and watch the sunset from Sacsayhuamán.

Day 10–12: Amazon Rainforest — The Heartbeat of the Earth

I grew up learning about the Amazon Rainforest in textbooks, but seeing it in person felt like meeting a legend.

From Cusco, we flew to Puerto Maldonado, took a short bus ride, and then a two-hour boat journey down the Tambopata River to reach our eco-lodge. No Wi-Fi, just nature’s soundtrack… cicadas, monkeys, and rain.

We spent our days exploring oxbow lakes by canoe, spotting capybaras and caimans, and learning about the forest’s delicate ecosystem from local guides.

At night, we walked through the jungle by flashlight, listening to the hum of life around us. The humidity made my curls come alive, finally a climate they loved. This was the final patch of the journey, both literally and symbolically. The Amazon reminded me that travel can heal, educate, and transform if we do it responsibly.

Sustainable Travel in Peru

Every stop on this trip is part of a sustainable tourism network supported by G Adventures’ Planeterra Foundation. The money you spend goes back into communities, helping improve access to education, healthcare, and clean water.

When you book this trip, you are not just seeing Peru; you are investing in it.

Ready to Plan Your Own Peru Adventure?

If you have been searching for a Peru itinerary that combines adventure, culture, and sustainability, this is it.

Whether you are a solo traveler, a couple, or a curious explorer, this trip will challenge and inspire you in ways you cannot predict.

Book the same 12-day G Adventures trip: Amazon to the Andes — G Adventures

And when you go, tag me @travelingwithjessica across socials… I would love to follow your journey and cheer you on.

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Because sometimes, the best thing you can do for your soul is say yes to the adventure that scares you a little.

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