Peru Route: Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca, 17 Stops
This 7,493 km route across Peru connects iconic archaeological sites and natural wonders, from Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail in the Andes to the enigmatic Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca, and Colca Canyon. The itinerary includes major cities like Lima and Cusco, plus lesser-known destinations such as Chachapoyas, Kuelap, and the Chan Chan Ruins near Trujillo.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Machu Picchu
- End
- Trujillo
- Stops
- 17
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Machu Picchu — Mysterious pre-Columbian settlement and palace nestled in the Peruvian Andes. Accessible via the Inca Trail.
- Inca Trail — Ancient mountain pathway spanning 26 miles through cloud forests and high passes, leading trekkers directly to Machu Picchu's gates.
- Lima and Cusco
- Nazca Lines — Astonishing geoglyphs crisscrossing the valleys of Palpa and Nazca in the dry, stable Nazca Desert.
- Karajia, Kuelap, Gocta Waterfall — Remote northern ruins and waterfalls featuring pre-Incan fortress Kuelap, ancient burial site Karajia, and Peru's third-highest cascade.
- Chan Chan Ruins — Abandoned pre-Columbian archaeological site near Trujillo.
- Lake Titicaca — Massive high-altitude lake straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia.
- Colca Canyon — Canyon more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.
- Sacred Valley — Valley of the Incas in the Andes near Cusco, featuring multiple Incan citadels.
- Pisac, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo
- Santa Catalina Convent — Stunning 16th-century convent in Arequipa featuring cobalt-blue and white-painted walls, cloisters, and preserved nun quarters offering glimpses of colonial religious life.
- Lima — Explore the museums and historic heart of Lima Centro, or the tourist-friendly green suburb of Miraflores.
- Cusco — High-altitude city known for hot springs and proximity to Incan sites.
- Chachapoyas
- Karajia — Archaeological site featuring distinctive pre-Incan sarcophagi.
- Gocta Waterfall — Sparkling multi-tiered waterfall near Chachapoyas.
- Trujillo — Relatively large city founded in the 1500s near the Pacific Coast, close to the abandoned Chan Chan ruins.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Fly over the Nazca Lines to see the enormous inscriptions of lines, animals, and geometric patterns carved into the desert terrain.
- Tip
- Visit Chachapoyas to arrange trips to Karajia sarcophagi, the pre-Inca city of Kuelap, and Gocta Waterfall from the main plaza.
- Tip
- In Colca Canyon, look for Andean condors and giant hummingbirds in the sky. The canyon is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.
- Where to stay
- Stay in Trujillo's colonial center with colorful Spanish mansions and quaint churches within a lush valley north of Lima.
- Tip
- Explore Sacred Valley's colonial towns, remote villages, colorful markets, and Incan citadels of Pisac, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo.
- Tip
- Visit Santa Catalina Convent in Arequipa to see Spanish colonial architecture with lovely streets and captivating architectural designs.
- Food
- Lima offers exceptional food and culture. Explore craft markets in Lima Centro or antique shops and bars in the tourist-friendly Miraflores suburb.
- Tip
- Use Cusco as the gateway to Machu Picchu. Soak in the hot springs of this high-altitude city and explore its Inca temples and colonial churches.
- Save money
- Buy local handcrafts from villages in Colca Canyon for authentic souvenirs.
- Tip
- Lake Titicaca straddles Bolivia and Peru at 12,500 feet elevation and is the highest navigable lake in the world. It has 41 inhabited islands including floating islands made of heavy reeds.
- Tip
- Visit Chan Chan Ruins near Trujillo—the largest adobe city in the Americas with religious temples, burial grounds, and royal residences.
Video on this route
10 Best Places to Visit in Peru - Travel Video