Peru Trip Locations We Loved: Where We Stayed, Ate, and Explored

After our trip to Peru, I wanted to put together a simple guide to the places that really stood out. It is a look at our fave places we stayed, ate, and visited throughout the Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu.

Where We Stayed in the Sacred Valley, Peru

During our time in the Sacred Valley, we stayed at Árbol de la Vida, and it ended up being one of the most special parts of the trip. It is family-run, peaceful, and has a very personal feel that made it easy to settle in right away. Everyone was incredibly kind and accommodating, and the whole property felt calm in a way that is hard to explain until you are there.

One of the things I loved most about staying there was how connected it felt to the land around it. The hotel has an organic farm and a farm-to-table approach that made the whole experience feel even more grounded. They also had a wonderful coffee and matcha service, which quickly became one of my favorite little details each morning.

A few practical things are worth knowing before you go. The rooms do not have air conditioning or heat, so pack layers. They do have yoga mats available for guests, and they offer laundry service at your own expense. They also had an amazing massage therapist, which felt especially appreciated after long days of walking and exploring.

If you are looking for a Sacred Valley hotel that feels welcoming, peaceful, and a little more personal, this was such a good one. You can view the hotel here

Best Restaurant in Cusco, Peru

One of our favorite food stops in Cusco was Kusikay. The chicken tacos were one of those meals you keep talking about long after the trip is over. If you are looking for a restaurant in Cusco to save ahead of time, this is absolutely one I would recommend.

Places We Visited in Peru

This trip included so many beautiful places, but a few really stood out. If you are planning a Peru travel itinerary of your own, these are some of the locations that made the biggest impression on me.

Pisac, Peru

Pisac ended up being one of my favorite stops in the Sacred Valley. The views were so wide and open, and the terraces were even more impressive in person. It is one of those places where you look around and immediately understand why people love this part of Peru so much.

After exploring the ruins, spending time in Pisac town and the market made the visit even better. It added a more local, lived-in side to the experience and gave us time to slow down a little and take it all in.

Maras Salt Mines

The Maras Salt Mines were one of the coolest places we saw on the trip. The salt pools spill across the mountainside in a way that almost does not look real the first time you see them. It is such a unique stop and one that felt completely different from the rest of the sites we visited in Peru.

Moray, Peru

Moray was another place that really stood out in the Sacred Valley. The circular terraces are so striking in person, and the whole site feels a little surreal when you are standing there looking down into it. It is one of those places that is hard to compare to anything else, which made it especially memorable.

Urubamba, Peru

Urubamba gave us a chance to see a quieter, more everyday side of the Sacred Valley. It felt less like a major tourist stop and more like a place where you could get a feel for the rhythm of the area. I liked that contrast, especially between some of the larger archaeological sites.

Q’enco

Q’enco had a very different feel from some of the other places we visited near Cusco. It felt quieter and more tucked away, and it was one of those stops that made the history of the area feel more layered and real.

Puca Pucara

Puca Pucara was another stop we visited outside of Cusco. While it may not be the first site people think of when planning a Peru trip, it was still worth seeing as part of the larger experience of exploring the area’s ancient sites.

Tambomachay

Tambomachay was one of the more peaceful places we visited. The water features and the setting made it feel calm and quiet, and it stood out for that reason alone. It was a nice change of pace from some of the more dramatic or massive ruins.

Saksaywaman, Cusco

Saksaywaman was one of the most impressive places we saw in Cusco. The scale of the stones is hard to understand until you are standing in front of them. It was one of those places that really stayed with me, just because of how massive and precise everything felt.

Qorikancha, Cusco

Qorikancha was another important stop in Cusco and one that felt especially significant because of its history. It is one of those places where you can really feel the layers of the city and how much history is built into it.

Cusco Cathedral and Plaza de Armas

Spending time in central Cusco was a highlight on its own. The Cusco Cathedral and Plaza de Armas are surrounded by beautiful architecture, energy, and so much history. It is one of the best places to walk around, take your time, and just experience the city.

Ollantaytambo, Peru

Ollantaytambo was one of the most memorable towns we visited in Peru. It has so much character, and it still feels deeply tied to its history. The stonework, the layout of the town, and the mountain backdrop made it feel like one of the most special stops of the trip.

Chinchero, Peru

Chinchero felt quieter and more traditional than some of the other places we visited. It is known for its weaving traditions and beautiful setting in the highlands, and it gave the trip a different pace that I really appreciated.

Waterfalls Near Our Retreat Area

We also visited local waterfalls near where we were staying in the Sacred Valley. This ended up being one of the more peaceful parts of the trip. It was less about checking off a major landmark and more about being in the landscape and enjoying the quiet.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu was, of course, one of the most unforgettable parts of the trip. No matter how many photos you have seen, it still feels completely different when you are actually there. It is one of those places that really does live up to everything people say about it.

Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes was part of the Machu Picchu experience and gave us a chance to slow down before and after visiting the site. It has its own energy, with travelers moving through, small shops, and that feeling of anticipation that comes with being so close to Machu Picchu.

Huayna Picchu

For anyone doing Huayna Picchu, it adds another incredible layer to the experience. The views are worth it, and it gives you such a different perspective of the surrounding area. It is definitely more challenging, but it was one of the most rewarding parts of the trip.

Peru Weather During Rainy Season

We traveled during the rainy season in Peru, so being flexible was important. Some days brought brief rain showers, and other days the weather shifted quickly. We were definitely grateful to travel this time of year, as tourism season is slow, rates are lower and this also means lower lines at tourist spots and way less busy. Plus with the time of year hiking weather was perfect.

I would strongly recommend bringing a raincoat or poncho. Ponchos are also easy to buy in the Sacred Valley, and they are inexpensive, durable, and actually made for this kind of weather. If you do not want to pack one, you can easily pick one up there.

I also put together a separate Peru packing guide with what to pack, what to wear, and what was actually worth bringing, which I’ll link here.

Communication Tips for Traveling in Peru

One thing that made travel easier was having WhatsApp downloaded before we arrived. A lot of places in Peru use WhatsApp for communication, whether it is making dinner reservations, messaging drivers, or reaching out to local businesses.

Final Thoughts on Our Peru Trip

Final Thoughts on Our Peru Trip

This Peru trip gave us the chance to experience so many incredible places, from the peaceful beauty of the Sacred Valley to the history and energy of Cusco to the unforgettable experience of Machu Picchu. Every stop brought something different, and together they made the trip feel incredibly full and memorable.

If you are planning a trip to Peru and want a better idea of where to stay in the Sacred Valley, where to eat in Cusco, and which places to visit in Peru, these were some of the locations that stood out most to us.