5 days in Peru & Mexico City Itinerary

A symbol of the Incan civilization, the abandoned city of Machu Picchu represents a must-see on a Peru vacation.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Tue): make a trip to Intipuncu and then contemplate the long history of Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu.

To see other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Machu Picchu itinerary planning app.

Mexico City, Mexico to Machu Picchu is an approximately 12-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Mexico City to Machu Picchu is 1 hour. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Tue) so you can go by car to Cusco.

Capital of the Inca Empire for three centuries, World Heritage-listed Cusco is now a major tourist destination, drawing nearly 2 million annual tourists with its well-preserved colonial architecture and proximity to Machu Picchu.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Wed): contemplate the long history of Plaza de Armas, then contemplate the long history of Sacsayhuaman, and then admire the masterpieces at Museo de Arte Precolombino.

To see other places to visit, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Cusco trip builder website.

Traveling by car from Machu Picchu to Cusco takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a train. In December, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) to allow time to fly to Mexico City.

Breathtakingly large, Mexico City provides a home for almost 9 million people living in nearly 1,700 distinct neighborhoods.

On the 19th (Thu), explore the world behind art at Palacio de Bellas Artes, then learn more about the world around you at Museo Nacional de Antropologia, then don't miss a visit to Museo Frida Kahlo, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Zocalo. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: appreciate the history behind El Angel de la Independencia, take in the spiritual surroundings of Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de Mexico, then explore the ancient world of Museo del Templo Mayor, and finally delve into the distant past at Zona Arqueológica de Teotihuacan Estacionamiento Puerta 5.

To see photos, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Mexico City driving holiday planning site.

Traveling by flight from Cusco to Mexico City takes 11.5 hours. The time zone changes from Peru Standard Time to Central Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. In December, daily temperatures in Mexico City can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.