Using Cusco as your base, the itinerary is divided into four parts: ancient capital, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and nearby sights. This avoids long travel stretches while allowing for altitude acclimatization. This short trip is suitable for travelers transiting from Bolivia or Chile who want to focus on key sites, and can also serve as the first half of a longer journey.
Plaza de Armas → Cusco Cathedral → Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) → San Blas Handicrafts District → San Pedro Market. The first day involves light activities to help your body adjust to the approximately 3,400-meter altitude. In the evening, drink a cup of coca leaf tea to aid sleep; avoid alcohol and overeating.
Pisac Ruins and Market → Urubamba Valley → Ollantaytambo Fortress. Stay overnight in Ollantaytambo, or take a sightseeing train directly to Aguas Calientes. The Sacred Valley sits at a slightly lower elevation than Cusco, making for a more relaxed pace, and you can sample quinoa and corn dishes from the valley along the way.
Enter Machu Picchu early in the morning, follow the official recommended route for sightseeing, and consider purchasing additional tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hikes based on your stamina. Return to Cusco or Aguas Calientes in the afternoon for rest; hot springs in Aguas Calientes can help relieve fatigue.
Half-day tour of four ruins: Sacsayhuamán, Kenko, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay → afternoon shopping for alpaca wool goods and silver jewelry in Cusco → evening flight out. A combo ticket for these four sites is available in Cusco and is valid for both the ruins and other city sites.