[Peru 9-Day In-depth Itinerary] Double World Heritage Sites Adventure Guide!

💡9 days across Peru's three geographical zones (Coast/Highland/Rainforest), a dual pilgrimage to the Inca Trail and Earth's Lungs!

🛬[Itinerary]
Day 1: Arrive in Lima✈→Check in at Miraflores seaside area (Maury Hotel recommended for jet lag recovery)
Day 2: Lima Old Town: San Francisco Monastery (Catacombs) → Larco Museum (Erotic Pottery Collection)
Day 3: Lima✈Cusco (1.5h) → Plaza de Armas → Cusco Cathedral → Sacsayhuaman Fortress (sunset viewpoint)
Day 4: Sacred Valley Salt Ponds (Maras) → Moray Terraces → Check in at Aguas Calientes (choose Belmond Hotel for complimentary hot springs)
Day 5: Full-day Machu Picchu tour (take first bus up to avoid crowds) → Cusco✈Lima (choose left side seats for Andes views on night flight)
Day 6: Lima✈Iquitos → Rainforest lodge (canoe trip to see pink dolphins)
Day 7: Canopy walkway for bird watching → Night caiman spotting (headlamp essential!)
Day 8: Visit Yagua tribal village → Return to Lima airport for departure

⛺[Must-visit Sites]
1️⃣ Machu Picchu Sun Gate: Photograph the ruins in morning mist, book entrance + bus tickets 1 month in advance
2️⃣ Sacred Valley Salt Ponds: Earth's palette of 3,000 mirror-like salt pools (pink salt souvenirs available)
3️⃣ Sacsayhuaman Fortress: 200-ton stones fit perfectly, more impressive during June Sun Festival
4️⃣ Amazon Canopy Walk: Bird's eye view of rainforest's 9-layer ecosystem from 40m high
5️⃣ Larco Museum: Pre-Columbian gold gallery + History of Peruvian peppers exhibition

🍩[Must-try Food]
🔸Lima: Central Restaurant (World's Top 2, ingredients from -10m to 4,000m altitude)
🔸Cusco: Chicha's roasted guinea pig (Cuy Chactado with Andean potatoes, for adventurous eaters)
🔸Aguas Calientes: Toto's House (quinoa with alpaca stew, watch trains pass through clouds)
🔸Rainforest: Juane rice wrapped in palm leaves (jungle meal with chicken + olives + egg)
🔸Must-try drinks: Pisco Sour (national drink) & Chicha purple corn juice

🏨[Accommodation Guide]
✔️Cusco: Palacio del Inka (16th century Incan stone walls, oxygen-enriched rooms for altitude sickness)
✔️Aguas Calientes: Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (only hotel at Machu Picchu entrance)
✔️Rainforest: Ceiba Tops (all-inclusive eco-lodge, pool facing Amazon River)
✔️Lima: Barranco district art guesthouses (like Casa Republica)

🚌[Transportation Guide]
✈ Flight tips:
Choose morning flights from Lima→Cusco to reduce altitude sickness
Rainforest flights have 15kg/person weight limit, pack light
🚞 Train recommendation:
Choose Belmond Hiram Bingham train from Cusco→Aguas Calientes (includes observation car + Peruvian dance shows)
🛶 Rainforest transport:
2-hour boat ride from Iquitos airport to lodge, wear waterproof shoes

🧡[TIPS]
❶ Cusco altitude: 3,400m, avoid showering/intense exercise on first day, drink coca tea for altitude sickness
❷ Rainforest gear: Quick-dry long sleeves and pants + waterproof boots + binoculars (buy ant-proof pants on Taobao in advance)
❸ Machu Picchu prohibits selfie sticks/drones, passport required for entry verification
❹ Watch belongings in Lima Old Town, secure camera strap around wrist to prevent theft