Two weeks to kill

Everyone that comes to Peru wants to visit Machu Picchu. I do not know if you plan to go from the coast, but here is what I would do if I were you...

fact 1: It is very easy to travel along the coast of Peru, and very cheap. I. e. from Lima to Trujillo you need eight hours, buses are very comfortable and it should cost about 50 soles (1 USD was 3,2 soles in February when I was there).

fact 2: It is also very easy to visit some places in the Andes, starting from the Coast. Like Cajamarca.

fact 3: it is not bad to visit tourist places, but is more interesting to stay in some not so touristic locations. Just be aware of the danger of being robbed in certain places.

Based on this here is my reccomendation: go SOUTH from Lima to Nazca, spend some time there (450 kilometres, about 6 hours ride on bus), there are the famous lines. Go back to the town of Ica, famous for wine cellars and Cabrera's stone collection. Visit Huacachina and/or Islas Ballestas (from the town of Pisco). It is all along the road. Interesting five day experience...
From Lima go to Chiclayo, very pleasant northern town, takes you 10 hours, there you can visit museo Bruning in Lambayeque (tomb of the Senor de Sipan), go back to Trujillo, visit Chan Chan and the pyramides, then go to Cajamarca (there are the Banos de Inca), very historical. From there you can take a scenic ride to the Kuelap fortress, or just go back to the coast (town of Pacasmayo near Trujillo), swim, enjoy local sea food and nightlife. Take care in Trujillo, they sometimes give false bills in the street.

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