Peru 10-Day Travel Itinerary
Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountains & Ancient Civilizations
May to September (dry season) for clear Machu Picchu views
$47-410 per day — incredibly affordable outside hotels
Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, Titicaca
Your 10-Day Peru Adventure
Arrive at Jorge Chávez Airport, transfer to Miraflores district
Lima
Miraflores Malecón coastal cliffs walk, Huaca Pucllana (pre-Inca ruins lit at night!)
Miraflores
World-class ceviche at La Mar, pisco sour cocktails at Hotel Bolívar
Lima
💡 Pro Tip:
Lima is the gastronomic capital of South America — Central restaurant (#1 in Latin America) needs reservations months ahead. Stay in Miraflores or Barranco for safety and nightlife.
Lima Centro Histórico — Plaza Mayor, Cathedral, San Francisco Catacombs (skulls!)
Lima Centro
Peruvian cooking class or food tour — ceviche, lomo saltado, anticuchos
Lima
Barranco district — bohemian neighborhood, street art, Bridge of Sighs, craft bars
Barranco
💡 Pro Tip:
The San Francisco Catacombs contain 70,000 skulls — genuinely eerie. Barranco is Lima's coolest neighborhood — artsy, colorful, and has the best nightlife.
Flight from Lima to Cusco (1.5 hours) — 3,400m altitude!
Cusco
TAKE IT EASY — Plaza de Armas, coca tea, slow walks through San Blas artisan quarter
Cusco
Light dinner, more coca tea, early bed — altitude acclimatization is critical
Cusco
💡 Pro Tip:
DO NOT rush on Day 1 in Cusco — altitude sickness is real at 3,400m. Drink lots of coca tea (mate de coca), avoid alcohol, eat light, and walk slowly. It takes 24-48 hours to acclimatize.
Sacsayhuamán fortress — massive Incan stone walls, each stone weighing up to 200 tons
Cusco outskirts
Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), San Pedro Market — freshest juices and local food
Cusco
Dinner at Chicha by Gastón Acurio, live music in Plaza de Armas
Cusco
💡 Pro Tip:
Buy the Boleto Turístico ($40) — it covers 16 sites around Cusco and the Sacred Valley over 10 days. San Pedro Market has the best $1 fresh juices in Peru.
Drive to Sacred Valley, Pisac ruins and Pisac Market (famous textile and craft market)
Pisac
Ollantaytambo — massive Incan fortress, plus Moray (circular agricultural terraces) and Salineras salt mines
Ollantaytambo
Stay in Ollantaytambo (charming town) or Sacred Valley hotel
Sacred Valley
💡 Pro Tip:
The Salineras salt mines (Maras) are extraordinarily photogenic — 3,000+ salt pools cascading down the mountainside. Entry $3. Pisac Market is best on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (1.5 hours through the Andes)
Aguas Calientes
Explore Aguas Calientes — hot springs ($5), Machu Picchu Museum
Aguas Calientes
Early dinner and early bed — tomorrow is the BIG day!
Aguas Calientes
💡 Pro Tip:
PeruRail and Inca Rail trains run multiple daily services ($60-100 one way). Book the Vistadome for panoramic windows. Aguas Calientes is small — don't stay more than 1-2 nights.
First bus up to Machu Picchu at 5:30 AM for sunrise (buses run every 5 min)
Machu Picchu
Guided tour of Machu Picchu — Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun, Room of 3 Windows
Machu Picchu
Optional: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike (book months ahead), return to Cusco by train
Machu Picchu
💡 Pro Tip:
BUY TICKETS 2-3 MONTHS IN ADVANCE — daily visitor numbers are strictly limited to 4,044. Huayna Picchu (the peak behind the citadel) allows only 200 hikers/day. Morning fog often clears by 10 AM for the iconic photo.
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) — 5,200m altitude, 3-hour hike through colorful striped mountains
Rainbow Mountain
Rest day in Cusco — chocolate making workshop, Cusco shopping, massage and spa
Cusco
Final Cusco dinner — alpaca steak, quinoa soup, last pisco sours
Cusco
💡 Pro Tip:
Rainbow Mountain is HARD — 5,200m altitude, 3+ hour hike in thin air. Only attempt if well-acclimatized. Horse rental available for $15 if you struggle. Tours cost $20-35 including transport.
Flight or bus from Cusco to Juliaca/Puno (car: 6.5h scenic, flight: 1h via Lima)
Puno
Uros Floating Islands — man-made reed islands on Lake Titicaca, indigenous Uros people
Lake Titicaca
Puno town walk, eat trucha (trout) from the lake
Puno
💡 Pro Tip:
The Uros floating islands are extraordinary — entire islands built from totora reeds, rebuilt every few months. The bus from Cusco to Puno is 6.5 hours but passes through breathtaking Andean scenery.
Taquile Island — indigenous weaving traditions, panoramic lake views, traditional lunch
Lake Titicaca
Transfer to Juliaca airport, fly to Lima (via connection)
Puno/Lima
Last ceviche in Miraflores, departure from Lima airport
Lima
💡 Pro Tip:
Taquile Island men knit (UNESCO Intangible Heritage) — you can buy their textiles directly, which supports the community. Lake Titicaca at 3,812m is the world's highest navigable lake.
Peru Weather & Season Guide
✓ Pros:
Clear skies, perfect for Machu Picchu and trekking, best photography weather
✗ Cons:
Cold nights in highlands (can drop below 0°C), peak tourist season (Jun-Aug)
✓ Pros:
Fewer crowds, good weather, green landscapes, lower prices
✗ Cons:
Occasional rain possible, some trail closures
✓ Pros:
Lowest prices, fewest tourists, lush green scenery, orchids blooming
✗ Cons:
Heavy rain in highlands, Inca Trail closed in February, muddy trails, fog at Machu Picchu
Peru Travel Budget Estimates
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (9 nights) | $90-250 | $400-900 | $2000+ |
| Internal Flights (2-3) | $120-200 | $150-300 | $400+ |
| Machu Picchu (entry+train) | $120-180 | $200-350 | $500+ |
| Meals & Drinks | $80-150 | $200-400 | $700+ |
| Activities & Entry Fees | $60-120 | $150-300 | $500+ |
| TOTAL (per person) | $470-900 | $1100-2250 | $4100+ |
Getting Around Peru
Internal flights connect Lima-Cusco-Juliaca — LATAM and Sky Airline are the main carriers ($50-100)
PeruRail/Inca Rail are the ONLY ways to reach Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) — book early
Colectivos (shared minibuses) connect Sacred Valley towns cheaply ($1-3)
Cruz del Sur and CIVA offer luxury overnight buses (Lima-Cusco, 20h) — saves a hotel night
Uber works in Lima — much safer and easier than hailing taxis from the street
The Cusco to Puno scenic bus (6.5h) is one of Peru's most beautiful drives — consider it over flying
Avoid These Peru Mistakes
Rushing to Cusco/Machu Picchu without acclimatizing (altitude sickness is serious at 3,400m+)
Not booking Machu Picchu tickets 2-3 months ahead (daily visitor limit — they WILL sell out)
Skipping Lima's food scene (it's the gastronomy capital of South America — eat your way through it)
Attempting Rainbow Mountain on your first day at altitude (acclimatize for 2-3 days first)
Not carrying cash in soles (many places don't accept cards, especially in Sacred Valley and markets)
Drinking unboiled tap water (stick to bottled water and avoid ice in local restaurants)