Peru itinerary 10 days

Thinking of taking a vacation in Peru? Keep reading to be inspired by a Peru itinerary that’ll see you discovering stacks of the country’s top attractions in just 10 days — from the ancient wonders of Machu Picchu UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the mysterious marvels of the Nazco lines, and a whole lot more. One thing’s for sure, this Peru itinerary for 10 days delivers a richness of unforgettable experiences. As a bonus, here we also share practical tips on planning your trip.

Peru itinerary for 10 days

Before going into day-by-day detail, here’s a handy overview of this Peru itinerary for 10 days.

Spoiler alert: it covers tonnes of incredible ancient sites in Peru, along with remarkable natural wonders and cultural attractions that are among the best things to do in Peru.

• Day 1: Arrive in Lima, take a city tour
• Day 2: Transfer to Nazca
• Day 3: Flight over the Nazca Lines
• Day 4: Transfer to Cusco and explore
• Day 5: Journey through the Sacred Valley
• Day 6: Explore Machu Picchu
• Day 7: Huayna Picchu hike; train to Cusco
• Day 8: Hike Rainbow Mountain
• Day 9: Leisure time in Cusco; flight to Lima
• Day 10: Depart Peru

New to Peru? Wise up with our first-timers guide to Peru.

For more inspiration, browse all our Peru itineraries. While we cover a 10-day vacation right below, you could also consider our 14 days in Peru itinerary.

Short on time? See our 7 days in Peru itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive in Lima, take a city tour

After landing in Lima, Peru’s lively capital, check-in to your hotel and head out to explore the city.

We suggest starting out in the charming coastal district of Miraflores. Stop at Parque del Amor — a romantic park that boasts a bedazzlement of colorful mosaics, vibrant sculptures like “El Beso” (The Kiss), along with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Next, head to Plaza Mayor (AKA Plaza de Armas) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sits right in the heart of the city — to see a wealth of grand colonial architecture. Highlights here include the Government Palace and the Archbishop’s Palace.

From here, continue to the nearby Lima Cathedral — a masterpiece of baroque and neoclassical design — and don’t pass up the chance to explore the eerie catacombs that lie beneath San Francisco Monastery.

Come late-afternoon, it’s time to visit Barranco. With a bounty of colorful murals, galleries and cafés, this is Lima’s most bohemian district.

Day 2: Transfer to Nazca

Day 2 of this 10 days Peru itinerary will see you rise early to take a bus from Lima to Nazca, where the wonders of the Nazca lines await.

It’s a scenic journey of 6-7 hours that will see you travel along the Pan-American Highway, with opportunities to take in views of the Pacific coastline and desert landscapes along the way.

After arriving in Nazca in the afternoon and settling into your accommodation, you should have time to explore this small historic town for a couple of hours before dinner.

For example, you could visit the Antonini Archaeological Museum to learn about ancient Nazca culture and gain insight into the mysterious Nazca Lines ahead of your upcoming flight to see them.

Day 3: Flight over the Nazca Lines

Day 3 of this 10 day Peru itinerary is largely devoted to a thrilling flight over the Nazca Lines — one of Peru’s most fascinating mysteries. 

Dating back 2000+ years, these massive geoglyphs etched into the desert depict all manner of animals, plants and geometric patterns, and there’s no better way to see them than from above.

So, you’ll board a small light aircraft at Nazca’s local airstrip and enjoy a 30-40-minute flight that offers incredible aerial views of these enigmatic figures. Alongside the iconic hummingbird and monkey, there’s even one that resembles an astronaut. 

After the flight, visit the Nazca Lines Viewing Tower for a different perspective before boarding your bus to return to Lima.

Day 4: Transfer to Cusco and explore

Start day 4 of this 10-day Peru itinerary with an early flight from Lima to Cusco. 

It’ll take around 1.5 hours, which means when you arrive Cusco — former capital of the Inca Empire — you could take some time to acclimate to the city’s high altitude by enjoying a light breakfast ahead of spending the afternoon discovering the city’s cultural and historic highlights.

Begin your adventure at Cusco Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas. This impressive colonial structure features intricate altars, religious art and architecture that blends Spanish and Incan influences. 

Next, head to Qorikancha (AKA Temple of the Sun), a sacred Incan site that was once covered in glittering gold.

Come the afternoon, venture beyond Cusco to see some of the extraordinary archaeological sites that lie within easy reach of the city, including Puca Pucara — a striking red-stone Incan military outpost that’s believed to have served as a checkpoint and resting place for travelers. 

You could also visit Tambomachay — a serene site that’s known as the “Bath of the Incas” as a result of its aqueducts and water channels having ritual significance.

Day 5: Journey through the Sacred Valley

The magic and majesty of the Sacred Valley of the Incas awaits on day 5 when you transfer from Cusco to a region that’s incomparably rich in history, culture and jaw-dropping landscapes. 

Along the way, stop at Pisac Market, where stalls showcase colorful textiles, handmade ceramics and traditional Andean crafts, before continuing your journey to Urubamba —heart of the Sacred Valley.

After an enjoying a lunch of Andean specialties, continue with a visit to Ollantaytambo Fortress, an impressive ancient Incan archaeological site. 

On arrival, climb the stone terraces to explore the ceremonial temple area. You’ll most likely be blown away by the engineering skills required to build it, and by the views of the valley and town below, which still retains its original Incan layout.

This thrilling day winds up with a stay in Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley), where charming hotels and eco-lodges in and around Aguas Calientes — gateway to Machu Picchu — offer stunning views of the Andean landscape. 

Day 6: Explore Machu Picchu

On the morning of day 6, stroll Aguas Calientes (its artisan market is a wonderful place to buy handmade crafts) before grabbing lunch at one of the riverside cafes 

In the afternoon, take the shuttle bus up the mountain to Machu Picchu — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, no less.

On entering this awe-inspiring Incan citadel, take time to explore the Temple of the Sun, an ancient ceremonial site that once honored Inti the Sun God. 

Other highlights include the Intihuatana Stone, which is believed to have been a ritualistic sundial, and the Temple of the Three Windows, with its remarkable architectural symmetry. 

Then, as the late afternoon light casts a magical glow on this majestic site, it’s time to return to Aguas Calientes for the night.

Day 7: Huayna Picchu hike; train to Cusco

Adventure is in store on day 6 of the 10-day Peru itinerary when you’ll rise early to hike Huayna Picchu, the towering peak that spikes behind the citadel. 

Offering spectacular bird's-eye views of Machu Picchu, the 2-3-hour trail is pretty steep, but well worth the effort. You’ll get to see secret terraces and explore the lesser-known Temple of the Moon ceremonial site along the way.

After descending, take time to enjoy your favorite Machu Picchu spots before heading back down to Aguas Calientes. 

After enjoying lunch in a local café, it’s time to take the evening train back to Cusco.

Day 8: Hike Rainbow Mountain

Day 8 is devoted to taking a trip from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) — one of Peru’s most marvelous natural wonders.

The day starts early, with a 3-hour drive through the Andean highlands that takes in traditional villages, grazing alpacas and snow-capped peaks.

On arriving at the trailhead, you’ll begin a moderate hike of about 3–4 hours round trip to the 5200-meter summit. Alternatively, horses are available to help with the ascent. 

Along the way, you’ll see sweeping Andean landscapes, with the iconic red, yellow and green striations appearing as you approach the summit of this geological wonder.

Day 9: Leisure time in Cusco; flight to Lima

After the previous day’s adventures, we suggest spending day 9 seeing more of Cusco at a leisurely pace, starting out in the San Blas neighbourhood.

Here pretty cobblestone streets play host to artisan shops and galleries, with the San Blas Church also worth a visit to see its intricate wooden pulpit.

Next, take a stroll through San Pedro Market to browse stalls brimming with textiles and handmade crafts and food, including alpaca wool garments and Peruvian chocolates. 

It’s also the perfect place to pick up local snacks for lunch before collecting your luggage from your hotel and heading to Cusco Airport to fly to Lima, where you’ll spend your last night in Peru.

Day 10: Depart Lima

This adventure-packed Peru itinerary comes to a close on day 10, when it’s time to return to the airport in Lima for your homeward flight, in all likelihood, already dreaming of your next trip.

10 days in Peru: How to plan

Having covered the unforgettable experiences you’ll get to enjoy during this recommended 10 days Peru itinerary, we’ll now share some of the nitty gritty around planning your perfect trip. 

Best time for a 10-day Peru itinerary

Wondering when to go to Peru? In truth, there’s no simple answer to that question as a result of the country experiencing significant regional weather variations, especially when it comes to temperatures.

In general, though, the May to September dry season (which is also the high season) is considered the best time to visit Peru. 

During this period, coastal areas have mild temperatures and minimal rainfall, and it’s also an excellent time for visiting popular attractions like Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Cusco. 

A word of warning though — the Andean region experiences colder temperatures during these months, particularly at higher altitudes, so be prepared for cooler weather if you plan to visit Arequipa or Puno.

During the November to March wet season, the Andean region and Amazon rainforest sees significant rainfall that can render some trekking routes inaccessible, including the Inca Trail. 

Conversely, the wet season can be a good time to visit Peru’s coastal regions, including Lima and northern Peru. And the reasons? They’re warmer and draw fewer tourists at this time of year.

If you’re looking for a balance between crowds, costs and pleasant weather, the April and October shoulder seasons might suit you best. 

Though the weather can be more unpredictable as the country shifts between wet and dry season, top attractions won’t be as crowded, and you could pay less for accommodation and tours.

How to get around Peru

When it comes to getting around Peru, the first thing to note is that the county is vast, which means flying is often the best way to get around, with all Peruvian cities lying within a two-hour flight from Lima

Check out LATAM and Sky Peru for affordable flights. 

Meanwhile, buses make a popular, budget-friendly alternative to fights, with reliable companies like Cruz del Sur offering comfortable long-distance travel. 

For short trips, taxis, colectivos (shared vans) and local buses are common, while major cities are served by apps like Uber or InDrive.

Visiting Machu Picchu? You’ll find the PeruRail and IncaRail train very handy. 

Travel costs for 10 days in Peru

Mid-range travelers can expect a 10-day trip to Peru to cost approximately $1000–$1500 USD per person, excluding international flights, broken down as follows:

• Accommodation: $30–$80 USD a night 
• Food: $10–$20 USD a day
• Transportation: buses ($20–$50) and domestic flights ($50–$150)
• Activities: entry to Machu Picchu ($50–$70), Rainbow Mountain tours ($30–$50). 

Do I need a visa for 10 days in Peru?

Good news — US travelers don’t need a visa for visits of under 90 days.

You just need a valid passport (make sure it’s valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates) to receive an entry stamp when you arrive.

Editor’s tip: for more practical guidance, read our Peru travel advice.

Is a Peru itinerary for 10 days enough?

Now there’s a tricky question! As (hopefully) this 10-day Peru itinerary has shown, you can enjoy stacks of unforgettable experience in that timeframe, covering huge ground, and a huge range of landscapes. 

That said, all the better if you can stretch your vacation a little longer, as our suggested 14 days in Peru itinerary reveals. It covers Lima, Machu Picchu, Titicaca and tonnes of immersive cultural experiences.

But fear not if you’re short on time —  this 7 days in Peru itinerary packs a whole lot of adventure into just one week.