If you’re thinking of traveling to Peru, you’re most likely including a trek to Machu Picchu. Even though Machu Picchu is magical, there is so much more to see in Peru than Machu Picchu. This is a trip and an itinerary that will require at least six months of planning, as Machu Picchu tickets sometimes sell out months in advance. Even though Peru was one of the best trips we planned, it does involve a lot of logistics planning including transportation if you’re planning to bounce around. 10 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Peru, keep reading for the perfect 10-day Peru itinerary!
10 Day Peru Itinerary: A Comprehensive Guide
Peru Itinerary Day-by-Day Overview
1: Fly into Lima, stay close to the airport and adjust to the time change, fly to Cusco the next day
2: Fly to Cusco, drive to the Sacred Valley, stay in Ollantaytambo
3: Explore Ollantaytambo, change hotels, and check into Hotel El Albergue for your second night in Ollantaytambo before a day trip to Machu Picchu
4: Machu Picchu day trip; everything you need to know for hiking Machu Picchu
5: Travel from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, visit Salineras de Maras in Urubamba on the way, stay in Cusco
6: Explore Cusco, second night in Cusco
7: Day trip to Palccoyo, not the popular Vinicunca, third night in Cusco
8: Saqsaywaman, travel from Cusco to Lima, stay in Lima
9: Huacachina and Paracas day trip, boat to Ballestas Islands, like the Galapagos, second night in Lima
10: Lima, fly home, or enjoy one more night
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10 Day Peru Itinerary: A Detailed Itinerary including Machu Picchu
Day 1: Fly to Peru from Lima
The most budget-friendly flight you’ll find when planning your 10-day Peru itinerary will be to fly round-trip from Lima. For this itinerary, you will plan to travel to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu before visiting the rest of Peru including Cusco and Lima. After arriving late in Lima, we stayed close to the airport at the Palmetto Hotel Business La Perla. This hotel was very inexpensive, clean, and even served breakfast- the only boxes to check as you only need a place to spend the night. After enjoying the hotel breakfast, head straight to the airport to fly to Cusco. The Uber app is widely used in the country, and we had no trouble using it when we were there.
I also have a complete guide to hiking Machu Picchu Peru to get you started!
Day 2: Fly from Lima to Cusco
The BEST piece of advice you’ll need to know when researching transportation for your 10-day Peru itinerary is that the best way to get from Cusco to the Sacred Valley is to take a private taxi.
Peru was logistically difficult to plan because of transportation. This was the company we used when hiring private taxis from the Cusco airport to the Sacred Valley. You can book a day ahead, or for peace of mind even a few weeks ahead, I highly recommend this company.
Drive from Cusco to the Sacred Valley
The ride from Cusco to the Sacred Valley is around two hours by car. We stopped at a few viewpoints along the way, and our friendly taxi driver took a few photos of us. There were even a few locals selling their artisanal crafts, this is where those smaller bills would come in handy!
First Night in Sacred Valley in Ollantaytambo at Del Pilar
There are many options to choose from when staying in the Sacred Valley, and we chose to stay in Ollantaytambo. If you’re traveling to Machu Picchu, many recommend traveling straight to Aguas Calientes from the Cusco airport. Since we were very concerned about altitude sickness, we thought the best option would be to stay two nights in the Sacred Valley acclimating ourselves to the altitude before hiking Machu Picchu. This definitely must have helped, as neither my husband nor myself ever experienced any altitude sickness. The one day I did have some dizziness and nausea was when we visited one of the popular rainbow mountains, keep reading for that incredible day trip! Here are a few other of the best places to stay in the Sacred Valley!
Best Places to Stay in the Sacred Valley
Del Pilar Ollantaytambo is perfect for your 10-day Peru itinerary. It only has sixteen rooms and has a quiet location in the Sacred Valley. The view from the rooms is stunning, the food is delicious, and there’s plenty of guest space to relax during your stay. You even might get to meet your alpaca neighbors! If you’re looking for places to stay here are the best places to stay in the Sacred Valley.
Start adjusting to the Altitude changes in Ollantaytambo
Since it will be a long travel day flying from Lima to Cusco, and then a two-hour car ride to the hotel, just enjoy this beautiful hotel and relax. Since this hotel is a bit secluded and we didn’t rent a car, we opted to have dinner and drinks at the hotel- and the food was delicious! Even though we were so full by the end of the night, we opted for room service for dessert. When I tell you it’s some of the best tiramisu I’ve ever had I couldn’t believe it but it’s true!
Day 3: Second Night in Ollantaytambo at El Albergue Hotel
After checking out of Del Pilar Ollantaytambo, you can ask the hotel to arrange a taxi to your next destination in Ollantaytambo, El Albergue Hotel.
Take an easy day exploring Ollantaytambo before hiking Machu Picchu
Spend the day exploring Ollantaytambo. You can visit the main square which is filled with lovely markets, a backdrop of the ruins in the background. You can also hike up to the top of these Inca ruins. Since our next day included hiking in Machu Picchu Peru, we opted to relax that night and have dinner at the hotel, El Albergue Hotel.
Day 4: Hike Machu Picchu Peru
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning on hiking Machu Picchu in Peru especially if it’s your first time! Here are a few other best places to stay in the Sacred Valley.
Here’s why you should book a stay at El Albergue Hotel if you’re hiking Machu Picchu
I can’t praise El Albergue Hotel enough, and I highly recommend a stay here if you’re planning a day trip to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo. Its location is right at the train station where you can board a train to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu. Even though its location is right next to the station, the rooms themselves are quite secluded within stunning gardens and noise was never an issue for us. Their breakfast buffet opens up at 6 in the morning, so you can grab breakfast or take some items to go if you want to get an early start to Machu Picchu and maximize your time there.
Insider tip: When booking with the hotel, they will offer you the opportunity to book a packed lunch for your day trip to Machu Picchu. We took advantage, as there weren’t any convenient places to buy food near the Machu Picchu citadel.
If you’re looking for a 5-star Machu Picchu experience
If you’re looking for a five-star luxury experience exploring Machu Picchu enjoy a stay at the Sanctuary Lodge. Since we had to wait a bit for a bus down the mountain, he stopped here for a drink, and to submit to memory the magical wonderful day we had. Many of the rooms at this stunning property even have a view of the citadel itself, check out how to book your stay here.
Enjoy dinner in Aguas Calientes
If you have some time before your train back to Ollantaytambo make sure to wander around the village of Aguas Calientes. Because many tourists choose to stay here before visiting Machu Picchu, I will say it is quite touristy, and many of the vendors are selling the same trinkets and bobs (lol). The train station is quite small with only a few public bathrooms, so keep this in mind.
Day 5: Travel from the Sacred Valley to Cusco
Enjoy Pachamanca farm lunch
This was one of the most delicious and unique meals I’ve ever had, make sure to inquire about it when you book with El Albergue Hotel. We enjoyed this before heading to Cusco.
Stop at Salineras de Maras on the way to Cusco
On your way to Cusco from Ollantaytambo (here’s the private transport company we used), make sure to specify in the comments for your driver to stop at Salineras de Maras in the Urubamba Valley. If you have a chance to stop, it’s worth the time. Described as a mystery, this spot is a photographer’s dream. Made up of 3,000 natural salt wells, the locals commercialize salt from this land. The pink color is deposited from magnesium, calcium, potassium, and silicon from the nearby mountain. There are only four places in the world where pink salt can be extracted, and Salineras de Maras is one of them. If the view of these stunning salt flats isn’t enough, the beauty of the landscape surrounding Urubamba is some of the most beautiful we found in all of Peru.
Check into Palacio Manco Capac in Cusco
A five-star hotel that’s under $200/night, we chose to spend our three nights in Cusco here. Not only is Cusco a beautiful city to visit, but there are so many great day trips you can take from here. Your first night in Cusco spend some time wandering around and getting acquainted with this massive city. We ended up just finding the closest restaurant to our hotel that had almost five stars on Google, and it didn’t disappoint!
Best Places to Stay in Cusco
Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay Hotels $$: Not only is this Cusco location perfect for a stay in Cusco, but it’s also a budget-friendly and extremely affordable five-star hotel! My husband and I stayed here when we spent 2 days in Cusco, and had an incredible stay. The hotel itself is stunning, and the food is delicious!
Palacio Nazarenas $$$: Another five-star location in Cusco, the pool views alone are reason to book a stay at this stunning property.
Inkaterra la Casona $$$: You can’t beat the location of this next hotel, situated right next to Qorikancha. This property is within a 500-year-old mansion and is considered a historic landmark!
Here are a few more of the best hotels and best places to stay in Cusco!
Day 6: Explore Cusco
Visit Mirador de Plaza San Cristobal viewpoint
If you’re staying at the beautiful Palacio Manco Capac, this viewpoint will be right down the road from you. There is a church and a large square at the top, and it does have incredible views of Cusco.
Wander around the San Blas neighborhood
Don’t miss the most famous street in Cusco, C. Siete Borreguitos. This famous street is lined with flower pots and also offers incredible views of Cusco. The main plaza is beautiful and has great little shops to wander around in. I purchased the cutest handmade cards at Museo Hilario Mendivil.
Enjoy lunch at San Pedro Market
This market sells anything and everything and is a great place for any meal. It’s famous for juice stalls (for a creamy texture, ask for lucuma added to your juice. If you want a tart edge to the juice, ask for maracuya, passion fruit. If you want a uniquely Amazonian fruit, ask for camu camu or copoazu).
Find the Inca palace Qorikancha
An Inca palace from the 15th century now has a Spanish church built on top. Inside the Qorikancha is the preserved Sun and Moon Temple, surrounded by the church. The inner courtyard was quite stunning, and my favorite part of the palace! If you need a break after visiting, check out the luxurious Palacio Del Inka right next door!
Plaza de Armas is a must see
This main square is quite stunning and has lots of great shops and restaurants around. We purchased quite a few items of ‘baby alpaca wool’ from Kuna, a reputable Peruvian store. This store is also more expensive as it is assured your item will be completely made from baby alpaca wool and not a blend. You should also note this area is very touristy, so you may be approached multiple times to buy items from local vendors.
Enjoy your evening at Belmond Palacio Nazarenas
Another luxury hotel in Cusco, we made reservations to have dinner here. Even though this was a little out of our budget to stay, the meal was fantastic. They also have a great view of the pool from the restaurant. I only wish it hadn’t been so dark when we visited, so I could have gotten a better look!
Here are a few other options for some of the best places to stay in Cusco.
Day 7: Marvel at Peru’s rainbow mountains
Even though you’ll have quite an early wake-up call, the trip to Palccoyo will definitely be worth it. Even though most know of the rainbow mountain Vinicunca, we chose to day trip to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain instead. We chose this mountain instead as we thought it would be less crowded, and is very similar to Vinicunca.
How long is the journey to Rainbow Mountain?
The journey to the mountain will include stopping at breakfast after an hour or so drive. After breakfast, it will then take another few hours to reach the base of the mountain. The journey up will be via a narrow and winding road, and if you develop motion sickness it may be a bit difficult for you. Once you reach the base of the mountain, you will have to hike a bit to the top. This day trip lasts the entire day, around 14 hours or so.
Will I get altitude sickness at Rainbow Mountain?
The day trip to Palccoyo was the only day in Peru I experienced altitude sickness. Even though I never once experienced altitude sickness in Peru, while hiking up to the top of Palccoyo mountain I experienced dizziness and shortness of breath. I did need to stop a few times before reaching the top but was otherwise ok. It wasn’t until the ride back that I started feeling nauseous, and because the ride back was longer as you don’t stop, it wasn’t the easiest. I would still recommend a visit, and I would still do it again. The views were incredible.
Day 8: Visit Saqsaywaman on your way to Lima
Get up early to visit Saqsaywaman, and then head back to the airport and fly from Cusco to Lima. This site is an old fortress that’s insanely huge with intricately built rock. Similar to Machu Picchu, you may be approached to hire a guide at the entrance, but since we had only an hour or two here we opted not to.
Check into Casa Republica Barranco Boutique Hotel Lima
Due to its location within the city, this hotel was the perfect place to stay during our 10-day Peru itinerary. Lima, in my opinion, was quite underwhelming, but it is known for their culinary scene. Spend some time walking the boardwalk at sunset, and make sure to book in advance for dinner at Maido.
Dine at one of the best restaurants in Lima, and the world
Maido, a Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant is known as one of the top fifty in the world. It really is more of an experience than an actual meal. Pre-book the multi-course meal, the artistry of each of the dishes is just incredible, and everything we tried was delicious!
Best Places to Stay in Lima
Casa Republica Barranco Boutique Hotel $: An incredible location and such a beautiful property, this spot didn’t disappoint for our stay in Lima.
AC Hotel by Marriott Lima Miraflores $$: One of the best places to stay in Lima this hotel has beautiful ocean views.
Arawi Miraflores Prime $: With special touches of Peruvian decor, this property has a great location next to Larcomar.
Casa Porta: An extremely chic and budget-friendly option, this colonial-style mansion property is in such a central location.
Viajero Kokopelli Lima – Barranco Hostel $: One of the most beautiful hostels, you can book a stay for less than $20/night!
Day 9: Day trip to Huacachina, Paracas, and Ballestas Island!
Check out this day trip to Huacachina and Paracas which also includes a boat trip to Ballestas Islands, referred to as Peru’s version of the Galapagos. Make sure to read all the details of the day trip. Many of them include sand buggies, which is quite the adrenaline rush. I honestly didn’t enjoy the sand buggies as much as I thought my life was flashing before my eyes the entire time, but I can see the appeal!
Day 10: Explore Lima
Spend the last day of your 10-day Peru itinerary visiting Lima by visiting the Barranco neighborhood, home to trendy cafes and chic bars in restored mansions. Make sure to check out Dedalo Art Gallery, Felicia and Domingo Coffee, and Museo Pedro de Osma. This neighborhood also isn’t far walk from the beach, Municipal Park, Bajada de los Banos, and the bridge of Puente de Los Suspiros. All of these spots are some of the best things to see in Lima and should be added to your 10-day Peru itinerary. My favorite views of Lima however were from Larcomar, enjoy watching the surfers and even paragliders.
What do I Need to Know before visiting Peru?
What language is spoken in Peru
If you’re traveling to a foreign country, it’s good to learn a bit of the language, especially salutations, common phrases, and how to count to ten. Spanish is most commonly spoken in Peru, but you will also hear the languages of Quechua and Aymara. Many people do speak English, and we didn’t seem to have any communication issues when we traveled. I would also recommend the Google Translate app!
What currency is used in Peru
The sol is the currency of Peru. Plan to bring some cash with you, especially smaller bills and coins. Try to remember to exchange your money at your bank before leaving, as the airport and country you’re traveling to will always charge you much more.
When’s the best time to visit Machu Picchu in Peru
When packing for your 10-day Peru itinerary, you’ll want to plan for all temperatures, unfortunately. The best time to visit Peru is during April to September/October. The temperatures are fairly temperate year-round depending on where you’re visiting, but we experienced fairly cool temperatures in the evenings. It was so cool I sometimes wish I would have even had my winter jacket, but your girl always only brings a carry on and there wasn’t room for one! If you’re also planning on hiking Machu Picchu Peru, to avoid the rainy season and peak summer travel it’s best to visit April to May or September to October.
Top things to do in Peru
Here are a few of the highlights of our trip to Peru: Hiking in Machu Picchu Peru, Pachamanca farm lunch at Albergue hotel, Ollantaytambo market, Salineras de Maras, Day trip to Palccoyo rainbow mountain, Dinner at Maido in Lima, Huacachina and Paracas day trip.
Planning a trip to Peru? Here are the posts you need to read:
2 Days in Cusco: My BEST Hotel Recommendations
Hiking Machu Picchu Peru: A Comprehensive Guide for First Timers
Sacred Valley Hotels: Best Places to Stay near Machu Picchu
Here are a few other posts you may enjoy:
Best Places to Stay in Cartagena Colombia: South America’s hidden gem!
Best Places to visit in Africa for First Timers: Including a Botswana Safari
Cape Town Itinerary: Best Things to See and Do
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