Peru Itinerary 10 Days of Awesome!

Something about visiting Peru wakes up the underlying lust for life that too many people ignore in their day-to-day lives. This country has a fascinatingly vibrant, unique culture and provides truly world-class outdoor adventures; dull moments are rarer than a banana hammock at an American beach. So I wrote this Peru itinerary (10+ days) as a start for planning a trip to this amazing country.

Southern Peru is the region with the most famous sights: Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca just to name a few. But that means there are a ton of options for hotels, tours, and experiences, which can be overwhelming.

But after years of living and traveling in Peru, I’ve done the trips and research to give my best recommendations for visitors. I like this itinerary because it fits so much into only 10 days, and there are options for travelers who have more time. And this itinerary saves money by taking the bus to destinations instead of flying.

Anywho, check this out if you’re thinking of going to Peru.

Peru Itinerary: The Best 10 Days In South America?!

Days 1 & 2: Before Llamas, Lima

Pretty much any trip to Peru starts in Lima. Try the world-class gastronomy, learn more about Peru in the country’s best museums, and do a surfing lesson.

Some visitors unfairly ignore Lima. It can seem like a sprawling, chaotic city. And it’s covered depressing grey clouds most of the year. But it’s an excellent jumping-off point for lovers of food, adventure, and history.

Where to Stay

More important than the actual hotel, is the neighborhood. Stay in the seaside areas of Miraflores and Barranco, which cater more to tourists are are safer than, say, Lima Centro.

Check out Kaminu Backpackers in artsy Barranco. Kaminu follow sustainable water practices. This is even more important in Lima, the world’s 2nd largest desert city! Kaminu also has a bbq area and bike rentals. Meanwhile, I like Casa Andina in Miraflores for a more traditional hotel experience.

Top Experiences in LIma

  • Surfing the Costa Verde
  • Renting a bike on the boardwalk (malecon) in Miraflores
  • Parasailing over the ocean at Miraflores
  • Visiting the creepy catacombs at San Francisco Cathedral 
  • Get your history on at Museo Larco (including the notorious sala erotica)
  • Eating the local fruits and dishes at Mercado Surquillo in Miraflores
  • Ceviche…. Always ceviche.
Inside the Museo Larco Herrera
Two musicians with cajon and guitar on stone street with trees and Spanish style home in background
The “box” is the traditional cajón and is popular in the coast of Peru. We got a private concert walking around Barranco.

Day 3: Head South to Huacachina

Hop on a bus (I recommend Cruz del Sur) and take the 4.5 hour ride to Ica. From the bus stop, find a taxi to take you to the oasis of Huacachina . Huacachina offers pools, discotecas, and is in the middle of Pisco country.

But in the afternoon take a dune buggy and sandboarding tour instead. That’s why people really come here, anyway. For a more eco friendly option, rent a board for only S/ 10 ($3) and hike up the dunes yourself.

Where to stay

10 days isn’t a lot for visiting Peru. For this reason, you should take the 11 hour bus to Arequipa overnight. This way you’ll save time on travel (and money on lodging!).

But if you do have more time to stay in Huacachina, there are many hotels/hostels of similar quality and price, all along the water. The Upcycled Hostel is notable for its overall vibe and because it’s made of recycled materials.

top experiences in huacachina

  • Dune buggy + Sandboarding tour
  • Or… hike the dunes and sandboard down!
  • Nearby Pisco makers and vineyards (check out Tacama)
  • Chillin at your hotel pool or bar
  • The desert at sunset

Days 4-6: Canyons & Condors in Arequipa

Arequipa’s altitude is 7,661 feet (2,361 meters) above sea level. So take it easy for a day. Take advantage of the food scene (even other Peruvians, with their vocal gastronomic opinions, say Arequipa has amazing food).

Spend the next two days exploring the stunning treks of Colca Canyon. You’ll be able to see the famous Andean condor and soak in hot springs in addition to doing unforgettable hikes. Base yourself in the Colca town of Chivay, or in Arequipa itself.

top experiences in arequipa

  • Condor watching at the break of dawn in Colca Canyon
  • Taking the 1.5 day hike to summit the El Misti or Chachani volcanoes
  • Hiking the various trails of Colca Canyon
  • Take the mesmerizing 1-day “Ruta de Sillar”
  • Visit the city’s historic center (make sure to get a pie from the Santa Catalina Monastery- those nuns know baking!)

where to stay

Casa Andina’s hotel in Chivay has a planetarium on premises (the sky is amazing at night!). Every Casa Andina location has the best breakfast buffet options in Peru IMHO. The chain has a good social responsibility program, too.

If you stay here you’ll get discounts on adventure tour options. Chivay lays between the Cruz del Condor viewing spot and the hot springs of La Calera.

And the highest-rated budget option in the city is Vallecito Backpacker.

Days 7-9: Culture & Cuzco

6 hours from Arequipa is the Inca’s ancient capital of Cuzco. You can spend weeks in and around Cuzco because there is so much adventure, history and culture to explore. But since you only have a few days, I’d prioritize Sacsayhuaman, the Qoricancha temple, San Blas neighborhood, and the San Pedro market.

Make sure to get a tourist ticket (boleto turitisco), or you won’t be able to see many of the sites. The official website for the ticket is here.

Keep in mind Cuzco is even higher than Arequipa (11,521 feet above sea level, or 3,400 meters). You’ll likely need time to acclimatize. Because of this I DO NOT recommend intense day hikes such as the Rainbow Mountain.

Take the train on Day 9 to Aguas Calientes. This way you will make it to Machu Picchu first thing in the morning. Buy tickets ahead of time, including the return trip to Cusco.

top experiences in cusco

  • A half day hike to the archaeological wonders of Tambomachay, Puka Pukara, Q’enko and Sacsayhuaman
  • The Incan Sun Temple, Qoricancha
  • Food at the San Pedro Market
  • Exploring the artsy district of San Blas
  • Day trip to a Sacred Valley town like Pisac or Chinchero for epic hike and souvenir options
  • CHOCOMUSEO!!

where to stay

I’ve stayed at Niños hotel twice and love it both times. Niños is a “Green Leader” recognized by TripAdvisor, and also funds childcare for underserved children in Cusco. It’s walking distance to the main plaza. It’s comfy, clean, and has a wonderful restaurant with fireplace.

two churches in a plaza with blue sky. Cusco, Peru
Cusco’s main plaza
rectangular stones interlaced into each other.
Cusco’s streets are full of amazing stonework, all done with no mortar

Day 10: Machu Picchu!!

The #1 visited destination in Peru has earned this distinction. But that also means Machu Picchu gets very crowded. Therefore, take the earliest bus at 6AM to enjoy the Incan citadel to yourself (at least, as much as is possible).

You can buy a ticket at the bus station the day of or the day before (recommended, since the line can be long).

Make sure to have already bought your ticket to Machu Picchu, in case they run out. Include Huaynu Picchu for the ultimate adventure experience.

Finally, plan your time accordingly so you make it on the train back to Cusco from Aguas Calientes. From Cusco, go back to Lima or your next destination.

If You Have More Time..

Small stone steps

Honestly, it’s tough to include more in a 10-day itinerary for Peru. But if you have more time, consider these options:

Try More Trails in Colca

Want to get in a few days of top-notch treks, without the loads of tourists in Cusco? Then head to Canaconde outside of Arequipa. You’ll get the best hikes of Colca Canyon. Plus you can stay at an ecolodge.

Lake Titicaca: The Largest Freshwater Lake on Earth

Take a 6.5 hr detour between Arequipa and Cusco to Lake Titicaca, which Peru shares with Bolivia. Check out the Uros floating islands and stay with a local family in an island like Taquile or Amantani.

The islands provide excellent hiking opportunities and cool archaeological sites. In Quechua legends, the first Incas were born in Lake Titicaca.

Stone path going down to blue lake. Lake Titicaca, Peru

Extra Options in Cusco

There are a ton of great 1-2 trips from Cusco if you have more time. I recommend Laguna Humantay or the 7 lakes hike.

Sacred Valley

It’s no longer the insider’s secret option, but staying in the Sacred Valley is a great cultural experience. Each village is unique and deserves a day or so of exploring, at least.

Consider Pisac or Chinchero for their archaeological sites and famous traditional markets. If you’re low on time, visit the cobblestoned and fortress-surrounded Ollantaytambo, where you can hop on a train to Aguas Calientes.

woman and 2 kids in bright traditional Peruvian clothes
Family we met in Ollantaytambo

Inca Trail (or an Alternative)

If you have 4+ extra days, definitely consider the Inca Trail or one of its alternatives. Here is my ultimate guide to the Trail and other options to help you decide what is best for you.

Alternatively, the budget option is to take a car to Santa Teresa from Cusco or Ollantaytambo. The next day, take a car to Hidroelectrica, and from there walk the 2-3 hours to Aguas Calientes.

This avoids paying for the train but adds days to your trip. You can save even more money by taking the strenuous 3 hr hike from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu.

Amazon Adventure

Hop on a short flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado to visit the 275,000 ha (over 1 million square mile) Tambopata National Reserve!

Best Time to Go

Try to avoid the rainy season in Cusco and the jungle from November through April. Especially avoid the rainiest months, January and February. Of course, since the coast is a desert, this only applies to the Andes and jungle.

Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are closed in February.

Conclusion

I hope this Peru itinerary (10+ days) answered questions you had or convinced you go finally make the trip to Peru!

If you’re ready to go then check out my tips on what to pack. After that, you’ll be ready.

Do you have questions on the locations or things to do in Southern Peru? Message me by email (GringoInca@gmail.com), or comment below!

Itinerary for Peru- Your Awesome Online Guide

Why should you start your itinerary for Peru right now?

Well, if you want it, Peru probably has it. World class hikes, of all types of length and adventure? Check. Indigenous traditions and ancient cultures? Yup. Awe-inspiring nature and outdoor activities? You bet.

And to keep you energized throughout all that, it’s even a globally-recognized food destination.

So Peru is an excellent destination for adventure. It’s also perfect for appreciating nature and different cultures. Many visitors describe parts of their trips as spiritual for these reasons.

Plus, I’d say it’s the best country to cure anxiety and self-doubt that arise from boring office jobs.

If you’re interested in ever visiting Peru, this website will help plan your trip. First, this article will go over background and basic need-to-know travel information.

Afterwards, I recommend selecting a region to start with. That’s because Peru is so large, you might only have time to visit one area. For this reason I’ve written adventure guides for each: The North, Central, and Southern Peru.

Here is all you need to break the boring routine of daily life and start your itinerary for Peru:

sign with clouds and cliff

Why You Need An Itinerary for Peru

Peru has been climbing in status for adventure travel (and for checking off bucket lists) since relative stability entered the country in the early 2000’s. The great majority of tourism is funneled to the southern region of the country.

Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Manu, Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines, and Arequipa are all in the southern region. So is the more-recently “discovered” backpacker haven of Huacachina and the Instagram-famous Rainbow Mountain.

The country has been earning accolades and superlatives at an astonishing pace. National Geographic considers several of the treks there among the very best in the world. The jungle of Manu has the highest level of biodiversity ever recorded. There are more tropical galciers in Peru than any other country.

The country is also recognized as the South American food capital, and Lima now competes with New York City and Paris for the most number of restaurants in the top 10 world rankings. And this isn’t even a complete list!

When I first arrived to Peru, it was my first time out of the United States. Peace Corps sent me to a small village on the top of the mountain in the Andes of Lima, and my life was never the same. Now I can’t imagine my life without knowing Peru; it opened my eyes to new perspectives and adventures that other parts of the world can’t offer.

It can do the same for you.

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Courtney Prather (channel)

How to Start Your Itinerary for Peru

Popular Destinations to Visit in Peru

To decide which destinations to visit, focus on one region of Peru at a time; the south, central, or north. Start out by knowing how limited you are timewise. Time will likely be the most limiting factor for any itinerary for Peru.

For example, don’t visit more than two regions if you only have a week (and even that is tight). Otherwise you’ll find yourself spending a lot more money on plane tickets or much more time in buses than you may like (Peru is the size of 3 Californias!). So I recommend figuring out what you absolutely have to see, and work from there.

If you definitely want to start with the big-ticket destinations like Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Sacred Valley in the South, here’s an overview on Southern Peru.

Other Excellent Destinations

For a long-overlooked region that deserves consideration for any Peru itinerary, check out Central Peru. This is home to old German colonies in the jungle, rural communities holding on to traditional ways of life in the Andes, and beaches and hikes just a day’s trip from Lima.

The Andes and jungle of this region have been recognized for holding onto their ancient customs a bit longer. Here you’ll be off the beaten path where only a few intrepid backpackers, Peruvian and international, venture. It’s a great place to reset your perspective and take in unbelievable landscapes and cultural experiences.

And last, but definitely not least, Northern Peru, including its beaches, has been gaining in popularity over the past few years, yet is far from being overrun by tourists. The cultures of Northern Peru left behind pyramids on the coast and fortresses in the clouds, and all are worthy of consideration.

The North also has the country’s tallest waterfalls and large lakes for hiking opportunities. Peruvians from other regions often admit the North has the best food, too (a hard thing to admit!).

Top Experiences by Region

Here are the top activities in each region of Peru to help you figure out what to consider for your itinerary:

Southern Peru

  • Machu Picchu, Cuzco and the Inca Trail
    • If you’re looking for something less populated with Gringos, there are several great Inca trail alternatives that get you to Machu Picchu with similar sights and experiences, such as the Lares, Salkantay, and Extreme Inca hikes
  • The mountain made famous by Instagram, Rainbow Mountain in Cuzco 
  • Hiking in Arequipa, such as the El Misti volcano or Colca Canyon to see the condors in action
  • Sandboarding Cerro Blanco (near Nazca) or dune buggying in Huacachina
  • Staying in an ecolodge in the Amazon jungle
  • Getting mesmerized by the world’s highest freshwater lake and the fascinating night sky at Lake Titicaca
  • Flying over the Nazca Lines
itinerary for peru
Photo by Ashim D’Silva on Unsplash

Central Peru

  • Visiting the museums of Lima
  • Eating food in Lima
  • Day tripping to surf spots north and south of Lima
  • Taking a side trip from Lima to the waterfalls of Matucana and the mysterious rock formations of Marcahuasi
  • Going deep into the Andes to the culture- and artesian-rich bastions of Huancavelica and Huancayo
  • Eating German food, drinking Peruvian coffee, ziplining, and birdwatching in the Central Jungle
  • Dipping in the frigid waters of the cascades in Nor-Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve 
  • Doing an ancient Incan hike to the sacred mountain Pariacaca from Tanta in the Nor-Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve
Jungle scene from Central Peru
Photo by Hans Luiggi on Unsplash

Northern Peru

  • Exploring world-class treks and glaciers in Huaraz
  • Enjoying the ever-more popular sites of Chachapoyas: the ancient fortress of Kuelap, the waterfalls of Gocta and Yumbilla (2 of the highest in the world!), mysterious sarcophagi overlooking hikers, and various multi day hikes to archaeological sites and lakes
  • Visiting Iquitos, the largest non-road accessible city in the world, by boat
  • Surfing or just chilling in the coast of Northern Peru
  • Checking out ancient Moche pyramids and the giant Chimu city of Chan Chan
  • Visiting the top-10 globally ranked museum of Sipan
  • Eating ceviche
  • Partying on the beach in Mancora

Common Questions for Peru

So now we’ve gone over basic information to start your itinerary for Peru. In addition, let’s check out the most common traveler’s questions for Peru:

itinerary for peru. Turquoise lake with snowcapped mountain in background, with 1 rowboat in lake
Lake Paron near Huaraz, in Ancash, Peru
Photo by Aline Rodrigues on Unsplash

When to Go to Peru

The peak season for Peru is from June through August. This coincides with the dry season in the Andes and much of the jungle. You may find good deals in the shoulder season during the months of April, May, or October. 

Lima is grey and dry all year except from late November through March, when it is warm and sunny. The rest of the coast is sunny year-round.

Budgeting

No matter your budget, you can make an itinerary for Peru. You can find a hostel for S/ 10-15 per night. Or end up paying US-style rates to be spoiled by the big chains and expensive hotels. 

Day-to-day costs are intermediate but considerably lower than in the US, UK, and Canada. 

Prices in peru

The Peruvian Nuevo Sol tends to be worth about 1/3 of a US dollar.

Food & drink

  • Set price lunches at menus can cost S/ 10 or less and include an appetizer and juice. 
  • A liter of Cusquena beer can go from S/ 5 at a store to over S/ 10 at some restaurants.
  • Freshly squeezed juice goes for S/ 1 at city markets and sidewalks
mist coming over stone structures with green peak in background. Machu Picchu

transportation

  • Uber and Easy Taxi operate in Lima and can be cheaper (and safer) than haggling on the street. A taxi from the airport to most touristy areas of Lima goes from S/ 40-70 depending on the time of day. Cross-city costs up to S/ 15, also depending on traffic. The intracity buses are very complicated but charge up to S/ 5. I prefer the Metropolitano, a series of efficient buses that costs S/ 2.50 per trip. This goes through the neighborhoods of Barranco, Miraflores, San Isidro, and the center of the city (Lima Centro).
  • Minibuses for intracity trips in cities outside of Lima charge up to S/ 3, depending on length of travel. Taxis are also cheaper outside of Lima. Many towns have mototaxis which are more rickety but cheaper, at maximum 2-3 soles per person. They are best for shorter trips.
  • Intercity bus rides of 6+ hours have different levels of service. You can find tickets for basic seats and service for as little as S/ 30. But a fully 180 degree reclining seat can go for S/ 100+ for overnight journeys. These prices depend greatly on the destination. 

Note: Prices for everything spike during Holy Week, Independence Day (July 28th), and the last half of December.

Currency

The Peruvian Nuevo Sol is symbolized as S/. It is normally worth about one-third of a US dollar.

Languages

Peru has several official languages, the most common of which are Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Spanish is spoken widely throughout the country. Quechua is common in the Andes and Aymara is almost exclusively spoken in the region of Puno around and in Lake Titicaca.

Vaccinations For Peru

This is per the United States’ Center for Disease Control, PHAC, and WHO’s recommendations:

  • All visitors should have routine vaccinations up to date
  • All visitors should have their measles and yellow fever vaccinations
  • They also recommend visitors to get the vaccinations for typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis B
  • If going to the jungle, talk to a doctor about preventing malaria 
  • Travelers should consider a rabies shot if they are doing adventure travel, caving, will be working with animals, or are going to remote areas

Let’s Start Your Itinerary for Peru Now

Are you already picturing your trip?  First, let’s decide on where to visit in Peru: Check out what to do in the South, North or Central.

I developed these adventure guides to help you get the most out of your time traveling, and to save you from hours of time spent researching and planning.

Comment below: What’s your inspiration for travel? When do you want to visit Peru?

Let’s start your adventure today!