The Best 10-Day Peru Itinerary For First-Timers

If you’re dreaming of Peru’s wonders but unsure how to fit it all in, this guide has you covered. In the spain of 10 days, you’ll go from the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu to the peaks of Rainbow Mountain, passing through amazing cities in between all mapped out for an unforgettable adventure.

Are you looking for the perfect 10-day Peru itinerary for first-timers? Or are you simply looking for inspiration for a once-in-a-lifetime road trip? If you travel to feel alive and quench that thirst for adventure and unseen things, brush up your best poncho, get yourself a crazy beanie and book a trip to Peru. I’m telling you, this country is something else.  

Peru has a lot to offer, much more than anyone could squeeze into a couple of weeks, but I’ll show you how you can have a memorable experience in Peru in only 10 days. Below you’ll find an essential travel guide with details on how to get from one place to the next and a list of the best things to do in Peru. By the end of this post, I sure hope I have you convinced to book your trip!  

10-Day Peru Itinerary

Step-by-step Itinerary for 10 Days in Peru

Your 10 day Peru itinerary starts with a visit to its capital, Lima; if your international flight arrives early and you’re not totally knocked out by the jetlag, you can decide to spend a few hours exploring the area.  

To get from Chavez Airport to Lima City Center, your best option is to take a taxi, full stop. The public transportation system is not at all equipped for travelers, and the district where the airport is situated is probably Lima’s most unsafe area, therefore I do not recommend wandering around that part of the town. Inside the airport, there are various taxi companies offering transfers, like Taxi Green and Taxi Direct. The rate is flat, around 70 Soles (20$), and the ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes. 

What To See in Lima 

1. The historic center and the beautiful Plaza de Armas. This area is a great place to start your trip and learn about the history of Peru. Check out the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, and the Municipal Palace.  

2. The colorful and lively Barranco. Barranco is a cute Bohemian barrio located south of the city center. Here you can discover all the little art galleries, spend some time Instagramming the murals, and finally grab your first Pisco Sour at Juanitos – a locals’ favorite bar near the main square. 

3. The elegant and hip Miraflores. Miraflores features some of the best views, shopping, parks, and restaurants in the entire city. Aside from a very dynamic nightlife, the best part of Miraflores is definitely the coastline. The most popular place in the entire strip is Parque del Amor (the Love Park), decorated by mosaic walls with romantic quotes printed on them. Check the statue ‘El beso”, a large sculpture depicting two lovers caught in a passionate makeout sesh.

How To Get Around Lima 

You have different options. Taxis are very affordable not only for Limeños but for visitors as well. None of the taxis have meters though, so you should always tell the driver where you’re going and ask for their price before getting in. You’ll find out soon enough that haggling in Peru is an art form, and that taxi drivers are all Picassos. 

Another option is the Metropolitano bus. Rides cost a flat 2.50 (0.7$) soles no matter the distance, but you have to buy a card (4.50 soles, 1.3$) and add credit first. There are 3 lines (A, B, and C) that are essentially three sections to a single line. 

Lastly, there’s the Metro. A ride is priced at a flat 1.50 soles (0.4$), but you have to purchase a card (5 soles, 1.5$). Unfortunately, this card is not compatible with Metropolitano’s card and system. Currently, the Lima Metro only has one commercial line and links the district of Villa El Salvador in the south with San Juan in the northeast. 

There are four largest domestic airlines that have regular flights from Lima to Cusco:  LAN, TACA, StarPerú, and Peruvian Airlines. Flying into Cusco is really an experience itself: to line up for the runway, the pilot has to do some pretty nifty maneuvering and you’ll end up passing very close to the Andean Mountains. The view is scary, but also spectacular. Official taxis from Cusco Airport to the city center are definitely overpriced (30soles, 9$), but necessary.  

Looking for some hotel suggestions for Cusco? I stayed at the Antigua Casona San Blas and I absolutely loved it.  

I highly recommend settling for a full day in Cusco, not only because the city itself is worth a visit, but also because it is essential to adjust slowly to the altitude. 

Cusco is located at an altitude of 3400 meters, which means you’ll find the air somehow “thinner”. Technically speaking, while the oxygen percentage remains the same, there is less pressure and the air is less dense, therefore each breath you take contains less oxygen than what you are probably used to. For some people, this may turn into unpleasant symptoms, like lightheadedness, headaches and nausea. It also very possible that you will not experience these symptoms at all (I didn’t!), but just in case, you can treat them with specific drugs or with the famous coca tea. It is available literally everywhere, it tastes just like green tea and it does NOT get you high. 

What to See in Cusco:

1) Plaza de Armas. This is the main square of Cusco, the most popular attraction of the city and the best starting point to learn a bit of history. You cannot miss the Cathedral, an exquisite example of colonial architecture where, in addition, you can see beautiful works of artists coming from the famous escuela cusqueña.

2) Qorikancha, or the Sun Temple. Cusco’s Sun Temple was once the most important temple in the Incan empire, but unfortunately, it was mostly destroyed by a bunch of Spanish conquistadores in the 16th century. The settlers reused the original stonework and foundations to build a church, the Santo Domingo church. The combination of the two constructions is clearly noticeable, and it is still possible to see superb examples of Incan building methods.  

3) San Blas neighborhood. San Blas is the patron of the artisans in Cusco, which is why in this neighborhood you will find a wide variety of handicrafts and, as a plus, a nice square in which you will enjoy the best sunset view over the city. 

In this area, you’ll often see Quechua natives strolling with their fluffy alpacas. These animals are usually very friendly and sociable so they don’t mind us humans approaching, and their owners will usually let you pet them (tipping after is greatly appreciated though). Be gentle! 

Day 4: Cusco to Aguas Calientes

There are different options to reach Machu Picchu from Cusco but none of them are exactly hassle-free. There is a reason why colonialists, who pretty much wiped the Incan Empire clean, never managed to find it! 

You will have to reach Aguas Calientes first, a town that sits right at the base of Machu Picchu, and that will take around 4 hours if you decide to take the train, or 4 days if you opt for the classic Inka trail. From Aguas Calientes, you will then reach MP either by taking a bus (30 mins) or hiking up to Machu Picchu.  

Once in Aguas Calientes, you’ll have two options. You can either spend your afternoon relaxing in this picturesque (and touristic) little town, or you can tighten your shoes and head to Machu Picchu. There are many different entry schedules available on the official website, but there’s also a strict 4-hour time limit for each visit. If you’re a nutcase like yours truly, you can also decide to book two tickets. 

News flash: Machu Picchu is every inch the jaw-dropping beauty it appears to be in all those pictures you can find online – even more so, if anything. There are some facts you should definitely know before your visit and stuff you should book in advance – I’ve gone into all the important details in my Machu Picchu travel guide. 

In the evening, once you’ve completed with your visit, hop on a train and choo-choo back to Cusco.

On day 6 of your 10 day Peru itinerary you’ll start exploring the Sacred Valley. I highly recommend visiting the area with an experienced guide to get a full understanding of these sites. I arranged my tour with Flashpacker Connect and had an amazing time. 

Moray is an impressive Inca site built around the mid-15th century to be an agricultural laboratory. The skillful Incas decided to take advantage of the natural depressions in the ground and build dozens of concentric terraces to create different growing zones. It is 150 meters deep, and from the bottom to the top there’s a difference of 15°C. This large temperature difference is actually able to create totally different microclimates and achieve conditions that are similar to the ones we have in our modern greenhouses. Impressive right? 

From Moray, you can easily and quickly reach the spectacular Salinas de Maras. 

A single small stream feeds all of the roughly 5000 salt ponds through an intricate network of channels. These pans are owned by local families, who are also responsible for their irrigation and the collection of the salt after it dries. This place really makes for spectacular views across the canyon. The admission fees go directly to the co-operative of these local families, so tourism is definitely having a positive impact.   

Are you looking for adventure? Are you the outdoorsy type? Do you like to make your travel buddy cry and threaten to murder you? ME TOO! Well then, have I got the perfect activity for you!  

Jokes aside, if I had to choose my most memorable experience in Perù, right after Machu Picchu the Rainbow Mountain hike would be a really close second. Rainbow Mountain, or the Vinicunca Mountain, is one of the earth’s most amazing natural wonders, or at least I firmly believe so. This part of the Peruvian Andes was only recently discovered when climate change sadly caused the glaciers and snow that used to conceal it to melt, thereby revealing the geological wonder.  

To see the rainbow mountains you have to book a tour. A good tour will depart around 3 or 4 am (ouch) for the 3-hour ride (yep!) necessary to reach the base. From there, it’s a 2-hour hike to reach the top.  

It’s clearly exhausting, but for a real adventure lover, this place is awesome in every possible way. You can check a detailed review of the experience I had at Rainbow Mountain. 

Day 8: Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco

On day 8 of your 10 day Peru itinerary, you’ll explore the Sacred Valley. There are many good companies that are selling this tour so you have many many options.  

1) The day usually starts with Pisac and a tour of the ruins. Despite the excellent condition of the structures, very little is known about the site’s actual purpose. The site is huge (approximately 5 times Machu Picchu!) and is divided into various military, religious, agricultural, and urban areas, all built along a thin mountain hill. 

2) The following stop is usually the small town of Pisac underneath the ruins and its spectacular market.  

3) From there you will continue along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is the starting point for almost all Inca Trails to Machu Picchu and it is home to the most important and best-maintained Inca ruins after Machu Picchu. Originally built for religious purposes, this place has become in the centuries a giant fortress to defend the city from the attack of the invaders.  

4) Lastly, a Sacred Valley tour usually ends with the city of Chinchero. Famous for its amazing views, in Chinchero you’ll see a cute little plaza with beautiful stone walls and agricultural terraces which are still in use. 

Day 9: Travel back to Lima

Unfortunately, your journey is almost over. From Cusco you’ll catch a flight back to Lima and then a flight back to your home destination on day 10. Don’t worry though, you can always come back and complete the rest of this itinerary, maybe pairing it up with a trip to Bolivia. 

Peru Itinerary for 15 days

If you can extend your trip for up to 2 weeks, you can now get back on the road again, destination Puno, a city you will use as a base to visit Lake Titicaca.  

Day 9: From Cusco to Puno

You have several option to get to Puno from Cusco: 

• Train – The Andean Explorer Luxury trail. As for the Cusco – Aguas Calientes train ride, also this Peru rail train ride is frequently described as the most beautiful in South America. Although 10 hours may sound long, you will have food, a fabulous observation deck, live music shows, and even a bar. Price: $180.  

• Airplane. If you are short on time, taking the plane could be the best option. There is no airport in Puno itself but there is only one in Juliaca which is 40 kilometers (1 hour) away. Currently, only Avianca and LATAM airlines operate direct flights. Required time: 1 hour flight, but roughly 5 hours for the entire trip. Price: roughly $200. 

• Bus. If the Andean Explorer is too expensive for you but you still want to enjoy the view, you can also take the bus. There are many good companies, but I would suggest Peru Hop or Cruz del Sur.  All these buses usually make a couple of stops along the road so you will be able to check out a few sights as well. Required time: 6 – 7 hours. Price: $15 – 50. 

Whatever you choose, you’ll probably arrive in the city of Puno in the afternoon. Puno itself can be explored in less than half a day, and honestly, the sights are not particularly remarkable. Just stroll around and take in the atmosphere.  

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, lying at 12.500ft above sea level up in the Andes Mountains and straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia. It also covers 8.300 square km, which is basically the size of Puerto Rico or Cyprus. Mind-blowing right? 

This place is considered to be the origin of the Inca civilization, and even up to these days there are several indigenous communities living here. The most noteworthy are: 1) the Uru in the floating man-made Uros islands, 2) the Quechua of Amantaní Islands and 3) the Taquile people of Taquile islands. All these islands can be visited by speedboat tours (they come as cheap as 25$). I’ll sum up a typical day:

After a 30-minutes boat ride from Puno’s dock, the first stops are the famous Uros Reed Islands. The Uros Islands were entirely man-made using the living reeds that float around the lake. Still to this day they keep rebuilding their island using the same old-school technique that their predecessors employed.  

After a 2.5-hour boat ride from Uros Islands, the second stop is the beautiful Taquille Islands. This group of islands is a UNESCO world heritage site thanks to the quality of textiles that are produced by the local communities. Both men and women make these intricate textiles – men typically knit “engagement” hats, while women, in exchange, have to weave special belts. A young couple must live two years together before they are allowed to marry, and during this trial-time they both have to finish their weave and make sure that their relationship is happy. Quite the modern arrangement!  

After visiting Taquile, your tour will either take you back to Puno or to Amantani for an overnight stay. Add an extra day to this itinerary if you’d like to try this experience. Because of its more distant location, tourism on the island has not really developed yet, and homestays have remained a more authentic practice. 

It’s time to say goodbye to Puno and get back on the road, destination Arequipa.

There are two options to reach Arequipa from Puno: 

• Airplane. Juliaca to Arequipa is a direct flight and takes around 40-50 minutes, but unfortunately only LATAM has daily flights scheduled for this route. Outside the arrival hall of the Arequipa airport you’ll find plenty of blue taxis waiting, and the price to get from there to the Plaza de Armas should be a fixed 20 soles. 
• Bus. Buses typically leave at 8:30 and 14:00, and the ride takes only 5 hours. Check Cruz del sur for the updated timetables. 

Known as “La Ciudad Blanca” or “The White City” thanks to its beautiful volcanic sillar stone structures, Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city and arguably the most beautiful (sorry Cusco!).  

What To See in Arequipa 

1) Start your day in Arequipa with Mercado San Camilo. This bustling marketplace offers everything you can think of, from bread, pastries, flowers, dry goods, and exotic fruits to lunch counters serving quirky local dishes such as cuy (guinea pig). It is open every day from 6 am to 6 pm.   

2) Make your way back to the Plaza de Armas. Here you’ll understand why Arequipa was named “the white city”. On a sunny day, the baroque buildings made of beautiful white volcanic sillar will literally shimmer.  

3) Around the corner, the Santa Catalina monastery is a fully functioning convent dating back to 1579 where nuns lived completely without any kind of contact with the outside world until 1970 when they decided to open up to visitors. In the ‘60s the monastery suffered major structural damage due to a very powerful earthquake, and in order to pay for the restoration work (plus the cost of installing the electricity and running water), the nuns elected to open Santa Catalina up to the public. The price for entrance is around $12. 

4) Before the end of your day make sure to visit Juanita, the 500-year-old frozen Incan girl discovered in 1995 near the peak of the Ampato volcano. Housed in the Museo Santuarios Andinos, Juanita was sacrificed to the gods at a very young age. This is really a tragic tale of how beliefs can sometimes make the brutal appear reasonable. The entrance fee to the museum is 6 soles.  

Tip: if you have a couple of extra days available, I would highly suggest hiking the Colca Canyon. It is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and can be accessed by tour or, if you’re up to it, on your own.    

Day 13: From Arequipa to Lima

On day 13 you’ll hop on a flight and get back to Lima. LATAM, Peruvian, LC Perù and Viva Air Perù operate daily flight for this route.  

Day 14: Lima

If you haven’t had time on your first day, you can spare another day to wonder around Lima most famous sights. Or, you know, you could simply spend your last day in Peru relaxing, enjoy all their quirky dishes, sippin’ too many Pisco sours.  

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