10 days · Andes

Peru in 10 days

Peru in 10 days: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with acclimatisation. A realistic Andean route.

Machu PicchuCuscoValleyLima
Adapt this guide

Altitude writes the itinerary

In 10 days: Lima (2), Cusco + acclimatisation (2–3), Sacred Valley (2) and Machu Picchu (1–2). Don’t do Rainbow Mountain the day you land, or Amazon + Nazca + Titicaca on the same short trip.

When

May–Sep (dry)

Best for trekking and views in Cusco/MP. Busier.

Apr / Oct

Good climate–price balance.

Nov–Mar (rains)

Greener and cheaper; possible Inca Trail closures.

Budget / day

$40–100

Hotel

$15–40

Food

$30–80

Train/tickets

$90–200

Total

10 days

Days 1–2

Lima

Miraflores/Barranco, ceviche, and Larco museum if you have energy. No altitude yet.

  • Lima–Cusco flight: morning ideal. Buffer for Andean delays.
Days 3–5

Cusco (acclimatise)

Plaza de Armas, San Blas, Qorikancha. Day one: walk slowly, hydrate, coca if it suits you.

  • Don’t book Rainbow Mountain on day 1 in Cusco.
Days 6–7

Sacred Valley

Pisac or Ollantaytambo, markets, and a valley base (lower than Cusco = better sleep).

  • Ollantaytambo is the train gateway to Aguas Calientes.
Days 8–10

Machu Picchu & return

Train to Aguas Calientes, timed visit (circuit), back to Cusco and flight to Lima.

  • Tickets + train sell out — book weeks ahead.

Practical

Train & MP tickets

PeruRail/Inca Rail + official Machu Picchu ticket. Circuits limit routes — read which you pick.

Where to stay

Lima Miraflores · Cusco centre · Valley (Urubamba/Ollanta) · 1 night Aguas Calientes.

Altitude & health

Altitude sickness is real. Soft day 1. Travel insurance. See a doctor if you have conditions.

Food

Ceviche in Lima · Cusco set menus · coca tea. Skip alcohol on first altitude day.

Tips

Acclimatise first

Valley and MP are better if you slept and breathed well in Cusco.

Inca Trail without a permit

Limited permits and mandatory guides. Alternative: train + official circuits.

Cash & soles

ATMs in Lima/Cusco. Valley towns: more cash. Tell your bank.

All of Peru in 10 days

Amazon, Nazca and Titicaca are other trips. Here: Lima + Cusco + MP.

Checklist

Peru on TripMatches

Build Lima–Cusco–MP, share acclimatisation nights and align train vs trek with your group.

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