10 days · Andes
Peru in 10 days
Peru in 10 days: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with acclimatisation. A realistic Andean route.
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 1–2Lima
Miraflores/Barranco, ceviche, and Larco museum if you have energy. No altitude yet.
- Lima–Cusco flight: morning ideal. Buffer for Andean delays.
Days 3–5Cusco (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 6–7Sacred Valley
Pisac or Ollantaytambo, markets, and a valley base (lower than Cusco = better sleep).
- Ollantaytambo is the train gateway to Aguas Calientes.
Days 8–10Machu 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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