10-Day Peru Itinerary: A First-Timer’s Guide

Peru is a country where 10 days can feel like both plenty of time and nowhere near enough. We’ve been twice now, once a serious fail of a trip and the second a wonder of one, so we know a thing or two about getting it right the second time around.

This 10-day Peru itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want to see the biggies: Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Cusco, and Machu Picchu. It’s a lot to get to, but you can do it if you prioritize and plan well ahead of your trip.

There is one big caveat: altitude. Cusco sits at more than 11,000 feet, and Colca Canyon is even higher in some spots. You’ll want to give yourself time to adjust along the way rather than treating every day like the Type A traveler you are. (No? Just me?)

So, if you’re planning your first trip to Peru, here’s how I’d spend 10 days.

How many days do you need in Peru?

I’d recommend at least 10 days in Peru for a first trip, especially if you want to see more than just Lima and Machu Picchu. Ten days gives you enough time to experience a few more Peru highlights without getting too frenetic.

Could you do it in less? Sure. You could spend a week focusing on Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu, but you’d have to make some tough cuts. If you have two weeks or more, you can add additional destinations. Lake Titicaca is still on my list!

10 Days in Peru at a Glance

Here’s a rundown of this 10-day Peru itinerary:

• Days 1-2: Lima
• Days 3-4: Arequipa and Colca Canyon
• Day 5: Arequipa to Cusco
• Days 6-7: Cusco
• Day 8: Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• Day 9: Machu Picchu and Cusco
• Day 10: Cusco to Lima and home

Days 1-2: Lima

Your first stop in Peru is Lima, the capital. I’d keep your arrival day chill, no matter how much it goes against your nature. (That’s me again!) Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll probably be dealing with a long travel day and jet lag.

On your first day, get settled into your hotel, grab something to eat, and take a walk around your neighborhood if you have the energy. Otherwise, call it an early night.

Spend your first full day in Peru exploring Lima. You won’t see everything, but these are the stops I’d prioritize:

• Erotic Gallery: Yes, Lima has an entire museum dedicated to erotic art. It’s small, weird, and definitely not your standard Peru itinerary stop. I like to kick things off with a good giggle.
• Huaca Pucllana: This enormous pre-Columbian archaeological site sits right in the middle of modern Miraflores. I had some kind of illness the day my travel buddies went to see it, but the pictures looked cool.
• Magic Water Circuit: Head to Parque de la Reserva to see this collection of illuminated fountains. It’s particularly fun after dark, when the fountains are lit up and dancing.
• Lima’s historic center: Wander around the Plaza Mayor to see the cathedral, Archbishop’s Palace, and Government Palace. The Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco and Palace of Justice are also worth adding to your sightseeing list.
• Playa El Silencio: If you want to see a completely different side of Lima, head toward the coast. While it’s not the prettiest beach we’ve seen in our travels, it’s a cool contrast to the rest of Lima.

We explored Lima on our own on our trips to Peru, but guided tours are an option, particularly if you want to learn more about the city’s history and food scene. Here are a few that I found that are highly rated:

For your first two nights, stay somewhere central, like Miraflores or Barranco. Both put you close to restaurants, attractions, and the coast without wasting half your day sitting in Lima traffic.

Note: If you’re flying back home through Lima and just need a place to crash before your flight in the morning, we’ve stayed at Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport. It’s comfortable and super convenient to the airport.

Use the map below to browse hotels in Lima:

Day 3: Lima to Arequipa

Fly from Lima to Arequipa in the morning, then spend the rest of the day getting to know Peru’s White City, also known as my favorite city in Peru.

We had three full days here. I know. We’re spoiled. I have a detailed itinerary for one day in Arequipa if you want to steal from there. These are the highlights I’d make sure not to miss:

• Plaza de Armas de Arequipa: The city’s grand main square is surrounded by white sillar architecture and is the perfect place to get your bearings before exploring the historic center.
• Monasterio de Santa Catalina: Wander through this enormous, colorful convent complex, which feels more like a small city than a single religious building. It’s so friggin’ colorful!
• Museo Santuarios Andinos: Learn about Inca ritual practices and see the famous Juanita, the remarkably preserved Inca mummy discovered on Mount Ampato.
• Yanahuara District: Cross the Chili River to this picturesque neighborhood for its famous arches and views back toward the city and surrounding volcanoes. The vibe here is quite different.
• Chicha: Treat yourself to a meal at what many consider the best restaurant in the city. Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio offers up traditional Arequipeño dishes in quite a polished way.

We spent four nights at El Portal De San Lázaro on our trip to Arequipa. I’d highly recommend it for its friendly staff, tasty food options, and nice pricing.

Whether you take my advice about Colca Canyon or hang out in Arequipa for another day, you’ll be in the city for two nights. Use the map below to browse more options:

Day 4: Colca Canyon

You could easily spend another day in Arequipa. If you fell in love with the place as we did, have at it.

If you feel FOMO over missing out on Andean condors, keep reading.

This is your early, long, slightly ridiculous day. Most Colca Canyon tours leave Arequipa around 3 a.m., but the payoff is getting to Cruz del Condor early enough to watch Andean condors soaring over the canyon.

We saw as many as six condors at once, something that isn’t even an aberration. They love hanging out there. The rest of the tour wasn’t as exciting, but most tours make stops along the canyon rim, hot springs, viewpoints, and craft shopping.

Is it worth getting up at 3 a.m. for? Read my full guide to Colca Canyon before you commit!

Day 5: Arequipa to Cusco

Today, fly from Arequipa to Cusco, where the altitude starts acting like a real b*tch. Cusco sits at 11,152 feet above sea level, so don’t make the mistake of thinking you can jump off the plane and immediately start conquering the Andes.

I was feeling awful upon arrival in Cusco. Brian was fine. You really won’t know how to handle things until you get there.

If you’re feeling up for it, take a gentle walk around the historic center, have a leisurely meal, drink coca tea, and see how you’re feeling. If you’re struggling with potential altitude sickness, cancel whatever plans you had and rest.

We stayed at Posada San Blas during our time in Cusco. It was near San Blas Church, naturally, and the Plaza de Armas. To check out more of your options, use the map below for hotels in Cusco:

Days 6-7: Cusco

Now that you’ve had some time to adjust, spend two days exploring Cusco. There’s plenty to see, and with two full days here, you can continue acclimating.

I have a one-day Cusco itinerary with highlights from our time in the city, but here are a few you shouldn’t miss as part of your adventure here:

• Plaza de Armas: Start in Cusco’s beautiful main square, surrounded by colonial architecture, pigeons, churches, and plenty of people trying to sell you tours. Ignore them.
• Qorikancha and Convento de Santo Domingo: See where an elaborate Spanish colonial church was built over one of the most important Inca temples in Cusco.
• San Pedro Market: Wander through this enormous market for fresh fruit, snacks, souvenirs, and a glimpse at everyday life in Cusco. Avoid more haggling, unless you’re into that sort of thing.
• Museo de Arte Precolombino: Spend some time with the museum’s collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian art, including metalwork and artifacts from several ancient cultures.
• Sacsayhuamán: Make the climb up to these impressive Inca ruins above Cusco, where you’ll find alpacas casually hanging out among the ancient stones. I struggled here, as there’s some uphill climbing involved, but I blame the altitude.

If you’d prefer a guided experience during your Cusco leg, here are a few highly-rated options:

Day 8: Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

We booked our Inca Trail hike through Action Peru Treks. They handled the logistics from Cusco through our overnight in Aguas Calientes, including the train to Km 104, our guide, trail permits, and transportation. It was awesome.

The actual hike takes you from the train station at Km 104 through Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna before reaching the Sun Gate. That’s where you’ll get your first view of Machu Picchu.

From there, you’ll continue toward the site before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes for your overnight.

Note: If you want to hike any piece of the Inca Trail, book that experience first. Even for this short version, you can’t just tool around until last-minute and book it when you’re on the ground in Peru. There are permits to be handled, a limited amount of spots on the trail daily, and weather considerations.

The short Inca Trail is about eight to nine miles and involves lots of elevation gain and stairs, so I hope you’ve acclimated by now. The highlight is that by doing it this way, you get the Inca Trail without any camping.

I have a full guide to the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu if you want the details on what the hike is actually like, what you’ll see along the way, and what to pack.

READ MORE: Is Machu Picchu worth it? I mean, yeah, obviously. This guide gets into exactly why!

If you’re looking to make the Machu Picchu portion of the trip a little more special, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is a popular option. Otherwise, the tour will put you up in comfortable accommodations in Aguas Calientes.

Day 9: Machu Picchu and Cusco

After your night in Aguas Calientes, you’ll head back up to Machu Picchu for a guided morning visit to the archaeological site.

This is where you’ll actually explore the citadel, after seeing it from above the day before. Depending on your route, you’ll see some of Machu Picchu’s most famous sites, including the Temple of the Sun, Sacred Rock, and Temple of the Condor.

The short Inca Trail is the reason I’d build this itinerary as a two-day Machu Picchu experience. You get the hike, the Sun Gate, a night in Aguas Calientes, and a full morning at Machu Picchu without committing to the four-day classic Inca Trail.

Then it’s back to Aguas Calientes for lunch before taking the train back toward Cusco. (Some tours arrive in Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley rather than Cusco, so make sure you know what you’re booking!)

Fun fact: Ollantaytambo is more than just a train stop. It’s one of the best-preserved Inca settlements in Peru, and if you have extra time, it’s a good base for adventure and activities like hiking and mountain biking.

Once you arrive, head to your Cusco hotel for your final night in Peru. You can head back to the same hotel you started at pre-Machu Picchu, or choose something new for the night.

Day 10: Journey Home

Your final day in Peru is mostly about getting yourself home. You’ll likely fly from Cusco to Lima, then connect to your flight home.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for one last meal or a little wandering in Lima, but I wouldn’t build anything major into the day.

And that’s it. Ten days in Peru won’t let you see everything, but this itinerary gives you a solid first taste of the country, from Lima and Arequipa to Colca Canyon, Cusco, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu.

With More Time in Peru

Peru is a big country. With more time, here’s what I’d add to this itinerary:

• Nazca Lines: I’ve always been fascinated by potential alien stuff, so I’d love to see these ancient geoglyphs for myself. You can fly over them from Nazca or take a flight from nearby Pisco.
• Lake Titicaca: Spend a couple of days around Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, and visit the islands and communities around Puno. Plus, the name is hilarious. I don’t care how childish that sounds.
• Peruvian Amazon: The Amazon rainforest sounds awesome. The combination of rainforest, wildlife, and Amazon River day tours would make a great contrast to all the archaeological sites. Puerto Maldonado is a popular base.
• Paracas and Huacachina: Tack on a few days along the coast to see the wildlife around the Ballestas Islands and the desert landscapes around Huacachina. It’s also a relatively easy addition if you’re coming through Lima.
• Huaraz: If you’re looking for more mountains after Cusco, Huaraz would be high on my list. The Cordillera Blanca is home to some impressive scenery and hiking, just in case Machu Picchu didn’t tire you out enough.
• Rainbow Mountain: Spend an extra day around Cusco to hike to this famously colorful mountain. It’s another extremely high-altitude excursion. If you plan it as a day trip, know that it’s another very early, long day.

Fun fact: Peru is the third-largest country in South America, so yes, you’re going to need another trip.

Tips for Your First Trip to Peru

A first trip to Peru involves a little more planning than your average vacation, especially when you’re trying to fit a lot into just 10 days. Our first trip was awful, and a lot went wrong, so I know there’s more to it than booking the trip.

These are the things I’d keep in mind before you go:

• Take the altitude seriously. Cusco sits at more than 11,000 feet, and parts of this itinerary take you even higher. Build in time to acclimate and don’t feel like you need to power through your plans if you’re not feeling great.
• Book Machu Picchu ahead of time. If you want to hike the Short Inca Trail, you’ll need to arrange your permits and tour well before your trip. Don’t assume you can figure out visiting Machu Picchu upon arrival.
• Give yourself some flexibility. Peru involves flights, trains, long drives, and plenty of altitude changes. Leave yourself some breathing room rather than scheduling every transfer down to the minute.
• Don’t underestimate the travel days. Peru is enormous, and places that look relatively close on a map can take much longer to reach than you’d expect. Give yourself some buffer time on arrival and departure days.
• Plan around what you actually want to see. You can absolutely add more destinations to this itinerary, but trying to cram every famous place in Peru into one trip is simply not possible.

READ MORE: If you’re still in the planning stages, I have a complete guide to planning a trip to Peru with everything you need to know for a breezy visit!

Is Peru worth visiting?

Absolutely. We’ve been to Peru twice, and while our first trip was a pretty spectacular failure, our second visit showed us just how much this country has to offer.

This 10-day itinerary packs a lot in, but it’s as well-planned as it gets. I put a lot of time into figuring out all of this Peru travel for you after our own mistakes.

If you’re planning your first visit and want to hit some of the country’s biggest highlights, this is a route I’d happily recommend based on our own experience.

Just remember to give yourself time to adjust to the altitude, book the big-ticket experiences ahead of time, and accept that you’re not going to see everything. That’s a pretty good excuse to come back.

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