10 Days in Peru - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Welcome to Peru! Get oriented in Lima on your first afternoon and evening before the next day’s trip to the Amazon. You’ll fly from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the rainforest, and boat down the Madre de Dios River to the Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción, where you’ll break for a traditional Peruvian lunch. The next day is dedicated to wildlife viewing in Tambopata Reserve: keep an eye out for endangered giant river otters, blue-and-yellow macaws, red howler monkeys, and black caimans. 

On day four, you’ll switch gears, moving from the Amazon to the Andes. Overnight in the charming riverside village of Ollantaytambo before your day trip to Machu Picchu on day five and a tour of the Sacred Valley on day six. After visiting Moray’s incredible stone amphitheaters, built by the Inca, and the Maras Salt Flats, you’ll head to Cusco to get acquainted with the Inca’s original capital. The adventure ends on Lake Titicaca, where you’ll boat to the floating Uros islands and dine on fresh fish. Circle back to Lima on day ten to catch a flight out. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, & Amazon Adventure

On this adventurous itinerary, you’ll boat down a jungle river in the Amazon and explore the ancient Inca sites of the Sacred Valley, among various other outdoor activities.

Touch down in Lima and explore the city’s UNESCO-honored historic center before transferring to Puno on day two. You’ll spend the next day on a boat tour around Lake Titicaca, seeing the floating islands at Uros and learning about how traditional reed boats are built—the setting also provides a prime opportunity for photography.

Then head to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, for a day or two of sightseeing. Stop inside the Spanish-built cathedral, the Coricancha, also known as “The Temple of the Sun,” and the ruins at Puca Pucara, and try ceviche and other Peruvian dishes in one of the city’s many excellent restaurants.

On day six, head into the Sacred Valley to tour Inca ruins and archaeological sites—including Chinchero, believed by the Inca to be the birthplace of the rainbow—before spending a relaxed evening in riverside Ollantaytambo. Wake up early the next day for a day trip the lost city of Machu Picchu.

Back-track to Cusco to catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Amazon rainforest, where you’ll spend the last few days of the trip. Base yourself at the elegant Refugio Amazonas Lodge, venturing into the jungle to see giant river otters, exotic butterflies, and brightly colored parrots in their natural habitat. Finish the journey with a night hike—you’ll see wildlife that only come out after dark. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca Excursion

You’ll spend four days hiking along the Inca Trail—and get to know Cusco, Lima, and beautiful Lake Titicaca—on this outdoorsy tour around Peru.

After a night in Lima, travel to Cusco and get acclimated to the higher altitude with a cup of coca tea. Discover the ancient capital of the Incas and its many interesting museums and archaeological sites: it’s a good overview before the next day’s journey into the Sacred Valley. The day’s itinerary includes tops at the textile market in Pisac and in Urubamba, the largest town in the Sacred Valley, for a traditional Peruvian lunch. Rest overnight in pretty Ollantaytambo: you’ll need plenty of energy for the four-day adventure along the Inca Trail that awaits.

On the first day of the hike, you’ll picnic by a stream and pass the archaeological site of Llactapata on your way to Yuncachimpa, where you’ll camp overnight. Continue along the Warmihuañusca Pass to Chaquicocha the next day, then hike through the tropical forest of Wiñaywayna, passing through Inca-built tunnels along the trail. You’ll get a very early start the next day to see Machu Picchu at sunrise. Then head back to Cusco: you’ll transfer from Cusco to Puno to spend the last few days of the week boating around Lake Titicaca, learning about the region’s indigenous cultures and boat-building tradition. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Cusco, Machu Picchu, & Manu National Park

This colorful trip plan mixes cultural and outdoor activities, including visits to the Maras Salt Flats, the ancient capital of the Incas in Cusco, and several days of hiking and monkey-spotting in Manu National Park.

The trip begins in Cusco. Wander the quaint streets of San Blas, visit the Spanish-built cathedral, and sip coca tea—and later, pisco sours—on your first evening in Peru. Tour the nearby Sacred Valley on day two, stopping at archaeological sites and cultural points of interest like Chinchero and Moray, then overnighting in Ollantaytambo. Day three is devoted to Machu Picchu, the majestic lost city of the Incas.

Head back to Cusco, where you’ll spend the night. You’ll spend most of the next day in the car on the scenic nine-hour ride to Manu National Park: keep your eyes open for the national bird of Peru, the Andean cock-of-the-rock, as well as spectacled bears and monkeys, along the way.

Check into Bambu Lodge, a rainforest hotel where you’ll spend the night. The next day, boat down the Alto Madre de Dios river—the journey lasts about five hours and includes lunch—spotting aquatic birds, parrots, and monkeys on the way to Hummingbird Lodge. Spot more native wildlife on the following day’s tour of the national reserve, and spend the night in family-run Casa Matshiguenka. Go lake-hopping around Lake Salvador to Lake Otorongo on lake seven, then visit clay licks where parrots, deer, porcupines, and monkeys congregate. Make your way back to civilization by boat, bus, and plane before catching a flight home from Lima. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Discover Northern Peru - Trujillo, Chiclayo, Chachapoyas

Tour Peru’s historic and archaeological highlights, from Trujillo’s Temple of the Moon to the fascinating Citadel of Kuelap, on this journey around the country’s north.

Arrive in Lima, where the trip begins, and spend an afternoon and evening getting acquainted with Peruvian culture and cuisine. You’ll head north to Trujillo on day two, visiting the Temple of the Moon, a pre-Hispanic mud pyramid, as well as the fortress at Chan Chan, Huaca Arco Iris (also known as “Rainbow Temple”) and the fishing town of Huanchaco. Continue onto Cajamarca on day four. On a city tour, you’ll visit key historic sites like the Ransom Room, arguably the most important archaeological site in northern Peru. 

On the second part of the trip, detour from Cajamarca to the pre-Inca cemetery Ventanillas de Otuzco. Then continue onward to Leymebamba, famous for its Mummy Museum. You’ll visit the fortified city of Kuelap, dating from 400 CE, on day seven, and overnight in Chachapoyas. Hike to one of the tallest cataracts in the world, Gocta Waterfall, the next day.

You’ll finish the adventure in an intriguing place: Karajia, an unusual burial site with sarcophagi that have been overlooking the valley from a clifftop position for over 750 years. Wander through the Quiocta Caverns before heading back to town for one last Peruvian meal and a pisco sour or two. On day ten, you’ll catch a flight from the nearest airport, Jaen, back to Lima, where you’ll make a connection for the trip home. Learn more