10 Day Peru Itinerary

If you’re planning a trip to Peru, this 10 Day Peru Itinerary will take you through the best of the country, with a mix of unique tips, practical advice, and just enough downtime to keep you sane. From eating your way through Lima and wandering the ancient streets of Cusco to hiking in Ollantaytambo and exploring the magic of Machu Picchu, you’ll pack a lot in without feeling overwhelmed.

Here, you’ll get the highlights of Peru and have enough wiggle room to make it your own. You’ll get city vibes in Lima, mountain adventures in the Sacred Valley, and a chance to squeeze in day trips like Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake. Plus, I’ve included a 7-day alternative at the end in case you’re short on time but still want to see as much as possible.

A note: this 10 Day Peru Itinerary takes the train to Machu Picchu, rather than hike the Inca Trail.

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Things to do in Advance

Book your flight from Lima to Cusco

Flight tickets to Cusco can be as low as $60 if you book in advance. Book an early morning (before 9am) flight as flights often get canceled due to high winds landing in Cusco.

Book your train tickets to Agua Calientes

Book your train ticket from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Agua Calientes (Machu Picchu town) in advance on the official PeruRail website.

Because we booked our PeruRail trip 5 months in advance (we were eager), we ended up changing our train ticket 2 different times while we were sorting out our final plans. It was very easy to do this online (via a form, once) and in person at the train station (the second time).

You must travel with your passport to board the train! Don’t forget it.

Books and Print Machu Picchu Tickets

Tickets to Machu Picchu are timed-entry and you need to choose a walking route (circuit) in advance.

This is the official site to book your Machu Picchu tickets and select your circuit. Several tour companies can book for you.

Because we booked our timed-entry Machu Picchu tickets so far in advance, by the time we visited, there was a system change by the government of Peru and we couldn’t access our Machu Picchu tickets. We only realized this when we were on the train to Agua Calientes. We spent the last hour of the train ride stressed AF and I’ve mostly blocked it out.

Luckily, Wilhelm found a blog that stated we could get access to our tickets from the Machu Picchu Cultural Center in town. We RAN there before it closed, and we were able to get a literal picture of our tickets with my phone from a staff member. It was crazyyy. The moral of the story is to make sure you have a printout or some screenshot of your Machu Picchu ticket barcodes (not just the receipt).

Same Day Tickets

Although I wouldn’t recommend it, you can get same-day and next-day tickets from the Machu Picchu Cultural Center. There are supposed to be 1000 tickets daily.

Choosing your circuit

There are three different circuits for Machu Picchu. These were updated in June 2024, causing our drama above. Anyway… There are three main circuits. Within those, there are 4-5 different route options. The options are really overwhelming in my opinion. The gist of it is:

• Circuit 1: This circuit focuses on the panoramic views of Machu Picchu, including the famous postcard viewpoint. It’s perfect for getting those iconic photos but doesn’t go through much of the lower site.
• Circuit 2: This one takes you through both the upper and lower archaeological areas, hitting the main sites like the Temple of the Sun and Main Plaza. It’s the most complete route but still moves you along pretty quickly.
  • There is a Route A and Route B and because we booked our tickets in advance we had the option to visit both. Honestly, I couldn’t really tell the difference except that route B has the “platforma inferior” option included as well.
• Circuit 3: This circuit sticks to the lower part of the site, focusing on the agricultural terraces and a few key structures. It’s a shorter, easier route and works well if you’re short on time or want a less intense visit. I don’t recommend this one.

To review all the options within each circuit, check out each map on the official site.

A tip to see more of Macchu Picchu

The circuits are divided within the site and roped off. While this reduces crowding, it also means you can’t spend the entire day exploring freely.

We attempted to do the panoramic hike but were denied access. From what we have experienced, the only way to do multiple circuits is to purchase multiple timed entry tickets for the same day. If we could do it again, I’d recommend Circuit 2 at 6 AM and then Circuit 1 at 9 AM for the panoramic viewpoint hike. Just keep in mind you’ll likely have to exit and re-enter the site between circuits.

Random things to bring on your trip

• A travel mug for drinking coca tea in Cusco to avoid altitude sickness
• A headlamp to hike Machu Picchu in the dark at 5am

Day 1-3: Lima

Stay 3 nights in Lima in Miraflores or Barranco.

We stayed in Casa Nuestra Peru (check Airbnb or WhatsApp them directly as I did). For two people, you can find something cute for under $150 for 3 nights.

I loved the cute balcony though we spent no time here. Breakfast is included.

Other options I liked were Lima Wari, this Apartment with highrise views or this one with a hot tub. If you like a lively evening, the Viajero Kokopelli Lima hostel looks like a great time too.

Day 0: Get to Lima

We arrived at 1am to start our 10 Day Peru Itinerary and so we got to make the most of a full day in Lima. Tickets to Lima (from Washington, DC) were cheapest about 5 months in advance for August.

Day 1: Explore Lima

There are so many great food options in Lima. Be aware that many restaurants are closed on Mondays so if you have your heart on something, keep that in mind. I’ll suggest some restaurants and cafes but definitely explore more than what I suggest.

A couple of the neighborhoods in Lima are walkable between each other, like Miraflores and Barranco. To get between neighborhoods, and to save time if you only have a day, then take an Uber (rather than a taxi). Ubers are the safe and cheap option.

Morning

Head to La Panetteria for breakfast. The café is so popular that they opened up a second location on the same street. We spent 80 soles with tip for two juices, two Americanos, a sandwich and an empanada. I loved the focaccia bread and the mushroom/olive empanada. If you’re staying longer in Lima then this looks like the right spot to also buy bread for your stay.

Next, check out the La Feria Unión de Barranco market, which opens at 12pm. The stalls are a mix of food, touristy items, and cute things. But don’t worry about trying to find souvenirs (the best are in Cusco). 

Afterwards, walk to Espacio Unno. On the way you’ll pass a cool bridge.

Espacio Unno is a collection of small artists shops. I liked the hats and artwork.

Continue down the way to the ocean viewpoint and take some pictures.

Then, walk 15 minutes to the Museo Pedro de Osma. This mansion has been converted into an art gallery, with a lovely little garden. The gallery features 18th and 19th-century art from Peru and even a collection of Incan items from the Southern Andes. The museum costs 35 soles each.

Afternoon

Next, take an Uber to the Miraflores area. Put in Kennedy Park as your destination to see artwork being sold in the square and to check out the cats who live in the park!

If you didn’t get a sim card at the airport, you can get one at the nearby tourist center.

Then, walk to El Rincon de Bigote for a beer and ceviche. We got the mixed and fish ceviche each with some plantains but it was way too much food. Instead, share 1 mixed seafood if you’re hungry or get the classic leche de tigre.

If you’ve got time to kill, walk to the Inca and Indian Arts Centers for some shopping. There are 4 huge centers, all with similar souvenir items. Most things are same-same but different—if you like something, just get it because it’s unlikely the same design is going to pop up again somewhere else. When I visited at 4pm on a Sunday, it was pretty dead but if you’re tempted to shop, stop here.

Although we didn’t visit, you can also check out the Huaca Pucllana Site Museum. Book your tickets in advance. This site contains remains of a clay & adobe stepped pyramid from 200-700 ACE.

Evening

Take an Uber back to the Barranco area for sunset views, putting Dedalo as your destination. Dedalo has excellent, unique souvenirs. I loved the purses, silk scarves, and ceramics. Be prepared to spend upward of 500 soles for items. It is a must!

Be sure to visit the café at the back for a drink.

When the sun has set, go back to Plaza de Armas to check out the night scene. There are some stalls and evening activities that are fun to walk around.

Lima is home to several world-class restaurants. You may need to make a reservation in advance, so consider that as you plan. Check out some options like: Mayta Restaurante, La Mar Cevichería, Panchita, Tragaluz, and Central.

Be warned that many restaurants are closed on Monday so plan accordingly.

Day 2: Explore Old Lima

Today you’ll explore the old part of Lima as part of your 10 Day Peru Itinerary, where the majority of the city’s museums are located.

Morning

Get breakfast at Caleta Dolsa Coffee. We got a toast and a breakfast burrito to fill us up for the morning and it was delicious.

Then, take an Uber to the Museo de Arte de Lima. From here, walk through the Parque de la Exposición towards Plaza San Martin. Here, you’ll start to walk the pedestrian street of Jiron de la Unionas you head towards Lima’s main square.

The street is so interesting. I really like this church built into the wall.

Stop at Casa O’Higgins for a small (and free) exhibit). It seems like these exhibits may rotate.

Try to reach the main square at 11:30-ish so that you can catch the daily changing of the guard.

The square is surrounded by buildings with handing balconies. And you can see Lima’s Cathedral.

Cultural parade and Changing of the Guard

By chance when Wilhelm and I were visiting, there was a fantastic cultural parade that lasted 2 hours. Musical and cultural groups from across Peru and Bolivia were dressed up in their traditional clothes to exhibit. It was so memorable and really added to our Peru experience. If you have a chance to time your visit with a parade, do it!

Because of the parade, I’m not sure how much of the changing of the guard during the parade is captured in the daily version. I thought it was a must-see! If you want more pictures, check out this post.

Walk to the Lima sign by the edge of the central square.

Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo

After seeing the changing of the guards, visit the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo. What makes this church visit unique is the gorgeous courtyard, made with tiles shipped from Spain, and the bell tower visit.

You can visit the monastery rooms and courtyard visit on your own, but you need to wait for a tour guide to go up to the bell tower.

The visit costs 35 soles per person and is totally worth it. The bell tower is closed for an hour each day, but you can use your same ticket to enter again when the tours reopen.

Afternoon

There aren’t a lot of food options in the old town area. However, the Pisco Sour Museum has a great café. Plus, you can learn to make your own pisco sours or try one of the many specialties from across the country. I was obsessed with any corn-based drink in Peru so I ordered a purple pisco made with Chicha. The service is great and the food came out quickly. (or you can save yourself for local Chinese food in a couple of stops.)

Next door to the Pisco Sour Museum is the Chocolate Museum—stop in for a sample of chocolate and to buy some bars.

Then, you have two options. The first is to continue in the old part of town and have a local experience. The second is to visit Lima’s most visited museum, Larco.

Option 1: Local Market and Chinatown

If you choose the local option, follow what I did and check out the city’s central market. This is purely a local experience! We saw (and bought) local fruits, veggies, fish, and more.

Then, continue to Chinatown. Similar to Chinatowns around the world, you can pick up cheap products and experience the chaos. I bought a new phone tripod because I forgot mine for this trip…

There are a few popular restaurants here serving the Peruvian twist on Chinese food, know as “chifa.” The restaurant with the longest line was Chida Ton Kin Sen. Get lunch here if you didn’t eat earlier. The Google Maps reviews are a little low for what I would suggest but the line maybe proves otherwise.

Option 2: Larco Museum

Take an Uber directly to Larco. The museum is open 9am-7pm every day so you’ll have time to explore in the afternoon. Because I was engrossed in the parade, we spent much longer here than intended and didn’t have time to visit. Skip straight to the dinner options in the evening.

Evening:

Take an Uber back toward Barranco to visit the Lima Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum only had one exhibit hall open when we visited, so it was just a 20-minute experience. The museum is open late so it’s a great thing to do before having an early dinner.

Then, walk over to La Bodega Verde for cheesecake and a drink. Unfortunately, when we visited they were all out of cheesecake but the café is worth a stop if on your way. They have a great selection of teas too.

For dinner options check out Maido, Kjolle, or Mayta.

Have an early night because you’ll be up to catch the first flight of the day to Cusco in the morning!

Day 3-4: Cusco

Stay 1 night at Tiki Wasa Casa for $40 for a regular room. You’ll return to this hotel later on the trip (or choose another one).

San Blas is the best neighborhood to stay in Cusco. It’s a little away from the touristy chaos and also closest to the Incan site of Saqsaywaman which you’ll want to visit early in the morning on Day 4. Other options that looked cute are Viajero Kokopelli Cusco Hostel and Amaru Colonial Hotel.

Day 3: Fly to Cusco & Explore

Morning

Take an early morning flight from Lima to Cusco. Flights later in the day often get canceled because of winds. Flights can be as low as $50 if you book in advance as we did. We booked the 7:30am flight and there were no issues.

Afternoon

Once you arrive in Cusco, take an Uber to your accommodation to drop off your stuff. We stayed in Tiki Wasa and loved it! We splurged on our first night and stayed in a top-level room, but later on in the trip, we stayed in one of the basic rooms.

Start drinking Coca tea immediately! The altitude in Cusco is 3,399 meters and if you’re not careful, you’ll get intense altitude sickness. Bring a travel mug with you to fill up everywhere you go. Hotels will generally have coca leaves available for free for hotel guests. Drink at least 1 cup when you arrive and then fill up your mug and drink tea throughout the day. It actually helps!

Start off your Cusco adventures by grabbing breakfast around your hotel.

We ate a simple breakfast at Barrio Cafe.

Then start wandering and shopping. Head over to Cathedral de Cuzco from wherever your hotel is. You’ll be sure to pass about a million and one shops on the way. Take your time exploring.

Then, get lunch at Nuna Raymi. This was my favorite meal in Cusco. (There is also a great jewelry store underneath to the right). Here, get the Chicha sampler to try to corn based juice and alcohol.

Wilhelm got the quinoa soup and I got the fish—I’ve never had more perfectly crispy yet juicy trout in my life. It was fantastic. We also shared a sashimi-style sampler.

Stop at San Blas market for cheesecake.

Then, stop to get coffee beans at Cafe Ricchary. The cafe is small and has excellent coffee.

Next, get a quoina soup at the San Pedro Market and walk around.

End the afternoon with coffee at L’atelier Cafe and try to get a spot on the tiny balcony.

Museums in Cusco

Between shopping and lunch, you’ll probably pass several museums—all part of the tourist ticket that you’re going to end up purchasing for sites across the Scared Valley. You may need to pay in cash for each ticket so I suggest you stop at an ATM for soles—because you can’t pay for it in dollars or euros (we tried). There are several museums in Cusco but don’t worry if you don’t have time for them all. The best visit to the area is the Inca site of Saqsaywaman (which you’ll visit tomorrow).

Some of the museums to visit are:

Museo Machu Picchu Casa Concha—unfortunately this was closed when we visited but the museum hosts artifacts from Machu Picchu.

Regional Historical Museum of Cusco—this is the most interesting museum we went to. If you only have time for one, make it this. 30 minutes to walk through, though a guide put on a 15 minute video for us at one of the rooms so that took longer—but was actually interesting. We learned a lot about the Inca man.

Museum of Contemporary Art— The museum is very small and took 10 minutes tops to walk through.

Museo de sitio Qorikancha— This is barely worth the visit. The Lonely Planet called it “mangy” (lolol) but we went because it was next to the bus stop for Ollantaytambo. There are some displays underground. Above, there are building remnants above. 

Shopping in Cusco

Cusco is where you’ll do the shopping of your 10 Day Peru Itinerary. Walk across the Segunda Cuadra street, checking out the cafes and shops. Visit the Mercado Wanchaq and get some quinoa soup.  

The restaurant and shop options in Cusco are overwhelming. Whatever I suggest to you, know there are probably 5 other great shops just the same or better. We spent some of the day wandering in and out of shops, taking it easy and only later returned to purchase items. However, be sure to buy something when you see it because there is a chance it’ll be gone by the time you return—there are just so many tourists!

For a special souvenir, stop at Museo Maximo Laura which showcases the works of 5^th generation weaver Maximo Laura, who is also a “National Living Human Treasure” of Peru … If you’re tempted (like we were), you may end up with a large purchase to take back home. Artworks cost upwards of $1,000.

Buy traditionally made fabric goods at the shop through Albergue Turistico Casa Campesina. I got a fantastic vest for just $60.

Evening

If you want to get drinks first, check out Viewhouse for sunset.

There are so many interesting restaurants in Cusco. If you’re up for trying llama, alpaca, or guinea pig, do that. If you want sushi and pizza, you can get that too! Peru’s national dish is “lomo saltado” which is a meat (or veg) in a sauce served with rice. We tried this at Soq’A. The restaurant is cool and has great drinks.

Day 4: Saqsaywaman and Onwards to Ollantaytambo

Morning

Have breakfast first thing in the morning, as early as you can!

Then start walking up to the Inca site of Saqsaywaman. The site gets busy during the day, so that’s why I suggest visiting before 10am if you can bear to get up early enough.

Explore Saqsaywaman. Be sure to check out both sides of the site. If you love horses, then you may want to check out this tour on horseback.

One of the things that makes Saqsaywaman so unique is that the Incas made the site without the use of mortar—meaning that all the rocks (and they are HUGE) are perfectly cut to fit around each other.

Look out for the viewpoint and the morning alpacas that get released onto the site.

There are also several “sun gates.”

Head back to your hotel and pick up your backpacks.

Get the minibus to Ollantaytambo from the bus stop here. I’m sorry to say I forgot to note down how much the ride cost, but I think it wasn’t more than 20 soles per person.

You could also arrange a private car with your hotel or get seats in a car heading to Ollantaytambo from the same bus stop.

The minibus took just 15 minutes to fill up even though we were the first ones on. The ride is an easy 1.5 hours and drops you into the center of town.

Afternoon

Get a coffee at Latente specialty coffee (and lunch!) and then check in at your hotel. We stayed at Ccapac Inka Ollanta, which is about a 10-15 minute walk outside of town. The guesthouse is run by a Peruvian-German couple. We had a great view of the mountains, and it was cozy.

Then, start your hike to the Pinkuylluna Trailhead to visit the 15th-century unique Incan storehouses overlooking the city. It took us just 20 minutes to reach the storehouses.  We visited around 4pm and the city was basked in a golden glow. 

Don’t head straight back down, there is a small loop to see some other (not as well-preserved ruins) if you continue following the blue arrow.

You may be tempted to stay for sunset, but the security guard will chase you down and out.

Evening:

For dinner, be sure to eat at Alqa. This was my favorite restaurant during our entire 10 Day Peru Itinerary. The restaurant is a “gastronomic vision as a tribute to the Andean farmer and pre-Hispanic nutritional concepts and practices.” For dinner, you can go a la carte or get the tasting menu. I highly recommend doing the tasting menu. Each course was described by our waiter and we were presented with vegetable or fruit that was highlighted in the dish.

For two people, with two drinks and water, we spent 466 soles (and 50 soles for tip).

Each of the dishes was fantastic. The flavors were unique, and I think Alqa is on its way to winning several awards for its innovative food preparation as well as its commitment to serving traditional dishes.

The tasting menu was “chef’s choice,” but you can let them know of any dietary requirements. There are several different seating choices, including outside. On our evening, we opted for the cozy-looking cave.  

If you’re visiting during a busy time of year, it would be worth it to book in advance.

Day 4-6: Ollantaytambo

Stay 2 nights at Ccapac Inka Ollanta

I loved Ollantaytambo and would have chosen to spend even more time in this cute town if we had the chance during our 10 Day Peru Itinerary. It gets popular during the day with tourists, but I enjoyed the winding streets, the food, and the scenery.

Alternative lodging: Although this never showed up in my hotel search (because of my price filters), I saw Starlodge as we were driving past on our day trip. For upwards of $2,000/night, you can sleep perched on the edge of a cliff!

The El Albergue Farm is also located outside of town and is a cute place to stay.

Day 5: Hike  

Today, you can choose to do a hike or just take it easy. We opted for a short hike but I also would recommend the hike to the Sun Gate if you have time and are well acclimated. Although we really wanted to do the hike, we both weren’t feeling 100% and instead opted for a hike closer to town. I looked at this blog for the Sun Gate hike.  

Morning

Have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel or a café.  

Then, stop at the local market to buy some snacks for your hike. We bought bread, avos, cheese, a tomato, and some fruit. Across from the market, Pasteleria Y Panaderia has great bread and (bread-like) croissants. We spent a total of 15 soles combined for the bread, fruits, and veggies. I am not sure why the market is not on Google Maps, but the location I pinned is right.

We hiked to the lesser-visited Pumamarca Ruins. The hike had great views and the climb was steady. The first turnoff for the hike is here.

The site is not included in your Sacred Valley ticket. You may get lucky and no one is minding the site, otherwise, there is a small 10 soles (cash-only ) fee operated by a shopkeeper under this hut.

It took us about 2 hours to hike up and then we spent about an hour eating lunch and wandering the site. We encountered only 4 other tourists (both with guides) at the site over the course of the hour.

Hike back down the same way you came.

Afternoon

As you enter the town, get a drink and snacks at the main square to people-watch. The balcony at Chuncho is perfect for this! The drinks are so good and I enjoyed the snacks too.

Downstairs, you can also try to Maracuy alcohol and buy a tiny bottle to take home.

Check out some of the shops as you wander around.

By 3:30pm, you should start your visit to the Ollantaytambo Incan Site. You can’t miss it.

I thought Ollantaytambo was very cool! There are a lot of steps and you can get herded around if you visit when all the tourist groups do in the afternoon, so by 4pm, most are headed out.

The views for sunset seem perfect and you can start to get a hint of it, but the site staff start to chase you out near closing time.

Evening

Wander the market as the tourists start to leave the town.

Visit el Albergue restaurant by the train station for dinner. They serve local cuisine in a sleek setting.

Here, I tried the “cuy,” aka guinea pig. We wanted to try it once as it’s part of the local cuisine… It’s a far stretch from a good piece of meat. It’s served fried and with different sauces (which were great)… but cuy is not for me. If you like tiny bones and fat, then maybe this is the dish for you. If you do want to try cuy, later a local suggested having it in a stew.

There was also an interesting grilled meats section on the menu that would be a safer choice.

Anyway… it was worth the experience! I also got a great salad, and Wilhelm got a vegetable dish. Our waitress was very nice (and even had the windows and doors closed when she noticed I was cold).

Day 6: Tour Day and onwards to Agua Calientes

We opted to take a private tour to visit some of the sites around Ollantaytambo. Although you may be able to do some of the sites using local transit, I do suggest you do an organized tour to make the most of your time.

Tours, without guides (meaning just a driver to take you to different sites), can be as low as 200 soles. For private tours, you can walk into one of the many, many tourism stalls and ask for their prices. We negotiated our price down by just getting a driver and not a guide.

You could do the tour we did to Moray and the Salt Mines or choose other sites that interest you. We also considered tours to Pisac and Humantay Lake. If you have time, you can do this tour that includes a guide to visit the Ollantaytambo site, the salt mines, Moray, Maras, and lunch.

Morning

Have breakfast then pack up your stuff. You’ll have to check out in the morning and take your stuff on your tour to make the most of the day before heading out to Agua Calientes—the gateway to Machu Picchu—by train.

Based on our 9am-3pm tour time, we chose a Moray and Salt Mine of Maras tour. Moray looks like something the aliens would have made, and the Salt Mine of Maras is another interesting site around the area.

Our driver met us at our guesthouse and we started the 1 hour drive to the Salt Mine of Maras.

It costs 20 soles to visit the Salt Mine. There are different walking routes to explore once you enter the site, but when we visited only the short viewpoint (red circuit 1) was open.

The salt ponds pass from generation to generation by local families. You can purchase bags of salt from the small stalls that line the exit.

Ask your driver/guide to stop at the viewpoint for picture!

Moray is included in your Sacred Valley pass so you don’t need to pay entry here.

The site has an unknown purpose—its most probable use was for agricultural experiments testing site by Incan farmers. Each steppe could have been used to test our different growing environments, but there is no water source nearby. Hence, aliens (I’m kidding…)!

If you can plan for 2+ hours of dining, then make a reservation at MIL for a Peruvian gastronomic experience. We tried to do a la carte dining, but it wasn’t possible. Chefs create a “vertical journey through ecosystems” using local ingredients.

Afternoon

Head back to Ollantaytambo and get dropped back in town for lunch at Alqa before catching the train. The food is good and its absolutely worth visiting twice, especially if you did the tasting menu the first night. We got two a la carte dishes, drinks, and dessert while we sat out in the garden.

Then, make your way to the train station. Get a coffee or drink at the El Albergue café as you wait for your train.

You should book your train tickets in advance to Agua Calientes, the town in which Machu Picchu is located. We took the 3:30pm train and booked directly on the official website.

The ride is beautiful and the pictures don’t do it justice.

Your arrival in Agua Calientes is interesting because the train station is literally inside a market. It’s a total maze to get out! I don’t have any tips except to use Google Maps, follow the light, or ask for directions.

Drop off your stuff at your accommodation then wander around. I thought there were nicer souvenirs in Cusco but each stall and shop has something different so wander around.

Evening

Agua Calientes is a pure tourist town. It’s hard to find anything authentic, but I really enjoyed the food at Green House, which sources local fruits and veggies for vegetarian dishes. I got a quinoa dish with pesto and Wilhelm got a pasta. Both were great but my quinoa bowl was the real winner! The green sauce was so fresh and delish.

Day 6-7 Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

Stay one night at Susanna Inn Machu Picchu Hotel.

The room was basic but there was a fridge for our snacks and hot water for a shower. The walls are thin but you probably won’t sleep too many anyway because you’ll have to get up at 4:30am the next morning.

Day 7: Machu Picchu

Morning

Hike up to Machu Picchu

The earliest entry time you can pick for Machu Picchu is 6am. If you want to be the very first to enter, then you should choose to take the first bus up or train really well to hike up the mountain’s staircase at 5am.

If you hike, you can start at 5am and the start is about a 25-minute walk from town, so that means you should be walking at 4:30 in the morning to get here. There was already a line to hike when we arrived at 5am. Definitely bring a handlamp for your hike—it makes a huge difference and it’s pitch dark. You’ll need to bring your passport (in case officials ask for it) and your 6am entry ticket so they allow you to start hiking. This isn’t the official entrance though.

The hiking line at 5am

The hike was beautiful (once the sun started to rise at 5:40am) and I saw some cool birds along the way.

It took me 1 hour to manage the switchback staircase up the mountain to get to the Machu Picchu entrance. The trail crossed the bus route so you’ll start to hear buses go up around 5:50 or so.

The entrance line at 6am

Enter Machu Picchu

To enter Machu Picchu, we showed our printed tickets and were given a lanyard with our route number. The entrance really feels like I was entering Disneyland or something like that. You’re herded along between ropes at the beginning and everyone is so chaotic about being at Machu Picchu that it’s like a zoo. People are wild and pushing… even at 6am!

We chose Circuit 2, which includes both the upper and lower archaeological areas. We moved very slowly through the site but realized we were almost at the end after only an hour. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to backtrack or try another circuit because officials are stationed everywhere to enforce the routes.

There are some viewpoints as you enter, but the best is this view.  You may have to wait a bit to get a good picture, but it’s worth it.

Then you’ll return your lanyard and the different circuits are divided. The site becomes a lot less crowded. We chose Circuit 2 and went very slowly through the upper and lower parts of the ruins.

We exited the site at 8:30am and hiked back down.

Stop at the Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum which has some artifacts from Machu Picchu.

Get a morning drink to celebrate conquering Machu Picchu! Although it was only 10, it felt like the late afternoon since we barely slept and had to wake up at 4am. Have the Pisco Sour, you deserve it. For a fun drink spot, Indio Feliz has funky décor.

Afternoon

Get lunch and then take your (pre-booked) afternoon train back to Cusco. We took the 3pm train and had just enough time to get our bags, have lunch, and make it to the station.

Evening

We opted to stay at Tiki wasa casa again as it had the best price for our stay. You could choose to explore a different hotel if you want.

In the evening, we had dinner at Green Falafel.

Day 7-8: Cusco Day Trips

Day 8: Rainbow Mountain

If you’re feeling up for an early morning, book a tour to Rainbow Mountain. Tours typically start around 3:30am but are supposed to be worth it. There is no reliable public transportation, and you’ll probably end up wasting a day or two if you try to do it on your own. Until 2015, Rainbow Mountain was actually under snow. Climate change has changed the region’s landscape and now it’s a tourist destination. If you’re not sure about visiting, wait to book your tickets until you arrive in Cusco. The local tours are a little cheaper than those online. This tour has the most reviews and almost a 5 star rating.

Although we had plans to go, we ended up being very tired and skipped this.

Instead of Rainbow Mountain, we wandered around town checking out stores and having a chill day (because we were heading to the Amazon Jungle for part two of our Peru Itinerary!).

You can do the same by visiting the museums on your tourist card. Or, take a fun cooking class or make your own chocolate.

Other day trip options are this one to Humantay Lake.

Day 9-10: Back to Lima

Day 9: Day Trip or Fly Back to Lima

On Day 9 and 10 of your 10 Day Peru Itinerary, you have some flexibility depending on your flight out back home. If you’ve got a morning flight out from Lima, then you’ll want to head back to Lima on Day 9 so that you can catch your flight. If you have an evening flight, you can spend Day 9 on another day trip.

Day 10: Fly Home

Today you’ll end your 10 Day Peru Itinerary and fly head back to Lime to catch your flight home, or continue on to spend 6 nights in the Peruvian Amazon with Amazonia Expeditions (blog post incoming…).

7-Day Alternative Itinerary

If you don’t have a full 10 days in Peru, then I suggest instead you reduce some of the days in Lima and also skip out on Ollantaytambo. Getting inspiration from my trip, my sister booked a 6 day trip to Peru over Christmas. Using 5 vacation days, and the weekend before and after, you can make the most of your time without taking too much time off work.

• Day 1: Arrive in Lima
• Day 2: Explore Lima
• Day 3: Travel to Cusco
• Day 4: Explore Cusco
• Day 5: Machu Picchu Day Trip (do it yourself easily or book a tour like this one)
• Day 6: Sacred Valley Day Trip like this one
• Day 7: Fly back to Lima and onward to home

You’ll get all the highlights of my 10 Day Peru Itinerary and even visit Ollantaytambo as part of the Sacred Valley Day Trip.