At a glance
| Recommended days | 10 - 14 days |
|---|---|
| Budget level | $$ |
| Daily cost | €25-45 / €80-140 |
| Best season | May-Sep |
| Region | South America |
Day-by-day plan
This route comes from our full Peru Andes & Amazon guide - each day below links to the deeper detail there.
- Lima: Barranco, ceviche, Larco Museum
- Fly Lima → Cusco, acclimatise
- Sacred Valley: Pisac + Ollantaytambo
- Train to Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu
- Cusco: Moray + Maras salt mines
- Fly Cusco → Amazon lodge (3 nights)
- Amazon: macaw clay lick, night walk
- Lake Titicaca: Uros + Taquile, fly out
Pacing this route
Altitude rewrites schedules: the itinerary lands you in Cusco (3,400 m) for two easy days before any trek, with the Sacred Valley (lower, gentler) as the acclimatization middle. The orderly sequence is medical advice, not preference.
Build the flex day: Peruvian rail schedules, strikes and mountain weather all move; a buffer day before your international flight is the insurance.
Fewer or more days
- Fewer days: Cusco (2) + Sacred Valley (1) + Machu Picchu (1–2) is the 5-day core.
- More days: add Rainbow Mountain (1), the Inca Trail (4), or extend to Arequipa and Colca Canyon for a two-week Andes arc.
Practical tips for this route
- Book the Inca Trail permit 5–6 months ahead for June-August; Machu Picchu circuit tickets 1–2 months ahead in peak.
- Gradual ascent and a plan to stop or descend if symptoms occur are essential; skip alcohol the first two nights and let the acclimatization schedule work.
- Carry small PEN notes — colectivos, market stalls and gate snacks run on change, and Cusco taxis need agreeing before boarding.
Pair the route with the daily budget breakdown and the best-time-to-visit calendar to lock your dates, or hand the stops to our interactive trip planner.
Related guides
Best time to visit Peru & the Andes · Peru & the Andes travel budget · Full Peru & the Andes guide · Interactive trip planner
FAQ
How many days for Cusco and Machu Picchu?
Five is the efficient core; the itinerary's 10–14 days adds the Inca Trail or Rainbow Mountain and the south extension. Do not skip the two Cusco acclimatization days.
When is the Inca Trail closed?
Every February for maintenance and trail recovery. The alternative Salkantay trek runs year-round and is arguably the better walk anyway.
Is Cusco safe?
Check current regional safety advice, use reputable transport and take altitude risks seriously. Standard city sense plus slow arrival days is the whole strategy.
Is 10 days enough for Peru?
Yes — the plan above is built for the recommended 10-14 days. At 10 days, use the cuts noted under 'Fewer or more days'; at 14, the pacing stays relaxed without adding new regions.
Altitude planning
Plan gradual ascent and do not continue upwards with symptoms. For prevention and treatment decisions, use CDC altitude guidance with advice specific to your route and health.