This 10-day trip is made for travelers who want to see Peru’s “must-sees” without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. You’ll start on the coast in Lima, then head into the Andes to explore Cusco and the Sacred Valley, hike the Short Inca Trail (Km 104) to Machu Picchu, take on Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley, and finish with the magic of Lake Titicaca in Puno.
It’s a smart mix of culture, landscapes, and real wow moments, plus comfortable hotels, reliable transport, and local guides who make every place feel real (not like you’re just ticking boxes).
Duration
10 Days / 9 Nights
Activities
Nature, Culture, History, Hiking
Average Group Size
12 people
Accommodation
3-star Hotels
Tour Language
English - Spanish
Starts/Ends
Lima / Lima
Destinations
Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno
Peru Highlights Tour 10 Days
This itinerary is a classic Peru route with a great flow: Lima → Cusco → Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu → Rainbow Mountain → Puno → Lake Titicaca. You get the famous highlights, but with good pacing and support—especially on the two hiking days.
- Tour style: Peru highlights + guided sightseeing + Short Inca Trail (Km 104) + Rainbow Mountain + Lake Titicaca
- Duration: 10 days / 9 nights (hotels included as listed)
- Start: Lima Airport pickup
- End: Juliaca Airport transfer (flight to Lima not included)
- Accommodation: 3-star hotels (upgrade to 4-star or 5-star available)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate overall
Moderate hiking days: Short Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain
Best for: First-time visitors who want the classic Peru experience, smooth logistics, and one real trekking day into Machu Picchu
Tour Highlights
- See the best of Peru in 10 days with a smooth, well-planned route
- Guided city tour in Lima, including the San Francisco Catacombs + Larco Museum
- Explore Cusco and the iconic Inca ruins above the city
- Full Sacred Valley day: Pisac, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo
- Hike the Short Inca Trail (Km 104) and enter Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate
- Enjoy a guided Machu Picchu tour on the best available official circuit for your date
- Full-day adventure to Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley
- Scenic journey to Puno with cultural stops along the way
- Boat tour on Lake Titicaca: Uros Floating Islands + Taquile Island
Peru tour with Short Inca Trail 10 Días at a Glance
Day 1: Arrive in Lima - Miraflores
Arrive in Lima, meet your driver at the airport, check into your hotel, and enjoy an easy first night in the city.
Day 2: Lima City Tour + Catacombs + Larco Museum
Enjoy guided sightseeing in Lima, then spend a free afternoon exploring at your own pace, with an easy night in the city. Breakfast included
Day 3: Fly Lima - Cusco + Cusco City Tour
Arrive in Cusco, enjoy smooth transfers and a guided highlights tour, then take it easy for acclimatization and rest for the night. Breakfast included.
Day 4: Super Sacred Valley Tour - Ollantaytambo
Visit Pisac, Moray, and the Maras salt mines, then continue to Ollantaytambo to settle in for an easy night in the Sacred Valley. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 5: Short Inca Trail (Km 104) - Sun Gate - Aguas Calientes
Hike about 15 km (8 mi) in roughly 7 hours, reaching around 2,700 m (8,858 ft) at the highest point, then arrive in Aguas Calientes for a moderate day on the trail with a lunch box, dinner, and hotel breakfast included.
Day 6: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Panoramic Train - Cusco
Take an early bus to Machu Picchu for a guided tour, then ride the train back to Cusco for an easy–moderate day and a restful night. Breakfast included.
Day 7: Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley (Full Day)
Enjoy a scenic drive into the high Andes, then take on a high-altitude hike at a steady pace before returning to Cusco for a moderate day. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 8: Cusco - Puno (Tourist Bus with Stops)
Travel toward Puno with cultural stops along the way, enjoy a buffet lunch, and arrive in time for an easy evening by the lake. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 9: Lake Titicaca (Uros + Taquile)
Spend the day on a full boat tour with walks on the islands, then return to Puno for an easy–moderate night by the lake. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 10: Puno - Juliaca Airport Transfer
After breakfast, enjoy an easy day with a private transfer to your next destination.
Note: The exact timing and order of some visits can vary depending on flight schedules, ticket availability, and local conditions.
Included
- All airport and hotel transfers as described (Lima, Cusco, Juliaca)
- All ground transportation for included tours (comfortable van/minibus)
- Tourist bus from Cusco to Puno with guided stops + buffet lunch
- Boat tours on Lake Titicaca (Uros + Taquile)
- Professional English-speaking local guides (day-by-day as listed)
- Entrance tickets for included sights (as described in the itinerary)
- Short Inca Trail permit (Km 104) + Machu Picchu entry (subject to availability at booking time)
- Train to Km 104 (Day 5)
- Panoramic train return from Machu Picchu area (Vistadome or 360° service, as assigned)
- Bus tickets where listed (e.g., down to Aguas Calientes after the hike; up to Machu Picchu on Day 6)
- 9 hotel nights in 3-star hotels (upgrade options available)
- Hotel breakfasts + meals specifically listed day-by-day
Not Included
- International flights and domestic flights
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional hikes: Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain
10 Day Peru Itinerary Machu Picchu - Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lima (Afternoon or Evening)
Welcome to Peru. We’ll meet you at Lima airport and take you to your hotel in Miraflores, the easiest and safest area for travelers—close to ocean views, restaurants, cafés, and walking paths. This day is kept simple so you can rest after travel and ease into the trip.
- Transportation: Lima airport pickup + private transfer
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Lima
- Difficulty: Easy
Note: If you arrive early, we can arrange an optional afternoon visit (not included unless confirmed).
Day 2: Lima City Tour + San Francisco Catacombs + Larco Museum
Today you see the best of Lima, its colonial heart and its deeper history. You’ll visit key sights in the historic center, then head underground into the San Francisco Catacombs for a fascinating (and unforgettable) look at the city’s past. After that, you’ll explore the Larco Museum, one of the most impressive museums in Peru, with beautifully displayed ancient artifacts.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time in Miraflores, perfect for a walk along the cliffs, shopping, or a relaxed dinner by the coast.
Included: Guided city tour, entrance tickets, transportation, 3-star hotel in Lima
- Duration: Half day tour
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Lima
- Meals: Hotel breakfast
- Difficulty: Easy
Day 3: Fly Lima → Cusco + Cusco City Tour
At the right time, we transfer you to the airport for your flight to Cusco. After landing, we pick you up and take you to your hotel in the historic center.
In the afternoon, your guide introduces you to Cusco’s top highlights: the main square, classic Inca stone streets, the 12-angled stone street, and Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun). Then you go above the city to explore Sacsayhuaman, plus nearby sites like Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
This is a great day to start acclimatizing: easy pace, plenty of stops, and a strong cultural foundation for what comes next.
- Duration: Half day tour
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
- Meals: Hotel breakfas
- Transportation: Cusco airport pickup + private transfer
- Difficulty: Easy
Day 4: Super Sacred Valley Tour + Overnight in Ollantaytambo
After breakfast, you head into the Sacred Valley for one of the most scenic and rewarding days of the trip. You’ll begin with a camelid farm visit (llamas and alpacas), then continue to Pisac for amazing views and an active local market.
After lunch in Urubamba, you explore the surreal Maras Salt Mines and the circular terraces of Moray, one of the most unique Inca sites in Peru. The day ends in Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town with huge stone temples and ancient water channels still running.
Sleeping in Ollantaytambo is a big plus: it makes your Inca Trail day smoother and helps you start closer to the trail.
- Duration: Full day tour
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Ollantaytambo
- Meals: Hotel breakfast + Buffet lunch
- Difficulty: Easy
Day 5: Short Inca Trail (Km 104) - Sun Gate - Aguas Calientes
Today is a real highlight: you hike the most famous final section of the Inca Trail, without camping or doing the full 4-day trek.
You’ll take the train to Km 104 (Chachabamba), show your original passport at the checkpoint, and start hiking on the classic Inca path. You’ll visit Chachabamba, then climb through cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna, one of the most beautiful Inca sites on the route.
After your boxed lunch, you continue to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) for your first view of Machu Picchu from above. Because you arrive later in the day, it often feels calmer, and the light can be fantastic for photos.
Then you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, check into your hotel, enjoy dinner, and rest well for your Machu Picchu tour tomorrow.
- Hiking distance: 15 km / 8 mi
- Duration: 7 hours
- Highest altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
- Meals: hotel breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 6: Machu Picchu - Panoramic Train - Cusco
You’ll wake early and take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. Your guide leads a clear, well-paced tour of the best areas available on your official ticket circuit and time slot. You’ll learn how Machu Picchu was built, how it worked, and why it still amazes architects and travelers today.
After the guided visit, you can take extra photos or, if you booked it in advance, do an optional hike like Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Later, you return to Aguas Calientes and board the panoramic train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, private transport takes you to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival is usually around 7:30 p.m. (depending on train times).
- Tour duration: 2.5 hours exploring Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Meals: Hotel breakfast
- Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Cusco
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Day 7: Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley - Cusco
Very early pickup for a scenic drive into the high Andes. After breakfast, you hike up to the viewpoint of Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) to see the famous color bands and wide-open mountain views. If conditions are good and you feel strong, you can also visit Red Valley, a quieter add-on with dramatic landscapes and fewer people.
This day is short in distance but can feel harder because of the altitude, so going slow, staying warm, and drinking water makes a big difference.
- Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
- Highest altitude: 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
- Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Cusco
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 8: Cusco - Puno (Tourist Bus with Guided Stops)
Today you travel to Puno on a comfortable tourist bus service made for travelers, with guided visits along the route. Stops typically include:
- Andahuaylillas Chapel (“Sistine Chapel of the Andes”)
- Raqchi (Wiracocha Temple complex)
- La Raya Pass (mountain views at the highest point)
- Pukara Museum (Lithic Museum)
You arrive in Puno in the evening and transfer to your hotel.
- Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
- Highest altitude: 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
- Accommodation: 3-star Hotel in Puno
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 9: Lake Titicaca (Uros Floating Islands + Taquile)
Today you explore Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. By boat, you’ll visit the Uros Floating Islands, built from reeds and still home to families today. Then you continue to Taquile Island, known for strong traditions, beautiful textiles, and amazing lake views.
You return to Puno for the night.
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Puno
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Day 10: Puno - Juliaca Airport Transfer
After breakfast, we pick you up and transfer you to Juliaca airport, the closest airport to Puno. This is the end of your tour.
- Transportation: Juliaca airport drop off + private transfer
- Meals:Hotel breakfast
Peru Highlights Tour 10 Days - Price
This tour is priced based on 4+ travelers sharing a double or twin room. If you are traveling as a couple or a small group of 1–3, we can tailor the services and send a quote based on your exact dates and hotel preferences.
Price per person
- From US$555 – Adults
- From US$555– Children and Students
Booking and payment:
Deposit: US$555 per person. To book the 10 Days Peru Highlights & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour, make an initial payment; the remaining balance can be paid online or at our office in Cusco with any card and without booking fees.
Please provide the following details exactly as they appear on the passenger's passport: Full Name, Passport Number, Date of Birth, Expiration Date, and Nationality.
The children's discount is applied automatically. However, students must provide a copy of their valid student ID upon booking. Should the ID be rejected, the adult fare will be charged.
Student Discount
- US$ 555 off
Applies to all travelers under 17 and students under 25 with a valid university ID. To get the discount, the ID must include:
- Student name, photo, and university name.
- Have a valid expiration date (expired IDs will not be accepted)
- ISIC cards are not valid
Peru Tour 10 Days - Packing List
Peru has very different climates in one trip (coast, Andes, cloud forest, and high-altitude mountain areas). Packing in layers is the secret.
Essentials
What to wear?
What to put in your Daypack?
Peru Highlits 10 Days - Travel Information
Flights Are Not Included (But Transfers Are)
You book your flights, and we include the transfers on the correct days:
- Lima → Cusco (Day 3)
- Juliaca → Lima (Day 10)
Short Inca Trail + Machu Picchu Tickets
The Short Inca Trail (Km 104) requires permits, and Machu Picchu has timed entry with limited availability. Booking early gives you more options for the best schedules and circuits.
Altitude: Take It Easy at the Start
Cusco is high altitude. Day 3 is designed to be a gentle start. Hydrate, eat light, and avoid heavy drinking your first night. Many travelers feel better as they move to lower areas like the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Circuits and Time Slots
Machu Picchu uses official circuits and timed entry. We aim for the best option available on your date. If the most popular circuit is sold out, we secure the best official alternative and your guide adapts the visit so you still get a great experience.
Train Luggage Rules: Travel Light
Trains to/from Machu Picchu are carry-on only. Pack a small overnight bag for Aguas Calientes, and leave larger luggage stored at your Cusco hotel when possible.
Weather Is Different Everywhere
- Lima: mild coastal weather
- Cusco/Sacred Valley: sunny days, cold mornings and nights
- Machu Picchu: warmer, humid, chance of rain
- Rainbow Mountain + Puno: colder, windier, higher altitude
Bring layers every day—Peru can change fast.
10 Day Peru Itinerary Machu Picchu - FAQs
Are flights included in the package?
No. Flights are not included, but airport transfers on the tour days are included as described.
Is this tour good for first-time visitors?
Yes. It’s designed for first-timers who want the classics with a clear flow: coast - Andes - Machu Picchu - Titicaca.
How hard is the Short Inca Trail?
It’s a moderate hiking day. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should feel comfortable walking uphill for several hours with breaks.
How hard is Rainbow Mountain?
The hike is manageable, but the altitude makes it feel tougher. Going slow and dressing warm helps a lot.
Do I need permits for the Short Inca Trail?
Yes. The Short Inca Trail needs a permit. Your permit is included in the tour (as long as you book early enough for availability).
Can I add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, but these are optional add-ons and must be booked in advance because tickets are limited.
What kind of hotels are included?
The base package uses 3-star hotels in each destination. Upgrades to 4-star or 5-star are available on request.
What meals are included?
Hotel breakfasts are included, plus the meals listed day-by-day. Any meal not mentioned is on your own.
How much luggage should I bring?
Bring your main suitcase for the full trip, but plan a small carry-on/overnight bag for the Machu Picchu train portion. Large bags are not allowed on the train.
What should I bring for Machu Picchu?
Passport, small daypack, water, rain layer, sunscreen, and good walking shoes. Bring only what you need—large bags are restricted.
Is this tour suitable for older travelers?
Yes, as long as you’re comfortable walking and have a reasonable fitness level for the two hiking days.
What’s the minimum number of travelers for the listed price?
The published rate is for 4+ travelers sharing a double or twin room. For 1–3 travelers, pricing is by quote.