Peru, a country that blew us away—from its sunset coasts in Lima, to desert oasis in Huacachina, to picturesque mountains in Cusco, it truly had it all. We traveled as backpackers and were surprised to learn just how budget-friendly the country actually was, from affordable buses to hostels to food. Not a low-budget traveler? No problem. Peru is ideal for all types of travelers and offers plenty of opportunities for a more luxurious experience— one of which we’ll take someday!
In this blog post, you’ll find the ultimate 10-day Peru Travel guide for your trip—packed with our top destinations, favorite experiences, helpful tips for all types of travelers, and links to activities to help you plan with ease. After spending a month exploring the country, we’ve gathered tons of insights that we’re excited to share with you.
Note: You could book a multiple day or week pass with PeruHop so you can just hop on and off at the locations you want without having to buy individual tickets.
Day-by-Day Itinerary in Peru
Day 1–2: Lima – Culture, Food & City Views
The charming city of Lima is one of the best places to visit in Peru. From the architecture in the Historic Center, murals in Barranco, and urban life in Miraflores, to its world-renowned cuisine, Lima ranks among our favorite cities in the world. We stayed in Miraflores and found it to be a very safe and accessible location!
We recommend spending at least two days here, so that you have enough time to explore the city and try some of the best foods the country has to offer. Be sure to account for your arrival and departure times when planning, as most flights into the country arrive in Lima.
Things to do in Lima:
- Explore Miraflores, Barranco, and the Historic Center (Book your walking tour)
- Eat at local markets and try ceviche along with other traditional dishes
- Visit some of the world’s best restaurants, including Maido, Kjolle, Mayta
- Paragliding over the coast (Book your adventure)
Budget tip: Overnight buses between towns are affordable and save you time.
Day 3–4: Paracas & Huacachina – Ocean & Desert Adventures
This region of Peru was incredibly unique, offering both stunning desert landscapes and serene ocean views. Though we didn’t spend too much time here, we still recommend adding it to your itinerary—it’s packed with experiences you won’t find elsewhere in the country. We loved watching the sunset in the sand dunes of Huacachina and doing the island and national reserve tour in Paracas, where we got to see local penguins, seals, and much more.
Note: We used Cruz del Sur to book our bus tickets around Peru as it was more affordable and still comfortable.
Things to do in Paracas and Huacachina:
- Visit Ballestas Islands
- Rent bikes in Paracas National Reserve (Book a tour that includes both Ballestas and National Reserve)
- Go Sandboarding and dune buggy riding in Huacachina
Bonus: If you have extra days, visit Nazca take a flight over the Nazca lines. (Book your flight here)
Short on time? Consider a day tour that includes both Paracas and Huacachina.
Day 5–6: Arequipa – The White City & Colca Canyon
This southern city in Peru, known as La Ciudad Blanca (The White City), gets its name from the white volcanic stone used to construct many of its buildings. We spent a few days in this region and enjoyed visiting the Santa Catalina Monastery, strolling around the Plaza de Armas, exploring the cathedral, and grabbing a bite at nearby Mercado San Camilo.
We highly recommend doing a tour to the Salinas salt flats, where you can visit a small llama farm and see flamingos with the most stunning mountain views. It was our favorite activity in Arequipa!
Tip: Many travelers we met also visit Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, and choose to do a 2-day trek.
Tip: Book a flight from Arequipa to Cusco to avoid long bus ride.
Things to do in Arequipa:
- Visit Santa Catalina Monastery and Plaza de Armas
- Do the Salinas & Aguada Blanca tour
- Trekking in Colca Canyon (Book your adventure here)
- Tour Routa de Sillar to see where the volcanic stones are extracted from
Day 7–10: Cusco & Sacred Valley – The Incan Capital
Once the capital of the Incan Empire, Cusco is one of the most visited cities in Peru—and for good reason. It is the main gateway to the world wonder, Machu Picchu and is a hub for travelers from around the world. You can still find original Incan architecture throughout the streets and feel like you’re being transported back in time.
Using Cusco as your base, we recommend visiting various parts of the Sacred Valley, including Ollantaytambo, and taking a day trip to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley.
If you’re planning to trek to Machu Picchu, you have a few options: you can take the train to Aguas Calientes and explore the site on a day trip, or go for a more immersive experience by hiking one of the iconic treks. Choose between the classic Inca Trail or the more adventurous Salkantay Trek, which we personally did and loved.
Note: Take 1–2 days to acclimate to the altitude before doing any hikes. Walking around the city and drinking coca tea helps, and you can also find altitude sickness medication at local pharmacies.
Things to do in Cusco & the Sacred Valley:
- Explore San Pedro Market and try local dishes at La Colmena
- Take a Sacred Valley day trip to Pisac, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines (Book a day trip)
- Hike Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley
- Visit Humantay Lake
- Book a group tour to Machu Picchu (Check options here)
Note: Don’t feel like hiking? You can also take a scenic train ride to Machu Picchu.
Peru, Where Culture and Nature meet
Whether you’re chasing sunsets in Lima, sandboarding in Huacachina, or visiting Machu Picchu, Peru offers a perfect blend of culture, nature, and adventure. This 10-day Peru travel guide is designed to help you make the most of every moment—whether you’re backpacking on a budget or traveling in comfort. Safe travels, and don’t forget to check out our other South America travel guides for more tips and inspiration!
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Disclaimer: All the information shared is based on our research and experiences. Please note that we are not travel consultants, tour guides, or financial advisors and are not held liable for any misinformation. We give suggestions, but advise each person to do their own research and make the decision that best suits them. This blog posts also contains affiliate links, by using the links we provide you are helping us at no additional cost to you. Photos on this page belong strictly to The Traveler In Us and are not allowed to be saved or used for any reason unless granted permission so by the owners.
