Peru Itineraries: 7, 10, 12 and 15-Day Routes

Planning a trip to Peru usually starts with one important question: how many days do you need in Peru?

The answer depends on what you want to experience. Peru brings together Pacific coastlines, desert landscapes, colonial cities, the Andes, the Amazon rainforest and world-famous archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu.

Rather than trying to see everything in one trip, the best Peru itinerary is one that matches your available time and allows you to enjoy each destination without constantly rushing between cities.

Whether you have 7, 10, 12 or 15 days, there is a route that can give you a memorable first experience of Peru.

A 7 day Peru itinerary works best when you focus on a few key destinations.

You can combine Lima with Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, or add Paracas and Huacachina if you want to experience both the coast and the Andes.

A possible route may include:

• Lima
• Paracas and Huacachina
• Cusco
• Sacred Valley
• Machu Picchu
• Rainbow Mountain

Another option is to spend most of the week around Cusco, giving yourself more time to explore Inca history, local culture and the surrounding mountains.

If you only have one week, choosing fewer destinations will usually create a much better travel experience.

See our 7-day Peru itinerary and discover two routes for your first trip.

With ten days, your options open up considerably.

A 10 day Peru itinerary gives you enough time to visit Machu Picchu while adding another region such as Arequipa, Lake Titicaca or the southern coast.

Your journey could combine:

• Lima
• Paracas and Huacachina
• Arequipa
• Cusco
• Sacred Valley
• Machu Picchu

Another excellent option is to travel through Arequipa and Lake Titicaca before continuing to Cusco.

Ten days are ideal for travelers who want to see different sides of Peru while keeping the journey comfortable.

Explore our 10-day Peru itinerary and find the route that fits your travel style.

With twelve days, you can travel through several regions at a more balanced pace.

A 12 day Peru itinerary can combine Lima with Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Possible highlights include:

• Lima
• Arequipa
• Colca Canyon
• Puno
• Lake Titicaca
• Cusco
• Sacred Valley
• Machu Picchu

This amount of time works especially well for travelers interested in combining history, Andean culture and dramatic landscapes.

You also have more flexibility to spend additional time in Cusco before visiting higher-altitude attractions.

See our 12-day Peru itinerary and discover how to explore the country at a more relaxed pace.

Two weeks or more allow you to experience much more of Peru without turning every day into a transfer.

A 15 day Peru itinerary can take you from the Pacific coast through the southern Andes and finish at Machu Picchu.

Depending on your interests, your journey could include:

• Lima
• Paracas
• Huacachina
• Nazca
• Arequipa
• Colca Canyon
• Lake Titicaca
• Cusco
• Sacred Valley
• Machu Picchu

You can also replace some destinations with a few days in the Peruvian Amazon, either in Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos.

This is a great choice for travelers who want to discover Peru's different landscapes, cultures and regions in a single journey.

Explore our 15-day Peru itinerary for a more complete journey through the country.

There is no single perfect length for a trip to Peru.

If Machu Picchu and Cusco are your main priorities, 7 days in Peru can work very well.

With 10 days, you can combine the Andes with destinations such as Lima, Arequipa or Lake Titicaca.

A 12-day trip gives you more flexibility and allows for a more comfortable journey through southern Peru.

With 15 days, you can create a much broader route combining the coast, Andes and even the Amazon.

The goal should not be to collect as many destinations as possible. A good Peru travel itinerary gives each place enough time to become part of the experience rather than simply another stop on a list.

For many first-time visitors, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu form the heart of the journey.

From there, you can shape the trip around your interests.

Choose Lima for history, food and coastal culture.

Add Paracas and Huacachina if you want desert landscapes and adventure.

Travel to Arequipa and the Colca Canyon for colonial architecture and spectacular Andean scenery.

Continue to Puno and Lake Titicaca if you are interested in highland traditions and local communities.

And if nature is your priority, consider spending a few days in the Peruvian Amazon.

Peru rewards travelers who give themselves enough time to enjoy the journey.

Whether you have one week or fifteen days, the right itinerary should connect destinations naturally, allow time to adjust to altitude and balance iconic places with moments to simply enjoy where you are.

Choose the route that fits your available time, interests and travel style, and start building a journey around the Peru you truly want to discover.

Explore our Peru travel packages and find the itinerary that fits your trip.

Talk to a travel expert and start planning your journey.