11 Days in Peru - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Peru Highlights & Jungle Adventure

On this tour of Peru's top attractions, you'll visit Machu Picchu, the Amazon rainforest, Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley, and islands on Lake Titicaca.

Welcome to Peru! Get to know the lively capital of Lima on the first days of the itinerary, then get ready to head into the Amazon. Catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado, then ride a boat through the Infierno Reserve to Refugio Amazonas Lodge, your home base in the jungle. You’ll spend the next few days on guided excursions, learning about the flora and fauna of the rainforest: enjoy a tour on a dugout canoe tour (keep an eye out for giant river otters) and parrots, parakeets, and macaws at Parrot Clay Lick. On day five, head back to civilization—namely, the ancient Inca capital of Cusco. Learn about the city’s indigenous and Spanish history on a city tour, including stops at Inca ruins and the Spanish-built cathedral.

The following day, embark on a tour of the Sacred Valley. See the Inca fortress and traditional market in Pisac and take a break in Chinchero, believed by the Incas to be the birthplace of the rainbow, before spending a relaxing evening in the historic riverfront town of Ollantaytambo. Stop at the Maras Salt Flats on your way to catch the train to Aguas Calientes, gateway to Machu Picchu. After touring the world-famous citadel, the last few days of the trip take you to Lake Titicaca, where you’ll go on a boat tour to the Uros Floating Islands and have the chance to interact with the native people of Taquile Island. Catch a flight from Puno back to Lima to make your connection home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, & Machu Picchu

See the best that Peru has to offer on this wide-ranging itinerary that features stops at ancient Inca settlements, the colonial city of Arequipa, and Colca Canyon—one of the world's deepest canyons.

Spend the first days of the trip getting oriented in Lima, where you’ll tour the UNESCO-honored historic center. On day two, transfer to Arequipa. After a guided city tour, venture into Colca Canyon: look down into one of the world’s deepest canyons, then look up to see Andean condors circling overhead. Then continue onto Puno and Lake Titicaca where you’ll see the Uros Floating Islands from a boat and have a chance to interact with native people on Taquile Island. Next on the trip plan, you'll head to Cusco.

On a walking tour of the Inca's ancient capital, check out the Spanish-built cathedral and the Coricancha, the Inca “Temple of the Sun." On day eight, tour the Sacred Valley and overnight in riverside Ollantaytambo. You'll need rest before the next day's hike along the Inca Trail to Aguas Calientes, gateway to Machu Picchu. Have a traditional Peruvian meal and turn in early: the next day, you'll catch the bus uphill to the lost city of the Incas. Spend the day touring the site before back-tracking to Cusco for one last night on the town before you depart Peru the following morning. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Peru Highlights & Nazca Lines

View some of the world's most impressive geoglyphs from the window seat of a plane—and see Cusco, Lima, Lake Titicaca, and Machu Picchu—on this well-balanced itinerary.

Touch down in Lima and spend the evening strolling around the capital city. On day two, you’ll board a small airplane to see the world-famous geoglyphs known as the Nazca Lines from an aerial perspective. In the afternoon, try sandboarding on the towering dunes at Huacachina. You'll return to Lima for a day of sightseeing—don't miss the restored pyramid of Huaca Pucllana, a monument to the pre-Inca culture, conveniently located in the waterfront neighborhood of Miraflores, which is a great area to grab dinner and drinks after your tours.

Continue on to Cusco and learn about the ancient Inca capital and its later Spanish settlement before the next day’s tour of the Sacred Valley. Shop for textiles in the market at Pisac, one of the stops along the way, before checking into your accommodations in charming Ollantaytambo. Continue the journey with a visit to the Maras Salt Flats and a full day of exploring the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. The adventure wraps up on Lake Titicaca, where you’ll boat to the floating Uros Islands and dine on fresh fish. Circle back to Lima on day ten to catch a flight out. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Inca Trail & Amazon Excursion

Lace up your hiking boots: this outdoorsy itinerary includes several days of hiking on the Inca Trail, exploring the Sacred Valley, and boating past exotic birds in the Amazon.

Start in the capital of Lima, where you’ll tour the UNESCO-honored historic center and go on a guided food tour. Then fly to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, for a day or two of sightseeing. Stop inside the Spanish-built cathedral, the Coricancha, also known as “The Temple of the Sun,” and the ruins at Puca Pucara, and try ceviche and other Peruvian dishes in one of the city’s many excellent restaurants. On day four, head into the Sacred Valley to tour Inca ruins and archaeological sites—including Chinchero, believed by the Inca to be the birthplace of the rainbow. Get some rest before your four-day hike along the Inca Trail begins.

On the first day of the hike, you’ll visit the archaeological site of Llactapata and picnic by a stream on your way to Yuncachimpa, where you’ll camp overnight. Hike along the Warmihuañusca Pass to Chaquicocha the next day, then continue through the tropical forest of Wiñaywayna. You’ll wake up early the following day for an unforgettable travel experience: the chance to see Machu Picchu at sunrise. After touring the site, backtrack to Cusco to catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Amazon rainforest, where you’ll spend the last few days of the trip. Base yourself at the elegant Refugio Amazonas Lodge, venturing into the jungle to see giant river otters, exotic butterflies, and brightly colored parrots in their natural habitat. Finish the journey with a night hike—you’ll see wildlife that only come out after dark. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Explore Northern Peru

Get off the beaten path in northern Peru on this itinerary that takes you to Chachapoya ruins, ancient pyramids, and one of the highest waterfalls in the world.

Begin the trip in Lima. On day two, travel to Trujillo and tour the Temple of the Moon, a pre-Hispanic mud pyramid constructed by the Moche people who lived in the region around as early as 100 CE. Then visit the Rainbow Temple and the Chan Chan fortress, the world's largest mud-brick citadel. Continue onto the pyramids at Tucume in the nearby region of Lambayeque. Then enjoy a cable car ride to Kuelap Fortress, an ancient citadel of the Chachapoyas people who predated the Inca. The site is sometimes called the “Machu Picchu of the North.”

Relax for the evening before the next day’s hike to Gocta Waterfall. Look for the bright orange cock-of-the-rock—Peru's national bird—on your walk through the forest to the tall cascades. On day eight, you'll visit the impressive Mausoleum of Revash, funeral constructions built on a mountain cliff, followed by a visit to a museum where you'll view a collection of 219 mummies in perfect conservation state. Finish up the trip in Cajamarca, where highlights include trekking to see the otherworldly Ventanillas de Otuzco, one of the most important pre-Inca cemeteries in existence. Fly back to Lima to catch a flight out. Learn more

More Great 11-Day Peru Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Peru trip? Check out these other 11-day Peru itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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