Peru Itineraries for First-Time Visitors
Day-by-day Peru itineraries with logistics, where to sleep, what to book in advance, and common mistakes to avoid. Built for first-time visitors who want to get it right.
Most first-time Peru visitors make the same planning mistakes: not leaving enough time to acclimatize in Cusco, booking Machu Picchu tickets too late, or trying to fit too much into a short trip. These itineraries are built to help you avoid those mistakes.
Each itinerary includes a day-by-day plan, where to sleep each night, travel times between destinations, altitude considerations, and what to book in advance.
Peru 10-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu — the most popular first-timer route with enough time to acclimatize.
Peru 7-Day Itinerary: The Compact Classic
A tighter version of the classic Peru route — Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu in one week.
Peru Without Hiking: A Complete Itinerary
See everything Peru has to offer — including Machu Picchu — without any hiking or trails.
Altitude-Friendly Peru Itinerary
A paced itinerary designed to minimize altitude sickness — with gradual ascent and extra acclimatization time.
Peru 14-Day Itinerary: Add Colca Canyon
The classic Peru route plus Colca Canyon — one of the world's deepest canyons and home to condors.
Not sure which itinerary is right for you?
If you are visiting Peru for the first time, the 10-day itinerary is the most popular starting point. It covers Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu with enough time to acclimatize properly.
View the 10-Day ItineraryAltitude planning: Cusco sits at 3,400m (11,200 ft). Most first-time visitors experience some altitude symptoms on arrival. All itineraries on this site are designed with altitude acclimatization in mind. If you are worried about altitude, the altitude-friendly itinerary is the best starting point.