10 Day South Peru Adventure Tour Lima Cusco Machu Picchu and Puno
Our 10 Day South Peru Adventure Tour is a nine-night guided journey connecting Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno, and Lake Titicaca. The experience begins with airport pickup in Lima and concludes with transportation from your Puno hotel to Juliaca airport.
This itinerary is recommended for first-time visitors, couples, families with older children, and travelers who want to experience several regions of Peru without organizing each transfer and excursion separately. The journey combines colonial architecture, Inca archaeological sites, Andean landscapes, scenic train travel, and the living traditions of Lake Titicaca.
The package coordinates hotel accommodation, airport and hotel transfers, guided excursions, tourist transportation, train and boat journeys, and selected meals according to the itinerary. A free day in Cusco provides time to rest or personalize part of the journey before continuing to Puno.
What makes our service different is the support of a Cusco-based team that coordinates the trip across three regions. Small-group and private options are available, with local guides providing assistance at the principal destinations throughout the route.
Tour Highlights
- Lima historic center, San Francisco, Miraflores, and Barranco
- Cusco’s principal Inca and colonial landmarks
- Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and the Sacred Valley
- Scenic train journey through the Urubamba Valley
- Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes
- Professionally guided visit to Machu Picchu
- Free day to enjoy Cusco at your own pace
- Uros floating islands and Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca
Itinerary
Detailed 10-Day South Peru Tour Itinerary
Click any day to expand/collapse
Day 1
Lima Airport Pickup and Hotel Transfer
Welcome to Peru. A member of our team will meet you at Jorge Chávez International Airport according to your confirmed arrival time. You will then receive an assisted transfer to your hotel in Miraflores.
During the journey, our representative will explain the most important details of the program and answer any initial questions. After checking in, the remainder of the day is available for resting after your flight or taking a short walk around Miraflores independently.
Day 1 at a glance
- Starting point: Lima airport
- Service: Airport reception and hotel transfer
- Accommodation: Hotel in Lima
- Meals included: None
Day 2
Guided Lima City Tour and Free Afternoon
At approximately 9:00 a.m., you will begin a guided introduction to Peru’s capital. The first part of the tour takes you through Lima’s historic center, where colonial buildings surround the Plaza de Armas.
The itinerary continues to the San Francisco church and its historic catacombs. Your guide will explain how Lima developed from a pre-Hispanic settlement into the political center of colonial Peru.
You will then travel toward the coastal districts of Miraflores and Barranco. Stops include Parque del Amor, known for its views of the Pacific Ocean, and the colorful streets of Barranco. The tour concludes near Kennedy Park in Miraflores.
The afternoon is free. You may visit another local attraction, walk along the waterfront, or enjoy Lima’s renowned culinary scene independently.
Day 2 at a glance
- Main locations: Historic Lima, Miraflores, and Barranco
- Featured visit: San Francisco church and catacombs
- Accommodation: Hotel in Lima
- Meals included: None
Day 3
Flight from Lima to Cusco and Guided City Tour
At approximately 6:30 a.m., we will transfer you from your Lima hotel to the airport for your flight to Cusco. The published schedule departs at approximately 9:10 a.m., although the final time will depend on the airline confirmation.
Upon arrival in Cusco, our local team will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. You will have time to check in, rest, and begin adjusting to the elevation before the afternoon activity.
Later, you will join a guided tour introducing the history of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. The experience presents the relationship between Inca foundations, colonial architecture, and the living culture of the modern city. The exact visiting order will be confirmed according to your final program and local conditions.
Day 3 at a glance
- Route: Lima – Cusco
- Main activities: Domestic flight and guided Cusco tour
- Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
- Meals included: None
Day 4
Full-Day Sacred Valley Tour
We will collect you from your Cusco hotel at approximately 7:30 a.m. and travel into the Sacred Valley. The first stop is Awanacancha, where you can see native Andean camelids and learn how alpaca fiber is transformed into traditional textiles.
We then continue to the archaeological site of Pisac. Its extensive terraces overlook the valley and demonstrate how the Incas adapted agriculture and settlement planning to steep mountain terrain. After the guided visit, you will have time at the traditional Pisac market.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant in the valley. Depending on the day’s operation, the journey may also include a brief visit to a traditional chichería to learn about the preparation of chicha, a fermented Andean drink.
During the afternoon, you will visit Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved examples of Inca urban planning. The final scheduled stop is Chinchero, a community known for its Inca remains and continuing textile traditions. We then return to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 4 at a glance
- Main sites: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero
- Cultural stop: Awanacancha
- Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
- Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 5
Cusco to Aguas Calientes by Train
The morning is available for resting, shopping, or enjoying Cusco independently. At approximately 2:00 p.m., we will collect you from your hotel and travel through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo train station.
You will board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes. The railway follows the Urubamba River as the scenery gradually changes from the high Andes to the vegetation of the cloud forest.
Upon arrival, a representative will assist you with the transfer to your hotel. After checking in, you can rest and prepare for the following morning’s visit to Machu Picchu. Dinner is included.
Large suitcases cannot be taken aboard the train under standard luggage conditions. We recommend leaving your main luggage at your Cusco hotel and carrying only a small overnight bag.
Day 5 at a glance
- Route: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
- Main experience: Scenic train journey
- Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Meals included: Dinner
Day 6
Guided Machu Picchu Tour and Return to Cusco
After breakfast, you will take the shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu. The uphill journey normally takes approximately 25–30 minutes.
Your professional guide will lead an approximately two-hour visit following the official circuit assigned to your entrance ticket. During the tour, you will learn about the construction, history, and cultural importance of the Inca citadel while visiting the areas permitted by your confirmed route.
Optional admission to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain is not part of the standard visit and requires a separate ticket. These entrances are subject to limited availability and must be requested in advance.
After leaving the archaeological site, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Later, you will board the tourist train to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will meet you at the station and coordinate the final transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Arrival in Cusco is generally expected during the evening. The exact time will depend on the confirmed train departure and road conditions.
Day 6 at a glance
- Main experience: Guided Machu Picchu visit
- Guided tour duration: Approximately 2 hours
- Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
- Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 7
Free Day in Cusco
Today is intentionally left free, giving you time to rest after Machu Picchu or experience Cusco according to your interests.
You may walk through the historic center, visit museums, shop for locally made products, or enjoy one of the city’s restaurants. Optional excursions can also be arranged separately, subject to availability and additional cost.
This unscheduled day provides useful flexibility before continuing to the higher elevation of Puno.
Day 7 at a glance
- Schedule: Free day
- Location: Cusco
- Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8
Tourist Bus from Cusco to Puno
In the morning, we will transfer you from your hotel to the bus terminal for the overland journey from Cusco to Puno. The trip generally takes approximately six to seven hours, depending on the confirmed service, traffic, and road conditions.
Along the route, you will travel across the high Andean plateau and observe the gradual change in landscape between the Cusco and Puno regions.
Upon arrival at the Puno bus terminal, a local representative will meet you and take you to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is available for resting and adjusting to the elevation.
Day 8 at a glance
- Route: Cusco – Puno
- Transportation: Tourist bus
- Accommodation: Hotel in Puno
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9
Lake Titicaca Tour to Uros and Taquile
We will collect you from your Puno hotel at approximately 7:00 a.m. and take you to the port. From there, you will begin a guided boat journey across Lake Titicaca.
The first visit is to the Uros floating islands, traditionally constructed using layers of totora reeds. Local hosts will explain how the islands are maintained and how families have adapted their daily activities to life on the lake.
The boat journey then continues to Taquile Island. The community is known for its textile traditions, agricultural terraces, and views across Lake Titicaca. Reaching the main village requires walking uphill and using stone pathways, so we recommend taking a comfortable pace at this elevation.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant. After the visit, you will return by boat to Puno, where our team will transfer you to your hotel.
Day 9 at a glance
- Main destinations: Uros and Taquile islands
- Transportation: Guided boat service
- Accommodation: Hotel in Puno
- Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 10
Transfer from Puno to Juliaca Airport
After breakfast, our team will collect you from your hotel according to your confirmed flight schedule. You will then travel from Puno to Juliaca airport, where the 10-day journey concludes.
We recommend choosing a flight that provides sufficient time for the road transfer and airport check-in. Your exact hotel pickup time will be confirmed before departure.
Day 10 at a glance
- Route: Puno – Juliaca airport
- Service: Hotel pickup and airport transfer
- Accommodation: None
- Meals included: Breakfast
Inclusions
What Is Included
- Lima airport reception and transfer to your hotel in Miraflores
- Nine nights of hotel accommodation according to the itinerary
- Scheduled hotel and airport transfers in Lima, Cusco, Puno, and Juliaca
- Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco with the baggage allowance specified in your booking
- Guided city tours in Lima and Cusco
- Full-day Sacred Valley tour with scheduled transportation
- Round-trip tourist train tickets between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes
- Round-trip shuttle bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Official Machu Picchu entrance ticket for the assigned circuit
- Professional guided visit inside Machu Picchu
- Tourist bus transportation from Cusco to Puno
- Guided Lake Titicaca boat tour to the Uros and Taquile islands
- Entrance tickets required for the scheduled visits
- Professional English- or Spanish-speaking guides during the included tours
- Selected breakfasts, lunches, and dinner as specified in the daily itinerary
- Local operational assistance throughout the journey
What Is Not Included
- International flights to and from Peru
- Flight from Juliaca to Lima or your next destination
- Meals and drinks not identified as included in the itinerary
- Admission to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
- Optional train, flight, room, or transportation upgrades
- Optional activities during the free afternoons and the free day in Cusco
- Admission to the Aguas Calientes hot springs, museums, or attractions visited independently
- Excess baggage charges imposed by airlines or railway companies
- Early hotel check-in, late check-out, and additional accommodation
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, snacks, and alcoholic beverages
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for guides, drivers, and local staff
Packing List
Packing List for Your 10-Day Peru Tour
- This journey includes the coastal climate of Lima, the high-altitude conditions of Cusco and Puno, and the warmer cloud forest surrounding Machu Picchu. Pack comfortable layers that can be adjusted throughout the trip.
- Original passport: Bring the same passport used to make your reservation. It may be checked for domestic flights, trains, and entry to Machu Picchu.
- Small overnight bag: Large luggage has limited acceptance on trains to Aguas Calientes. Prepare a small bag for the Machu Picchu portion and leave your main suitcase securely stored in Cusco.
- Comfortable walking shoes: Choose supportive shoes with reliable traction for archaeological sites, stone paths, and the streets of Cusco and Puno.
- Lightweight clothing: Pack breathable shirts and comfortable pants for Lima, the Sacred Valley, and daytime excursions.
- Warm layers: Bring a fleece, sweater, or insulated jacket for cold mornings and evenings in Cusco, Puno, and Lake Titicaca.
- Waterproof jacket or poncho: Rain can occur in the Andes and around Machu Picchu, particularly from November through April.
- Sun protection: Carry a sun hat, UV-protection sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. Sun exposure can be intense at high elevations.
- Insect repellent: Recommended for Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, and other warmer areas of the itinerary.
- Reusable water bottle: Staying hydrated is especially important when traveling through high-altitude destinations.
- Personal medication: Bring sufficient medication for the entire journey, together with a copy of your prescription when necessary.
- Camera or smartphone: Bring your charger and a portable power bank for long excursion days.
- Peruvian soles: Carry a small amount of local currency for restrooms, snacks, souvenirs, and establishments that do not accept cards.
- Travel documents: Keep digital or printed copies of your flight information, travel insurance, and booking confirmation.
Price
10-Day Peru Tour Prices
All prices are listed in US dollars and apply per person. Choose between a small-group departure or a private journey reserved exclusively for your party.
Small Group Tour
A personalized shared experience for travelers who want professional organization while keeping the cost more accessible.
| Traveler Category | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 2–3 travelers | US$1,760 |
| 4 or more travelers | US$1,730 |
| Children and students | US$1,700 |
Exclusive Private Tour
Recommended for families, couples, and private groups seeking dedicated guides, more personal attention, and greater flexibility during the scheduled excursions.
| Traveler Category | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 2–3 travelers | US$1,910 |
| 4 or more travelers | US$1,860 |
| Children and students | US$1,840 |
Important Pricing Information
- Prices are quoted in US dollars and apply per person.
- Student discounts require valid identification that meets the applicable ticket requirements.
- Children’s rates are subject to age and identification verification.
- Availability must be confirmed before booking flights or making nonrefundable travel arrangements.
- Optional activities, upgrades, and services not listed in the inclusions are charged separately.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About the 10 Day Peru Tour
How far in advance should I book this Peru tour package?
We recommend booking at least three to five months in advance. Travelers planning to visit between May and September should reserve even earlier because Machu Picchu tickets, trains, domestic flights, and preferred hotels have limited availability.
Can I book this tour from the United States or another country?
Yes. International travelers can reserve the package online before arriving in Peru. Our local team will request the personal and passport information required to coordinate the domestic flight, train journey, entrance tickets, and hotel reservations.
Can solo travelers join the tour?
Yes, provided there is an available departure with the minimum number of participants. Solo travelers may also request a private service, although a single-room supplement and different operating price may apply.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Yes. Hotel categories, room types, train services, additional nights, private excursions, and domestic connections can be adjusted before the reservation is finalized. Changes requested after tickets have been issued are subject to availability and supplier fees.
What type of hotel room will I receive?
The room type is confirmed during the quotation process according to the number of travelers. Double and twin rooms are normally used for two guests, while single, triple, and family rooms can be requested according to hotel availability.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, many vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requests can be coordinated for the meals included in the program. Travelers with allergies or strict dietary requirements must provide detailed information before the trip so each restaurant can confirm what it can prepare safely.
Is this tour suitable for children and older travelers?
The program can be suitable for active families and older travelers who are comfortable with walking, early departures, extended transportation, and high-altitude destinations. Children should be at least 12 years old unless a customized family itinerary has been approved.
Do I need to be accompanied by a guide throughout all 10 days?
No. Professional guides accompany the scheduled excursions, while airport transfers, transportation connections, and free periods are coordinated separately. During free time, travelers can rest or arrange optional activities independently.
What happens if a flight or train is delayed?
Our operations team will assist with the services coordinated through the package and adjust subsequent transfers when reasonably possible. Airline, railway, weather, or road disruptions remain subject to the conditions of each provider, which is why comprehensive travel insurance is recommended.
Can I add extra destinations before or after the tour?
Yes. Additional nights or journeys to destinations such as Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, the Amazon, or another region of Peru can be arranged before the main reservations are issued.
How do I confirm my reservation?
First, our team verifies availability for your preferred date. Your reservation is confirmed after the required traveler information and deposit have been received. The remaining balance and payment deadlines will be stated clearly in your booking confirmation.
Is Machu Picchu Tours a licensed local operator?
Yes. Machu Picchu Tours is a Cusco-based operator registered with MINCETUR under RUC 20605872329. Booking with a local team provides direct assistance with reservations, regional transportation, and operational changes.
Concierge & Local Guide
Available in Cusco
John Taqquere
Local Tour Guide
Travel specialist in Machu Picchu
“I grew up surrounded by the Andes, and I love sharing the history, traditions, and hidden stories of my home with travelers from around the world.”Text John Taqquere on WhatsApp → (opens in a new tab)
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