10-Day Peru Itinerary: Lima, Huacachina, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain
Lima, a day on the coast with the Ballestas Islands and the Huacachina dunes, then Cusco, two nights in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.
Desert & Andes is our 8-day Peru Essentials route plus two big days: the coast and the high Andes. From Lima you do a full day to the Ballestas Islands and the Huacachina oasis, with buggies and sandboarding on the dunes. Then you fly to Cusco for a rest day, the city, Maras and Moray, two nights in the Sacred Valley around Machu Picchu, and the Valley on the way back to Cusco. Rainbow Mountain goes at the end, when you’re already acclimatized. Prefer the lake? See our 10 days with Lake Titicaca.
Times are the usual schedule of each tour and are confirmed with your final itinerary. Prefer Machu Picchu at opening time? Add a night in Aguas Calientes.
What’s included
Airport pickup and drop-off in Lima
Airport pickup and drop-off in Cusco
Ballestas & Huacachina full day from Lima with transport
Private Maras & Moray tour, ending at your hotel in the Sacred Valley with your luggage
Private Sacred Valley tour, ending at your hotel in Cusco with your luggage
Private tours in Lima, Maras & Moray and the Sacred Valley; all other tours in group, with guide
Hotel pickup for every tour
Machu Picchu train, round trip
Bus up and down to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu entrance and guide
Breakfast and lunch on Machu Picchu day
Breakfast and lunch on Rainbow Mountain day
Not included
International flights; domestic Lima – Cusco – Lima flights quoted on request
Hotels (quoted on request)
Boleto Turístico (entrance to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Sacsayhuamán and other sites; bought in Cusco)
Meals not listed
Tips
Travel insurance
Prices
Base tripPer person, based on 2 travelers. Tours, transfers and Machu Picchu. Private tours in Lima, Maras & Moray and the Sacred Valley; group tours elsewhere.
From $974
With 3★ hotelsPer person, based on 2 travelers sharing a double room. Comfortable 3★ hotels with breakfast, such as Tierra Viva or Casa Andina Standard. The exact price depends on your dates.
About $1,470
Base trip + domestic flightsTours, transfers, Machu Picchu and the Lima – Cusco – Lima flights with a checked bag (refundable fare). Hotels not included.
About $1,292
Flights Lima – Cusco – LimaRound trip. Carry-on only and non-refundable, or with a checked bag and refundable. We book it and add it to your quote.
About $194 / $318
Humantay Lake instead of Rainbow MountainSame price, a turquoise glacier lake instead of the colored mountain.
Same price
Private toursYour own guide and vehicle on every tour. Train and bus are shared.
On request
HotelsComfortable 3★, Boutique 4★ or Luxury 5★.
On request
Want hotels included? Choose “Include hotels in my quote” in the form and pick 3★, 4★ or 5★.
Questions about this trip
Is a day trip to Huacachina from Lima worth it?
It’s a long day, about 18 hours with 7 or so on the road, but you see the Ballestas Islands, a winery and the Huacachina dunes without moving hotels. If you’d rather slow down, see our Paracas and Huacachina in 2 days.
Why is Rainbow Mountain at the end?
The viewpoint is at 5,036 m. After a week in Cusco and the Sacred Valley your body is used to the altitude, so the hike is much easier. More in our guide to acclimatization in Peru.
Can I swap Rainbow Mountain for Humantay Lake?
Yes, same price. Humantay is a turquoise lake under a glacier, at about 4,200 m.
Are the domestic flights included?
Not in the base price. We can book the Lima – Cusco – Lima flights as part of the trip: about $194 round trip with carry-on only, or $318 with a checked bag and a refundable fare.
Can I do this trip privately or with hotels?
Yes. Every tour can go private with your own guide and vehicle, and we can add hotels from 3★ to 5★ in each city. Tell us in the form and we’ll quote it.
