10-Day Peru Itinerary Under $1,200: Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu
A 10-day loop through Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu runs about $1,150–$1,200 per person as of August 2026, once you add a round-trip flight from the US (roughly $550), budget hostels, the Cusco Tourist Ticket, an Expedition-class train, and a Rainbow Mountain day tour. Flying in January or October, the cheapest months on this route, or splitting the Machu Picchu train with a bus-and-hike combo can push the total closer to $1,000.
| Stop | Nights | Hostel/night | Signature cost | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lima | 2 | $15–22 | Ceviche lunch, ~$8 | Miraflores cliffs, Barranco street art |
| Cusco | 3 | $12–20 | Boleto Turístico, ~$35 | Colonial center, San Pedro Market, altitude base |
| Sacred Valley | 0 (day trip) | — | Included in Boleto Turístico | Pisac ruins, Ollantaytambo fortress |
| Rainbow Mountain | 0 (day trip) | — | ~$45 tour | Vinicunca's striped peaks at 5,036m |
| Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu | 1 | $20–25 | Train + entrance, ~$190 | The citadel itself |
1. Lima (Days 1–2)
Base yourself in Miraflores or Barranco, where hostel dorms run $15–22 a night. Spend day one on the Malecón cliffs and a free walking tour of the historic center, then eat ceviche at a no-frills cevichería for $6–10 instead of a tourist-menu restaurant. Day two: Barranco's murals and the Bridge of Sighs, then an evening bus or flight to Cusco.
2. Cusco (Days 3–4)
Cusco sits at 3,400 meters, so plan two slow days to acclimatize. Buy the Boleto Turístico (about S/130, roughly $35) at the COSITUC office on Av. El Sol — cash-and-passport only, no online sales — covering 16 sites including Sacsayhuamán and the Qoricancha site museum. Hostel dorms near the Plaza de Armas average $12–20. Coca tea and an easy first day help with altitude; save the hikes for day two.
3. Sacred Valley (Day 5)
The Boleto Turístico also covers Pisac's hillside ruins, Chinchero's weaving villages, and the fortress town of Ollantaytambo, which doubles as the Machu Picchu train's departure point. Collectivo vans between valley towns cost $2–4 a leg, far cheaper than a private tour.
4. Rainbow Mountain (Day 6)
A full-day group tour to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) from Cusco runs roughly $45–50, including breakfast, lunch, and the entrance fee. The trail tops 5,000 meters, so it's easier after two Cusco acclimatization days than on arrival. Tours leave around 3 a.m. to beat the crowds and the afternoon clouds.
5. Machu Picchu & Aguas Calientes (Days 7–8)
Book the Expedition-class train through PeruRail from Ollantaytambo, starting around $72 one-way and roughly $150–160 round-trip depending on season. Entrance tickets cost about S/152 (roughly $40) and must be bought through the government's tuboleto.cultura.pe platform, since only 1,000 are released per day. Stay one night in Aguas Calientes ($20–25 for a dorm) to catch an early bus up before the tour groups arrive.
6. Back to Lima and Departure (Days 9–10)
Time-rich travelers can cover Cusco–Lima overland with Cruz del Sur, whose First Class seats run $27–65 for the roughly 20-hour ride, or fly it in about 90 minutes for a similar price. Either way, build in a buffer day in Lima before your international flight — Cusco sees frequent morning fog that can delay departures.
People also ask
Do US citizens need a visa for Peru?
No. US citizens can enter Peru visa-free for stays up to 183 days with a passport valid at least six months past arrival, according to the US State Department. Border officials typically stamp in a shorter initial stay, extendable at their discretion.
How many days do you need for Machu Picchu?
Two to three days from Cusco is enough: a train day to Aguas Calientes, a full day at the ruins, and a return day. Trekkers doing the Inca Trail or Salkantay routes should budget four to five days instead.
What is the cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu?
The cheapest route combines a bus to Hidroeléctrica with a roughly two-hour walk along the tracks into Aguas Calientes, skipping the train almost entirely. It's slower, but can cut transport costs by more than half.
Is Cusco or Lima cheaper for accommodation?
Cusco hostels are slightly cheaper on average, with dorm beds from about $12 versus $15 in Lima's Miraflores and Barranco districts. Both cities have private rooms in the $35–55 range for travelers who want more space.
Prices checked against official and current sources as of August 5, 2026. Rates for flights, trains, and entrance tickets change with season and demand — confirm current pricing before booking.
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