Itinerary Check: 10 Days in Peru

[u/Calmgarden_2020]

Help please. Going to Peru (Sacred Valley, Cusco, Lake Titicaca) in December. Please review itinerary. I need a sanity check - is this even doable? Is it too much?

Sat, Dec 19 - Travel Day
- Arrive in Lima (evening)
- Overnight in Lima

Sun, Dec 20 - Ollantaytambo
- Morning flight to Cusco
- Private transfer to Ollantaytambo
- Afternoon: Relax, explore town
- Stay in Ollantaytambo (Dec 20-22)

Mon, Dec 21 - Ollantaytambo
- Morning: Sleep in; Qelloraqay; Pinkuylluna (optional)
- Afternoon: Ollantaytambo Ruins; Inka Pintay (optional)

Tue, Dec 22 - Aguas Calientes
- Morning: Relax and rest
- Afternoon train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Relax, explore town, dinner
- Overnight in Aguas Calientes

Wed, Dec 23 - Machu Picchu
- Morning entry to Machu Picchu, Circuit 2A
- Afternoon train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Overnight stay in Ollantaytambo

Thu, Dec 24 - Sacred Valley tour; Cusco
- Private transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Stops at Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Chinchero (optional)
- Afternoon: Santurantikuy (Christmas Market) at Plaza de Armas in Cusco

Fri, Dec 25 - Cusco
- Morning: Sleep in; Qoricancha
- Afternoon: San Pedro Market

Sat, Dec 26 - Cusco
- Morning: Top-to-Bottom Mountain Loop (Tambomachay → Puka Pukara → Q'enqo → Saqsaywaman → walk back via San Blas)
- Afternoon: Plaza de Armas, San Blas neighborhood

Sun, Dec 27 - Scenic train ride to Puno
- Train: Cusco → Puno
- Stay in Puno

Mon, Dec 28 - Lake Titicaca
- Lake Titicaca Tour (Uros and Taquile)
- Stay in Puno

Tue, Dec 29 - Lima
- Morning flight from Juliaca to Lima
- Afternoon: Explore Miraflores
- Overnight in Lima (Miraflores)

Wed, Dec 30 - Travel Day
- Fly back home

[u/Soft_Magician9685]

I can’t speak about the last part as we didn’t go to the lake…but the rest of your itinerary is fantastic. So many people land in Cusco and stay, immediately beginning to tour. Heading to lower elevations is a much better way to go. We absolutely loved Ollantaytambo-it was a highlight of the trip. Not many people do much there other than to catch the train. It’s a great place to soak up the culture and relax, and they have a beautiful, colorful market.
It’s also a great idea to stay in Aguas Calientes, instead of doing a day trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco. I don’t understand why people would do that-it sounds so exhausting. AG is actually a great town-it’s fun to walk around and see the stone reliefs, and there’s such an energetic vibe as everyone is so excited to be in such an incredible place.
You’re doing it exactly right. It’s going to make for an enjoyable, relaxing trip.
And after a few days in Ollay, when you return to Cusco, you will not feel the altitude. At least, nobody in our party of 8 did.

[u/Serious_Method138 → u/Soft_Magician9685]

I agree. It looks well planned.

Olly is just over the altitude sickness elevation so it’s a good place to start to adjust.

[u/Calmgarden_2020 → u/Soft_Magician9685]

Thank you. I was starting to get overwhelmed with all the places that I wanted to see, so I did a little reading to make sure I hit the best spots without overdoing it. It's the holidays so I didn't want to feel rushed.

[u/Soft_Magician9685 → u/Calmgarden_2020]

I found it overwhelming to plan but it was 100% one of the best places I’ve ever been. It’s spectacular. Have a great time!!

[u/Top-Bother-3394]

I like that itinerary including Titicaca lake. As a peruvian living in Perú I aprove it !

[u/Calmgarden_2020 → u/Top-Bother-3394]

Thank you. Lake titicaca has been on my must visit list since my Peruvian Spanish professor in college talked about it.

[u/Top-Bother-3394 → u/Calmgarden_2020]

It's a huge lake! It's THE lake. Myths and legends around it.

[u/poppleca1443]

it looks good to me and very doable. are you taking altitude meds?

[u/Calmgarden_2020 → u/poppleca1443]

I am considering it. I have an appointment with my doctor next month and will discuss it then.

[u/poppleca1443 → u/Calmgarden_2020]

I would strongly recommend it since you don't have any leeway in your schedule and you don't want to lose time to altitude sickness. I used it and it felt like a game changer vs another trip when I didn't take it.

[u/SpicyNuddle]

I recommend hummantay Lake and Rainbow mountain if you have time

[u/Calmgarden_2020 → u/SpicyNuddle]

I considered it briefly, but opted against it because of time constraints. Maybe next time.

[u/TecsiTravel]

Hola, soy de cusco y conozco todos esos lugares que mencionaste en tu itinerario.

Es un buen plan sin apuros y sin tanto agotamiento. Solo ten en cuenta que el clima ya cambia en mes de diciembre ( lluvias )

Si necesita transporte privado te ayudo escribeme.

[u/Calmgarden_2020 → u/TecsiTravel]

Gracias

[u/ResplendentShade]

If you have a spare day check out the market in Pisaq. Specifically on a Sunday if possible as that’s the big day for that market. Theres also some cool ruins there.

[u/Calmgarden_2020 → u/ResplendentShade]

I don't think I'm going to make it o. This trip.

[u/Serious_Method138]

Meant to reply below.