Peru Itinerary with the Amazon and Machu Picchu: 7, 10 and 14 Days
Machu Picchu and the Amazon are the two experiences most travelers want in Peru, and both are reached from Cusco. Here is how to combine them in 7, 10 or 14 days, in which order, and what to book first. The sample itineraries use our own tours, with their current prices.
Plan around Cusco
Cusco is the base for both. It sits at about 3,400 m (11,150 ft), so plan at least a day or two there to get used to the altitude, ideally with easy activities like a city tour or the Sacred Valley before Machu Picchu. Our Manu tours start and end in Cusco, and Puerto Maldonado, for Tambopata, is about an hour’s flight away.
Book Machu Picchu first
Machu Picchu tickets are sold only on the official website of Peru’s Ministry of Culture, tuboleto.cultura.pe. Visits follow fixed circuits with timed entry, and daily capacity is limited: according to the state news agency Andina, up to 5,600 visitors a day in high season (including June 19 to November 2, 2026) and 4,500 the rest of the year. Tickets for busy dates can sell out very quickly, so secure Machu Picchu before building the rest of your trip. Inca Trail permits are also limited and should be booked well in advance.
Which order: Machu Picchu or the Amazon first?
Doing Cusco and Machu Picchu first gives you time to acclimatize before the long drive to Manu, and Manu tours return to Cusco at around 5:00 p.m. on the last day, where you can fly home the next morning. If you choose Tambopata, you can also fly from Lima to Puerto Maldonado and then on to Cusco, or go out and back from Cusco.
Peru in 7 days: Cusco, Machu Picchu and Manu
| Day | Plan | Our tour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Cusco and rest | — |
| 2 | Cusco city tour, half day | City Tour Cusco, from $15 |
| 3 | Machu Picchu by train, day trip | Machu Picchu by Train 1 Day, from $290 |
| 4–7 | Manu cloud forest and lowland rainforest, back in Cusco on day 7 | Manu National Park Tour 4 Days, from $350 |
Prefer to fly? Swap days 4–7 for our Tambopata Tour 3 Days (from $295, flights not included) and keep a free day in Cusco.
Peru in 10 days: add the Sacred Valley and the Manu Reserved Zone
| Day | Plan | Our tour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Cusco and rest | — |
| 2 | Cusco city tour, half day | City Tour Cusco, from $15 |
| 3 | Sacred Valley | Sacred Valley VIP Tour, from $30 |
| 4 | Machu Picchu by train, day trip | Machu Picchu by Train 1 Day, from $290 |
| 5–10 | Manu Reserved Zone: Otorongo and Salvador oxbow lakes, giant otters, macaw and tapir clay licks; back in Cusco on day 10 | Manu Reserved Zone Tour 6 Days, from $950 |
Peru in 14 days: hike the Inca Trail and go deep into Manu
| Day | Plan | Our tour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Cusco and rest | — |
| 2 | Cusco city tour, half day | City Tour Cusco, from $15 |
| 3 | Sacred Valley | Sacred Valley VIP Tour, from $30 |
| 4–7 | Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu | Inca Trail 4 Days, from $590 |
| 8 | Rest day in Cusco | — |
| 9–14 | Manu Reserved Zone, back in Cusco on day 14 | Manu Reserved Zone Tour 6 Days, from $950 |
With one more day, our 7-day Reserved Zone tour adds a visit to the Yine community of Diamante.
Practical tips
- Season: SERNANP recommends visiting Manu from April to November, and Tambopata from May to October. From December to March it rains more often.
- Health: the yellow fever vaccine is recommended by the US CDC for the Amazon regions of Cusco and Madre de Dios, and SERNANP lists it as a requirement for Manu. Get it at least 10 days before you travel.
- Flights: leave a buffer night in Cusco before your international flight home, especially after a Manu tour that ends in the evening.
Want us to put it together? Tell us your dates and how many days you have. You can also read how to get from Cusco to the Amazon and Manu vs Tambopata.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Machu Picchu and the Amazon?
Yes. Two days in Cusco, a Machu Picchu day trip by train and a 4-day Manu tour, or a 3-day Tambopata trip with flights, fit in a week.
Should I visit Machu Picchu or the Amazon first?
Cusco and Machu Picchu first works well: you acclimatize to the altitude, and our Manu tours end back in Cusco, where you can catch your flight home.
How far in advance should I book Machu Picchu?
As early as you can. Tickets are sold only at tuboleto.cultura.pe, daily capacity is limited and tickets for busy dates can sell out very quickly. Book Machu Picchu before the rest of your trip.
How many days do I need for the Amazon?
Three or four days give you a good taste of the rainforest in Manu or Tambopata. To reach the Manu Reserved Zone you need at least 6 days.
