seeksocean

I have an opportunity to join with my family on a trip to Machu Picchu in late August-early September.. The itinerary has been set, so no real planning for me. We only spend two nights and one long day in Lima when we arrive. Some of the group is choosing at the end of our stay to remain in Cusco for four nights and take an early morning flight from Cusco to Lima to catch a 12:40pm flight back to the USA. Others are deciding to spend two nights in Cusco and head back to Lima to explore for two nights before heading back to the USA.

I personally get nervous about potential delays, etc. taking a small regional airline to a different locale to catch an international flight. And I thought I might enjoy further exploring Lima. Plus, it might be nice to acclimate back to a lower elevation before I hopped on a plane home. But, Cusco sounds great as well. Would two nights in Cusco be enough to explore a little? And what's your opinion on flying from Cusco early morning to Lima to catch that 12:40pm International flight? Thank you!

seeksocean

Ooops...One other option is to stay three nights in Cusco and one extra night in Lima with one full day in Lima on my way home...

traveladvices

Before doing any trek or visit Machu Picchu it is very important to Spending two nights in Cusco is enough to explore and be acclimatized, I highly recommend visit Sacred valley of the Incas as well as the Centro Qosqo Arte Nativo that shows local cultural dances on your last night.

seeksocean

Hi and thank you! We are already making the plans to do all that. My question above is regarding the return. Can you help me with that? Thanks!

seeksocean

TTT

crellston

I always make a point of being in the city of departure the day before to avoid any potential delays. That is even more relevant in the case of Cusco which is a high altitude airport and is renowned for flight delays and cancellations due to the weather. I think delays are more likely to happen in the afternoons rather than early morning but, even so, I would be inclined to spend the night before in Lima.

It would be a shame to miss out on Cusco because there is so much to see, but Lima, IMO, is one of the most underrated cities in South America. Lots to see, do and eat!

You could reduce your chances of missing a connection by flying Latam ( previously Lan) who fly more frequently on that route than any other airline.

PS it is not necessary to be in Cusco two days before as mentioned above unless you are doing the inca trail.

mlgb

I would not fly back the same day as the international flight.

I like, no LOVE Lima.

I've probably been there at least 7-8 times and would happily spend a month there. I'd recommend staying in Barranco. This is an artsy neighborhood, near the coast. You can also easily catch the Metropolitano rapid transit from Barranco, to go down to the Plaza de Armas for a half day.

Limaeasy.com is a great website for exploring the sightseeing options in Lima.

My favorite small hotel there, great if you are alone is 3B (note that a hostal is a small inn, not a youth hostel). Exceptional staff, very helpful especially for a first-time visitor to Lima.

If you book direct they give a discount
http://www.3bhostal.com/

They can set up transfers for you. Slightly more than using taxidatum (a private taxi service) but in the range of $20 to $25. There is also a service called Taxi Green inside the airport. Once I had a Mario Andretti wanna-be with them so I've gone to the other two safe options.

FranknSense

I'm in Peru now, and so far all my Star Peru flights have been less than 20 min late. I say spend every extra second in Cuzco over Lima. When we leave, we are doing one night just because of the concerns you mentioned. But it's easier for me because I have friends in Lima

I would only do a same day return with LAN, domestic airlines often cancel flights for no reason other than filling up a plane from 2 half full flights let alone weather or mechanical issues

seeksocean

THANK THANK THANK YOU ALL! Definitely any more info would be great as well. I will still have a couple days in Cusco after M.P. And several days in Urubamba and the Sacred Valley to acclimate. So, I may not get as much of Cusco as I might like, but I get some. I am thinking of taking a mid-day Lan flight on the Sunday back to Lima and then do a day tour Monday and my international flight leaves 1pm Tuesday. What time what I want to catch a midweek taxi from Miraflores to the airport to safely make my flight with check in and security? I am looking at Haku Tours and a couple other tour companies for our one day tour. Thank you again!!!

FranknSense

You will find Taxitum an excellent company to coordinate your rides. Email Leonardo your flights, and he will arrange your ride with a professional driver in a clean sedan for $20

It takes about 30-40 min with no traffic, an hour with. My guess he will want to pick you up between 9:30-10

We didn't stay stay in Uranbamba, just drove thru. Other than the 5 star place, I would pass. Stay in Ollantaytambo, see the ruins and catch the 90 min train to Aqua Calientes and Machu Picchu

seeksocean

Also, is a taxi from the Barranco district closer or further from the airport? Thanks!

seeksocean

Wow mlgb! That neighborhood and that hostal look great!

dwdvagamundo

I'd stay in Barranco, as I have always do Lima. It's a very interesting place. Taxi from Barranco can go on the coast road, so it's probably going to cost about the same as from Miraflores.

Be sure to see the National Archaeological Museum in Pueblo Libre, and from there, it's just a short walk to Museo Larco--just follow the path outside the National Archaeological. You could do a quick tour on Tuesday morning as the National is closed Mondays or could see it Sunday if you get to Lima early enough. The Larco is open every day until late. Either of these will whet your appetite to see some of the rest of what Peru has to offer.

crellston

Mlgb - when I booked our rooms at 3B for our return to Barranco, they quoted $38 for the airport pick up! Maybe it was a mistake?

I agree with Franknsense re Urumbamba, we stayed there for three weeks whilst doing some volunteer work a few years ago and whilst we enjoyed it, it isn't a patch on Ollantaytambo. Much better to stay there and have the added bonus of the ruins all to yourself early in the morning before the tour buses arrive.

seeksocean

Thank you!! Trying to figure out the flight situation on the Sunday Cuz-Lim. Lan ($181.00 USD) is more than twice the price of the other airlines. Is it worth it just to take Lan?

mlgb

That doesn't make any sense, for a regular car? Or were you asking for a van?

Taxidatum only charges $20 for a car. If that quote wasn't a mistake, go with them.

mlgb

I have used Star Peru when LAN has been too expensive.

The flights are often late, so be sure to check the departure times as you get nearer to the trip.

OTOH LAN has been worse. I think if you have that much time between the flight home Star Peru should be okay. I have no experience with Peruvian Airlines.

I am having a hard time accepting that I agree with FrankS, re Urubamba. I assume this is something that your family booked.

seeksocean

This is something that my family researched and booked several months ago and we just decided to join. There are many of us coming from two countries. I seriously have not gotten into the exploring of where we are going yet. Just concentrating on getting it all booked. I'm usually the one who does all the planning. So, it's actually nice to just tag along.

seeksocean

Okay, So, we are staying in Lima for an extra day and I reserved Haku Tours for a cultural City Tour on a mid-week day. I also booked Tierra Viva Milaflores Larco as our hotel. However...our mid week flight to the USA leaves at 1pm and the hotel wrote me back that the airport is 1 hour and 20 minutes away and that we should be at the airport 3 hours early. Should I be looking at a hotel closer to the airport? Or is this what it is and just get up early and head to the airport? What's your opinion. And, do you know any hotels closer to the airport in nice areas? Thanks again

mlgb

I would leave at least 3.5 hours before your flight. They are not making it up.

The areas near the airport are not nicer, and traffic in Lima is terrible.

I think I already gave my hotel recommendation.