Extra two days In Cusco or Lima..Early September
 

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!

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...

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.

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!

TTT

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.

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.

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

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!!!

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

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

Wow mlgb! That neighborhood and that hostal look great!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

I think someone else also mentioned that the route along the coast is relatively quick. You would think for example that staying closer in to the center of Lima would help, but it doesn't!

Thanks as always mlgb. I arranged a transport from our hotel to the airport at 8:30am. That should give us plenty of time to make our 1pm flight. I will also check in the day before. That usually helps. If it were just me at would stay at recommended hotel. But, my husband preferred the one we chose. It was a great deal and well reviewed, so I feel okay about it. I guess I need to just pay the extra $100 a ticket and go with Lan from Cusco to Lima, as I want to spend a whole extra day in Cusco and Lan has the only evening flights. Thanks again for everybody's help!!

I'm not sure you can check in online for flights to the US from overseas. It may depend on the airlines. You may be able to "precheck" but you usually have to stand in at least one, two or three lines!

Okay, Thanks! Here's my last remaining reservation that I could use some feedback on. Because the only evening flights from Cusco to Lima are on Lan, I am planning to go with the $181 one way on Lan. They have several 7pm-ish options. Some of my family are on the last flight of the day, 7:40pm. I am not a 'last flight of the day' gal. I live by a small regional airport and sometimes due to fog, etc...that last flight gets canceled or delayed. I thought of trying for a couple flights before hand at around 7:10. Am I being to cautious/paranoid?

You have 2 nights in Lima?

Can you check flightstats.com and see how often those flights are cancelled? Late matters less if you have a full day between flights.

Btw it takes maybe 15 minutes to get to the Cusco airport if you are coming from Cusco. Why stay late there? I would rather fly to Lima and have dinner there (better restaurants too). Many are near your hotel.

Thanks! I have some of my family still there in Cusco and want to hang with them for a bit. I'm really only in Cusco 1 1/2 days and two nights. It's a Sunday night so traffic once we get to Lima should be moderate..I hope. Several family members fly straight Cusco-Lima and then on to the USA (hence my original question). I wanted to be in the same city on the day I take my international flight. I do plan on a dinner the one full day we are in Lima, as well as a full day tour. Thanks for the flightstats website! I'll check it out!!

I love Flightstats!! Thanks for that! The last flight of the day has a good on time rate, but an almost 10% cancelled rate.

Hi! Is anyone still out there? i need an opinion. My trip is booked and I am excited. The only unresolved issue is what flight we should take from Cusco to Lima. We are in Cusco for two nights and the one full day we are there we have booked a full day private tour. The day we would fly to Lima, many of our family are flying Latam (Lan) Airline's last flight of the day at 7:40 to catch their international flight home in the wee hours. I'm not usually into last flights of the day anywhere. I have been looking at Flightstats and there are many flights in the evening. I want to spend some time that last day with the family, maybe checking out the markets, etc. Mind you, this is on a Sunday, so Lima traffic shouldn't be so bad. So, here are my options....a flight that leaves at 4:40pm and arrives at 6:05pm...if the flight's on time, plenty of time for dinner in Lima. Other options are 5:45pm-7:10pm and 6:25pm-7:55pm. Also, Cusco is our last stop before going back to Lima. Opinions?

ALSO, how much time should we allow between our Cusco hotel on that Sunday to give ourselves a low stress get to the airport, security, etc? Thank so much!!

It has never taken me more than an hour to get to/from Lima airport, so that plus whatever your recommended check in time is. Lima apparently has a bad rep for delays in getting checked in but I can't say I have ever experienced that. Mind you we travel carry on only and check in online so it is never a problem anyway.

I rarely schedule another flight on the same day in when leaving for an intercontinental flight but if I had to I would go for the earlier flight. But then I am the sort of person that always turns up way to early for flights - say me sitting in Cartagena airport in the middle of a tropical storm, flights delayed and I still turned up way too early! :-)

I'm still not clear on the questions. One question is how long from Cusco hotel to the airport, right? As I said above, it is barely 15 minutes. (And always allow an extra 15 minutes in case the first taxi doesn't show up!)

You will have to check with the airline to see how early you need to be at the gate. If you can check in online that will help in Cusco, it's a tiny airport.

For Lima, I have had it take longer than an hour, although it is usually more like 45 minutes. If there is a special event, ie parade or marathon, which are often on Sundays (but in the daytime at least). Or road construction. I allow 3 to 3.5 hours from the time I leave Lima, to the time my flight departs. But I'm also one to be better safe than sorry and reduce stress levels.

I think because I fly back to the US I can't do online check-in for the international flight, so I have to wait in line for an agent at the check-in desk. On the way home, there is usually enough "stuff" purchased that I also need to check a bag. So sometimes I have been stuck in a slow-moving line at check-in.

Thanks and sorry I am so confusing. My bad. We will be staying in Lima for two nights after flying from Cusco to Lima..not flying back to the USA with the others. I just can't decide on whether to spend a few extra hours on my final day in Cusco and take an early evening flight from Cuz-Lim or take either late afternoon flight and get to Lima a little earlier on the Sunday evening. Probably no big deal either way. Thanks so much for being there for me! And sorry I didn't do a thorough enough job of reading old posts first :)

I'm always in favor of the earlier flight, but since you've got two nights instead of just one, and want to spend more time with the family in Cusco, I'd give the lukewarm okay to taking the late flight.

BTW have you been able to do a seat assignment online with LAN yet? I'm having trouble with "bad scripts" on their new website. I hate to call them, their phone reps are the worst!

Re the seat assignments, I was able to send a Facebook Message and get seats assigned.

I will do anything not to talk to their phone reps!

Btw dinner in Lima starts late. 8 pm is early!

Thanks! I was able to easily get seat assignments on the international Lan flights that I have through AA.

I figure a late dinner is what we will do. I think I'll take one of the later flights, just not the latest flight.

Now, my next research is whether to get a script for Diamox...Any thoughts?

Personally, I didn't need it for Cusco. Especially if you go straight to the Sacred Valley for your first night, you will likely be okay. Some people just get a headache and slightly out of breath, which you can manage with Advil and walking slowly. It's also a good idea to not eat too much late at night, or drink alcohol in Cusco. And stay hydrated (2 Liter bottle per person per day).

If it turns out you feel worse that than, there are a few options. 1) Ask your hotel if you can have a little oxygen. 2) Buy Diamox (Acetazolamida generic) in Peru. Be sure you understand the dosages and to not combine it with aspirin or other medicines. Many pharmacists in Cusco will speak English, btw) 3) Go lower in elevation, either Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes.

I know you did not plan the itinerary but just so you know the altitude thing goes like this...Machu Picchu is LOWER than Ollantaytambo which is LOWER than Cusco.

People who are not hiking the Inca Trail, do NOT need to sleep in Cusco to acclimate for MP. In fact that is backwards and there is no good reason to do it, other than it's easier for tour companies if you stay in Cusco, because that's where most employees live.

I had Diamox but didn't use it in Cusco or anywhere else in Peru.

Eat nothing your first day in the mountains and do little. You might venture out to get some soup in the evening.

I went to a pharamacy in Cusco and the pharmacist gave me glucosamine tablets for my head and stomach.

Between my first trip and second trip, I had started taking glucosamine daily for joint pain and found that I had no trouble when I got to Cusco except for the fatigue that comes with altitude. Not prescribing anything, just relating my experiences.

BTW--second time around, I stayed in Cusco for a week and didn't go to MP at all. Cusco and the surrounding area is one of the most fascinating places in the world

I had to eat something...but it simple and carb-y, eg quinoa soup or a sandwich.

Just don't go out for a big heavy meal with lots of booze the first night.

I have been at altitude many times. My first time in Cusco it affected me quite badly mainly in the form of a raging headache. The place we were staying at had oxygen (many do) and that helped as did pain killers and chewing coca leaves. My wife was unaffected - maybe it's a man thing? Next day I was ok.

Since then we have always managed to stay at altitudes lower than Cusco. Quito, Ollantyatmbo etc. Which helps immensely. This last time however I took Diamox aswe went from Lima at sea level to a place above Huaraz at 3600m and within a couple of days were hiking up to 4600-4800 m. It worked fine for me and I felt amazingly fine. The only side effects fro both out us was slight tingling in extremities.

With Diamox, for it to be effective, it is important to take it a couple of days prior to ascending. There is little point in taking once you are at altitude. We bought ours in a pharmacy in Lima where it is much cheaper than at home (and where few docs will prescribe it as it is not licensed for altitude reasons in the UK).

While it's better to start it 48 hours before, you can actually start Diamox after you arrive to help speed up your adjustment.

But in the Cusco area, with Ollantaytambo so nearby, it's probably more effective to descend and see if that, rest, and a little oxygen helps, unless you are in the few percent of percent who have the more severe symptoms. In that case you'd want to see a doctor.