Travel Planning: Peru

 

Where in the world am I? Peru planning

 

Hi there. I'm Dr. Mary Travelbest, returning from a recent trip to Asia. I'm in San Diego now, sharing my best travel ideas and working on another book for you to enjoy: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, Part C. I'm about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world.

Listener Story Spotlight

I want to tell you about a listener named Raquel from Peru.

She has been a friend for 40 years and has encouraged me to travel to Lima since then. She created all the images and designs for my first published travel book in 1993. She's been a friend for swimming in the ocean, concerts, joint baby showers, the funeral for her eldest son, and many shared life experiences. She's an awesome traveler and has a lot of advice for me.

Where am I headed? Peru

 

Lima Daytime: Stroll the clifftop Malecón in Miraflores for Pacific views, then relax on Playa Waikiki (the closest swimmable stretch).

Evening – Barranco bohemian district (street art, safe pedestrian areas).

Airport → MA iraflores taxi ≈ Ucosts S $20. The Etropolitano bus is cheaper but busy. Keep valuables close . Lima is generally safe but practices big‑city vigilance. 

The next day, Cusco Early Sky Airline or LATAM flight (1 hr 15 min; from ~US $31 one‑way) to acclimate gradually. Light walking tour of Plaza de Armas, San Blas artisans, coca‑tea stops. Book a morning flight so you can nap on arrival. 

Day 3 Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) Shared van tour Pisac market & terraces → Ollantaytambo ruins. Stay here to cut altitude (2 800 m vs Cusco 3 400 m) and be close to the train. Hostel examples: Mama Simona (~US $25 private).

Day 4 Aguas Calientes PeruRail Expedition train 07:45 or 10:32 (~1 h 40 min). Check‑in, soak in town hot springs, early bed. Expedition seats run ~US $65–75 each way. 

Peru Rail

Day 5 – MACHU PICCHU DAY Cusco (late) or Aguas Calientes (optional 2nd night)

Cusco Free day: San Pedro market breakfast, Qorikancha, café break, optional half‑day Moray & Maras salt ponds tour.

Morning flight Cusco → Lima; same‑ticket connection onward to Brazil (buffer at least three hours in Lima).

Don't-Miss Beach Breaks

If you'd like another ocean fix before Brazil, dedicate half a day to a Punta Hermosa day trip (1 hr south‑bound bus/Colectivo, US $4‑5). Choose calm Playa Caballeros for swimming or Playa Norte for quieter coves; eateries serve fresh ceviche on‑the‑sand. 

Machu Picchu in Detail – 1 June

Step What to do Tips & costs.

1. Tickets (book now!) Buy on tuboleto. Culture.pe—choose Circuit 2B (Classic Lower Terrace) for the iconic postcard view with moderate stairs. It costs 172 PEN ≈ US $45. Sales for 2025 opened on 19 Dec 2024; the daily cap is 5,6000, so June slots sell out early. 

Peru Rail

El País

2. Train 06:10 Inca Rail or 07:45 PeruRail Expedition from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes; arrive 08:30‑09:30. Sit on the left‑hand side for Urubamba River views. 

Peru Rail

3. Bus up. Buy a Consettur round‑trip ticket (US $24) at the kiosk the night before; the first buses roll at 05:30, and it's a 25-minute ride. 

Ticket Machu Picchu

4. Entry window Aim for the 09:00–10:00 slot (good light, less 6 am crowd, still before midday haze). Passport + ticket & small day‑pack only.

 

5. Guided visit (≈ 2 h) Hire certified guide at gate (~US $15 pp shared) to explore: Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza, Intihuatana, Three Windows.

 

6. Optional short hike Huchuy Picchu add‑on (easy 1 km, 30‑40 min, extra 48 PEN) – great summit photo without the steep drop of Huayna Picchu. 

Ticket Machu Picchu

7. Lunch & return Picnic outside gate (no food inside), stamp passport, bus down, 16:20 train back to Cusco (arr. 20:30) or stay 1 more night at Aguas Calientes if you prefer a slower pace.

Packing checklist: passport, printed tickets, layers (cool mornings/hot sun), rain shell, 1 L refillable bottle (no disposables), DEET, sunblock, walking poles with rubber tips, cash for snacks & toilets (2 soles).

Altitude & health: Machu Picchu sits at 2 430 m—easier than Cusco, but you'll feel stairs. Hydrate, avoid alcohol the evening prior, and ask your doctor about acetazolamide if you've struggled with altitude before.

Budget Snapshot (USD per person)

Item Low Notes

Lima hostel (2 nts) 2 × $20 – $40 Pariwana or Selina Miraflores (fe