re: Peru: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, logistics help

Visited Lima & Machu Picchu pre-Covid. Tourism has changed so much that many of my experiences will be out of date. That said, managed everything with Vaya Adventures which specialized in South and Central America at that time. They are still in business. It was all private travel, not a tour. We selected from a range of lodgings, preferring small inns.

3 nights Lima. Bad traffic makes seeing the sights a very slow process. Prearranged car, driver, guide.

Flight to Cusco, met by van, driver and guide and drove directly down into Sacred Valley stopping at towns, ruins, etc. 1 night at Urubamba next to train station. Long scenic train ride down into high-altitude rain forest to Agua Caliente for 3 nights. Had reservations at Machu Picchu 2 days, one with guide, one on our own. Each day rode the bus up/down the switchback road.

Greatly enjoyed it. Guides took care of logistics...nothing very complicated.

Closed out the trip at Cusco on our own or with guide. It's an interesting place. It's the highest place on the trip.

Flying back to Lima the Cusco airport was chaotic. Somehow our guide arranged a shortcut around security taking us directly to boarding.

Expect bottlenecks in your travels. Many people specking different languages have to converge on a remote mountain. Enjoy coca tea when offered and chew a few leaves after meals. Every restaurant has a basket full.

You will find warnings about food illnesses...take them seriously.