I am going to travel Lima ( Peru). How much time and money I need to go to Cuzco and then Machho Piccho?

Question

Next week i will visit lima to join a conference, then i will have 2 extra days to move around. Can I visit cuzco or Machho Pichoo, during this short stay? How I can reach from Lima to Machhoo Pichhoo? And also how much it would cost me. Can somebody give me some detail, please?

Answer 1

I would suggest not trying to do Machu Picchu in two days because you run the risk of getting really bad altitude sickness.  Most guides suggest that you spend a few days in Cuzco acclimating to the elevation (it's really high) before even attempting to head to the ruins.  My travel partner got really bad altitude sickness even though we followed all the rules (spend a few days being low-key, drink a lot of water, avoid alcohol and coffee, etc.)  If you take a bus from Lima to Cuzco I think it's like 10 to 12 hours, but flying is only a few hours.  However, you run a greater risk of getting altitude sickness if you arrive by plane because you change elevations so abruptly instead of gradually on a bus.  Machu Picchu is well worth a nice, long visit so I would suggest seeing another site this time and saving it for another trip.  Good luck and have a great time.  Peru is a lovely country.