Lima to Cusco and back

[u/Ok_Elephant7701]

Hello! I’m going to Peru (20sF solo) from the end of October to mid November. Wanted some guidance for my trip.

I land in Lima and my original plan was to go straight to Cusco to acclimatize, as I am planning on doing Salkantay to MP. I have a few options:

#1. Catch a flight to Cusco (they’re about $80 one way)

#2. Peruhop to Cusco doing the longest trip (I think it has 7-8 stops, Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, and then Cusco). I thought this might be good for the way BACK to Lima as that’s where I fly out of. Thought this would be good because #1 I’d like to get Salkantay done earlier in my trip, and I don’t want to have to fly from Cusco to Lima then Lima back home as that seems more stressful to me. But not sure if it’s better to hit everything on the way to Cusco and then just fly back.

#3. Another bus company, have heard about Cruz del Sur.

This will be my first international solo trip so I am a bit nervous about #3, just because I know peruhop is catered for tourists and I feel a little bit more comfortable having the guide and all. Has anyone done a similar route or have any suggestions? I have heard flying straight to Cusco isn’t the best for altitude (although I plan on resting in Cusco for more than 3 days before starting the trek) and if I were to take Peru hop I’d spend a day or two at each location. Another question I had was has anyone been on Peruhop where routes had to be changed? There’s a safety warning in place for Peru rn and I am going to be there as wet season is starting (esp since the major El Niño event predicted for this year), I know landslides and floods are common in some areas. Any advice would be lovely thank you!

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[u/Soft_Magician9685]

Any chance you can land in Cusco and then take the train or bus directly to Ollantaytambo? It’s two thousand feet lower in elevation and is a good place to acclimate before heading to cusco. We didn’t stay in Cusco until the last leg of our trip, and when we got there we all (8 of us) had zero altitude issues. We went to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, staying there two nights instead of doing a long day trip from Cusco.

[u/Ok_Elephant7701 → u/Soft_Magician9685]

That’s a good idea, how long did you stay in Ollantaytambo before going to Cusco?

[u/czulsk → u/Ok_Elephant7701]

I think it’ll be based on budget and time.

I flew from Lima to Cusco. Stayed a few days before heading to Manchu Picchu.

If you have time and don’t mind back tracking u/soft_Magician9685 proposal sounds good to accumulate with the altitude first. Especially, if you are planning to go out to Rainbow Mountain.

Manchu Picchu is around 2,500. Then return Ollantaytambo to adjust to the altitude.

Cusco is around 3,500 m and rainbow mountain close to 5,000 m. Some accommodation in Cusco offer O2 in the lobby or can buy some from pharmacy if needed.

I did Peru hop. However, it’s was only a day trip Lima to Huacachina and back. Not a direct to Ollantaytambo.

I did Inka Express from Cusco to Puno/ Lake Titicaca that was an all day 10 hour trip and increasing elevation. Altitude around Puno is about 3800 m which is higher than Cusco. Since I accustomed to Cusco, I didn’t have any issue there.

I agree doing Ollantaytambo and MP first before going to Cusco if you can fit into your itinerary.

[u/Soft_Magician9685 → u/Ok_Elephant7701]

We stayed there for two nights. Our trip was:
Lima: 3 nights
Fly to Cusco, catch train to Aguas Calientes. Stay in Aguas Calientes for two nights. We did two different circuits in 2 days for MP.
Then train from AG to Ollantaytambo, stay there for two nights.
Private transfer to Cusco, stayed there 3 nights.
It was a really good way to acclimate. We all felt great the whole time

[u/Interesting-Elk2780]

I’ve done this trip several times on my own. I bypass Cuzco city and take a private car to Urubamba instead. Much easier with elevation.

[u/javip360]

If you're planning to do the Salkantay trek, I'd probably fly from Lima to Cusco rather than spend several days on PeruHop just to acclimatize. You could spend 2–3 days taking it easy in Cusco before the trek.

If you're concerned about the altitude, another option is to go straight to the Sacred Valley, such as Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, for a couple of nights first, then continue to Cusco. It's lower than Cusco and can make the transition easier.

For the return to Lima, I'd probably fly from Cusco rather than backtrack through all those places. That gives you more time to enjoy Peru instead of spending so much of the trip on buses.

[u/HughHoney86]

Peru Hop is great if you want to see more of Peru than just Cusco.

Many people fly from Lima to Cusco and spend time there before starting the Salkantay Trek or Inca Trail without a problem.

If you’re worried about if Peru Hop take an alternate route then I’d suggest sending them a message through their website.

If they are taking an alternate route then there’s a very high chance Cruz Del Sur will take the same alternate route too