We flew straight from Lima to Cusco and had 3 days there. I wrote off the first 1.5 days when itinerary planning just in case, but it ended up being fine! We used the free time to wander the city and had some of the best food I’ve ever eaten anywhere in my life.

From there we took a bus and a train to the sacred valley/Machu Picchu. That was a day of travel with stops for exploration, and a day at the ruins. From there we took the train back to Cusco and flew to the rainforest. Still no issues.

Have so much fun! Probably the coolest trip I’ve ever done.

Anonymous wrote:Just finishing a trip with 3 days Lima, 3 in the rainforest, one night in Cusco before going to Machu Picchu with overnight there, then one night sacred valley, two in Cusco and 2 in Lima. No issues with altitude for any of us including 3 kids, nor did anyone we were with have any issues.
Just drink a lot of water, don’t drink alcohol and take Advil or altitude sickness pills if you’re really worried.

Thank you!

Just finishing a trip with 3 days Lima, 3 in the rainforest, one night in Cusco before going to Machu Picchu with overnight there, then one night sacred valley, two in Cusco and 2 in Lima. No issues with altitude for any of us including 3 kids, nor did anyone we were with have any issues.
Just drink a lot of water, don’t drink alcohol and take Advil or altitude sickness pills if you’re really worried.

Has anyone traveled with kids there? Were they less susceptible to altitude sickness?

Anonymous wrote:We did 3 days in the sacred valley and I still got altitude sickness when we got to Cusco. I missed a day is sightseeing. I suggest building some down time into your Cusco itinerary just in case you’re not up to doing everything you plan to do.

Same here. Try to get the medication that helps. It took my altitude sickness from feeling like constant bad morning sickness to just mildly off. But I still didn’t love any part of Cusco/aguas calientes because of it, unfortunately. Loved Lima tho!

I have always gone straight to Cusco (sometimes with an overnight stop in Lima depending on my itinerary) and planned for a low-key day or two.

We did 3 days in the sacred valley and I still got altitude sickness when we got to Cusco. I missed a day is sightseeing. I suggest building some down time into your Cusco itinerary just in case you’re not up to doing everything you plan to do.

We flew into La Paz and took it easy there for 2 dayq before Cusco Inca Trail which was a breeze after that. It works if Cusco is your main part of the trip. Otherwise, working up to it, 2 to 3 days is probably good.

2 nights. Maybe even 3 if your very concerned.

Peru experts-after flying from Lima how many days would you suggest staying in the Sacred Valley before going to Cusco?

I’ve had mild altitude sickness before and looking to avoid. We have about a week to spend between them.

Thank you for any advice!