Fiancee and I are on the cheap deal in MR forum that had LAX-LIM for $210 RT or so. We have a 5 day stay in Lima and know that we should probably get out of dodge after a day and get to see some of the cities in the country. Cuzco seems intriguing, but after Lima and Macchu Piccu, we likely have 3 days to fill. I see Star Peru has pretty cheap flights intra Peru and can save us a ton of travel time at decent fares $140 RT each from LIM to CUZ as an example.

We're going in November and the temps for Lima look a heck of a lot like San Diego..high 60s all time...granted I think the altitude will be way higher...so what other cities would you reccommend to get to from Lima? keep it to one other city?

fiancee likely wants beach or mountain, maybe jungle?

Just came back from Peru. Visit arequipa and the Colca Canyon

Seems that you are staying in total only for 5 days in Peru so you don't have much time. Visiting Machu Picchu from Lima requires at least two days because of logistical reasons, the MP trip itself takes one day (it's 4 hours by train from Cusco) but there are flights to Cusco only during the daytime so you have to stay at least two nights in Cusco. When going to MP, I would recommend seeing also Wayna Picchu in the same site (in that case you should buy MP tickets 1-2 weeks before arrival to Peru with WP entrance included). The other day can be used for getting to know Cusco. Sacred Valley is also worth visiting so you spend easily at least three days in Cusco.

If you want to travel to other places in Peru, Lake Titicaca is worth seeing, it's around 5-6 hours by bus from Cusco to Puno. The islands are really beautiful, easy to visit and it's something that you can only see in the Andes. If visiting Puno, you should buy open jaw flights Lima-Cusco//Juliaca (an hour by bus from Puno)-Lima.

Whatever you do, flights cancelled&delayed because of low visibility in Cusco are quite common. If possible, one should try to avoid flying back to Lima the same day your international connection is leaving when travelling with separate bookings.

Did you mean altitude in Lima? It's near the ocean so don't worry about. Cusco and Puno are the high cities.

And I agree with miikkak. 5 days is not enough time to visit more cities. If I were you, and it were my first time in Peru, I would spend most of the time in Cusco and nearby places (MP, Sacred Valley, etc.). You won't regret it.

In november the rainy season is not so strong but it's beginning. So the tip about avoiding flying back to Lima the same day your international flight is more important.

Thank you for the tips. We've booked our first night to crash in Lima and then on a 8 am flight to Cuzco for 2 days there, a 2 night journey via train to Macchu Picchu and a stopp in some of the towns in between while a dip in hot springs in aguas calientes as well. We figured getting to MP and getting used to the altitude that day and then getting up early to climb wayna picchu the next am would be ideal...all in all our last day we get into Lima by noon and dont leave the next day until 10 am...assuming that should play it safe

would love some great restaurant rec's for Cuzco if possible since we have 2 full days/nights there...anything in Aguas Calientes not deemed tourist traps would be ideal as well. We love Peruvian food and are def game for high class food or a ole in the wall if the food is amazing.

If you have time Arequipa and the Colca Canyon is lovely, but I agree that Cusco should be the priority. In the San Blas area of the city you will find some nice little eateries serving high end Peruvian dishes, including alpaca steaks and guinea pig. Of the places serving Western food, Jack's is very reliable and always busy. Avoid the places around the Plaza de Armas as they are generally overpriced. Remember you can negotiate at least a free Pisco Sour at a lot of places!

If you want to see some jungle then you could fly to Puerto Maldonado (flights from Lima stop in Cusco) or head down to Manu (long drive on bumpy roads). However I think time is going to be your enemy.

If you stay in Cusco then there is lots to besides Machu Picchu - Sacred Valley tours, horse riding, trekking, museums, markets, ruins and white water rafting! I can recommend companies if you like.

True! However I did find a cheap and good restaurante in Plateros street, 50 mt. aprox from Plaza de Armas. The offer lunch "menus" for 10 soles aprox, and the food is enough good. I can't remember the restaurante name but they write the menu of the day on whiteboards in the window so you can easily find it. ACtually there are 2 or 3 restaurants that offer menus in that street.

Great point on the Menu del dia! Usually the soup for starters is enough to almost fill you up...amazing value, just choose a busy place and you won't go far wrong.