I am used to very aggressive trips. Aslo, I am not a big hiker.

Is this schedule too aggressive?

Day 1 arrive into Lima 6:30pm
Day 2 Leave 6am Lima - Cusco
Day 3 Machu Picchu
Day 4 Leave 8:10am Cusco-Lima-next country

Or is this enough time to get the idea of Peru and Machu Picchu?

This depends on what the purpose of your trip is.

If you want to say that you once physically set foot in Machu Picchu, then it's fine.

If you want to have the experience of having visited Peru, including Machu Picchu, then you'd probably need to add about a week.

I'd agree with Globaliser's comments, and just wanted to add that's it's a 3+ hour train journey each way from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, then another 1-2 km up to Machu Piccu (there's a bus, though- don't need to walk unless you want to). So It's at least 4 hours total travel time each direction.


that'll make for a very long day, with most of it spent traveling.

My family and I just returned from a 12 day trip to Peru.
One day at Machu Picchu just will not do it in my opinion. The reason is that you will arrive at Machu Picchu at about 11am (train takes 3 1/2 hrs from Cuzco and bus another 30 min between Aguas Calientes (where the train stops) and Macchu Picchu itself. This means you, and every other tourist, arrive at the same time. It is a zoo.
If you return to Cuzco the same day, you will have to leave Machu Picchu at no later than 2:30 pm to catch the train back. So you will have at most 3 1/2 hrs at the site.
To really enjoy it, you need to plan on spending the night at Aguas Calientes. That way you have an almost deserted site to explore from 2:30 till 5:30--it is wonderful at this time.
There are also many other sites which are close to Cuzco which are worth a visit.
Another consideration is that if you just go directly to Machu Picchu, you will not have allowed any time to acclimate to the altitude. I saw many people who were having difficulties because of this.

What are the options of travel between Cusco and Machu Picchu?

Is Aguas Calientes the right palce to stay?

Is there much to see in Lima?

What hotels do you suggest in Lima, Aguas Calientes, & Cusco?

Maybe I will do:
Day 1 arrive into Lima 6:30pm
Day 2 Leave 6am Lima - Cusco - Aguas Calientes
Day 3 Machu Picchu - Cusco
Day 4 Leave 8:10am Cusco-Lima-next country

The option between Cusco and Aguas Calientes is the train--there are 3. A backpacker train that is really pretty sparse I think. The regular train which is what we took--seats are pretty cramped, but scenery is interesting. There is also a really luxurious train that is pretty expensive. It looks nice, but not worth the extra cost. Other option of course would be hiking for 3-5 days.

Lima is a pit in my opinion. Only a couple of museums and the cathedral which has Pizarro's remains. Would skip if altogether except as a transfer point.
In Lima, I recommend the Melia Hotel--very nice, quiet, and outstanding breakfast. We also stayed at the Doubletree on our return--I was very disappointed, and I am usually a big Doubletree fan. It was very noisy and kind of run down.
In Cusco, we stayed at the Liberatador going and the Monasterio on return. Both are excellent, but unless you really want to spend a lot of money, the Liberatador is the better option--modern, cool high tech elevators, comfortable rooms. Monasterio is all about history and the experience. Rooms are nice, but not worth the price.
In Aguas Calientes, we stayed at the machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel--absolutely my favorite place of the whole trip. Rooms are scattered among a garden. Very quiet. The rest of the town is pretty run down, but this place is top notch. Definitely worth the money.

First there is really no need to spend anymore time in Lima than absoloutely neccessary. Other than the Gold museum and Church it is pretty lame.
If you want to go see the Nasca Lines you will need to depart from Lima.
Cusco ,if you want to go top dollar, has an Orient Express Hotel ( Hotel Monestario). I would reccomend spending the night in the Orient Express Hotel right next to Macchu Pichu, not in Agua Calientes.
If you stay in Lima there is an Orient Express in Miraflores.
I have always taken the express tourist train from Cusco to mach Pichu, however I have heard they now have helicopter service

I completely disagree with all of the negative comments about Lima. I had a great time there visiting a LOT of monuments/churches/museums etc and walking around town. Plus, the restaurant scene in Lima is among the best in South America. The cuisine is really interesting--lots of Asian influences along with the Andean, and of course, fabulous seafood. Lima is pretty polluted, and the weather is always cloudy, but those aspects don't negate the fact that there are tons of things to do there. If you want suggestions, let me know.

If your only purpose of this trip is to see MP, then so be it. If it is really to get an idea of Peru, then there is no way this schedule will allow that. You allow zero time (except over-nite) in either Lima or Cusco. Yea, I would agree there is not a lot in Lima, but if you really want to get an idea of Peru, you need to spend a day there, and visit the areas described in previous posts. I would also HIGHLY recommend spending a day in Cusco. I loved walking around the square and market area, with the colonial architecture and people-watching. It was definately the highlight of my trip to Peru, after MP, of course! Can you spare two extra days in Peru, to at least get a feel of the area and people?

I am leaving for a four day macchu Picchu trip on sunday (6/18.) when are you going.

Cusco has much more to offer than just a gateway to Machu Picchu. The whole area is full of fantastic Inca ruins--and you would be wise to carve out at least 2 days to see them. Some of the really amazing things (IMHO) were not at Machu Picchu, but the less seen areas around Cusco.