Rate and advise on my travel to Peru

Hi all -

Planning a 10 day travel from US to Peru for two in late May. The itinerary is based off HopPeru:

Day 1: Land in Lima, 9 pm.

Day 2: Lima-Paracas

Day 3: Paracas - Huacachina

Day 4: Huacachina - Nazca - Arequipa

Day 5: Arequipa

Day 6: Arequipa - Cusco

Day 7: Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, back to Cusco

Day 8: Cusco to Lima flight

Day 9: Lima

Day 10: Lima - US flight back

​

Another option is to do the trip in reverse: land in Lima, fly to Cusco the next day, spend 2-3 days with MP visit and then do the reverse itinerary with HopPeru.

I am worried about the altitude sickness if we fly in Cusco. Seems safer to drive up to it and get accustomed to the altitude with the bus, then fly back to Lima.

Nothing is set in stone yet and I am fully open to the suggestions! Also, for those of you who have done the trip, any advice on:

  • cash vs credit cards vs ATM
  • food and water consumption (will get typhoid vaccines, maybe against yellow fever)
  • anything else - mobile data plans, bag pack, hotel recommendations, airline recommendations etc?

Much love -