Fly IAD to Lima Saturday morning, sleep one night at sea level, acclimate for two nights in the Sacred Valley, protect Machu Picchu and Thanksgiving in Cusco, then return to IAD Sunday afternoon.
Avianca Flex locked in the family’s IAD–Lima schedule at a strong refundable fare. The remaining air decision is the Lima–Cusco domestic pair.
IAD both ways on one protected ticket for all five travelers. Total paid: $4,349.35, or $869.87 each, fully refundable Flex.
Target a mid-morning nonstop to Cusco after one Lima night, then an early Saturday nonstop back to Lima. LATAM Plus remains the preferred bundle.
The Patel international flights are fixed. Rajan’s family should fly directly from Houston to Lima; the small timing difference is better than an unnecessary DC detour.
The route is Lima → Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu Pueblo → Cusco → Lima. One Lima night gives way to two Sacred Valley nights before the family sleeps at the higher Cusco elevation.
Bars show approximate elevation at each overnight or major visit. The dip to Aguas Calientes is intentional: it gives the family a lower sleep before Machu Picchu and Cusco.
This is the executable Nov. 21–29 plan built around the selected Avianca itinerary and recommended LATAM domestic pair. Tap any tile for exact timing, operational notes, maps, and direct links.
For a group of up to 13, transportation, meal planning, and altitude pacing need to be arranged in advance.
Use one easy arrival afternoon plus a gentle full day before moving toward Aguas Calientes and later sleeping in Cusco.
For 13 travelers, arrange luggage-capable vehicles with seat belts and an explicit late-train plan.
Keep roughly 15 hours between the domestic arrival and the separate-ticket 3:00 AM international departure.
Do not add the Amazon, Arequipa, Puno, Paracas, or another high-altitude day to this itinerary.
International air is complete. Book the domestic pair and then work through the family’s land arrangements in this order.
These are the pages still relevant to finishing the trip; the booked Avianca itinerary is no longer a comparison.
Domestic target: mid-morning Nov. 22 outbound and early Nov. 28 return landing by noon. Select Plus for seats and one 23 kg checked bag.
Open domestic →Expected direct schedule: UA854 IAH→LIM around 4:20 PM–11:00 PM Nov. 21; UA855 LIM→IAH around 12:50 AM–7:30 AM Nov. 29. Meet in Lima Saturday night and return separately Sunday morning.
Open Houston direct search →Official Ministry of Culture path for Machu Picchu entry availability and circuits.
Official tickets →Current May–December 2026 timetable and travel recommendations. Recheck before purchase.
2026 timetable →Recent first-hand circuit, bus, packing, and rainy-season advice. Treat it as practical context; official rules control.
Watch guide →Preparation, acclimatization, symptoms, and when not to continue ascending.
Read guidance →Clinical guidance on staged ascent, pediatric susceptibility, warning signs, and treatment priorities.
Read summary →Status: international flights booked and fully refundable. Domestic flights, entry, trains, hotels, ground transport, and restaurants remain open.