Been there. Train ride...there are two different trains, one taken by locals, with chickens, etc...low cost...other taken by tourists. Ride is amazing, I recommend it. Elevation can/will give people altitude sickness ...gotta spend time there to acclimatize before going to ruins...yes, you can still go to the peak (wanna pichu sp?) next to machu pichu. You sign a book so they know if you dropped off the side of the mountain...no railings or hand holds many places. Frequent showers, cool/cold, take light rain gear, windy..need windbreaker... You can stay at little town very near to the peak...there is great hot spring/swimming there...steamy nights!! Hotel at peak expensive but close....hotels in town reasonable, take bus ride up to Machu Pichu and back.
There is an incredible museum in Lima...somehow combined martial arts and articles from the Inca empire...in gold...you can see the kinds of artifacts melted down and sent back to Spain. I cannot recommend it enough. Best museum I've ever been in. Yes, spend as much time as possible, lots to see. There is a church there that has multiple thousands of people buried..just their bones...immediately UNDER the alter...you can get a ticket and wander thru the catacombs...a must do... nearer my God to Thee!!!
there are numerous bus trips that take you around to see other sites. I found it reasonably safe, but you must NEVER think you are fully safe..pick pockets, etc...gotta use good judgement. You need to see the cathedral in Cousco... built on Inca temple...basement is temple...stones so finely fitted together that you CANNOT feel where one stops and another starts...and these boogers are TONS in size...and no tractors in sight!!
Recommendation.....drink coca tea regularly...it truly DOES help with the altitude sickness...neither I nor my son got it, but we DID get winded easily. I spent my 55th birthday on Wanna Pichu...had local delicacy, ginne (sp) pig, that night. Served in tact...er..intact
Be sure and eat some of the local corn...it's where modern corn comes from...amazingly large ears...you just gotta see them to believe.
Ah, good memories!!!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: PM me if questions...