TheInca Quarry Trail or Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchuis one of the new hiking trails offered in the Cusco region. From Lima to Cusco, the fastest option is to take a domestic flight. Those who want a little more luxury can look into the Andean Explorer, a Belmond Train that connects Arequipa, Puno (Lake Titicaca), and Cusco. All train services have as their final destination, the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). On the last day of the trekking through the snowy Salkantay and Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu we will enter Machu Picchu through the Puerta del Sol with an impressive view of the citadel and the entire valley. for this exact reason. If you come in the high season (May - August), all of this will have to be reserved a few months in advance, if you do not do so, you will probably have to spend some more money, since last-minute reservations in the high season are very expensive. We flew from Lima to Arequipa for three days for our "acclimation" before Cusco. From there, grab dinner at Papachos, overlooking the plaza. Thanks so much! So, how many days to spend in Cusco and Machu Picchu? Thank you! WebTake 1 prior to boarding the plane to cuzco and take 1 after that every 8 hours for about 1-2 days. Id never seen anything quite like the salt plots. I hope to visit the Inca Trail in the near future so will definitely try to plan a few days in Cusco to get acclimated. Just climbing is not enough, and climbing leaves you tired for the rest of the day. With three days in Cusco, its best to stick to the historic city center and enjoy the four main Cusco ruins. Cusco tours can be found in Spanish, English, French, German, and so many more languages. Anyone in possession of this ticket may stay a maximum of four hours in the extensive ruins with more than 200 buildings and can choose between three different circular routes, all of which converge at the"Temple Square ''. Travel Stories: How Tragedies Impact a Culture. Enough space to cover the rest of the main points. But, this will vary greatly depending on your. One full day is plenty of of time to explore Cusco itself. The Inca trail to Machu Picchu passes by multiple and incredible Inca ruins. At least 2 days of acclimatization are necessary before starting any activity in These are great recommendations for before the hike. Deposit: $538. I hope to make it to Peru one day. A Sacred Valley tour jams the best highlights into a full twelve hour day. If you plan well your Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour, it is likely to become the trip of a lifetime. Drink loads of water and coca tea while youre there. Arequipa is Perus second largest city. For me, a night bus from Arequipa to Cusco was perfect. You can buy small bags of salt on the way out for just S/ 1. There are only two time 7:00am and 8:00am, Circuit #4: This circuit is most popular and we recommend you to book in advance. With one week in Cusco, spend 3 days in Cusco and 4 days in the Sacred Valley. Planning to acclimate to the altitude in Cusco before. in your suitcase and leave it at your hotel, hostel or tour company office. Cusco is an extremely tourist friendly city, and there are endless guided tours for the city, the plethora of Cusco Inca Sites, and popular Cusco day trips options. Both visits can be concluded in one shift. The mountain is called Vinicunca in the native Quechua language. The guide will likely stop on the way so that you can buy an entry ticket. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); Report inappropriate content 8. Cusco, a city with one of the highest elevations in Peru, sits just above 11,000 feet. So you're going to Cusco! The full Cusco Tourist Ticket includes the main four Cusco ruins of Saqsaywaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. Thanks so much for the kind words on my photos! It is recommended you drink lots of waterbefore and during your trip WebAcetazolamide (Diamox) is a common drug for altitude sickness and needs to be taken 2 days before you arrive at high altitude and is to be taken for 2-3 days after you arrive. There are many tours that make stops at the sites, but keep in mind, most Cusco tours do not include the Cusco Tourist Ticket, it has to purchased separately. At nearly double the elevation, Waqrapukara elevation is 13,580 ft. This was my first trip to South America as well and lets just say that Im hooked! Required fields are marked *. How big are the groups? After going to the archaeological centers on the outskirts of the city, start with Sacsayhuaman then Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. How many days to acclimate in Cusco? Please make an appointment with your doctor if you have legitimate concerns before traveling to high elevations. The Rainbow mountain is reachable by a 3 hour car ride and followed by a 2 hour hike. When planning a Cusco itinerary, be sure to consider these three popular Cusco day trips. We were so fortunate to experience the festival! Pro Tip: If you decide not to hike the Inca Trail, you can do a day trip by train instead from either Ollantaytambo or Cusco. Take atleast a 2-3 hour nap or just relax in the hotel. Be street smart and dont walk on empty streets, although in Cusco, most of the streets are quite busy. In the Red Fort, Puca Pucara, the remains of this citadel are preserved where the Inka's entourage rested while the king continued his journey to Tambomachay, a really impressive place where the hydraulic system that transported water from a spring to the pools still works. $1,345. In the end, it comes down to time vs. money. Id love to hike Rainbow Mountain next time Im there . If youv got an hour or two to spare, visit Qorikancha. Keep in mind that each tour is similar, but different. Treks to Machu Picchu range from the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, or the intrepid and advanced Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek. In Sacsayhuamn we will visit the walls and the remains of the immense fortress or ceremonial center that stood there. There are restaurants and coffee shops lining the plaza. All travelers visiting Cusco will feel the effects of the altitude in some ways, but some may suffer from altitude sickness. The authentic village is centrally located and close to so many of the Sacred Valley highlights. So, in short, add at least one day for Machu Picchu to your Cusco itinerary. Booking.com Maybe go out your last night in Cusco, but don't go crazy when you arrive. Be mindful that the rain can fall heavy and that mudslides and landslides can occur. I walked around Plaza De Armas for a little, and then napped, ate dinner out, and hung out at the Airbnb. Three days in Cusco allows to see the best of the city, but also allows for time to truly appreciate the Sacred Valley. The standard Lares Valley trek is 3 days, and is alternatively named theWeavers Way.The name comes from the many traditional Andean villages that are know for their beautiful woven artisanal goods. It was discovered in 2016. Based in the area around Ollantaytambo, the Cachicata walk takes you through high waterfalls, Inca ruins and beautiful places. Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! The Inca Trailto Machu Picchu 4 Daysis one of those experiences that can change your life, unique and unforgettable; One of the best walks in the world. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Planning to acclimate to the altitude in Cusco before hiking the Inca Trail? Cusco is about 75 kilometers from Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo only 32 kilometers. This circuit involves Huayna Picchuor Huchuy Picchumountain. Some tour companies had cheaper options, but they only stopped in 2-3 places. The unique circular terraces are unlike other ruins in the Sacred Valley. The dry season is the busiest months in Cusco and prices are higher. The terraces shown above are called the Fortress, each taller than most humans to give you a sense of scale. If you have more time to spare, The duration of the trip by train (one way) depends on the station where the train is taken: If you want to know more information about the scheduales train and services, please visit: train from Cusco to Machu Picchu. When you reach the lost city, theres plenty to see and do. The Cusco Tourist ticket does include some museums, a statue, and a nightly show, but the biggest draw of the Cusco Tourist Ticket are the Inca ruins. A route some people take is going down to Sacred Valley and exploring Ollantaytambo and Pisac. Be sure to drink coca tea at your hostel/ hotel before bed! Permits have a daily quota and the Inca Trail completely shuts down for the month of February. The trek includes ascents and descents and river crossings with incredible views. Glad the questions list was helpful! where the Inca took his baths and celebrated ceremonies. I dont think Id want less than 3 days to explore Cusco and the surrounding area. Warning: A side effect of Acetazolamide is that it might make your hands and fingers tingle. Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! From the site Museum and hot spring park, through bridges and some mountains / hills to climb. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! The Classic Inca Trail is a bucket-list item for many travelers. The short answer is at least two to three days. But by the third day, my body was finally feeling strong and ready to hike the Inca Trail. Its unclear what their purpose was, but while you ponder that you can enjoy the gorgeous views of the mountains surrounding the ruins. The day will be long, but gives a small taste of the magic of this special place. This is a more recent Cusco tourist attraction and was discovered only due to the snow melting and disappearing from the mountains. That's right. From there you have the famous postcard view of the old Inca city,Sacred Rock of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu gate. Most Lares treks include a stop at the local Lares Hot Springs. Select. The path then leads downhill and across the citadel built on artificial terraces. The neary town of Urubumba is a great place to stop for lunch. I, like you, am a big fan of the small group tours so would probably do the same. s.async = true; And its not how I roll. I opted to just wander this UNESCO World Heritage Site on my own. Each of the 4000 plots of salt here are owned by different families. Load up on coca leaves and coca products to help thwart headaches. The Cusco tour for these sites typically take on average of 6 hours. How should I prepare for Cusco? Organized Cusco tours depart early from Cusco city. Thats good because tomorrow youll be at higher altitude! Some did, some didnt. })(document, 'script', '//cf.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); Browse the Best Cusco Accommodations & Cusco Hotels here. Ask your doctor for altitude sickness pills, and start taking them a day before you land in Cusco. Hey dont forget your Travel Insurance! Those considering multi-day trekking in Cusco should shoot for at least one month in Cusco. Packing up the Pieces is all about authentic off-the-beaten-path experiences, comprehensive travelogues, detailed hiking and adventure guides, alongside my personal struggles and heartfelt moments while on the road. Helpful Tip to Combat Altitude Sickness in Cusco | Almost all tiendas, markets, and street vendors sell coca leaves. Heres a rundown of a three day itinerary for acclimatization in Cusco. Add these backpacking destinations in Peru to your itinerary! The once heart of the mighty Inca Empire, today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with magic, dotted with sacred Inca sites all while tucked cozily in the high altitude of the Andes Mountains. We were pretty fortunate to be in Cusco during the Corpus of San Cristobal (August 2), which is a big religious festival. This is the best way to visit Rainbow Mountain to avoid the crowds. 5) Also very important, on the 1st day DO NOT eat anything heavy (meat). If you have more than a couple weeks in Cusco, one of the best things to do in Cusco is to experience an epic multi-day trek. It is recommended to do so immediately after knowing the date of visit to the Wonder of the World. 2) Drink plenty of "coca tea". I am yet to visit Peru but its on my list! Carb it up, people! Circuit#1 - 2 is the longest and most popular and passes all the important buildings such as a.o. 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