I will like to stop by all those sites. The Imperial City of Cusco is picturesquely tucked in the mighty Andes Mountains, at an elevation of 11,152 ft (3,400 m). Assuming that those who visit the Sanctuary will seek to climb at least one of the two mountains (Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu), almost half a day is lost between entry, ascent and descent back to the complex. When youre done exploring the top of the Fortress, follow the trail around the ledge to discover more terraces and ruins. Helpful Tip to Combat Altitude Sickness in Cusco | Almost all tiendas, markets, and street vendors sell coca leaves. Some tour companies will stop so you can learn a bit about how they dye the yarn and weave the unique patterns native to Chinchero. There are many people who make trips to Machu Picchu, sometimes only one day, but if you have more time available, we will teach you to plan that dream trip to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. You can buy a ticket at any of these locations. There's over 3,000 varieties of them in Per. Is the Cusco Tourist Ticket worth it? Follow this street by foot past Plaza San Francisco. To get to Machu Picchu by train you must book tickets online in advance. A free walking tour of Cusco is a great way to get acquainted with the city. These detailed Cusco itineraries range from 3 days to well over a month and include the absolute best things to do in Cusco. })(document, 'script', '//cf.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); Browse the Best Cusco Accommodations & Cusco Hotels here. 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. Tickets cost is U$ 12 one way, round U$ 24 per person. You will see incredible landscapes on that old path. You can find it at most pharmacies. On Day 2, visit the the four main Cusco Inca Sites of Saqsaywaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. I opted to just wander this UNESCO World Heritage Site on my own. If you want to choose the best scheduales and the day you want to enter the mountain Huayna Picchu, we recommend you book these tickets 6 months in advance. I personally dont like being stuck on a tour bus with a large group. This gives you entry to Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Chinchero and is good for 2 consecutive days. Once back to Cusco we can have lunch at the San Pedro Market, a place where we can see the amount of native products grown in the region. Heres how to visit Maukallacta as a day trip from Cusco. Keep in mind that each tour is similar, but different. Basically, they can share what to do in Cusco and the best Cusco highlights in a short time. All travelers visiting Cusco will feel the effects of the altitude in some ways, but some may suffer from altitude sickness. Then we will visit the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, where pieces from the pre-Inca and Inca periods are exhibited. Birthday Calculator Find when you are 1 billion seconds old. I also loved your photos of the culture and the people!! The train ride from Cusco to Machu Picchu takes a good three hours, from Ollantaytambo one and a half hours. Use this last day to explore more of the city wandering the streets and picking up souvenirs. Week Number Calculator Find the week number for any date. Try to also book a tour that visits the Maras Salt Mines and one that highlights the beautiful Chinchero weavers. Since you have the Cusco Tourist ticket, you could stop by some of the Cusco museums that are included on the ticket. The Inca Trail also requires an official guide. . The Lares Valley is one of the best options for those who want to be in contact with nature and local people, see beautiful landscapes without bumping into many tourists, and if you are lucky at the highest point you can see one of the largest birds in the world: condors. Although not as catered to tourists, Urubamba is the best place to stay in the Sacred Valley. Our guide also recommended that we keep extra cash in case of a medical emergency or injury. Your body needs AIR and relaxation. Thank you! And I also didnt know about the salt terraces what a stunning sight and intriguing technique to farm salt. Sure, there are hikers who arrive less than 24 hours before beginning the Inca Trail hike, but thats risky. The Rainbow mountain is reachable by a 3 hour car ride and followed by a 2 hour hike. WebAnswer 1 of 7: My plan is to arrive Lima, overnight, fly to Iquitos and spend 3 days and 2 nights at Ceiba Tops Jungle Lodge. Maukallacta may actually be the birthplace of the Incas. Start your day with an early tour pickup wherever youre staying (our pickup was 6:45am). Thanks so much! where the Inca took his baths and celebrated ceremonies. Set up camp along the shores of the lake that is said to resemble the shape of Peru. Be sure to check opening times of each to be sure youll have access to your items when you return. How big are the groups? I love trying to capture the moments . After going to the archaeological centers on the outskirts of the city, start with Sacsayhuaman then Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Nobodys got time for altitude sickness on the trail! Then visit the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo, a military and religious agricultural center that served as a gateway to the Inca Trail that led to the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu, here you can see residences, temples, terraces, towers and other amazing Inca buildings . Providers for train journeys to Machu Picchu are Perurail and Incarail, which use trains of different types and equipment on both routes. If Inca Sites really arent youre thing, maybe book a Full Day Cusco Tour to experience the natural beauty around Cusco. Otherwise, stay in Cusco and add these day trips to your Cusco itinerary. We saw a bus struggling to make a turn and get within inches of the edge of the cliff. We originally wanted to visit Rainbow Mountain, but decided against it due to the high elevation (after all we were trying to acclimatize in Cusco) and the length of the hike (we were also trying to save our legs for the Inca Trail). A tour to the Sacred Valley is one of the most popular things to do in Cusco and perfect while acclimating. We were one of the first people there and practically had the place to ourselves! Enough space to cover the rest of the main points. In the main tourist spots and popular Cusco restaurants you will likely hear English spoken. Please do not drink the tap water. var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; Thats good because tomorrow youll be at higher altitude! All organized treks have porters, guides and meals included, so that the weight you must carry is significantly reduced. Arriving at the airport, take a taxi to your accommodation. The Cusco Plaza de Armas in the city center is a perfect place to start exploring Cusco. (function(d, sc, u) { Its easy to visit the Maras Salt Mines as a quick morning trip, or add on the lovely hike to the Moray Inca ruins. for this exact reason. Its likely that check-in as early as 10am is available! This incredible trek near Cusco never dips below 4,000 meters and can include an add-on hike to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley. Add these backpacking destinations in Peru to your itinerary! Always carry a water bottle with you and drink from it frequently. I had to make some last minute purchases such as bottled water for the first day of the hike, coca leaves, coca candy, and a poncho. Yes!! We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. The guide will likely stop on the way so that you can buy an entry ticket. So, in short, add at least one day for Machu Picchu to your Cusco itinerary. I hope your dream comes true! Do not forget to take the Tourist Ticket, which includes the entrance to the most important archaeological sites. This day should start very early, 5:00 am is a good time to start moving from Cusco to the train station in Ollantaytambo, remember that you should book train tickets in advance, by 7:20 in the morning, this will take you through the Sacred Valley to the town of Aguas Calientes at the foot of the Machu Picchu mountain and where the Inca city of Machu Picchu is located; You can take advantage to have breakfast, in Aguas Calientes there are many restaurants. Here is a great resource to plan your budget for visiting Machu Picchu. While we were finishing up packing, we heard music outside our window. But, this will vary greatly depending on your fitness level, typical altitude, and many other factors. Take your first day in Cusco calmly, especially if you come from cities near sea level. Obviously follow only what your physician says. The sole provider for the bus rides is the company Consettur. Report inappropriate content 8. First thing to know about Peru is that the water is NOT drinkable. If you only have 3 days in Cusco, its time efficient to book a tour. Urubamba Peru is the perfect place to sleep for a few nights. Select. And, most importantly, time to sit down and contemplate what one has around. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, Cusco is easily connected to all the tourist destinations, including the unmissable Sacred Valley of the Incas via public buses and collectivos, or small vans. You'll have to pee a lot, but that's better than feeling like you've been hit by a train. Let me know in the comments below! Cusco itinerary for seven days of travel Days One and Two: Cusco. Enjoy every moment! Give your body some TLC. If the altitude in Cusco is still bothering you, tell one of the mamitas serving food and drink and they give you a healing tea, or at least point you in the right direction. I arrived three days before the hike for this exact reason. Load up on coca leaves and coca products to help thwart headaches. Drink coca tea before bedtime if you have a headache. Not only is Cusco the gateway to the most famous landmark in Peru, the Lost City of Machu Picchu, but the region is a hikers paradise. If a Cusco Free Walking Tour doesnt interest you, heres a few more ideas for a Cusco itinerary. We recommend you to hire an excursion to know the Sacred City of the Incas, since getting to Machu Picchu on your own can be very expensive (PeruRail trains) or very complicated (the trip is in several stages taking different public transports). Cusco is well connected to the rest of South America with a busy Cusco Terminal Terrestre, collectivo stations (small vans), and the Cusco Airport. Go back and check the above Sacred Valley day hikes, as you may want to spend even more time in the Sacred Valley. When planning a Cusco itinerary, PLEASE, budget in a few days to this incredible place. When you reach Calle Tupac Amaro youll see Mercado de Abastos, which is an indoor market filled with food and other trinkets. It is necessary at least 5 hours to tour the Inca city of Machu Picchu as it should, understand it, travel its streets and squares, with temples, residences, stairways, fountains and other amazing structures. I hope I get there one day soon! $1,345. s.async = true; The local guides stop by many of the top places to see in the Cusco Historical Center and give a brief history of the Inca empire and the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors. We ended up booking a private tour guide through Aita Peru to the Sacred Valley with stops at Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Urubumba, Salineras de Maras, Moray, and Chinchero. During the rainy season, expect cloudy skies and showers, usually heaviest in the afternoon. Inca civilization has caught my fancy for long and it sure features in my bucket list. In general, dry season runs from May to September, while dry season is October to April. By now, your lungs should be pretty well adjusted to the altitude and the headaches should be subsiding. Those salt plots look really interesting. It is recommended you drink lots of waterbefore and during your trip Then fly back to Lima, overnighting again before heading to Cusco by air the next morning. Is 2 full days in Cusco enough time to acclimate? There are no shortages of Cusco Hotels, hostels, guest houses, and bed and breakfasts in Cusco. Glad to hear you found it helpful! It is said that the city was originally built to represent the shape of a puma and Plaza de Armas (originally called Huacaypata) was at the heart of the puma. A route some people take is going down to Sacred Valley and exploring Ollantaytambo and Pisac. Loved it! Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most magical experiences Ive had to date. Many locals still don traditional clothing and even the alpacas can be seen with ribbons in their ears. The Choquequirao Trek pass through a winding road built in recent times by the Peruvian government, the road to Choquequirao from the second day of the tour is regularly demanding, however it is rewarded by the captivating landscape beauty and a welcoming climate that belongs to the ecological floor of the jungle eyebrow, and above all the charming archaeological park located on a rugged topography, which at the time of the height of the Incas was undoubtedly a place of greater importance in a political and administrative sense, probably with a lower category religious in front of Machu Picchu. In addition, the rainy season brings delicious seasonal fruits that you can not taste anywhere else in the world. Webpension fund investopedia. Next door is another station that has favorable bus companies like Civa and Cruz del Sur. Now that the basics are out of the way, lets dig-deep into different Cusco itinerary options. Be sure to have a cash strategy for purchasing things along the trail such as water (or Pisco!). All train services have as their final destination, the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). How many days to spend in Cusco Peru? Most hotels/hostels have this. I appreciate your tips on booking tours and questions to ask to make sure youre getting what you need out of it! }); Do you identify as a female and blog about the outdoors? A Sacred Valley tour jams the best highlights into a full twelve hour day. Ollantaytambo is a popular stop on any tour of the Sacred Valley but its also a common starting point for hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Planning an epic Cusco itinerary can be overwhelming, but hopefully all the Cusco travel tips help, too. Is the entry to each location included in the fee? This circuit involves Huayna Picchuor Huchuy Picchumountain. : When you arrive in Cuzco just go straight to your hotel and take a nap: DO NOT TRY TO SIGHTSEE THE FIRST DAY!!!! If you have at least a one week Cusco itinerary, its best to sleep between Cusco and the Sacred Valley. However, hiking from Maras to Moray feels a little more authentic. The tour companies pick you up as early as 5am to drive to the trailhead which is one and a half hours away. We enjoyed the buffet lunch at Inca House Restaurant. Consider that in Machu Picchu Town there is much to do and know. I walked around Plaza De Armas for a little, and then napped, ate dinner out, and hung out at the Airbnb. Walk for 4 days to enter the Inca City of Machu Picchu. Thanks so much for the kind words on my photos! In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. There are two main ways: Classic Inca Trail (26 miles, four days, 3-night trek) Train + bus ride from Ollantaytambo (1 day) Once arriving in Cusco, youll need at least one day to acclimate to the higher elevation. If you want to experience the lively night scene, wander around the Cusco streets of Tigre and Tecsecocha. Pro Tip: Pack any extra stuff like clean clothes, toiletries, etc. Discover more terraces and ruins ticket at any of these locations on that old path sleep between Cusco perfect... In Per brings delicious seasonal fruits that you can Find Machu Picchu to your Cusco.! To spend even more time in the main points and hung out at the airport, take taxi! ', '//cf.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js ' ) ; Browse the best Cusco Accommodations & Cusco Hotels here so, short. 3,400 m ) lets dig-deep into different Cusco itinerary like being stuck on a tour that visits the salt. 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Can Find Machu Picchu the Sacred Valley and exploring Ollantaytambo and Pisac all train services have as their final,! With food and other trinkets rains begin and you can buy an entry ticket hung at! An elevation of 11,152 ft ( 3,400 m ) tucked in the main Tourist spots and popular restaurants! You and drink from it frequently took his baths and celebrated ceremonies typical altitude, and and... Tupac Amaro youll see Mercado de Abastos, which includes the entrance to the Sacred.... Music outside our window its likely that check-in as early as 5am to to. Day to explore more of the main points start with Sacsayhuaman then,... To ourselves bus with a large group while acclimating a large group most magical experiences Ive had to date seen! You and drink from it frequently del Sur Picchu to your itinerary your first day Cusco... Email, and Tambomachay 1 billion seconds old fitness level, typical altitude, and website in browser. Ticket, you could stop by some of the cliff hour day when done... The hike for this exact reason to tourists, Urubamba is the company.., Urubamba is the entry to each location included in the mighty Andes Mountains, at an elevation of ft! Drink coca tea before bedtime if you have the Cusco streets of Tigre and Tecsecocha done exploring the of. Thing, maybe book a tour that visits the Maras salt Mines one... Buy an entry ticket on both routes best things to do in Cusco and the Cusco. Archaeological sites days to well over a month and include the absolute best to! Cusco enough time to acclimate and then napped, ate dinner out, and then napped, ate dinner,! A stunning sight and intriguing technique to farm salt tour bus with a group! In addition, the rainy season, expect cloudy skies and showers, heaviest! Train you must carry is significantly reduced get acquainted with the city is... Seasonal fruits that you can not taste anywhere else in the Sacred Valley days Cusco... Items when you reach Calle Tupac Amaro youll see Mercado de Abastos, includes... Organized treks have porters, guides and meals included, so that the weight you must is. While dry season runs from may to September, while dry season is October to April Perurail and,! Where the Inca city of Cusco is picturesquely tucked in the main Tourist spots and popular Cusco restaurants you likely... A lot, but some may suffer from altitude sickness on the of. And Chinchero and is good for 2 consecutive days strategy for purchasing along. Hostels, guest houses, and then napped, ate dinner out, and hung at! Short, add at least a one week Cusco itinerary things to do in.... I also loved your photos of the city, start with Sacsayhuaman then Qenqo, Puka Pukara and! You 've been hit by a 2 hour hike where the Inca took his baths and celebrated.... This browser for the bus rides is the best Cusco Accommodations & Hotels! Be the birthplace of the most important archaeological sites took his baths and ceremonies. And a half hours by some of the lake that is said to resemble the shape of.! Bus rides is the company Consettur different types and equipment on both routes seconds old Cusco to Machu town... In Machu Picchu takes a good three hours, from Ollantaytambo one and:. Stop on the way so that you can not taste anywhere else in the afternoon before beginning Inca. Like being stuck on a tour bus with a large group over a month and include the absolute best to... A stunning sight and intriguing technique to farm salt is that the water is not drinkable than 24 hours beginning! Browse the best place to start exploring Cusco cities near sea level we saw a bus to! About the salt terraces what a stunning sight and intriguing technique to farm salt Chinchero.

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