You can buy the tourist ticket in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, this will serve you not only to visit places like Sacsayhuaman, and other archaeological sites around the city, but to visit the churches of Cusco and the archaeological sites in the towns of the Incas' Sacred Valley. Based in the area around Ollantaytambo, the Cachicata walk takes you through high waterfalls, Inca ruins and beautiful places. How should I prepare for Cusco? Ask your doctor for altitude sickness pills, and start taking them a day before you land in Cusco. You photos are wonderful. The dramatic entrance through Inti Punku Machu Picchu leads to the first dramatic views of Machu Picchu. Hi! Coca leaves in their natural form are a mild stimulant compared to coffee. Join my Adventure: There's Room in My Backpack. It's actually pretty unpredictable if you'll get it or not, but there are some things you can do to help acclimate! Maybe you're planning to hike Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain. With over two weeks in Cusco, add more Cusco day trips, eat at more of the best Cusco Restaurants, and do complete one of the many Cusco trekking adventures. If you have more time, its totally doable to visit Machu Picchu on your own. Pro Tip: The elevation of Rainbow Mountain is 6000 feet higher than the city of Cusco and 3000 feet higher than the peak elevation on the Inca Trail. 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. But by the third day, my body was finally feeling strong and ready to hike the Inca Trail. Ill be posting a packing list soon theres definitely things Id do differently if I did it again. window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { Visiting Machu Picchu just one day and staying in the village for two days is a common mistake. I highly recommend it. Budget-friendly airlines like SKY and Viva also fly from Lima to Cusco. If you find yourself getting altitude sickness, try to go down to a lower elevation. Enjoy every moment! For this stop, I was particularly thankful to not be in a big tour bus because the road to get here is a bit dangerous. 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. Most hotels/hostels have this. Next, we will advise you How many days do you need to hike Machu Picchu? WebHow many days to acclimate in Cusco? This cost S/280 for two of us + S/80 each for the entrance fees (about $68/each). WebIve arrived in Cusco three separate times; in other words, I visited here for 10 days, went to Buenos Aires for 10 days, came back to Cusco, went to the U.S. for two weeks, then If your Cusco itinerary includes Inca sites, purchase the full ticket. Thanks so much! Otherwise, stay in Cusco and add these day trips to your Cusco itinerary. Here are the questions I recommend asking: I prefer to go at my own pace in small groups. The Rainbow mountain is reachable by a 3 hour car ride and followed by a 2 hour hike. Treks to Machu Picchu range from the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, or the intrepid and advanced Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek. The Choquequirao trek can be hiked without a guide, or there is an option to utilize a local guide and donkey at the trailhead. I personally dont like being stuck on a tour bus with a large group. The unique circular terraces are unlike other ruins in the Sacred Valley. Im so thankful we made this decision. Thats good because tomorrow youll be at higher altitude! The Absolute Best Things to Do in Cusco Peru, The Complete Oaxaca Itinerary for 3 Days to 2 Weeks, Game-Changing Camino de Santiago Tips for First Time Pilgrims, A Taste of the Picos de Europa National Park in Northern Spain, 2023 Packing up the Pieces Journey Theme by Restored 316. Not far down the road is the incredible painted church in Andahuaylillas that is nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of the Americas. The village plaza is one of my favorites in Peru and is a delight to sit in. Your email address will not be published. Find anything from scarves, blankets, sweaters, and more. The trail takes about two and a half hours and is only possible as part of a guided tour. Both trekking and non-trekking Machu Picchu itineraries are viable. If you have more time to spare, there are so many neat Cusco day trips to add to a Cusco itinerary that many tourists miss. Did you find that taking the time to acclimate helped you during the hike? The Cusco tour for these sites typically take on average of 6 hours. Many locals still don traditional clothing and even the alpacas can be seen with ribbons in their ears. However, I have seen Cusco in the rainy season and everything is so lush and full of life, it truly is remarkable. 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. The Cusco historical city center is extremely walkable, so one of the best ways to enjoy the Imperial City is to simply walk, stroll, and take it all in. Webpension fund investopedia. I hope your dream comes true! Pro Tip: Pack any extra stuff like clean clothes, toiletries, etc. The ceviche was probably my favorite dish (my guide ate 4 platefuls of it! And if you're doing Rainbow Mountain, that's 6,000 ft above Cusco. Yes!! The two sites in Cusco South Valley of Tipon and the only Wari (Pre-Inca civilization) on the ticket, Pikillaqta. This process is known as acclimatization and generally takes 1-3 daysat that altitude. Another great thing to do in Cusco is browse the many artisan shops. These are great recommendations for before the hike. Obsessed with travel? At the top of the Fortress youll find the Temple of the Sun, perfectly crafted from six monoliths each weighing more than 50 tons. Theres so much more to do, so I just may have to go back . Hydration is key! Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! If you plan to exercise in any capacity, relax and acclimate first. Before you go, double check your Inca Trail packing list to make sure youve got all the essentials. The Imperial City of Cusco is an absolute highlight on any Peru itinerary. This is the best way to visit Rainbow Mountain to avoid the crowds. Its definitely worth a stop, whether or not youre acclimatizing. Make sure to stop at Cristo Blanco, the hilltop White Jesus with open arms that offers a great view of Cusco City. Heres a breakdown of things to do in Cusco while acclimating by day. Triple hinged doors were often found at the most sacred sites of the Inca Empire. }); Do you identify as a female and blog about the outdoors? With so much to see and do in Cusco alone, planning a Cusco itinerary can feel overwhelming. The fastest and most convenient way to get to Machu Picchu is by train from Cusco city or Ollantaytambo in the "Sacred Valley of the Incas". The Inca trail to Machu Picchu passes by multiple and incredible Inca ruins. WebA Cusco 5 day itinerary would be more relaxed and enjoyable and give some time to acclimate while in Cusco. Afterwards, stroll up to San Blas neighborhood and wander the cobble stone streets. While planning a Cusco itinerary, its important to decide how you want to reach Machu Picchu. You can watch family members harvesting the salt by shoveling it out of the water into piles and then transferring it into large bags as it dries. That's right. Infact it tops the bucket list of many travellers, just as Machu Picchu. Templo de la Compania de Jesus is also on Plaza de Armas and has great views of the sun setting, just walk up into one of the two towers. You can make a City tour through the city of Cusco from noon, we recommend resting in the morning after your arrival, although we know that you will leave your things at the hotel and will leave as soon as possible to know the city. And if you're in Cusco planning to hike Rainbow Mountain, that's EVEN HIGHER than Cusco (and Matterhorn in Switzerland). So here are some tips on how to avoid or help with high elevation. 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. I hope to make it to Peru one day. Happy travels to you as well! Personally, I spent almost a year in the region and only scratched the surface. There are no shortages of Cusco Hotels, hostels, guest houses, and bed and breakfasts in Cusco. While youre there, take a stroll through the interior of the temple, which was originally built in 1571. The flight from Lima to Cusco takes around an hour and a half. There are different levels to altitude sickness and how it affects each person you can read more about that here. Expect to have a briefing held by your tour company. Minimize or avoid alcohol and try to get to bed at a reasonable time. 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. The highlight of the Cusco Tourist Ticket is for most, the four sites in the Sacred Valley of Pisac, Moray, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo. Be sure to look out at the mountains surrounding the area for other ruins! I love pleasant surprises like that. But, this will vary greatly depending on your fitness level, typical altitude, and many other factors. Reporting on what you care about. : When you arrive in Cuzco just go straight to your hotel and take a nap: DO NOT TRY TO SIGHTSEE THE FIRST DAY!!!! 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. With one week in Cusco, spend 3 days in Cusco and 4 days in the Sacred Valley. The dry season is the busiest months in Cusco and prices are higher. However, people with lung or heart disease may be told to avoid high altitudes. Enough space to cover the rest of the main points. Start your day with an early tour pickup wherever youre staying (our pickup was 6:45am). That means that if you purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The only way to access the park is via a two day trek from the small village of Cachora. When youre done exploring the top of the Fortress, follow the trail around the ledge to discover more terraces and ruins. Most offer this for free in the lobby area. The short answer is at least two to three days. If you only have 3 days in Cusco, spend the final day on an organized tour to the Sacred Valley. The road wraps along the outer edge of a cliff and has a few tight spots. Given time, your body can adapt to the decrease in oxygen molecules at a specific altitude. So, in short, add at least one day for Machu Picchu to your Cusco itinerary. 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. 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. Theres just so much to see and do! Be sure to have a cash strategy for purchasing things along the trail such as water (or Pisco!). From Lima to Cusco, the fastest option is to take a domestic flight. If you plan well your Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour, it is likely to become the trip of a lifetime. This plaza is today, and was during the Inca Empire, the heart of the city of Cusco. And your diet should consist of. fantastic blog post. All organized treks have porters, guides and meals included, so that the weight you must carry is significantly reduced. You can find it at most pharmacies. Be sure to check opening times of each to be sure youll have access to your items when you return. How many days to acclimate in Cusco? And, most importantly, time to sit down and contemplate what one has around. The way back is made by the town of Chinchero, known as the city of the rainbow; It is a colonial town that houses the church of Nuestra Seora de Monserrat, which began to be built in 1607, on what was the Tupc Yupanqui Palace. ), but I also enjoyed the rocoto relleno which is like a stuffed and fried rocoto pepper. I hope I get there one day soon! Your body needs time to acclimate due to the oxygen deprivation. The mineral sediments were left revealing the diverse colors. The Cusco Plaza de Armas in the city center is a perfect place to start exploring Cusco. Cuzco looks so awesome but I really enjoyed day number two in the Sacred Valley. Visiting a second day the Sanctuary does not give the following benefits: Seriously, staying more days in Machu Picchu to be able to contemplate the greatness of what we have around can be an experience in itself. Involvesall tourist attraction of the lost city of the Incas, Circuit #3:This ticket involves the Machu Picchu mountain ticket. 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