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. Many locals still don traditional clothing and even the alpacas can be seen with ribbons in their ears. When youre done exploring the top of the Fortress, follow the trail around the ledge to discover more terraces and ruins. If you want to utilize the Cusco Tourist Ticket, the Cusco South Valley is spectacular. 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. Skip Rainbow Mountain until after the Inca Trail! The nights during dry season are much colder than rainy season. Infact it tops the bucket list of many travellers, just as Machu Picchu. If you have more time and feel comfortable, explore Cusco with collectivos and buses. The trek is typically 5 days and includes a stop at the famous Laguna Humantay before hiking the Salkantay pass. Dont leave them unattended and if using buses, keep them on your lap not on the floor of your legs. The best season is during the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. If you only have 3 days in Cusco, its time efficient to book a tour. Is the Cusco Tourist Ticket worth it? Eat light, but have a sufficient amount of calories. Glad to hear you found it helpful! A tour to the Sacred Valley is one of the most popular things to do in Cusco and perfect while acclimating. We were so fortunate to experience the festival! Guides can be booked both at the entrance to Machu Picchu and down in the valley in Aguas Calientes. That's right. Salkantay and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is an incredible journey, which combines beautiful landscapes and ancestral routes. in your suitcase and leave it at your hotel, hostel or tour company office. Youll be trail ready in the morning! Skip to|Cusco 3 Day Itinerary|4 Days in Cusco| Cusco Itinerary 5 Days |One Week in Cusco Peru|More Than Two Weeks in Cusco Itinerary. On day 2 I had a really bad headache all day. There are no shortages of Cusco Hotels, hostels, guest houses, and bed and breakfasts in Cusco. So nice that you were there for the parade! On day 1, explore the Cusco Historic Center, join a free walking tour, stroll around San Blas neighborhood, and check out the incredible Mercado San Pedro. I hope to make it to Peru one day. LATAM Airlines offers frequent departures from Lima to Cusco. Thats good because tomorrow youll be at higher altitude! Yess! These ruins and agricultural terraces are nestled into the mountains near the entrance to the valley. I appreciate your tips on booking tours and questions to ask to make sure youre getting what you need out of it! This circuit involves Huayna Picchuor Huchuy Picchumountain. Otherwise, stay in Cusco and add these day trips to your Cusco itinerary. Those salt plots look really interesting. Keep in mind that each tour is similar, but different. Hydration is key! Enjoy Huchuy Qosqo (20 PEN /$5.25 USD) and continue all the way downhill into Lamay in the Sacred Valley. Next door is another station that has favorable bus companies like Civa and Cruz del Sur. If youv got an hour or two to spare, visit Qorikancha. Thats what makes this place so special, it sees less than 20 visitors a day. Thanks so much for the kind words on my photos! Generally speaking, most people complete 1 lap tour with their guide, and if there is time, they can re-enter on their own. 5) Also very important, on the 1st day DO NOT eat anything heavy (meat). Your email address will not be published. During the rainy season, expect cloudy skies and showers, usually heaviest in the afternoon. Here are some other tips to keep in mind when deciding how many days you need for a complete visit to Machu Picchu. It is advisable to do this tour with an excursion since there is no transport that takes from one place to another. TheInca Quarry Trail or Cachicata Trek to Machu Picchuis one of the new hiking trails offered in the Cusco region. I personally dont like being stuck on a tour bus with a large group. With 4 days in Cusco, you could break up the full Sacred Valley tour at a more relaxed pace. Nobodys got time for altitude sickness on the trail! This incredible trek near Cusco never dips below 4,000 meters and can include an add-on hike to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley. It was discovered in 2016. Especially the first day you arrive. On day 2, walk to the small community of Puca Marca, where the trail becomes even more spectacular. In addition, the rainy season brings delicious seasonal fruits that you can not taste anywhere else in the world. Detailed Travel Guide | Cusco & Sacred Valley Itinerary in One Week. It is advisable to be 30 minutes before the scheduled travel time. Our tour company offered to hold our bags, but they were going to be closed when we got back. Symptoms include headaches, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and lightheadedness. The cheapest Machu Picchu tickets from Cusco to Machupicchu town, the starting point for most Machu Picchu tours, cost around U$ 76 per tickets, the most expensive around U$ 250 to U$ 500 dollars (Orient Express or Hiram Bingham Train: Luxury Train Cusco to Machu Picchu). Drink coca tea before bedtime if you have a headache. Warning: A side effect of Acetazolamide is that it might make your hands and fingers tingle. Yes!! Watch the sun go down in the San Blas Plaza, or keep climbing the steep staircases to watch the sun go down at one of the best parks in Cusco, Qenqo Chico. In the main tourist spots and popular Cusco restaurants you will likely hear English spoken. After going to the archaeological centers on the outskirts of the city, start with Sacsayhuaman then Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. One full day is plenty of of time to explore Cusco itself. In general, Cusco is safe city to visit even for solo travelers. Heres a breakdown of things to do in Cusco while acclimating by day. Another thing that can not be missed in Pisac, is its handicraft market, with unique and authentic products. If you feel more comfortable, use the handy public bus system or collectivos to go to and from Cusco. Here is a great resource to plan your budget for visiting Machu Picchu. There are multiple hiking routes to reach the Waqrapukara ruins, but those coming from Cusco can easily reach the trailhead from Sangarar village. They also recommend the best restaurants in Cusco Peru, share local gems, take you through the bohemian San Blas neighborhood, and walk you past the famed Cusco 12 angle stone. If drinking, it may be best to take a taxi home instead of walking. $1,345. 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". Drink a ton of (bottled) water leading up to your trip, on the plane, and while you're in the city. I also loved your photos of the culture and the people!! 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. Don't push it. Especially if you're planning to hike and explore. But, this will vary greatly depending on your fitness level, typical altitude, and This cost S/280 for two of us + S/80 each for the entrance fees (about $68/each). Id love to hike Rainbow Mountain next time Im there . This comprehensive Cusco guide includes tips for visiting Cusco, how to get to Cusco, and how to choose a Cusco itinerary that best suites what to see and do on a trip to Peru. Symptoms of altitude sickness usually develop between 6 24 hours after reaching altitudes more than 3,000m (9,843 feet) above sea level. Id so love to get a closer look to see their harvesting process and learn more about that. The Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek takes about 9 days, climbs over some serious mountain passes, stops in tiny communities, and eventually meets with the Salkantay 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. Check out this awesome 1 Day Lares Valley Trek. 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. Imagine you get to Cusco, get altitude sickness, and then have to hike a mountain the next day? The best way to experience Choquequirao is to camp right outside the park, which is included in entrance fee of 60 PEN ($16 USD). With such an early pickup, its best to organize your pack the day before and arrange to leave extra items behind. Be mindful of your possessions and dont flash your valuables. 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. I myself had to queue for an hour and a half on the outward journey and about 45 minutes on the return journey in September. Heres a rundown of a three day itinerary for acclimatization in Cusco. s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); Dont forget about the Sacred Valley, just over the hillside, filled with charming hamlets, snow-capped peaks, hidden lakes, and so much more. : Cusco is well connected to the rest of South America with a busy Cusco Terminal Terrestre, collectivo stations (small vans), and the Cusco Airport. All train services have as their final destination, the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). Have a great time on the trail! The Cusco South Valley also has the only Wari ruins on the Cusco Tourist Ticket at Pikillacta. What good luck! 3) Drink lots of water because you may become dehydrated. Planning to acclimate to the altitude in Cusco before hiking the Inca Trail? WebTake 1 prior to boarding the plane to cuzco and take 1 after that every 8 hours for about 1-2 days. Drink loads of water and coca tea while youre there. Cusco is a desired tourist destination, so there are also higher-end bus companies that also arrive to Cusco, just not at the main Cusco bus terminal. Did you find that taking the time to acclimate helped you during the hike? 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. Travel update - Coronavirus (COVID-19) - See how this could affect your travel plans. Cusco tours can be found in Spanish, English, French, German, and so many more languages. Before you go, double check your Inca Trail packing list to make sure youve got all the essentials. Basically, eat your potatoes. In the end, it comes down to time vs. money. This was my first trip to South America as well and lets just say that Im hooked! 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