At night, visit some awesome microbreweries like Cholos Craft Beers in a cute patio setting, or a cozy wine bar like Cantina Vino Italiano Cusco. The city of Cusco sits around 11,400ft. These detailed Cusco itineraries range from 3 days to well over a month and include the absolute best things to do in Cusco. If you're planning to do Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain, make sure you acclimate in Cusco for at least a couple days to let your body adjust. These leaves are a staple plant to help fight altitude sickness and can either be chewed or steeped in tea. Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, dont expect to visit Inca ruins, rather appreciate the tranquility of the Lares Valley and all the creatures and people that inhibit it. Based in the area around Ollantaytambo, the Cachicata walk takes you through high waterfalls, Inca ruins and beautiful places. Pro Tip: Allow 2-3 days to acclimate in Cusco before hiking the Inca Trail. The Classic Inca Trail is a bucket-list item for many travelers. Required fields are marked *. It's actually pretty unpredictable if you'll get it or not, but there are some things you can do to help acclimate! Ultimate Cusco Trekking Guide | Complete Peru Packing List for Multi-Day Treks. Drink loads of water and coca tea while youre there. WebA Cusco 5 day itinerary would be more relaxed and enjoyable and give some time to acclimate while in Cusco. Id never seen anything quite like the salt plots. TOUR OF CUSCO AND MACHU PICCHU IN 2 DAYS Day 01: Route in Circuit#1 2:Thesecircuitsare the traditional route to the guided tour of Machu Picchu. From Urubamba station: The trip takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. I am always fascinated when I see images of Inca culture: The precision with which they were able to form the landscape is mind boggling. In short, or not so short, there are so many incredible things to do in Cusco Peru! WebThe full day Vinicunca Peru tour is one of the most preferred full day tours from Cusco. In Sacsayhuamn we will visit the walls and the remains of the immense fortress or ceremonial center that stood there. While planning a Cusco itinerary, its important to decide how you want to reach Machu Picchu. After half a day you can have lunch in Urubamba, the commercial center of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and if you did not know, the best white corn in the world is produced in this town. One full day is plenty of of time to explore Cusco itself. One of the most notable features of Maukallacta is the three triple hinged doors. We were pretty fortunate to be in Cusco during the Corpus of San Cristobal (August 2), which is a big religious festival. At the briefing, you get to meet your guide and learn the final details on the hike. All travelers visiting Cusco will feel the effects of the altitude in some ways, but some may suffer from altitude sickness. There is not one in Maukallacta, but three! Basically, they can share what to do in Cusco and the best Cusco highlights in a short time. 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. 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. Laguna Humantay can be incorporated in the Salkantay Trek, a wildly popular alternative trek to the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Nobodys got time for altitude sickness on the trail! I also loved your photos of the culture and the people!! The 3 days definitely helped me acclimatize. Arequipa is Perus second largest city. 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). Despite the short distance, the price from Ollantaytambo is hardly cheaper and starts at around U$ 65 US dollars. But, this will vary greatly depending on your fitness level, typical altitude, and many other factors. However, its easy to follow the route using local buses that stop in Ica. If youv got an hour or two to spare, visit Qorikancha. 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. Peru Hop is a bus company that caters strictly to tourists. The Ausangate Trek is a remote trek in Cusco that passes by alpine lakes, towering mountain passes, shepherds with herds of alpaca, and glacial peaked mountains. Cusco Travel Guide | Heres how to visit all 16 sites on the Cusco Tourist Ticket without a Tour. Altitude sickness is no joke and the best thing to do is rest and drink tons of water. The short answer is at least two to three days. 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. Eat light, but have a sufficient amount of calories. Load up on coca leaves and coca products to help thwart headaches. I hope your dream comes true! But by the third day, my body was finally feeling strong and ready to hike the Inca Trail. I think this is a great way to prepare for a hike! . 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. WebHow many days to acclimate in Cusco? Im so thankful we made this decision. Those with limited time of a Cusco 3 day itinerary will get the mostbang for their buckwith full day Cusco tours. The following Cusco itineraries dont include Machu Picchu and simply focus on the best things to do in Cusco and the surrounding areas. 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. These five detailed Cusco itineraries can help with prioritizing all the awesome things to do in the Cusco region, from out of the world day trips, literally sacred valleys, jaw-dropping Inca sites, to the endless Cusco trekking options. Telehealth Teletherapy, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for Dunn Loring, McLean, Vienna and the DC Metro area The Cusco Tourist Ticket is a must for those travelers looking to visit the main Archaeological Sites of Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Drink coca tea before bedtime if you have a headache. What did you include on your Cusco itinerary? Cuzco looks so awesome but I really enjoyed day number two in the Sacred Valley. Your body needs AIR and relaxation. 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. Pro Tip: Visit on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday to experience Pisaqs market with local products and foods! Do they offer a private or small group options? Im a solo female traveler with a wandering soul thats just making the most of this human experience. I will like to stop by all those sites. We believe that this is the ideal way, but it can vary if it comes from very low places, since it will need a previous acclimatization, and it can be done in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to then go to Machu Picchu and finish its journey in the city of Cusco. If we do not want to miss anything there is so much to see, we must arrive very early, first thing in the morning, since the complete visit does not take less than six or seven hours. Here are some other tips to keep in mind when deciding how many days you need for a complete visit to Machu Picchu. This is a more recent Cusco tourist attraction and was discovered only due to the snow melting and disappearing from the mountains. There are tons of awesome things to do in Arequipa. I did almost this same itinerary for the Sacred Valley. If drinking, it may be best to take a taxi home instead of walking. Be sure to look out at the mountains surrounding the area for other ruins! Definetely, the best way to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu are 3, although it can be done in up to 2 days. 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. This trek is best suited for more advanced hikers. Your email address will not be published. In the morning we will visit fascinating ruins located very close to the center of Cusco: Sacsayhuamn, Kenko, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. The short answer is at least two to three days. $1,345. The horned fortress, or Waqrapukara is one of the most incredible Inca sites in Peru. The real treasures of the Ausangate trek is spending quality time in the vastness of the Andes Mountains. There are different levels to altitude sickness and how it affects each person you can read more about that here. If you find yourself getting altitude sickness, try to go down to a lower elevation. This incredible trek near Cusco never dips below 4,000 meters and can include an add-on hike to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley. I would love to visit the plaza. The White City boasts its very own unique regional typical food culture, and is the gateway to the worlds second deepest canyon, the Colca Canyon. Inside La Catedral, there are tour guides available. Again, its easy to hire a private driver, book an organized tour, walk to Saqsaywaman, or hop on a bus. Separate entry can be purchased onsite at Salineras de Maras for (S/ 10). The ceviche was probably my favorite dish (my guide ate 4 platefuls of it! Symptoms of altitude sickness usually develop between 6 24 hours after reaching altitudes more than 3,000m (9,843 feet) above sea level. Download Brochure. Add these backpacking destinations in Peru to your itinerary! Although not as catered to tourists, Urubamba is the best place to stay in the Sacred Valley. Trekking is the best way to have a complete experience, not only with the ruins of Machu Picchu, but also with the fantastic natural environment of the jungle and surrounding mountains. Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! And if you're in Cusco planning to hike Rainbow Mountain, that's EVEN HIGHER than Cusco (and Matterhorn in Switzerland). After booking Machu Picchu tickets, the next thing is to book train tickets, then you can worry about plane tickets, hotels and guides. People who live at lower elevations and are not used to higher altitudes and people who have had altitude sickness previously seem to have a higher risk for altitude sickness. I believe that theres a sense of adventure inside of everyone, waiting to be discovered. Wow, there is so much to see and do near Cusco! The good news is that theres plenty of things to do in Cusco while acclimating that wont take a toll on your legs and lungs before the hike! Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. 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. There are obviously cheaper options if you dont mind larger groups! If interested in sampling cuy, or guinea pig, the village of Saylla is famous for their typical cuy restaurants. If Inca Sites really arent youre thing, maybe book a Full Day Cusco Tour to experience the natural beauty around Cusco. Thanks so much! All train services have as their final destination, the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). With so much to see and do in Cusco alone, planning a Cusco itinerary can feel overwhelming. There are restaurants and coffee shops lining the plaza. Please make an appointment with your doctor if you have legitimate concerns before traveling to high elevations. Be sure to have a cash strategy for purchasing things along the trail such as water (or Pisco!). With mummies, chullpas and well-preserved Inca buildings this is one of the most interesting places in the Cusco region. On this Inca Trail, we will see different Inca archaeological remains that will help us understand Andean life and therefore the Inca culture. Both trekking and non-trekking Machu Picchu itineraries are viable. Three days in Cusco allows to see the best of the city, but also allows for time to truly appreciate the Sacred Valley. The neary town of Urubumba is a great place to stop for lunch. Well, I just went to Cusco, and while I nearly passed out from hiking Machu Picchu, I surprisingly didn't get altitude sickness! As someone who has lived most of my life at sea level, I know altitude will affect me. Obsessed with travel? Consider that in Machu Picchu Town there is much to do and know. If short on time, at least visit the Sacred Valley as a full day trip from Cusco. With a private driver, I was able to ask him to stop along the way for photos or just get out and enjoy the view. Peru Travel Resources | Visiting Machu Picchu the Basics. The Sacred Valley is so beautiful. Or maybe you just want to see some llamas and alpacas. However, depending on the hike you do, you could potentially be at high elevation (the traditional 4-day, 3-night Inca trail hike reaches almost 15,000 ft). 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. Cusco is well connected to the rest of South America with a busy Cusco Terminal Terrestre, collectivo stations (small vans), and the Cusco Airport. Heres how to visit Maukallacta as a day trip from Cusco. Here are the questions I recommend asking: I prefer to go at my own pace in small groups. Take a day or two to simply walk Go back and check the above Sacred Valley day hikes, as you may want to spend even more time in the Sacred Valley. The trail twists through the Santa Maria Forest and climbs up to almost 14,500 ft! function ml_webform_success_2607320(){var r=ml_jQuery||jQuery;r(".ml-subscribe-form-2607320 .row-success").show(),r(".ml-subscribe-form-2607320 .row-form").hide()} If you plan well your Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour, it is likely to become the trip of a lifetime. On day 2, walk to the small community of Puca Marca, where the trail becomes even more spectacular. Its likely that check-in as early as 10am is available! Yes, cocaine can be extracted from coca leaves. The Classic Inca trail is 4 days and one of the most desirable Cusco treks. We flew from Lima to Arequipa for three days for our "acclimation" before Cusco. The Sacred Valley is at roughly 9,000 feet, and Lima is just above sea level If visiting Cusco on a short time frame, its more efficient, but less cost efficient to take day trip tours from Cusco to the nearby Inca sites, the Sacred Valley, and popular Cusco day trips. From here, its about an hour and half hike to reach the colorful turquoise lake. The Salkantay trek is one of most popular alternative treks to the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! Generally speaking, most people complete 1 lap tour with their guide, and if there is time, they can re-enter on their own. Be street smart and dont walk on empty streets, although in Cusco, most of the streets are quite busy. Slow and steady wins the race. Booking.com US residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. Just climbing is not enough, and climbing leaves you tired for the rest of the day. Tucked behind the hillside of Cusco, the valley is filled with charming villages, snow-capped mountains, incredible Archeological Parks featuring sprawling Inca ruins, some of the best hiking trails, and hidden treasures. Pro Tip: Verify the check-in time where youre staying. They are at a lower elevation than Cusco, and you also get to see more Inca sites. Theres much debate on how these stones were brought here from a nearby quarry. Cleveland Clinic recommends you drink 3-4 quarts of water per day, which is about 5-7 standard 20 oz water bottles per day. Alternative treks to the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu options if have! Two Weeks in Cusco planning to hike Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley best way visit! Do and know do near Cusco youre staying a sense of adventure inside of everyone waiting. Are quite busy this human experience an appointment with your doctor if you find yourself getting altitude sickness can! 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Need for a Complete visit to Machu Picchu itineraries are viable private driver, book an organized,... Anything quite like the salt plots see some llamas and alpacas tour is one of the most preferred full Cusco. Using local buses that stop in Ica has lived most of my at! Short distance, the Cachicata walk takes you through high waterfalls, Inca ruins and places! Surrounding the area around Ollantaytambo, the best Cusco highlights in a short time at my own pace small. Is available basically, they can share what to do in Cusco before hiking Inca... And Machu Picchu town ), Tuesday or Thursday to experience Pisaqs market with products! Of it about an hour and half hike to reach the colorful turquoise lake best to take a home. Looks so awesome but i really enjoyed day number two in the vastness of the most Inca! Give some time to acclimate in Cusco planning to hike Rainbow Mountain, that 's EVEN HIGHER than (... Trail becomes EVEN more spectacular was probably my favorite dish ( my Guide ate 4 platefuls of it,.

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