Yes, its always a struggle between keeping costs down and avoiding crowds, but when I can afford it I always like to go for the smaller groups! How many days to acclimate in Cusco? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Be mindful that the rain can fall heavy and that mudslides and landslides can occur. The shoulder season for tourist is usually March to April and and again from October to December. Id so love to get a closer look to see their harvesting process and learn more about that. Give your body some TLC. Tipon is massive and sees very few tourists. It should be noted that the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor and the Intihuatana Stone are only accessible by the hour and from the "Plaza de los Templos" the path is only possible in one direction, so visitors are not allowed to go back. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. The Imperial City of Cusco is an absolute highlight on any Peru itinerary. There are multiple hiking routes to reach the Waqrapukara ruins, but those coming from Cusco can easily reach the trailhead from Sangarar village. Its easy to visit the Maras Salt Mines as a quick morning trip, or add on the lovely hike to the Moray Inca ruins. Dont have much time? Be mindful that due to the altitude of Cusco, drinking alcohol will affect you differently here than most places. 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. 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. Take it easy when you land in Cusco and try not to do anything too strenuous. Those considering multi-day trekking in Cusco should shoot for at least one month in Cusco. 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. 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. 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. 12 years ago Save We are also from the Bay Area (well, the Monterey Bay Area). 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. With such an early pickup, its best to organize your pack the day before and arrange to leave extra items behind. This is the best way to visit Rainbow Mountain to avoid the crowds. I dont think Id want less than 3 days to explore Cusco and the surrounding area. 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). Pro Tip: Visit on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday to experience Pisaqs market with local products and foods! 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. Cuzco looks so awesome but I really enjoyed day number two in the Sacred Valley rainbow mountain. In Urubamba, hike up to the hillside Colcas, or get one of the best views of the Sacred Valley from Saywa Mountain, home to two peculiar pillars and views for days of Mount Chicon. The Inca trails will take you through beautiful landscapes, with mountains, rivers, exotic vegetation, and flooded with Inca sites; Although you need good physical condition, it is a simply wonderful experience. 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. Birthday Calculator Find when you are 1 billion seconds old. This trek is best suited for more advanced hikers. Read our Coronavirus FAQs, Top 10 Best Things to do around Machu Picchu. 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. This was cool to see, but be prepared for them to hustle you to buy something afterwards. Cleveland Clinic recommends you drink 3-4 quarts of water per day, which is about 5-7 standard 20 oz water bottles per day. Most Lares treks include a stop at the local Lares Hot Springs. Hey dont forget your Travel Insurance! The horned fortress, or Waqrapukara is one of the most incredible Inca sites in Peru. Im lucky i didnt get sick when i landed in Cusco but its DEFINITELY smart to get there early to acclimate properly. On Day 2, visit the the four main Cusco Inca Sites of Saqsaywaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. 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. Laguna Humantay can be incorporated in the Salkantay Trek, a wildly popular alternative trek to the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Enjoy Huchuy Qosqo (20 PEN /$5.25 USD) and continue all the way downhill into Lamay in the Sacred Valley. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); I think this is a great way to prepare for a hiking! If your Cusco itinerary includes Inca sites, purchase the full ticket. 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. Inside La Catedral, there are tour guides available. The short answer is at least two to three days. If you need a bathroom, theres one at both the Starbucks and Cappuccino Cafe. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. This tour also offers a fun free bonus, like ceviche or a Pisco Sour, depending on which tour you sign-up for. LATAM Airlines offers frequent departures from Lima to Cusco. Most hotels/hostels have this. If you're really desperate and need air, try an OxiShot. Includes a 1-day extension to Machu Picchu. If youv got an hour or two to spare, visit Qorikancha. Those who dont feel comfortable with a few basic Spanish phrases may feel more comfortable opting to book guided-tours rather than exploring Cusco independently. When youre done exploring the top of the Fortress, follow the trail around the ledge to discover more terraces and ruins. The short answer is at least two to three days. Or considering it, I assume. The Classic Inca trail is 4 days and one of the most desirable Cusco treks. 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. Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. Enjoy every moment! At the top of the Fortress youll find the Temple of the Sun, perfectly crafted from six monoliths each weighing more than 50 tons. There are restaurants and coffee shops lining the plaza. Cusco Peru brings in tourists from across the globe, and Cusco is a busy city. Each of the 4000 plots of salt here are owned by different families. Those with limited time of a Cusco 3 day itinerary will get the mostbang for their buckwith full day Cusco tours. The Cusco Plaza de Armas in the city center is a perfect place to start exploring Cusco. Happy travels to you as well! Symptoms include headaches, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and lightheadedness. You can also visit very little known archeological centers such as Inkatambo and Huamanmarca along the way you can appreciate the ecological diversity that Machu Picchu has. Well, I just went to Cusco, and while I nearly passed out from hiking Machu Picchu, I surprisingly didn't get altitude sickness! Follow this street by foot past Plaza San Francisco. If you have more time, its totally doable to visit Machu Picchu on your own. WebWe're flying mid-day from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco, staying 2 full days in Cusco then heading on the 4 day Inca Trail. In short, or not so short, there are so many incredible things to do in Cusco Peru! where the Inca took his baths and celebrated ceremonies. Obsessed with travel? The nights during dry season are much colder than rainy season. If you find yourself getting altitude sickness, try to go down to a lower elevation. It was discovered in 2016. These leaves are a staple plant to help fight altitude sickness and can either be chewed or steeped in tea. The rest of the day we can visit one of the main points of the citadel but surely we will run out of time. Apu Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain is a part of the Vilcanota Mountain range. Maybe you're planning to hike Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain. With 4 days in Cusco, you could break up the full Sacred Valley tour at a more relaxed pace. Those trekkers that are up for an incredible adventure and have time to play with their Cusco itinerary, can hike all the way to Machu Picchu. s.async = true; The Cusco South Valley also has the only Wari ruins on the Cusco Tourist Ticket at Pikillacta. Circuit#3only runs through the middle part of the ruins. Take a day or two to simply walk If you find yourself getting altitude sickness, try to go down to a lower elevation. This is a more recent Cusco tourist attraction and was discovered only due to the snow melting and disappearing from the mountains. Theres no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love. All travelers visiting Cusco will feel the effects of the altitude in some ways, but some may suffer from altitude sickness. Some tours leave as early as 5am and return after 7pm. Ok here's the thing: Machu Picchu is actually at a LOWER altitude than Cusco. At nearly double the elevation, Waqrapukara elevation is 13,580 ft. Here is a great resource to plan your budget for visiting Machu Picchu. With so much to see and do in Cusco alone, planning a Cusco itinerary can feel overwhelming. There are tons of awesome things to do in Arequipa. Its one of the more ornate churches I have been in so it was nice to just sit and soak it in for a while. Both trekking and non-trekking Machu Picchu itineraries are viable. Date Calculator Add or subtract days, months, years. WebTime and Date Duration Calculate duration, with both date and time included. Obviously follow only what your physician says. Things to Do in Cusco While Acclimating (Before Hiking the Inca Trail). But by day 3, with lots of water and coca tea, I was ready to go! The days needed to make a Cusco and Sacred Valley trip like this are 4, although it can be done in up to 3 days, the best way to visit places like the ones you will see in Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas is patiently, since the best thing to do the Incas made in their cities, and in a more subtle way, in the constructions made in the new cities founded by the Spaniards, are the details. 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 . Sadly, most travelers dont have that kind of time. I love SafetyWing. According to Cleveland Clinic, age, sex and general health do not seem to make a difference in risk for altitude sickness. Instead I opted for a delicious meal at Morena on Calle Plateros. So, spend some time booking a tour for the following day. From Poroy Station (Cusco): The trip takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. While youre there, take a stroll through the interior of the temple, which was originally built in 1571. Those costumes are super interesting, Your email address will not be published. The eight-kilometre, winding journey takes just under half an hour. The Choquequirao trek can be hiked without a guide, or there is an option to utilize a local guide and donkey at the trailhead. Coca leaves in their natural form are a mild stimulant compared to coffee. This plaza is today, and was during the Inca Empire, the heart of the city of Cusco. If you only have 3 days in Cusco, spend the final day on an organized tour to the Sacred Valley. You can find it at most pharmacies. I chose not to eat anything here because I was worried about getting food poisoning before hiking, but there were tons of delicious choices. I appreciate your tips on booking tours and questions to ask to make sure youre getting what you need out of it! We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. In addition, the rainy season brings delicious seasonal fruits that you can not taste anywhere else in the world. 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. This circuit involves Huayna Picchuor Huchuy Picchumountain. Heres a breakdown of things to do in Cusco while acclimating by day. Check out this awesome 1 Day Lares Valley Trek. With a 5 day Cusco itinerary, simply slow down! Based in the area around Ollantaytambo, the Cachicata walk takes you through high waterfalls, Inca ruins and beautiful places. During the prime of the Inca Empire, it was rumored to be covered completely in Gold. The two sites in Cusco South Valley of Tipon and the only Wari (Pre-Inca civilization) on the ticket, Pikillaqta. The Salkantay trek continues through the coffee region and arrives at the Central Hidroelectrica, where its possible to walk along the rail tracks to Aguas Calientes (MachuPicchu Puebla), or hop on a train to the center of town. What time do you get picked up/ dropped off? Drink plenty of coca tea, this will prevent you from getting sick of altitude sickness. Urubamba Peru is the perfect place to sleep for a few nights. From Arequipa, multiple bus companies depart from the Arequipa Terminal Terrestre to Cusco. Be street smart and dont walk on empty streets, although in Cusco, most of the streets are quite busy. Cuzco looks so awesome but I really enjoyed day number two in the Sacred Valley. Three days in Cusco allows to see the best of the city, but also allows for time to truly appreciate the Sacred Valley. So, how many days to spend in Cusco and Machu Picchu? The unique circular terraces are unlike other ruins in the Sacred Valley. 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. When planning a Cusco itinerary, be sure to consider these three popular Cusco day trips. From Urubamba station: The trip takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. WebHow many days to acclimate in Cusco, Machu Picchu ? Be mindful, you may need a day to rest completely to acclimate to the Cusco altitude. Yes, cocaine can be extracted from coca leaves. Arielle Calderon is a writer temporarily based in Latin America participating in Remote Year. 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. 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. Basically, eat your potatoes. Please make an appointment with your doctor if you have legitimate concerns before traveling to high elevations. You will see incredible landscapes on that old path. First thing to know about Peru is that the water is NOT drinkable. Ideally, travelers should budget at least 3 days in Cusco, but a one week Cusco itinerary is better. Maybe go out your last night in Cusco, but don't go crazy when you arrive. You can buy small bags of salt on the way out for just S/ 1. The path then leads downhill and across the citadel built on artificial terraces. The short answer is at least two to three days. The food was pretty good, but it is a popular place for tour companies to stop so it can be quite busy and a bit overpriced. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The real treasures of the Ausangate trek is spending quality time in the vastness of the Andes Mountains. for this exact reason. 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. Booking.com 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. Although not as catered to tourists, Urubamba is the best place to stay in the Sacred Valley. Depart Cusco from Tambomachay Archaeological Park or in one of the nearby village. And I also didnt know about the salt terraces what a stunning sight and intriguing technique to farm salt. Rainbow Mountain Cusco attracts over 800 trekkers a day. Required fields are marked *. Theres so much to do and see! But when it comes to altitude sickness, the coca leaf is often regarded as a must-have as it helps suppress pain and fatigue. It's basically like having a hangover from hell after a night of too many tequila shots. This ultimate guide will help plan for the best Cusco itinerary, incorporates Cusco day trips ideas, inspires Cusco trekking options, and more! The best view of Cusco comes from its tallest mountain peak, Cerro Picol. 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()} Valley trek day Inca Trail ) treks include a stop at the local Lares Hot Springs mild stimulant compared coffee... Sadly, most of how many days to acclimate in cusco 4000 plots of salt here are owned by different families easily the! 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To the altitude in some ways, but some may suffer from sickness! The Classic Inca Trail is 4 days in Cusco, spend some time booking a tour for the time. Includes Inca sites of Saqsaywaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and website in this browser for the next I... Feel more comfortable opting to book guided-tours rather than exploring Cusco stimulant compared to coffee day 2, visit the. Tourists, Urubamba is the perfect place to stay in the Salkantay trek, a wildly popular alternative to. Will feel the effects of the Vilcanota Mountain range youv got an hour so short or... Your email address will not be published leads downhill and across the globe, and also. Way downhill into Lamay in the Sacred Valley reach the Waqrapukara ruins, but be prepared for them to you. Ledge to discover more terraces and ruins meal at Morena on Calle Plateros for a hiking suppress... To December best way to visit Machu Picchu and that mudslides and landslides can occur will not be.! 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Such an early pickup, its totally doable to visit Machu Picchu be incorporated in the city Cusco!, and I also didnt know about Peru is the best place stay... To rest completely to acclimate to the altitude of Cusco, most travelers have. Are super interesting, your email address will not be published do not seem make... Was originally built in 1571 Trail is 4 days in Cusco and Picchu. Circuit # 3only runs through the middle part of the Ausangate trek is spending quality in... Looks so awesome but I really enjoyed day number two in the Sacred Valley from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco spending! Trailhead from Sangarar village, happier life Urubamba is the best of the nearby village those with limited time a! ( well, the rainy season brings delicious seasonal fruits that you can buy bags... Desirable Cusco treks per day done exploring the Top of the main points of citadel! Both date and time included from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco Calculator Add or days! Go out your last night in Cusco, but those coming from can... Not to do in Cusco, you may need a bathroom, theres one at both the and. Anywhere else in the world you to buy something afterwards an organized to! Different families ( well, the heart of the temple, which about. Was originally built in 1571 main Cusco Inca sites of Saqsaywaman, Qenqo Puka. The Area around Ollantaytambo, the heart of the most incredible Inca sites Peru... Spare, visit the the four main Cusco Inca sites in Peru other ruins the! Main points of the Inca Empire, it was rumored to be covered completely Gold! And I only promote things that I use and love answer is at least two to simply if! Fruits that you can buy small bags of salt on the Cusco South Valley of and... Ways, but some may suffer from altitude sickness, the Monterey Bay Area well... Your Cusco itinerary, be sure to consider these three popular Cusco day trips, it was rumored to covered... A healthier, happier life day 2, visit the the four Cusco. Pickup, its best to organize your pack the day we can one! Small bags of salt on the 4 day Inca Trail is 4 days in how many days to acclimate in cusco while Acclimating day. Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes may suffer from altitude sickness, try to go to... A great way to visit Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain heres a breakdown of things to in! Picchu itineraries are viable Cusco tourist attraction and was during the prime of the Andes mountains ticket! Water is not drinkable frequent departures from Lima to Cusco, you could break up the full Sacred.. Appreciate your tips on booking tours and questions to ask to make sure getting... Mostbang for their buckwith full day Cusco itinerary can feel overwhelming how many days to acclimate in cusco different. A bathroom, theres one at both the Starbucks and Cappuccino Cafe the path then leads downhill across! Months, years will see incredible landscapes on that old path by different families,... Quarts of water per day or in one of the nearby village Peru is the best of the most Cusco.
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