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. Pro Tip: Visit on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday to experience Pisaqs market with local products and foods! Most Cusco tours to the Sacred Valley include the four sites of Pisac, Chinchero, Moray, and Ollantaytambo. Id love to hike Rainbow Mountain next time Im there . Especially if you're planning to hike and explore. First thing to know about Peru is that the water is NOT drinkable. Below, find a Cusco itinerary that best suites your needs. Required fields are marked *. fantastic blog post. I didnt know there was so much to do right before setting off on the Inca Trail. There's over 3,000 varieties of them in Per. 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. The Mercado San Pedro is an excellent place to people watch, order a fresh juice, and simply enjoy the bustling market place. When youre ready to start moving, buy a ticket to La Catedral (S/ 25). Afterwards, stroll up to San Blas neighborhood and wander the cobble stone streets. But by the third day, my body was finally feeling strong and ready to hike the Inca Trail. If your Cusco itinerary includes Inca sites, purchase the full ticket. Circuit#1 - 2 is the longest and most popular and passes all the important buildings such as a.o. While the ruins can be done as a full day tour from Cusco, I highly suggest camping here and sleeping next to this high energy sacred place. You can buy a ticket at any of these locations. Otherwise, stay in Cusco and add these day trips to your Cusco itinerary. Dont have much time? I will like to stop by all those sites. Deposit: $538. Our tour company offered to hold our bags, but they were going to be closed when we got back. Do not forget to take the Tourist Ticket, which includes the entrance to the most important archaeological sites. In the end, it comes down to time vs. money. You can find it at most pharmacies. Hydration is key! If you travel in June, we recommend you to book theInti Raymi 2023Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike thePalcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes. Try to hop in on the morning Blue Team Free Walking Tour Cusco. 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. This area is known for its handwoven goods. Start your day with an early tour pickup wherever youre staying (our pickup was 6:45am). I am yet to visit Peru but its on my list! There were groups of people carrying very large statues of different saints, each accompanied by a band. Thanks so much for the kind words on my photos! The Cusco tour for these sites typically take on average of 6 hours. Be sure to drink coca tea at your hostel/ hotel before bed! Planning to acclimate to the altitude in Cusco before hiking the Inca Trail? I thought Denver, CO was supposed to be bad, but dang. Cusco Travel Guide | Heres how to visit all 16 sites on the Cusco Tourist Ticket without a Tour. The Imperial City of Cusco is an absolute highlight on any Peru itinerary. You can buy small bags of salt on the way out for just S/ 1. Catch a late afternoon menu del dia after touring the Inca ruins in Cusco. So, how many days to spend in Cusco and Machu Picchu? So, in short, add at least one day for Machu Picchu to your Cusco itinerary. Load up on coca leaves and coca products to help thwart headaches. How long does it take to become acclimated to high altitude? The Classic Inca trail is 4 days and one of the most desirable Cusco treks. In general, dry season runs from May to September, while dry season is October to April. Warning: A side effect of Acetazolamide is that it might make your hands and fingers tingle. Your email address will not be published. Yess! & how cool that you got to experience a festival of theirs! Before plan how many days to spend in Cusco and Machu Picchu, if you plan to make this trip on your own and not on an organized tour, know that any trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu, begins with the purchase of tickets to Machu Picchu, especially if what you want is the Huayna Picchu mountain, since the Huayna Picchu tickets+ circuit 4 must be booked at least 4 months in advance and still, you will have to settle for the tickets available for the remaining days. past the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Condor. 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. If you only have 3 days in Cusco, its time efficient to book a tour. I hope I get there one day soon! Obsessed with travel? we also flew from lima to cuzco and had 1 day to acclimate, which was tough, actually we arrived at night, spend the next day in cuzco and then went up machu The Choquequirao trek can be hiked without a guide, or there is an option to utilize a local guide and donkey at the trailhead. Pro Tip: In order to avoid food poisoning or other digestive issues hitting you somewhere along the Inca Trail, be cautious about diving right into street food. Drink a ton of (bottled) water leading up to your trip, on the plane, and while you're in the city. From Aguas Calientes buses go up to Machu Picchu every few minutes. Im a solo female traveler with a wandering soul thats just making the most of this human experience. They are at a lower elevation than Cusco, and you also get to see more Inca sites. 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. If you have more time and feel comfortable, explore Cusco with collectivos and buses. If you have more than a couple weeks in Cusco, one of the best things to do in Cusco is to experience an epic multi-day trek. If you can, tour the Baroque Route in combi, which includes the town of Andahuaylillas and its church. Avoid alcohol the first few days, or at least hydrate frequently with water if you consume liquor. Your body needs time to acclimate due to the oxygen deprivation. A free walking tour of Cusco is a great way to get acquainted with the city. The tour companies pick you up as early as 5am to drive to the trailhead which is one and a half hours away. Organized Cusco tours depart early from Cusco city. Once in the city of Cusco (Peru), the visitor should approach the chosen train station (Poroy, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo station). I love trying to capture the moments . For more info, visit this page. Wow, there is so much to see and do near Cusco! Theres just so much to see and do! Theres so much more to do, so I just may have to go back . I hope to make it to Peru one day. There are organized day trips, independent travel options by train, or a plethora of one day treks or multi-day treks. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. in your suitcase and leave it at your hotel, hostel or tour company office. Circuit#1 2:Thesecircuitsare the traditional route to the guided tour of Machu Picchu. On day 2, walk to the small community of Puca Marca, where the trail becomes even more spectacular. Nobodys got time for altitude sickness on the trail! Dont forget about the Sacred Valley, just over the hillside, filled with charming hamlets, snow-capped peaks, hidden lakes, and so much more. Enjoy Huchuy Qosqo (20 PEN /$5.25 USD) and continue all the way downhill into Lamay in the Sacred Valley. Hydrate, rest, and repeat. From Poroy Station (Cusco): The trip takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. Watch the sun go down in the San Blas Plaza, or keep climbing the steep staircases to watch the sun go down at one of the best parks in Cusco, Qenqo Chico. The best Cusco travel tips to make the most of your Cusco itinerary. 2) Drink plenty of "coca tea". The duration of the trip by train (one way) depends on the station where the train is taken: If you want to know more information about the scheduales train and services, please visit: train from Cusco to Machu Picchu. 5) Also very important, on the 1st day DO NOT eat anything heavy (meat). The trek includes ascents and descents and river crossings with incredible views. Cusco, a city with one of the highest elevations in Peru, sits just above 11,000 feet. There are two main ways: Classic Inca Trail (26 miles, four days, 3-night trek) Train + bus ride from Ollantaytambo (1 day) Once arriving in Cusco, youll need at least one day to acclimate to the higher elevation. Try to also book a tour that visits the Maras Salt Mines and one that highlights the beautiful Chinchero weavers. But, this will vary greatly depending on your fitness level, typical altitude, and many other factors. Date Calculator Add or subtract days, months, years. This is enough for most people. Basically, you do NOT want to get altitude sickness. Cuzco looks so awesome but I really enjoyed day number two in the Sacred Valley rainbow mountain. Tickets cost is U$ 12 one way, round U$ 24 per person. What did you include on your Cusco itinerary? This ultimate guide will help plan for the best Cusco itinerary, incorporates Cusco day trips ideas, inspires Cusco trekking options, and more! 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. Ideally, travelers should budget at least 3 days in Cusco, but a one week Cusco itinerary is better. 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. With three days in Cusco, its best to stick to the historic city center and enjoy the four main Cusco ruins. We were pretty fortunate to be in Cusco during the Corpus of San Cristobal (August 2), which is a big religious festival. Since you have the Cusco Tourist ticket, you could stop by some of the Cusco museums that are included on the ticket. As someone who has lived most of my life at sea level, I know altitude will affect me. Maybe go out your last night in Cusco, but don't go crazy when you arrive. Dont leave them unattended and if using buses, keep them on your lap not on the floor of your legs. This was my first trip to South America as well and lets just say that Im hooked! US residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. However, hiking from Maras to Moray feels a little more authentic. 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. Do n't go crazy when you arrive, hostel or tour company offered to hold our bags, a! A fresh juice, and Ollantaytambo NOT want to get altitude sickness (... May to September, while dry season is October to April over varieties... 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