Hey everyone and let me just say how excited I am that you want to go visit Machu Picchu. It was an absolutely life changing experience for us and I really hope this helps build your perfect trip!
Cusco is going to be your main base, this is where you are going to spend a good amount of time for this trip. In order to get to Cusco, Peru, you have to connect your flight through Lima. We wanted to see what Lima was all about and set up a long layover to stay for two nights. This is honestly the cheapest way to explore cities you only want to spend a couple of days in. In my opinion, you can skip Lima because it's just like any other big city and the beach is a rock beach mostly for surfers. The City is very pretty and we stayed in Miraflores which is where I would recommend if you are going to spend time in Lima.
Next you will fly from Lima --> Cusco. Cusco is the capital of Peru and is filled with life. The city was found to be built on top on of Incan cities that are now filled in with dirt. in The city you will find people in the streets selling fruits, crafted items, jackets, blankets, art and so much more. There is a massive market where you can go for food, to shop and get freshly made smoothies called San Pedro Central Market. Staying near the Main square, Plaza de Armas: is the way to go because that is where most tours pick up from.
Places to Eat
Classic Peru food includes, Alpaca, Guinea pig, ceviche, chicha morada, Inca cola, and the famous Pisco sour (which is a coke a cola product now) Guinepig and Alpaca are incredible and are made in to burgers or slow cooked either way are fantastic. The ceviche is a must try if you don't want to try anything else. The classic Peruvian ceviche is composed of chunks of raw fish, marinated in freshly squeezed key lime, with sliced onions, chili peppers, salt and pepper. Corvina or cebo (sea bass) was the fish traditionally used. Paired with roasted plantains or sweet potato and greens. Trust me on this one the chicha morada is great for stomach issues and altitude sickness. Don't let the name throw you its a corn drink but it doesn't taste like corn, its a little sweet and tastes more like a fruit drink.
#1 The Choco Museum:
You have to try this little chocolate museum that lets you watch the process of making Peruvian chocolate and then has a complete menu of items incorporation their chocolate even chocolate milk and coffee. They have cooking classes, plantation tours and kids work shops. Check out their website for more!
Location: Plaza Regocijo 216
#2 El Moqueguano:
If you want authentic Peruvian food this is the place they serve the BEST Guinea pig, slow cooked for 12 hours. The tick though is they open at 9 but are usually out of food before 1 so if you want to go its best to try and aim for 10-12. It is totally worth it!
#3 Huaraca Grill
Had to do it but here is a great rooftop bar that you can look out into the square and enjoy the views when you are eating. They have an outstanding menu with delicious ell prepared food. Honestly just get yourself to a roof top so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Location: portal de comercio 129, cusco 08000, peru
#4 La Perla Criolla:
This is a great Peruvian restaurant that has many selections of meat and rice dishes, They even have burgers and other bar food type things if you need something a little different. I really like this place because it is quiet and the staff is very nice.
Location: C. Recoleta 737, Cusco 08003, Peru
I CANONT STRESS this enough. Cusco is at an elevation of 11,000ft and a lot of the activities are at higher altitudes. Take time to climatize! The headaches, inability to breathe, nausea, and dehydration are no joke and the affects can last weeks after if you are not careful! We are both very athletic and we struggled to climb two flights of stairs to the point I got tunnel vision and almost lot consciousness. The Next day, we walked into town and we had to sit down before we got there. It's a very scary feeling not getting enough oxygen so keep water with you and take it slow. SO take 2-3 days and enjoy Cusco. There are many bars and restaurants, Inca ruins and temples to check out. Museo de Arte Precolombino, Museo Inka and Qorikancha are great places to visit and learn more about the cutlure and about the Incan history
After you've climatized yourself for a couple of days its time to start your trip to Machu Piccu. But before you go, if you have brought a lot of luggage the train only allows you to take one back pack and a personal item. If thats all you brought great, if not there are storage options in cusco where they will store you bags for you. These options are not terribly expensive usually around $5 per bag per day and 100% worth not having the drag luggage around with you. Luggage storage by Stasher
The only direct way to get to Machu Piccu is from Aguas Calientes, and you have a couple of options to get here
#1 You can hike via the Inca trail: Here are the options you can choose from to hike the inca trail way. There are many different options for what ever type of traveler you are.
Classic Inca Trail of 4 days.
Short Inca Trail of 2 days.
Salkantay trek of 5 days.
Lares trek of 4 days.
Huchuy Qosqo trek of 3 days.
Inca Jungle 4 days.
Each one of these hikes it is required to book with a guide as it is forbidden for anyone to try these hikes solo for safety reasons. YOU NEED TO BUY IN ADVANCE 5-7 days to be safe. You can use Get Your Guide, booking.com, vitiator and other booking websites for this one because the tour guides are vetted and approved and the price should be a good one.
#2 Take a train/train+bus: okay here is where it gets a little tricky and it took us a lot of time to figure this one out, but I am going to give you all the information here, so its easier. First, you have to make your way to Poroy station. We walked here because, for us staying near the main square, it was only a 30 min walk, but depending on where you stay, an uber/taxi should only cost 20-30 sols. There are two ways to begin your journey from here.
Take PeruRail all the way to Aguas Calientes. This is about 3.5 hours (this is a "luxury train" so you get cart service nice seats and sometimes a show) This is the more expensive way to go but the train is very open and you will get to enjoy drinks food and the beautiful scenery. The only downside is depending on the time of year this is not an option.
Take a bus to Ollantaytambo and then a train to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) This will take you about 5 hours total. (*Side note* Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes is used interchangeably) This is by far the cheapest option and the option that is running all year. The last part on the train is where the beautiful views are anyway so you wont be missing too much with this option.
You've made it to Aguas Calientes! I LOVED this town the backdrop is absolutely stunning and there are endless activities to choose from here.
If you are just interested in doing a day at Machu Piccu the best way is to get up early and go at around 5:30am so have your travel day explore the city and go to bed early for the hike the next morning and then after make sure you stay a second night!
There are 5 Circuits in total and here is the BEST way to see tailor your experience.
Day 1:
Aguas Calientes arrival. Check into your stay and head over to the bus ticket office to reserve your bus tickets to take you up to Machu Piccu park by bus. You HAVE to have your passport to purchase tickets and get into the park so make sure to bring those with you. There is a hiking option that takes about 2-2.5 hours and is straight up hill if you want to tackle the trip that way! Go Early! and make sure your bus ticket coincides with your park entry ticket, the bus takes about 20-30 mins, so if your entry is at 6am, you need to get a bus ticket for 5:30am. Then enjoy the town!
Day 2
Circuit #2 + inca bridge is by far the one you have to do. It is the only one with the classic view of the city and is by far the easiest. You get access to the Guardhouse or classic Machu Picchu viewpoint, the Machu Picchu Main Entrance Gate, the Torreon viewpoint or Inca Quarry (#5 – you’ll have to choose one or the other when walking), Sacred Plaza and Temple of Three Windows, Intihuatana, Sacred Stone, and Temple of Condor (10 AM to 1 PM) or Hall of Mirrors (before 10 AM or after 1 PM).The Inca bridge addition is one for the adventurous, you hike along the side of the mountain on a narrow footpath crafted by the Incas for travel. This will take about 15- 20 mins and comes with the highest most breath taking views. Now this path is very high and very close to the edge so be very careful. If extreme heights are not your thing than Circuit #2 on its own will suffice
Return back and enjoy the town the rest of the day. Get a massage (I highly recommend this it was only around 85 sols per person and it was fantastic)
If you do not want to do a massive hike the next day then check out of your accommodation and store your bags there. Getting the train for around 1:00 gives you plenty of time to head back to Cusco this day.
Day 3
The next day is the big hike day! There are two options. You will want a Circuit 4 ticket with mountain passes just to add on the side hike to Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu. You can do a circuit 3 which cuts down through the ruins. This is a massive hike and should only be done by those who hike a lot and are experienced.
Now you can choose to check out and store your bags before this day but if you do this hike I would stay another night.
Honestly Machu Picchu tickets are the most confusing to try and figure out. It took us hours figuring everything out and how to book and with what. This biggest thing you need to know before starting the process is what kind of activity level is right for you. The bare minimum is circuit #2 where you get to see all of Machu Piccu. Next is figuring out if you want more. Mountain passes provides you with passes to take 3-5 hour hikes to Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu, the Inca bridge add on is a steep cliff Inca road tour to an incredible sight where thy chopped the only entrance to their village and fled. Regardless THE BEST site to help you is HERE and i highly suggest you call them so they can help you better!
GET A GUIDE they are 30-40 per person and worth EVERY PENNY and they are crutial for the trip in my opinion because the information they provide made this experience that much more unbelievable.
Once you are back in Cusco, you have the opportunity to continue your trip if you prefer. Here are some of the best excursions that you can do while in Cusco that are all day trips leaving from the square. *SIDE NOTE* these are hikes at VERY high altitudes the highest being Rainbow Mountain at 17,000+ feet. They are extremely hard but have options of biking and horse back riding.
Some Great Options
Salkantay Trek
Ausangate Trek
Rainbow Mountain
Sacred Vally
Moray
hese different tours can be booked in person in cusco or ahead of time. Depending on the time of year its probably best to book ahead of time.
For more booking information reach out.
Travel Tips
#1. Try not to take a taxi. Uber is a great choice! Taxis are not regulated and will charge really high prices
#2 Before agreeing to ANY service agree on a dollar amount first and KNOW the exchange rate. We were told multiple times it was $5 USD/sol and that is not even close!
#3. Use cash when ever possible and check the bill there were many times thy would add something or put in a different number on the key pad.
Need help planning your trip? I am here to help!
Greer Ransom | Travel Advisor
Email: info@thegsource-travel.com
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