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Machu Picchu means ‘old or ancient mountain’. The dwellings of this architectural feat are thought to have been built mid- 14th or 15th century. Sitting 8,000 feet above sea level, Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Perú. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, this beautiful symbol of the Incan Empire is absolutely worth the visit and we would return again. So, what are the best tips for traveling to Peru? When we ventured to Cusco, we were already in Perú. We flew from Iquitos to Cusco which was roughly a 3 hour flight, give or take. Cusco at one time was the Capitol City for the Incas and the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas. First impression? An incredibly charming place with cobblestone roads, where you can seem to buy almost anything you want made out of Alpaca fiber. The #1 tip for anyone traveling to Peru is: I get it. I thought people were exaggerating in their youtube videos too. This is pure stagecraft, I thought! When we were at the airport to return home at the conclusion of our trip, I gazed longingly at other passengers oxygen tanks and vowed to bring one when and if, I were to return. Everything was fine when we arrived. Got in a taxi to our hotel without incident. Great! We check into our lodging and walk through the beautiful property to our room. Dreamy! Brady is already at the door of our room unlocking the door, I stop and tell him, “I think I’m going to faint.” He walks me over to a bench right outside our room and hurriedly opens the door. I literally felt myself losing consciousness! I rushed to lie down on the bed and I wish I could say that helped. But it did not. “How am I still passing out?!” I’m LYING DOWN, for goodness sake!” So, Brady then goes to the lobby and gets me what would become my holy grail beverage during my time in Cusco. Yes, that is correct. Take a good look at it, because you’ll be swigging this stuff like it’s going out of style. Regarded as helping with altitude sickness, you can either chew them or soak them in water and drink it as tea. Did it help? I mean, it helped. But in all honesty we still felt low energy most of the time in Cusco, which we were bummed about. I was more affected than my husband, but everyone will be affected differently. We stayed at El Balcón which is located in the heart of Cusco. In addition to being an absolutely beautiful property, its centrality is a huge draw. The center of town, shopping, an abundance of places to eat, drink and other attractions are all walkable. Not only was it economical, but also convenient to be able to walk out of our hotel and simply walk to the center of town where all the action was. “A prophet once said ‘Don’t tell me what a man says, don’t tell me what a man knows. Tell me where he’s traveled?’ I wonder about that, do we get smarter, more enlightenment as we travel? Does travel bring wisdom? I think there is probably no better place to find out than Peru.” I cannot recommend El Balcón highly enough. It is a clean and beautifully kept property. The service was gracious and attentive. The rooms are comfy and very quiet at night. There is a complimentary hot breakfast every morning included, along with various teas and Coca Leaf Tea available anytime. An onsite restaurant boasts two intimate dining areas and the food is delicious! The on-site restaurant was incredibly convenient both for breakfast and dinner. Since Cusco is a tourist hub, you will find a melange of different international cuisines. So fret not, if you are the sort of traveler that seeks pizza and burgers whether you are in Paris, Perú or Shanghai. But food in Cusco is pretty tasty, so I encourage you to try some Peruvian dishes while in town. Peru’s national dish is Ceviche. … and it is quite delicious. We ordered it a few times while in town. It differs considerably from other ceviches I have tried around the world. The national cocktail of Peru is a Pisco Sour. Both of these are wins, in my opinion. Two local delicacies that you will find in Cusco, (and that I saw being passed around many a restaurant) is Cuy (COOee). Cuy is guinea pig. You can get this baked or fried. The other, is Alpaca meat, although, some locals shared with us that they themselves do not eat Alpaca meat. While we passed on both of these during our visit, they were explored by other travelers whom were on a daring food adventure. Many who want to try the best Cuy the area has to offer, venture outside Plaza de Armas to do so. For some, these dishes may be a bit jolting to your sensibilities, but those whom indulged in the true Andean experience did not regret it. If you are staying in Cusco and you are near Plaza de Armas, there are countless food options, all walking distance from one another. Some are of the opinion that eating in Plaza de Armas (the main center of town) is touristy, and, well, it can be. But the important part is that the food is good and it’s convenient, in this case. “In the variety of charms and the power of its spell, I know of no place in the world which can compare with it. “ First let’s clarify that one of the cool things about visiting Machu Picchu, as opposed to let’s say, the Eiffel Tower or The Great Barrier Reef or going on a Camel Caravan in Morocco, is that it really is a pick-your-own-adventure sort of experience. What do I mean? Aguas Caliente, also known as Machupicchu Pueblo, is a great place to stay a couple nights. This is the closest town to the historical site of Machu Picchu. There is a plethora of lodging, places to eat, drink and snack in Aguas Calientes. I personally found this town to be incredibly charming. To do over again, I would choose to spend a couple nights here. Why? Because Machu Picchu (pre- Covid) was incredibly, outrageously crowded. Staying in Aguas Calientes will place you at the gateway of this natural wonder and therefore you can get a very early start and experience your surroundings sans the masses (at least for a short while). Also, it is important to note that this town, and also the Machu Picchu site itself are at a lower elevation than Cusco too, which will help provide some relief from altitude sickness. Update: Machu Picchu must now be visited at a scheduled appointment time with a mandatory guide. Is a spiritual pilgrimage on the agenda for you? Are you looking to challenge yourself mentally and physically and make imperishable memories? Well. That may not be enough to make this the right choice for you, but that’s only for you and you alone to decide. It’s a 4 day and 3 night hiking journey. From what I’ve been informed, the hike is incredibly difficult. We’re talking stairs up to the knee on very steep inclines for hours on end. Then we mix this up with weather and propensity for altitude sickness; give it a shake and you have the recipe for the hike of your nightmares, cocktail. Important tip for traveling to Peru if you want to visit Machu Picchu this way: the Inca Trail is closed the month of February. This is what we did. And I think for Perú and Machu Picchu amateurs, this is an excellent option all around. We acclimated in Cusco for several days before heading to Aguas Calientes. Albeit, after the fact, we learned that many Travelers start off in Aguas Calientes to acclimate, since it’s a lower elevation than Cusco. You travel and you learn! Our tour group picked us up in a nice spacious van at 5:00am and then ushered us to the train station. We enjoyed an air conditioned train ride for roughly three hours through the scenic Sacred Valley. Since it was early, they also offered us coffee, tea, orange juice and a breakfast cake. There was also a very engaging show aboard the train on the trip back. Consult your doctor, obviously, before heading to any high altitude destination if you have concerns about altitude sickness. I saw many travelers with their own portable oxygen. Many 4 and 5 Star Hotels provide oxygen supplementation to Guests as needed. Other Travelers have shared that they were able to buy portable oxygen in Cusco. Pre-Covid, at any given moment there were masses and masses of tourists swarming the mountain top of Machu Picchu. The line at the entrance was lengthy. But we’ve waited in a much longer line to see Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. We actually started chatting up a storm with other members of our tour group during this time, as one recounted their recent experience with a shaman at an Ayahuasca ceremony (but that’s a story for another time). The insanely long line situation might be alleviated by the fact that now you are issued tickets with a specific time of entry on them. The “wet” season is from late November to April. At an altitude of 8,000 feet, the weather, understandably, is unpredictable. We visited in the month of October and encountered “perfect” temperatures, no rain, clear skies, cool with a bit of sunshine. It does get a little chilly up there, so best to dress in layers. If you arrive first thing in the morning, there will likely be quite a bit of fog until it burns off in the late morning. Hey, that could make for some very cool photos? The tour we joined was roughly $384 a person. This included hotel pickup, round trip train tickets (light refreshments and snacks are provided on the train rides), a guided tour at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, entrance fees to Machu Picchu and them handling all the necessary logistics involved. We got to choose from three different train options, and ended up selecting the Vistadome train, due to its many glass windows for viewing the terrain. We were part of a group tour, which I personally found to be a bit cumbersome. To do over again, I’d likely look into private tour options. And while we’re on the subject of passports, don’t forget to get your Machu Picchu stamp. At the time of visiting, this was available on a self- service table (as in, you walk up to it and use the stamp), in front of the entrance. Things are rapidly changing, and it’s best to double check all operating hours, rules and protocols before going anywhere these days. At the time of writing, Machu Picchu is open, but operating at a limited capacity. A tour guide is now required for entry, limited to 16 Guests per tour. You have four hours to spend at the Incan City, and you must arrive at your designated reservation time slot. They are strictly adhering to the time permitted for entry, printed on your ticket. After our Machu Picchu adventure, we meandered around Aguas Calientes for some time. We enjoyed cold drinks and ice cream at a cute cafe overlooking the stream. There was a slight wait for a seat. Of course everything was a little marked up, but it’s par for the course, as I always say. You can also relax at the Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes. While we did not do that on this visit, it does seem like the perfect grand finale to your day of exploration. When you go to Aguas Calientes, save me a seat at the Hot Springs! Going – I have been subscribed to Going (formerly, beloved, Scott’s Cheap Flights) awhile now and it’s an amazing resource for finding… did you guess cheap flights? Yes, you can set your preferences from airports to flight class and get destination deals right to your inbox. It’s fab! I use the Premium paid version, but they have a FREE version too. So what are you waiting for?! Let’s get Going! Booking.com – the majority, if not almost all of my stays are booked on Booking.com. It’s a reliable site to book and manage your reservations. It’s a great way to find boutique stays and unique accommodations at the best rates! You can also easily communicate with your accommodation through the app! Expedia – If I am looking for a flight to a specific destination for specific dates, I find myself booking the majority of my flights on Expedia. It’s user friendly and straight forward. I often can find the most cost effective rates, while earning points for every flight I book (in tandem with the points I receive from the credit cards I pay with). Viator – most of the activities, tours and excursions I book for my trips are booked through Viator. Whether you’re seeking a guide for the day, a group tour, a cooking class, Viator has you covered! Get Your Guide – this is another great marketplace to find tours, excursions and activities to book for your upcoming trip. One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Awe-Inspiring Machu Picchu
Traveling to Cusco
Altitude Sickness
Be mindful of altitude sickness
Let’s just say, that after this trip my hopes and dreams of being a would-be mountaineer were more than slightly deflated. Although I had read and heard about how some were significantly affected by the altitude, I thought, ‘I’m sure it won’t affect me as badly, right?’
Wrong.
But as I’m walking up the stairway, I start to feel a weird feeling in my stomach. My head starts feeling very light.
I’m dizzy! My vision starts to blur.
Don’t panic… don’t panic. Say Hello to Your Little Friend – Coca Leaf Tea
So Where Did We Stay?
El Balcón Hotel
What’s the Food like in Cusco?
On to Machu Picchu
There are a few ways you can go about exploring Machu Picchu: Doors #1, #2 and #3 (in no particular order). #1 Stay in Aguas Caliente
#2 Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Doing this is actually on my personal bucket list. Many a traveler have gushed about what an incredible experience this was. But let’s make no bones about it, you will be contending with altitude, potential heat (depending on the time of year) and rough terrain.
I can’t wait to do it. Because, everyone who has managed to complete it says its not only breathtakingly beautiful, but makes seeing Machu Picchu so much more infinitely meaningful. Would you do this trek? Let me know in the comments. #3 Stay in Cusco and Take the Train to Aguas Caliente for the Day
This was certainly a far cry from the authentic experience and outdoor adventure of hiking the Inca Trail, albeit a lot more relaxing and considerably less expensive.General Tips for Traveling to Peru & Visiting Machu Picchu
Travel Tips & Resources to Help You Plan an Epic Trip!
This is such an amazing experience and such a good post about it. Thanks for sharing. Your pictures are awesome!
Thank you so much for reading. I can’t recommend visiting Peru enough!
Looks like a beautiful trip. Thank you for sharing these tips!
Thank you Sally, I hope this article and the tips were helpful. It’s truly my pleasure.
What an amazing article! I can’t wait to go there, it’s on my bucket list, and it’s definitely moving up further 😍😍😍
Ahh, thank you gorgeous! I think it’s worth a spot on your bucket list for sure. I’m going to South America next year. It’s been a long time. I enjoyed Peru so much that I’m going to try to add it to my itinerary. Can’t wait to visit again.
First of all, your photos are beautiful! Second of all, I feel so validated to hear of someone else who struggled with the altitude too! Glad you still had a good trip 🙂
Aw, thank you Jill! Yes, Cusco, Peru is where I first discovered that I am sensitive to altitude. You are definitely not alone. I wish that I wasn’t so affected by it so I could’ve explored Cusco a bit more, but at least we know certain precautions we can take. I would love to return, but I’d definitely have oxygen ready to go next time!
Oooh the altitude sickness sounds like such a bummer, especially when you were excited to visit, then lost your energy! What does the tea taste like? It sounds like magic mountain juice!
Great post as this would be an amaaaazing adventure!
Hi Josy! oooh, yes, the altitude sickness was *definitely* a bummer for sure. But, at least I know now that when I go back I need to have a little oxygen tank with me. The tea doesn’t have a very strong taste… at least not according to my palate. Its got a very herbal taste to it. This is SUCH an amazing adventure and I definitely want to do it again!
Thank you for this amazing guide. Peru has been on my bucket list for the longest time so I’m collected all the information I can
How wonderful, Peru is such a beautiful country! Let me know if you have any questions about anything 🙂
Machu PIcchu is on my list and I would LOVE to hike the Incan Trail, although I might need to train for it in a high altitude location (Albuquerque, Denver). I love the honesty in this post! And the tip for purchasing all train tickets at once. Definitely saving this post for later.
Thank you so much, Yvonne! I will also definitely have to train for the Inca Trail – especially because of the altitude. Those who’ve done it tell me it’s a once in a lifetime experience!
Thank you for this! Peru is super high up on my travel bucket list so this will be perfect for future planning! Your photos are gorgeous!
Thank you so much, Farrah! I think you will love Peru – I would love to return and actually approach my trip differently based on all my learnings from the first one.