Tips to avoid altitude sickness

1. Go lower and acclimatise. Head straight to the lower altitude of the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu. 

Cusco is at an altitude of 3400 m (11,154ft) so heading to Pisac or Urubamba at 2,90 0m (9,514ft) or Machu Picchu at 2,400m (7,874ft) can make a huge difference. 

After a few days you can then make your way back up to Cusco and will feel a lot better. 

2. Drink coca tea & lots of water

3. Avoid alcohol & drugs

4. Relax

CUSCO, ancient capital of the Inca Empire, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983

Cusco

Area -  385.1 km2 (148.7 sq mi)

Population -  450,095 inhabitants 

Altitude - 3400 meters above see level / 11,200 ft

Weather - Wet, rainy season from December to March. Dry season from April to November with average temperature is 11 ° C.  

In the forest area, higher than 25 ° C.

Min. 1℃

Cusco can be visited at any time of year, and offers quality tourism services.

How to get there

By air, regular flights to Cusco City from Lima (1 hour) and from Arequipa (30 minutes).

By land

Lima-Arequipa-Cusco: 1,650 Km (26 hours by car) 

Lima-Nazca-Puquio-Abancay-Cusco: 1,131 Km ( 20 - 26 approximately hours by car) 

Puno-Cusco: 389 (7 hours by car) 

By train, train Puno-Cusco: 384 Km (10 hours)

Cusco - the most visited tourist destination of Peru, due to its wealth of tourist attractions in the city and surroundings. Cusco is an example of the fusion of Incan and Spanish architecture; for that reason, it has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. 

Cusco offers beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley, villages inhabited by descendants of the Incas, who keep alive their cultural identity; large snow-capped mountains and extraordinary scenarios for sports and adventure. 

The heart of the historic center of the imperial city Cusco is the Plaza de Armas, bordered by the magnificent cathedral, and just a few meters from the twelve-angled stone and a few blocks from the San Blas neighborhood. 

 The culinary scene is also unique: from exclusive restaurants to the enormous corn cobs with cheese sold on street corners. It is no surprise that many tourists come… and decide to stay. 

In 2015 Cusco was recognized as the “Best Place to Visit” and the “Most affordable Destination” in Central and South America by the renowned portal US News & World Report, which reach more than 214 million people. It also received the distinction as “Favorite destination of travelers visiting Latin America” in the annual survey made by Travel and Leisure; thus establishing itself as a benchmark within the travel and the most sophisticated traveler sector. 

San Pedro Market

This is an unmissable attraction for visitors to Cusco. 

Not far from Cusco’s main square, opposite a train station, is San Pedro market, the city’s main food market. Designed in 1925 by Gustave Eiffel, it is the oldest market in the city.

Traditions, colors, flavors and aromas are fused in this market, where it is possible to buy traditional fresh products from throughout the region, including meats, cheeses, bread, coffee, chocolate, fruit, vegetables, flowers, as well as handcrafts.

Times: 6:00-17:00 *Referential times

Museums in Cusco

The Imperial City offers visitors a journey into the past. And in the city’s museums  this sensation is intensified. 

The Inka Museum/Admiral’s Palace safeguards a valuable collection of pottery and mummies; the House of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, son of a Spanish captain and a Cusco princess, conserves objects from Inca culture as well as the writer’s works; the art museums (the Pre-Columbian Art, Folk Art and Contemporary Art museums) showcase spectacular works; and the fascinating Machu Picchu Museum displays 360 objects discovered during the expeditions led by Hiram Bingham. 

 Another unmissable attraction is the Inkariy Museum, which takes visitors on a journey beginning 4000 years before the Inca empire, a journey designed for the enjoyment and education of adults and children. 

So much to appreciate. So many museums.

Most visitors are keen to get to Machu Picchu, either by trekking for 4 days along the Inca Trail, or by 4 hours on the train, but Cusco itself has a lot to offer the visitor and most travelers usually end up seduced with this vibrant city and stay longer than first planned.

Sacred Valley 

Altitude 3 335 meters above sea level

The Urubamba valley is still considered sacred by local people and its air of mysticism can be felt wherever one goes. Rural farming and weaving communities have retained unchanged their ancestral customs and traditions. 

The Sacred Valley’s beautiful scenery will take your breath away, and its varied geography will invite you to enjoy adventure sports: trekking, climbing, horseback riding… Here you can practice most outdoor pursuits. But if your passion is culture, traveling through the valley will take you to incredible Inca archaeological sites, filled with history. 

Also, the valley’s accommodation will surprise you. Options range from comfortable guesthouses to 5-star hotels. And the valley’s gastronomy will not disappoint. Try it for yourself!

The Sacred Valley is a place that must be experienced. Afterwards, you will carry it in your heart wherever you go.

In Cusco, on the road to the Sacred Valley, is Awana Kancha, a beautiful textile and South American camelid exhibition center which, in addition to displaying the beauty and benefits of vicuñas, alpacas, llamas and guanacos, presents the products obtained from them through a combination of traditional and modern techniques. This is a true living museum, involving and benefiting several camelid breeding communities in the area. 

How to get to Awanacancha?

Cusco-Awana Kancha

Overland: 35 min approximately

Maras, Moray

This otherwise modest village is proud to offer the world an invaluable treasure, in the form of the famous Maras salt. These saltpans create an impressive spectacle: hundreds of pure white pools, around which it is possible to walk. And local people offer every imaginable product made from this precious salt, even chocolates!

 Maras is also home to the Moray Archaeological Complex, where circular agricultural terraces, or “muyus” were excavated from the earth to create different microclimates, as part of what is said to have been an Inca agricultural research station.

How to get to Maras-Moray?

Cusco-Maras and Moray

Overland: 1 h 30 min approximately

Andahuaylillas - Home to “The Sistine Chapel of the Americas”

This small, quiet village 45 km from Cusco is home to a church with a simple exterior and unimaginably ornate interior: The Church of Saint Peter the Apostle. As soon as they cross the threshold, visitors are overwhelmed by an explosion of gold, woodcarvings, paintings and baroque decoration. This church forms part of the Andean Baroque Route, which also includes the Chapel of the Purified Virgin in Canincunca, and the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Huaro. 

Anothern essential attraction in Andahuaylillas is its beautiful main square, surrounded by coral and palm trees

Machu Picchu 

Altitude: 2 445 meters above sea level

At the top of a mountain, enormous and imposing stone blocks joined without using mortar were combined to create one of the most important religious, political and cultural centers of the Inca empire: Machu Picchu.

Revealed to the world in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, this Inca city is divided into two large sectors: the agricultural sector, with an extensive network of terraces; and the urban sector, with fine structures including the Sun Temple. 

The intensely green terraces and the imposing mountains surrounding the site combine to create a stunning landscape which surpasses visitors’ expectations. 

Machu Picchu is a World Heritage Site and the pride of Peru.

How to get to Machu Picchu?

• Lima-CuscoBy air: 1 h 15 min approximately

• Cusco-OllantaytamboOverland: 1 h 30 min approximately

• Ollantaytambo-Machu PicchuTrain: 2 h approximately

Train to Machu Picchu 

Perurail. Between January 2 and April 30, 2022 PeruRail operate the Bimodal Service (Bus + Train), a service that combines bus and train travel, departing and returning to Cusco City.

During this period:

• Passengers using the PeruRail Vistadome and PeruRail Expedition bimodal services board a private bus at Wanchaq Station, 5 minutes away from Cusco’s historic center, and arrive to Ollantaytambo Station. From here, passengers board the train and head to their final destination: Machu Picchu Station. The return journey is the same in reverse. 

• Passengers using the Belmond Hiram Bingham bimodal service board a private bus at Wanchaq Station, 5 minutes away from Cusco’s historic center, and arrive to Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado. From the hotel, join the Belmond Hiram Bingham train for the journey to Machu Picchu Station. On the return leg, passengers are dropped off at their accommodation in Cusco’s city center. The Belmond Hiram Bingham train operates daily except for the last Sunday of every month.

• Regular services departing from and arriving into Ollantaytambo or Urubamba Stations will not be affected.

The Ministry of Culture has enabled 5 different types of tickets that give you access to different parts of Machu Picchu. 

Choose one of the 5 types of Machu Picchu tickets

The Machu Picchu ticket offers  different experiences for tourists:

1. Llaqta de Machu Picchu (circuit 1, 2). Ticket Machu Picchu Only.

Schedules:

1er. Hours: entry 6:00-7:00 am. - 2nd. Hours: entry 7:00-8:00 am.

3er. Hours: entry 8:00-9:00 am. - 4th. Hours: entry 9:00-10 am.

5th. Hours: entry 10:00-11:00 am. - 6th. Hours: entry 11:00-12:00 am.

7th. Hours: entry 12:00-13:00 - 8th. Hours: entry 13:00-14:00

9th. Hours: entry 14:00-15:00. - 10th. Hours: entry 15:00-16:00

Circuit 1 allows you to visit the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site. This tour goes through the main constructions as well as the area of the terraces and terraces in the highest part (from there you get the classic postcard photo of Machupicchu). The tour is recommended for seniors. It lasts approximately 2 hours.

Circuit 2 allows you to tour the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site (both the upper and lower religious areas). Of course, it also includes the main constructions of the Inca citadel. The tour is recommended for all tourists. It lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes approximately

2. Ticket Machu Picchu circuite 4 + Huayna Picchu.

Circuit 4 allows you to visit the core area of Machu Picchu (lower part). It includes the visit to the Inka House, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, the agricultural area and the Sacred Rock. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

This ticket allows you to hike to the top of Huayna Picchu. Visitors can optionally take a detour and tour the Temple of the Moon (also known as the Great Cavern).

What is included?

Visit to Huayna Picchu / Passing through the middle of Machu Picchu square / Return through the lower part of Machu Picchu.

Schedules:

6:00 AM – 7:00 AM  / 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM /10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 

3. Ticket Machu Picchu (circuit 3) + Mountain.

Schedules: 

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM / 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM / 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

This is what circuits are like:

Circuit 3 allows you to visit the platform sector, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inka, the Ceremonial Fountains, the Hall of Mirrors, the Temple of the Condor and other minor constructions.

The circuit allows you to re-enter Machu Picchu but you cannot follow the routes to the House of the Guardian or the hiking routes to Intipunku or the Inca Bridge. Circuit 4 takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

4. Ticket Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu.

Peru. Ministerial Resolution no 216-2018-MC have given new dispositions that come into force starting the 1st of January 2019. Here we mention the most important ones:

6 entry shifts have been created (7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00)

• Huchuy Picchu Mountain is a summit located next to Huayna Picchu. The authorities of the Ministry of Culture of Peru recently opened the hiking route to the top of this summit.

• The entrance ticket that allows this walk is the ‘Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu’. As its name indicates, the ticket also allows you to visit part of the constructions of Machupicchu through Circuit 4.

This is what circuits are like:

• As the entry point to Huchuy Picchu is the same checkpoint as the Huayna Picchu mountain, the circuit through Machu Picchu in both cases is the same.

• This is circuit 4, which allows you to visit the main Inca constructions in the urban sector of Machupicchu: the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, the Temple of the 3 Windows and more.

• This circuit lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

5. Ticket Machu Picchu (circuite 1, 2) with Inca Bridge 

4 entry shifts have been created (7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00)

• This ticket allows you to visit buildings such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Square, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor and more.

• It also allows you to make the short hike (only 20 minutes) to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu.

• The ticket also allows you to get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu.

• To visit the archaeological site with this ticket, the authorities have created two circuits: Circuit 1 and Circuit 2.

Así son los circuitos:

• Circuit 1 allows the visitor to tour the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site. This tour includes the main constructions of the citadel as well as the area of the terraces and terraces in the highest part (where the classic postcard photo is taken). The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

• Circuit 2 allows the visitor to visit the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site. This tour includes the visit to almost all the constructions of the Inca citadel. It also includes the classic photo of Machu Picchu from the Guardian’s House. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Booking:

• the valid documents for FOREIGN VISITORS are: passport, foreigner card or diplomatic certificate

• the FOREIGN STUDENTS up to the undergraduate level need to identify themselves with the valid original card or certificate and the passport with the respective visa granted by the consulate, Embassy of Peru or by the National Migration Superintendence

• the valid document for PERUVIAN VISITORS is the original DNI

• the PERUVIAN STUDENTS up to the undergraduate level must present their current card issued by SUNEDU (Superintendence of Higher Education University) or by the Ministry of Education

• the VISITORS BELONGING TO CAN (Andean Community of Nations) will pay the same rate as the Peruvians and will need to present the ID card or original identity document.

• the TOUR GUIDES can enter the citadel with a maximum of sixteen (16) visitors per group, must necessarily carry an identification flag.

Terms and conditions

• Children under the age of 3 do not need to pay, but must present a document such as a passport or ID to verify their age.

• Minors between 3 and 17 years old must present their identification. It is mandatory to have your ID card with your ticket at the entrance of the historical monument.

• Remember that you will be immediately ejected without refund and may face legal action if you bring prohibited items or behave in a disruptive manner. Once inside the monument, the park rangers and police officers will be in charge, please refer to the "Prohibited Items" section of the event for a trouble-free visit.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN ORDER TO VISIT MACHU PICCHU:

• in order to enter the citadel, you need to present your ticket and your identification document. 

• you cannot bring and/or consume alcoholic beverages inside the Archeological Park of Machu Picchu.

• you cannot climb the walls or other constructions in the Inca city.

• do not make inscriptions on floors, walls, stones- it is subjected to penalty.

• do not subtract samples of lithic material and/or plants or flowers.

• do not throw solid/liquid waste.

• do not wear backpacks that weigh more than 20kg.

• do not bring filming equipment or professional photography for commercial purposes. To do this, the permit and corresponding authorization must be processed at the Regional Office of Culture in Cusco.

• do not feed the wild animals

Are Machu Picchu tickets refundable?

No, be sure to enter your data correctly, and do not forget to bring your passport to enter the citadel.