Travel Guide

Beautiful Machu Picchu is a destination that all Peruvians should know and a unique destination in the world for all international tourists, so here are some tips and advice to make your tour in Machu Picchu much more rewarding and safe:

The weather in Machu Picchu is a significant factor; look carefully at what time you are going to visit Machu Picchu; it is best to go in the dry season (April to October) when there are not many clouds; however, in the rainy season (November to March) often the shadows play tricks on us, so I do not recommend them, you can spoil the photo, eye that at this time the prices drop a lot!
Avoid carrying many things, a small bag, and water; the road is long. Often the beautiful sun is present, a cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen would not be wrong, but do not forget to take a very light jacket, in the afternoon there may be a little wind, this tip to Machu Picchu is essential.
The first thing you have to do when you arrive in Cusco is to rest for at least a couple of hours for your body to get used to the altitude; you can take the opportunity first to visit sites in the center of the city as San Blas, the Plaza de Armas and the Stone of the 12 angles.
Dizziness is common in high altitude… soroche! I recommend taking a pill for dizziness 30min. Before arriving in the city, do not eat something heavy or a lot of fat the first day; remember that your body is just getting used to it.

A good guide makes the difference in having a good tour; remember that you will receive a lot of information quickly, and ask for references about the most charismatic guides (you can ask for them if you are traveling in a group).

Visit first all the tourist sites and then visit the museums of Cusco, this way you will understand better the explanations of the guide, and you will be able to learn more, remember that most of the archaeological pieces are in the museums.

The Inca Trail is super cool! Suitable for adventure tourism, but remember that you must have excellent physical condition, implements, and proper equipment (not recommended for children or older people). Also, the rainy season is difficult; read more about this in the article “How to get to Machu Picchu – Train or Inca Trail.”

If you pass through Ollantaytambo, remember that the wind is strong, and wear glasses to protect yourself from the gusts of wind and dirt that can enter your eyes.

Always wear light and sporty clothes, a sweater or jacket at hand at all times, the weather is very variable, rain, sun, cold, heat, everything is possible in Cusco, this is an important tip.

All services and trains to Machu Picchu are not the same, and there is a lot of difference in the categories of the same; this you should know when considering a trip from Cusco, the train station is half an hour by cab, and the train that goes to Machu Picchu has a duration of 4 hours of travel (depending on what class of train you travel), the trip in an economy class can be very uncomfortable, on the other hand, the journey in a superior or first class can be costly.

Remember that your travel agency should coordinate the car journeys before and after the train precisely because if you do not do it in advance, you will lose time and money looking for mobility or cabs in the area.

When you go up to Machu Picchu, remember that everything is more expensive up there; if you want to bring water to drink, some accessories, or something else, buy it in Aguas Calientes, that is, before going up.

An important point, the mountain that is next to Machu Picchu and appears in all the photos, called Huayna Picchu, has some ruins not very visited by tourism if you arrive before 1: 00 pm you can climb it, but remember that it is hazardous and should only be mounted by people with preparation and climbing experience, EYE, all people who wish to climb it are made to sign an act in which no one is responsible if something happens due to the great danger and complicated access to the area, it goes without saying that this mountain should not be climbed in the rainy season even if you are an experienced climber.

The Machu Picchu experience is a full day; you leave at 6:00 am and return to Cusco at 8:00 pm.

Campsites along the Inca Trail

• Mescay.- The first stop on the Inca Trail. It is a small family campsite where groups usually stay only for lunch or a five-day tour camp.
• Tarayoc.- The set of campsites is the first campsite for treks such as the Ultimate Inca Trail 5 days.
• Hatunchaca.- Small village when the slow version of 5 days Inca Trail camp.
• Wayllabamba.- The last village of the Incas, this campsite is used for the 4-day classic Inca Trail and the 5-day slow version.
• Ayapata.- First and preferred campsite of the Classic Inca Trail, located at 3300 meters inside the protected area of the Inca Trail.
• Lluluchapampa.- The Last Inca Trail’s second campsite is 3800 meters above sea level.
• Pacaymayu Alto.- Located at 3600 Masl, it is the second camp of the Classic Inca Trail and a 5-day hike in slow version.
• Chaquicocha.- Located at 3600 Masl, this is the second favorite camp of the Classic Inca Trail.
• Phuyupatamarca.- Located at 3600 meters above sea level, this is the best campsite to admire the sunset and sunrise.
• Wiñaywayña.- The last camp on the Inca Trail is 2600 meters, 2 hours from Machu Picchu.
• Ruins Bridge.- Located at 2000 meters, next to Aguas Calientes, this is an optional campsite.