The Machu Picchu sacred citadel in Cusco’s jungle border highlands is one of the world’s top traveling destinations. Unmatched natural beauty and energy among many other great experiences. Here are the top tips for making it the perfect, unforgettable tour.
Getting to Cusco City and Machu Picchu
Cusco City’s own airport still doesn’t work for international arrivals, only national flights. For this reason, you will have to book a flight until Lima’s international airport which is called Jorge Chávez and from there take a connection until Cusco City. The flight takes 1:20 hour. Already in Cusco City, most of the tours we offer go to Machu Picchu combining awesome bus and train rides (there are several types of trains available, from economical to luxury), we have 1 low-budget, 2-day tour that gets near to the citadel by car (at the Hydroelectric) and then hikes from there (please check all our Machu Picchu Tours on this website).
Tips for Lodging
Cusco City and the Aguas Calientes village (which is next to Machu Picchu) offer plenty of options for accommodations, at all prices and levels. You can either choose the place of your preference or talk to us so we can recommend a suitable partner hotel.
Best Tips for the Tour Itself
- About altitude sickness: it may happen to you because at geographically high places oxygen presence in the air gets scarce and this may provoke some issues like fatigue, headache, shortness of breath. However, it does not necessarily affect everyone. One of the best tips is to arrive in Cusco City (3.400 meters above sea level) a few days before the Machu Picchu visit, so your organism will most likely automatically adjust to the altitude.
Drinking a lot of water and also coca leaves tea is of great help too. Finally, there are pills available at any drugstore which are also very effective. And remember, the Machu Picchu site is at a 2.430 meters elevation, so if you are feeling alright in Cusco City, then the sacred citadel will be literally a walk in the park, a day in the fields.
A coca tea is ideal to avoid altitude sickness.
- About clothing: this depends on the time of your visit. If you are coming on dry season (from April to late October), here in Cusco City the weather is mainly cold, windy, no rain at all, so bring warm, casual, resistant clothes. But in Machu Picchu the climate is always warmer, no rain either, so you will also need light clothes. On rainy season (from November to March), in Cusco City we have mainly warm, sunny days but there are also heavy, brief rains, so the combination is light clothing and a waterproof jacket (or rain poncho). In Machu Picchu, weather is hot and rainy so light clothes and rain garments will be needed.
Now clothes for any season in Machu Picchu are: sun hat or cap, sunglasses, t-shirts, light jacket, light pants, soft socks, jogging sneakers.
If you are going to do the Huayna Picchu hike: we then recommend nylon shirts and pants (they keep you mostly dry), mountaineering socks, and good hiking boots (give them some use before to avoid sores and discomfort).
- About shopping: in Cusco City there are several amazing, big markets where you can find all types of typical products and souvenirs, like ponchos, sweaters, pottery and the likes. Now next to Machu Picchu is Aguas Calientes of course, and you will also find there markets with plenty of Andean items.
- About health: in all cases bring sunblock and mosquito repellent, for Machu Picchu is on the Amazon jungle border.
The crafts are made with alpaca wool.
We can also offer you as a very alike, great alternative, our Short 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you can check the itinerary and availability on this website. Now the regular tours to the sacred citadel are available on a daily basis and can be completely personalized or also booked as private packages.
With these top tips for a 1-day tour to Machu Picchu, you are now certainly ready to have the adventure of a lifetime! Talk to us for booking your top vacation!
