Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

16 Oct Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

Posted at 10:49h in Alex Article, First Class Hotel Peru, Latest News, Peru, South America by Alex

Where to stay and considerations when planning your itinerary

Alex Burridge
MD South America Travel Centre

I think it is fair to say, for most people (and certainly those on their first trip to Peru), that Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and Cusco are # 1 on the list.

We’ve travelled here many times over the last 30 years. Much has changed, in particular the number of visitors, and many things remain the same, like the altitude.

Some people arrive at Machu Picchu on foot via the Inca Trail and the Sun Gate while many more arrive on the different train services from Cusco.

Over the years we’ve had thousands of guests travel through this beautiful and historically significant region. Many wonder why they don’t stay in Cusco after flying in there – this is because of one of the things that hasn’t changed: altitude.

Machu Picchu – morning clouds lifting

Plaza de Armas – Cusco

Ollantaytambo

CUSCO TO THE SACRED VALLEY

From Cusco, we’ll whisk you down to the Sacred Valley which is maybe an hour and half away. This drive achieves a drop in altitude of some 600 to 800 metres. This will likely allow for a better night’s sleep and decrease any effects of the altitude. A few nights here and you’ll start to acclimatise.

Next stop: Machu Picchu, which sees a further drop in altitude to around 2,000 metres above sea level (or 2,430 at the Inca site of Machu Picchu). By the time you get here you should be reasonably well acclimatised and can enjoy the site for all it’s magnificence.

We recommend at least two nights here but three is ideal. One of the main reasons is the weather which can vary quite significantly – low cloud and rain one day and beautiful clear blue skies the next. Arguably both are good to experience. The cloudy grey days can be quite moody, spiritual, and atmospheric while sunny days are stunning and awesome for photography (plus you can see the top of Huayna Picchu and the surrounding mountains).

I’ve touched on the number of guests visiting the site. When I first visited some 33 years ago, we hiked in through the Sun Gate at maybe 6.00am and there were no others guests in the whole site – quite incredible. We’d hiked up past the base of Mt Salcantay (6,271 metres above sea level) and then along the Inca Trail. There is now an option to do a Salcantay lodge-to-lodge trek along a similar route – which is absolutely worth it if you like trekking (as is the Lares Trail and the stunning Huacahuasi Lodge).

Now there is a daily average of over 4,000 people, with a maximum of between 4,500 and 5,600 in any one day (numbers vary dependent on the season). That said, only 2,400 visitors are allowed inside the site at any one time.

Rachel exploring Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu can be viewed from many different perspectives

MACHU PICCHU

Is Machu Picchu worth it? Stupid question – ABSOLUTELY it is. I’ve been back a couple of times since my first visit and it’s still just as incredible each time.

Our main tip to minimise the number of other people at the site: go early before the day-trip visitors arrive on the day trains from Cusco, or go a little later in the day which is after they’ve all had to head back (but check last entrance times).

You can only access the site with a guide and we will pre-purchase all of your tickets (including Huayna Picchu). We often recommend purchasing more than the one ticket so you can explore different viewpoints, routes, and all that Machu Picchu has to offer. We’ll also organise your accommodation and the train tickets to and from.

Our partners in Peru (who are the same partners who looked after our first clients 30 years ago) continue to do a wonderful job – they will look after you as one of their own guests visiting Peru.

The Hiram Bingham train is a wonderful way to depart the citadel (actually from Aguas Caliente’s the small town at the base of the site). You can celebrate visiting one of the world’s seven wonders with an excellent dinner and glass of champagne – and you haven’t even explored Cusco yet. As you head back (and up), you’re going to be quite well acclimatised – which simply means you are more likely to sleep well and be able to fully enjoy all that Cusco has to offer.

The Belmond Hiram Bingham Train

Dinner on the evening train back to Cusco – a perfect way to complete your Machu Picchu experience

While the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco have so many wonderful archaeological sites to explore, they also have many fine restaurants and several beautiful properties from which to base your stay.

I’ve written this article but I haven’t discussed many of the sites: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Moras, Chinchero. This is on purpose – that’s something you can do in preparation or discuss with the team when arranging your tailor-made journey to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.