What you need to know before going to Machu Picchu, Peru
What you need to know before going to Machu Picchu?
People might not know Cuzco, but most people would know instantly the mention of Machu Picchu, which is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and the famous Incan Citadel among the bucket wish list of many.
Situated on a mountain ridge at an altitude of 2,430 m above sea level,
most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Incan Emperor Pachacuti in 1450, and then it was later abandoned in 1572 during the Spanish Conquest. This cidatel was unknown to the Spanish during the colonial period. No one knows about its existence until Hiram Bingham, the American historian revealed it to the outside world in 1911.
There are three primary structures at Machu Picchu and they are Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows.
This site has been listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
Do note that the height of Machu Picchu is 2430m above sea level. Some of you might have read about mountain sickness (altitude sickness), but generally, most people are not affected at this altitude.
Mountain Sickness (Altitude Sickness)
Mountain Sickness occurs to some people when they are not properly acclimatized to the elevation due to lower pressure and thinner air. Common symptoms include dizziness, nausea, lack of appetite, headache and inability to sleep in the night. Often, symptoms generally manifest six to ten hours upon the ascent and usually subside within one to two days. No one could know in advance to what extent he or she would be affected. You can follow the locals by chewing the Coca leaves or even ask doctor to prescribe the diamox pills before your trip.
Cuzco
Cuzco is the gateway city to Machu Picchu, and it can be reached by a flight from Lima. Usually, most agencies would arrange for a one night stay here, to acclimatize for the altitude. Do listen to the local guide's advice to stay in the hotel for the rest when you fly directly up to Cuzco (3,399m) from sea level. Generally any altitude above 3000m, special care should be exercised as some people might be affected by the mountain sickness with symptoms of headache, mild fever, lost of appetite, dizzyness and etc. These symptoms will usually go away with some rest or by going to a lower altitude.
It is recommended to travel by road on the same day onward to the beautiful Sacred Valley( Urubamba Valley), (2871m) and stay there since it is at a lower altitude compared to Cuzco. You will return back to Cuzco after your trip to Machu Picchu, and then you should be more adjusted for the higher altitude. In this way, you can enjoy the colonial city with the sightseeing in the city itself as well as the surrounding Sacsayhuaman ruins.
Sacred Valley (Urubamba Valley)
I love the Sacred Valley as it is a lush green valley with views of two mountains, namely Veronica (5893 m) and Sahuasiray (5818m). The valley is formed by the Urubamba River. This is an ideal place to stay to acclimatize and it is a short ride to the Ollantaytambo train station for the train ride up to Aguas Calientes before taking the shuttle bus to Machu Picchu.
Aguas Calientes
Trains going to Aguas Calientes depart from either Poroy or Ollataytambo. The train journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes takes about 1 hr 50 min. Thereafter, you proceed with your onward journey to Machu Picchu by shuttle bus which takes another 40 min.
Visit Machu Picchu
Take it easy, walk slowly. During the visit to the Machu Picchu, there are a number of steps going up, and then flight of steps descending. Go slow, take it easy, stop to take all the beautiful and panoramic shots of this world-renowned ruins. It is about three hours of walking to visit this ancient site.
It is advisable to do more walking (brisk walking) to prepare yourself before the trip in order to enjoy the trip more. Exercise helps to lift the heart, and you will feel less stress for the heart due to the high altitude in Machu Picchu or Cuzco with appropriate preparation.
Outline of Itineraryr
Day 1 Arrive Lima
Day 2 Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley (Urubamba Valley)
Day 3 Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Day 4 Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Day 5 Cuzco - Sacsayhuaman
Day 6 Depart Cuzco
As you can see from the above itinerary, you would need a minimum of six days just to cover Machu Picchu, due to all the traveling. In fact, if you don't intend to return back to Lima after the end of the trip, you would need to stay for one more day in order to have time to do some sightseeing in the city.
Thus a minimum of 12 days is required to travel around Peru to go see the Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca, and make a three days trip to the Amazon area.
Besides just visiting Machu Picchu in a day, it is possible to go for the classic Inca Trail hike which takes 5D4N. Do take note that there is a quota to the number of people within each day along the Inca Trail and thus you need to plan ahead to be able to book the preferred dates of your travel. The easy way out is to choose other trek if you simply just want to go trekking. You can consider going on the Lares Trek or Salkantay Trek (rated one of the best 25 treks in the world) But again, I know of a friend who is adamant of doing the Inca Trail other than just visiting Machu Picchu.
If you plan to go on a hike, then you would need more time just to cover the Machu Picchu. Most of the local agencies offer to pick up the guests at the Cuzco Airport with hotel accommodation as well as all the trek arrangements.
Classic Inca Trail
Day 1 Cuzco - Llactapata
Day 2 Llactapata -Llulluchapampa
Day 3 Llulluchapampa - Phuyupatamarca
Day 4 Phuyupatamarca - Machu Picchu
Day 5 Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Salkantay Trek
Day 1 Cuzco - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake
Day 2 Sorococha - Challway
Day 3 Challway - Playa Sahuayaco - Santa Teresa Hot Springs
Day 4 Santa Teresa - Lucmabamba - Aguas Calientes
Day 5 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Enjoy your weekend.
People might not know Cuzco, but most people would know instantly the mention of Machu Picchu, which is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and the famous Incan Citadel among the bucket wish list of many.
Situated on a mountain ridge at an altitude of 2,430 m above sea level,
most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Incan Emperor Pachacuti in 1450, and then it was later abandoned in 1572 during the Spanish Conquest. This cidatel was unknown to the Spanish during the colonial period. No one knows about its existence until Hiram Bingham, the American historian revealed it to the outside world in 1911.
There are three primary structures at Machu Picchu and they are Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows.
This site has been listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
Do note that the height of Machu Picchu is 2430m above sea level. Some of you might have read about mountain sickness (altitude sickness), but generally, most people are not affected at this altitude.
Mountain Sickness (Altitude Sickness)
Mountain Sickness occurs to some people when they are not properly acclimatized to the elevation due to lower pressure and thinner air. Common symptoms include dizziness, nausea, lack of appetite, headache and inability to sleep in the night. Often, symptoms generally manifest six to ten hours upon the ascent and usually subside within one to two days. No one could know in advance to what extent he or she would be affected. You can follow the locals by chewing the Coca leaves or even ask doctor to prescribe the diamox pills before your trip.
Cuzco
Cuzco is the gateway city to Machu Picchu, and it can be reached by a flight from Lima. Usually, most agencies would arrange for a one night stay here, to acclimatize for the altitude. Do listen to the local guide's advice to stay in the hotel for the rest when you fly directly up to Cuzco (3,399m) from sea level. Generally any altitude above 3000m, special care should be exercised as some people might be affected by the mountain sickness with symptoms of headache, mild fever, lost of appetite, dizzyness and etc. These symptoms will usually go away with some rest or by going to a lower altitude.
It is recommended to travel by road on the same day onward to the beautiful Sacred Valley( Urubamba Valley), (2871m) and stay there since it is at a lower altitude compared to Cuzco. You will return back to Cuzco after your trip to Machu Picchu, and then you should be more adjusted for the higher altitude. In this way, you can enjoy the colonial city with the sightseeing in the city itself as well as the surrounding Sacsayhuaman ruins.
Sacred Valley (Urubamba Valley)
I love the Sacred Valley as it is a lush green valley with views of two mountains, namely Veronica (5893 m) and Sahuasiray (5818m). The valley is formed by the Urubamba River. This is an ideal place to stay to acclimatize and it is a short ride to the Ollantaytambo train station for the train ride up to Aguas Calientes before taking the shuttle bus to Machu Picchu.
Aguas Calientes
Trains going to Aguas Calientes depart from either Poroy or Ollataytambo. The train journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes takes about 1 hr 50 min. Thereafter, you proceed with your onward journey to Machu Picchu by shuttle bus which takes another 40 min.
Visit Machu Picchu
Take it easy, walk slowly. During the visit to the Machu Picchu, there are a number of steps going up, and then flight of steps descending. Go slow, take it easy, stop to take all the beautiful and panoramic shots of this world-renowned ruins. It is about three hours of walking to visit this ancient site.
It is advisable to do more walking (brisk walking) to prepare yourself before the trip in order to enjoy the trip more. Exercise helps to lift the heart, and you will feel less stress for the heart due to the high altitude in Machu Picchu or Cuzco with appropriate preparation.
Outline of Itineraryr
Day 1 Arrive Lima
Day 2 Lima - Cuzco - Sacred Valley (Urubamba Valley)
Day 3 Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Day 4 Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Day 5 Cuzco - Sacsayhuaman
Day 6 Depart Cuzco
As you can see from the above itinerary, you would need a minimum of six days just to cover Machu Picchu, due to all the traveling. In fact, if you don't intend to return back to Lima after the end of the trip, you would need to stay for one more day in order to have time to do some sightseeing in the city.
Thus a minimum of 12 days is required to travel around Peru to go see the Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca, and make a three days trip to the Amazon area.
Besides just visiting Machu Picchu in a day, it is possible to go for the classic Inca Trail hike which takes 5D4N. Do take note that there is a quota to the number of people within each day along the Inca Trail and thus you need to plan ahead to be able to book the preferred dates of your travel. The easy way out is to choose other trek if you simply just want to go trekking. You can consider going on the Lares Trek or Salkantay Trek (rated one of the best 25 treks in the world) But again, I know of a friend who is adamant of doing the Inca Trail other than just visiting Machu Picchu.
If you plan to go on a hike, then you would need more time just to cover the Machu Picchu. Most of the local agencies offer to pick up the guests at the Cuzco Airport with hotel accommodation as well as all the trek arrangements.
Classic Inca Trail
Day 1 Cuzco - Llactapata
Day 2 Llactapata -Llulluchapampa
Day 3 Llulluchapampa - Phuyupatamarca
Day 4 Phuyupatamarca - Machu Picchu
Day 5 Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Salkantay Trek
Day 1 Cuzco - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake
Day 2 Sorococha - Challway
Day 3 Challway - Playa Sahuayaco - Santa Teresa Hot Springs
Day 4 Santa Teresa - Lucmabamba - Aguas Calientes
Day 5 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Enjoy your weekend.
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