Many people plan a trip to Cusco in Peru just for Machu Picchu, but there is so much to explore here! As well of plenty of things to do in Cusco, there is also a lot to do in the Sacred Valley. While you are in Cusco you could (and should!) take several day trips from Cusco to explore the different towns, landscapes and archaeological sites that surround the city. Some Cusco tours are ideal to help you acclimatize to…
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, and was also known as the bellybutton of the World. Evidence of Inca culture is everywhere, but tourism is big business here and can be overwhelming! I’ve put together this Cusco guide to help you to figure out what to do in Cusco to experience the culture, food and history, so read on for the top things to do in Cusco Peru, whether you’re backpacking in Cusco on a budget or here…
Ollantaytambo is a fascinating place to visit, and should certainly be on your Peru travel itinerary. Often overlooked, be sure to give Ollantaytambo, or Ollanta as it’s also known, a chance to show you just why it is so special. Here I’ve listed my reasons to hopefully persuade you why you should go from Cusco to Ollantaytambo before heading to Machu Picchu, as well as all the details on how to get to Ollantaytambo from Cusco and on to Machu…
Peru is on many people’s bucket lists, and for good reason. The Inca Citadel at Machu Picchu has graced the cover of countless South American guidebooks and travel magazines, and this iconic UNESCO site is certainly a worthy entry in the New Modern Wonders of the World. However, for many visitors to Machu Picchu and Cusco, altitude sickness can cause unwelcome effects as the altitude at Machu Picchu and the rest of the Andean region of Peru is high enough…
Machu Picchu is still one of my favourite places I have ever been. In the last 2 years I have been backpacking South America, Cuba, and Central America, and watching the sunrise at Machu Picchu still sticks in my mind as an incredible experience that I don’t think I’ll ever forget! I wanted to share with you some of my favourite photos of Machu Picchu that I took during my time there, including a few from the trek to Machu…
I cried the first time I saw Machu Picchu. It had been an emotional few days! I had been pushed to my physical and mental limits; hiked for four days across peaks up to 4400m high. I had been wet, cold, hot, sweaty and constantly exhausted. While I understand how some people hate Machu Picchu and how touristy it is, for me it was all worth it to get my magic moment, watching the sunrise at Machu Picchu. As the first…
OK, so I wasn’t really dying. But when you’re 4000m high, your perspective tends to be a little skewed. We had just started day 3 of our 4 day trek to Machu Picchu, and I was exhausted. I’d slept fairly well considering the cold temperatures and aching limbs, but after breakfast I really didn’t fancy trekking another 14km. And when we started again with a steep climb straight away, my heart sank. From the day before I knew I was…
When I decided to book this trip back in June, the traditional Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu had already sold out. However, I had read online that it was often busy, felt over-crowded in places, and there was a mad rush to get through the Sun Gate first. So I wasn’t that upset about missing the main route the Incas used to get to Machu Picchu. I decided to book a different Machu Picchu trek through Dragoman Overland, and…
Visiting Machu Picchu by myself seemed way too complicated. I looked online for the traditional Inca Trail trek, to find it was already sold out for the dates I wanted. Apparently you need to book it around 6 months in advance, as they only allow a certain number of people on the trail at one time, and obviously it books up fast. I did some more research on tours and treks and was overwhelmed with the choices. As I knew…
