Hi everyone,

I’m arriving at Cusco Airport around 11 PM with a group of 5 adults.
I know a regular taxi or Uber might be tricky with that many people.

What’s the best and cheapest way to get from the airport to Cusco city center at that hour? Any idea of the price?

Thanks in advance!

Hello, me and 5 of my friends are planning on taking the salkantay trail early December this year. We aim to spend 5 days in cusco to acclimatise and then take the 5 day trek to get to macchu picchu.

We are worried about the risk of altitude sickness while we are on the trail because if someone gets the sickness badly we would all have to abandon the trek.

How much risk is there on the trail for bad enough altitude sickness that we'd have to turn around? And how can we help prevent it while we're there.

We have no prior altitude training, we live in australia. We are all around 20yo males and plan to train our cardio and hiking abilities before the trip.

Thanks for any advice!

I am currently in the process of booking my Trek for September and saw a post in mid April that the cloud forest sections had some reroutes due to landslides. Has anyone recently hiked the Salkantay Trek and are they still currently rerouting people or have the routes gone back to what it was originally?

Buenos días, tardes o noches!

En septiembre voy a viajar a Machu Picchu. Ya tengo entrada para el circuito 3, ruta 3-A (montaña waynapicchu), e intenté conseguir el circuito 2, ruta 2-A (Ruta Clásica Diseñada), pero no encontré disponibilidad de tickets. Mis amigos sí pudieron comprarla porque habían planificado el viaje con más anticipación.

Por eso me surgieron algunas dudas:

1. ¿Es posible conseguir entradas allí mediante reventa o venta presencial, o ya debería descartar esa opción?
2. En caso de no conseguir entrada para el circuito 2, ruta 2-A, estoy pensando en comprar un boleto para el circuito 1. No sé cuál conviene más: la ruta 1-C (Puerta del Sol) o la ruta 1-D (Puente Inca). ¿Cuál me recomiendan?
3. Si termino haciendo el circuito 1, lo haría solo, ya que mis amigos estarán en el circuito 2. ¿Se puede recorrer sin problemas por cuenta propia o es recomendable/obligatorio contratar un guía?

De antemano, muchas gracias!

Recently completed a 2 day Machu Picchu short Inca Trail hike and wanted to share my experience with information that I had looked for pre-trip.

My husband and I booked through Machu Picchu center website for a full day hike, hotel accommodation, and second day at MP doing circuit 3 about 4 months in advance.

We got to Cusco Sunday 6/28 to allow for acclimation to the altitude. I’m glad we did because right away we were lightheaded. The tea, coca leaf candies, ibuprofen, and electrolyte packs from home helped a lot. I got sick the worst about 36 hours after arrival (day before MP hike!). Thankfully skipping our planned excursion so I could rest was so worth it.

Day of, 7/1, we got up super early and met our cab driver to bring us to the bus station (all included in our booking). The bus station has a nice restroom. Bus ride to Ollantaytambo is quite windy and bumpy so prep with Dramamine or their equivalent you can purchase at the pharmacy. Ollantaytambo station also has a nice restroom. There are restrooms on the train, but I can’t speak to them. Definitely use the restroom before getting off the train because from there it is pack your tp out and hovering over a hole in the ground.

Once we got to the stop km106, we jumped off the train and got ready to meet our guide. We lucked out by being the only 2 with our lovely guide, Alex! Leave some space in your backpack to carry your lunch, which was delicious!

The first part of the hike is mostly steps. Take your time and take breaks. Definitely doable but I needed to rest a lot since I had just been sick the previous day. We stopped for lunch at a base camp (and facilities-last one before MP) and continued to Wiñaywayna. The views were insane!

Going through the Sun Gate was an emotional experience for sure, plus it was day 3 of my period (more on this later). From there it was a lot of steps and mostly downhill whew. Once we reached MP we saw circuit 1 and it was incredible.

The excursion also included bus back to Aguas Calientes and dinner out. The hotel was just fine for the night. Next day we took the bus up, explored circuit 3 with our guide, and took the bus back down. We had a few hours to explore before train then bus back to Cusco. It was so nice to have all of the logistics planned for us.

Ok back to the period for those interested. I opted just for period underwear for these days as the facilities on the trail are not sanitary and you would need to take all of the trash with you. I was worried about the restrooms pre-trip, but like others have said you’ll be so consumed with the incredible views that you’ll forget all about it.

Overall rating 100/10 it is an experience you will never forget!! Total cost $525/person and felt it was definitely worth it to have everything planned out for you.

My girlfriend and I are coming to Peru in September to hike the Salkantay Trek and visit Machu Picchu. We've already arranged all that with Alpaca Expeditions. We are going to be picked up in Cusco early Monday morning to start our 5 day, 4 night hike.

We are taking a red eye flight that lands in Lima at 7 AM on Friday. Originally, we had planned to spend the day and night in Lima and fly to Cusco early on Saturday, but we are now thinking it would be better to have an extra night's sleep in Cusco to make it at least 3 nights and 2 days to acclimatize instead of just 2 nights. We are healthy and in our late twenties, but we live at sea level and are not used to the altitude.

We really hoped to see Lima, because realistically we don't have any expectations to return to Peru soon.

What is your advice on the following options:

1. Spend Friday in Lima and fly to Cusco on Saturday morning as originally planned. (2 nights, nearly 48 hours to acclimatize)
2. Book a long (8-10+ hr) layover through Lima and travel into the city for a few hours to see some of Miraflores (3 nights, 2 days to acclimatize)
3. Book a shorter layover (4-6 hr) and stay in the airport (3 nights, 2+ days to acclimatize)

Im trying to plan my trip as I need to book train tickets as well. As a tourist I cannot use the normal train.

My plan is to arrive on the 20th at aguas calientes from ollantaytambo/cusco

Whats the latest procedure ? What u found online says two different procedures.

One says go to the police station with passport and get the appointment to buy ticket

The other says stand in line at 4 am and get tickets for next day.

What’s the right procedure right now ?

Hola. Estoy planeando viajar a Machu Picchu y quiero escuchar recomendaciones.

Mi idea es comprar la entrada a Machu Picchu y el boleto de tren, y ya estando allá contratar un guía oficial.

¿Lo han hecho de esta forma? ¿Lo recomiendan o creen que vale más la pena contratar un paquete con una agencia?

Si tienen algún consejo o algo que deba tomar en cuenta al organizarlo por mi cuenta, se los agradecería mucho.

I am doing the three day trail in mid-August and I’m not sure which type of shoe to wear. I have hiking shoes (don’t cover the ankles) or I am looking at trail running shoes such as Adidas TERREX AGRAVIC 3, what do you recommend? Any models in specific?

Thanks!

Hello all, I made a pretty last minute decision to come and visit Peru this year and unfortunately the time I will be coming Circuit 2a and 2b is sold out online. I was wondering which other Circuit route I should pair with the Huayna Picchu hike that would allow me to get the most out of the Machu Picchu?

Or is it best to only book Huayna Picchu and try to buy Circuit 2 in person?

Traveling to MP next week and we have purchased Peru Rail tickets, Consettur bus tickets, and MP entry tickets. I have printed them all for entry, but wondering if they require or prefer that tickets be scanned from the device instead?

Thought I'd share my packing list for my recent four-day trek, along with my notes about what I would bring again and what I wouldn't. (I'm going to post my thoughts on the trek and my company, Salkantay Trekking, in another post.) I spent months preparing for this and maintaining my spreadsheet, so I might as well put it to good use!

For reference: I did my trek in late June. I'm from Michigan, and my friend and I often seemed to be more comfortable in cooler weather than a lot of other people we saw. And I didn't end up hiking the entire trek, but some of my observations are based on what other people liked as well.

TLDR version:

• REALLY glad I brought: Electrolyte tablets, SPF 100 sunscreen, neck gaiter (though I should have worn it over my face more), and lots of ibuprofen.
• Would leave home: Extra snacks, sock liners, my own sleeping bag and inflatable pillow, Kindle, shower sandals, swimsuit (unless you know for sure you’re doing hot springs).
• Wish I'd brought: Tevas (for camp, plus shower if needed), small water bottle (way easier to use than water bladder when brushing teeth!), more cash, regular lip balm for nights.

Clothing

Item	What I used	Verdict / Notes
Trekking shirts (4)	REI Active Pursuits and Swiftland Running shirts (short- and long-sleeved)	The shirts were fine, if not the most flattering ones I own. I only wore long sleeves one day (Day 2).
Trekking pants (4)	3× North Face Aphrodite, 1x REI Sahara convertible	I wish I'd brought four of the Aphrodites, which I loved. The zipper across the mid-thigh in the Saharas was annoying, plus I never felt like I wished I was wearing shorts.
Base layers (top & bottom) x3	2x Smartwool, 1x Kari Traa	This was overkill; I only wore a base layer (pants only) on Day 2 and was desperate to get them off after we got over the pass. They were nice for PJs though; I'd probably take one pair if I did it again.
Sun hoodie (1)	Soothfeel Women's UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hoodie	This was a nice light layer if my fleece was too warm, and also let me skip sunscreen on my arms when I wore it.
Fleece jacket (1)	Helly Hansen Alphelia Zero Fleece Jacket	Nice weight for most days.
Down coat (1)	REI Magma 850	Only wore this the morning of Day 2 and at the pass but was glad I had it. Very lightweight and packable but warm.
Rain jacket (1)	Patagonia Torrentshell 3L	Love this jacket but didn't encounter any rain. Worked as a windbreaker when needed tho.
Underwear (4)	REI Co-op Active Hipster, ExOfficio Give-N-Go II	These were both good, but I LOVED the ExOfficio
Sports bras (2)

Head & Hands

Item	What I used (brand/style)	Verdict / Notes
Beanie	Minus33 Midweight Knit Cuff	Hat was fine; only needed it for morning of Day 2.
Sun hat	Columbia Bora Bora Booney II Hat	This was fine but a little big and floppy for my taste, but I'd probably bring a baseball-style hat next time. Some people in our group preferred a French Foreign Legion-style hat with a cape at the back.
Neck gaiters	Minus33 Merino Woolverino Multiclava, Buff Coolnet UV Multifunctional Neckwear	I only needed one of these. You WILL want to cover your face on the trail with one though, as it was super dusty, and many of us were sneezing blood and dust for days afterward.
Wool gloves	Smartwool	I didn't end up wearing these.
Waterproof gloves	North Face Sierra E-Tip Glove	I got these because I was worried about not having water-resistant gloves and these were the only pair my local Dick's had. They're nice, though I only needed them the morning of Day 2.

Footwear

Item	What I used (brand/style)	Verdict / Notes
Hiking boots	Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots	Really nice hiking boots; I was very happy with them. Also added Superfeet Hike insoles bc I have crazy high arches.
Shower sandals	Some Amazon cheapies.	Didn't need these, as the showers at the camp were fine. Wished I'd brought Tevas like everyone else, as these weren't secure enough to walk around in, and no one wants to put on hiking boots in the middle of the night to dash to the bathroom.
Hiking socks (4)	Darn Tough Lightweight Micro Crew	These were great – I live in these socks now.
Sock liners (2)	Injinji	I didn't end up needing or using these; would skip next time.

Sleep

Item	What I used (brand/style)	Verdict / Notes
Sleeping bag	Nemo Disco 15 (women's long)	Only needed this once. Loved the sleeping bag but not lugging it around after everyone turned theirs back over to the trekking company.
Sleeping bag liner	Nemo Tracer Endless Promise	Same as above.
Inflatable pillow	Nemo Fillo	Didn't use this; all the campsites had pillows.

Gear & Accessories

Item	What I used (brand/style)	Verdict / Notes
Daypack	Osprey Sirrus 24	LOVED this backpack. Super comfortable, lots of room. However, it was a PITA to use as my personal item on the plane and I was glad they didn't measure it, bc I'm pretty sure it was technically too tall to qualify (it doesn't squash up bc of the back panel).
Trekking poles	Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork	These were fantastic! Very happy with them. Saw a few folks do the trails without them but can't imagine HOW.
Water bladder	Gregory 3D Hydro Hydration Reservoir, 2L	I really like this reservoir; it has a fin so it dries out a bit more easily than some others. You could do 3L but I don't think most folks needed it, as we could fill up on water at breakfast and lunch.
Water purification tablets	Aquatabs	Didn't end up using these.
Headlamp	BioLite HeadLamp 500	Didn't need this a ton but I've been happy with it!
Power pack	Anker Zolo Power Bank	This worked great (integrated USB-C cable is nice) but is somewhat big and heavy
Travel adapter	Anker Nano Travel Adapter, Ceptics Type C adapter	I didn't need the Type C adapter at all (my friend did need it at her hotel in Cusco). The Anker Nano was great for plugging in devices with USB-C and USB-A cables but you could probably use just about any regular USB plugs in the campsites for those.
Carabiners	Assorted sizes	These are super handy for hanging various things from your pack (towels, etc.). Also used one to secure the closure on the backpack pocket where I kept my wallet and passport.
Trekking towel	REI Multi Towel Deluxe, L	Campsite on day 3 doesn't have towels, so this was good to have. Large was nice but you could probably go with the medium in a pinch.

Health & Toiletries

Item	What I used (brand/style)	Verdict / Notes
Meds in mini pill organizer	Diamox, Z-pack (recommended by my doc just in case), ibuprofen, Imodium	I didn't need the Z-Pack or the Imodium, but several others had gastro issues. I DID make heavy use of the ibuprofen. Btw, don't forget to take your Diamox in the evenings before you crash at camp!
Blister kit	Hart Blister Kit	Didn't need; the guides had this stuff (and I didn't have scissors for the moleskin in the kit!)
Electrolyte tablets	Venture Pal Chewable Electrolyte Tablets	These were probably the best item I had. I was handing them out like candy to other hikers, who all liked them too. They taste decent and you don't have to put them in your water bladder.
Sunscreen	Neutrogena SPF 100 + SPF 60 face stick	These worked great. Just remember to reapply.
Bug spray	Sawyer 20% Picaridin	We encountered very few mosquitoes; not sorry I brought it though. (And I think Picaridin smells WAY better than DEET.)
SPF lip balm	Banana Boat SPF 50	This was decent. I'd probably also bring a regular lipbalm for night bc we all had super chapped lips at the end of the day.
Hand sanitizer		Definitely want this, especially if you have to use the "inca toilets" or if campsites are out of soap.
Body/baby wipes		You WILL want these on Day 1 when there are no showers.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss		Duh. (Also, don't use sink water for brushing!)
Mini facewash + moisturizer		Was glad I had these because your face will feel gross after tons of sunscreen + dust. Plus the air is really dry.
Deodorant		Another duh.
Toilet paper + 1 roll dog poop bags for TP (or, I guess, poop)		Take out the tube to make TP more packable. And don't be like the gross folks who left their toilet paper behind at the pass. Ewww.

Personal & Misc

Item	What I used (brand/style)	Verdict / Notes
Passport, wallet		You have to have your passport for Machu Picchu and train tickets.
Cash (~S/300)		I would bring substantially more than this. The tips alone will probably wipe this out, let alone additional things like horse rides if you need them. (E.g., a horse over the pass is S/120.)
Sunglasses	Polarized, darkest possible tint	You'll definitely want these, esp if your eyes are at all sensitive to sun. It is BRIGHT.
Phone		For photos etc. You will have wifi and cell service in some areas if you want to contact loved ones.
Kindle e-reader	Kindle Colorsoft	I love reading but I was too tired most days to do much of it once we got to camp. I'd leave home.
Mini massager	Arboleaf Mini Massage Gun	This was nice to have and it's pretty lightweight but I don't think I'd bother bringing it again.
Sleep mask		Didn't end up needing; I'd leave home.
Ear plugs		I heard these were essential, but I didn't use them at all.
Mini hairbrush, hair ties		It's windy; I lived with my hair in a ponytail or bun and it still got snarled.
Swimsuit + cover		We didn't end up going to the hot springs, so this was wasted space
Snacks / pass fuel	Misc snacks from Cusco and candy from home	Didn't need; our meals were huge and they gave us snacks for the day. No one else brought snacks to share, but afterward, I did end up giving mine to the two hikers in our group who were from different countries, who enjoyed them.

Hello. My spouse and I are travelling to Peru for 12 days in late July. We’ve booked everything except our stay in Machu Picchu, our return train to Cusco, and some activities in Cusco due to uncertain tickets for Machu Picchu. We’ve booked the earliest train, which departs at 4 a.m. and arrives in Aguas Calientes at 8 a.m. We’ll try to get a ticket as soon as possible.

Here are my questions:

1. Would it be cheaper to check into hotels in Aguas Calientes on a walk-in basis, or should we book online?
2. Is it possible to get a train ticket back to Cusco the day after Machu Picchu?
3. Can you recommend an accommodation in Aguas Calientes that’s easy to access the train stations and doesn’t require climbing hundreds of stairs?
4. Are there any affordable tour offers from locals in Cusco to Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake after our Machu Picchu visit? Or better to book it online?

We made it!

After some days of acclimatization in Cusco, we made our trip to Palccoyo, stunning landscapes, local culture and les crowded than classic Rainbow Mountain. Highly recommended!

https://preview.redd.it/czurm45049ah1.jpg?width=1800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=49b64ac935596a674e8274d9a820ad917f15fd11

I am planning an impromptu 2 week solo trip leaving end of July to Peru. I would like to travel and fly with one bag bringing just a Cotopaxi 50L as a carry on. I have no conversational Spanish skills. I also plan on getting next day tickets for Machu Picchu. At this point it’s too late to go on a guided tour and want to go solo.

This will be my first long through hike, and I plan on staying in hostels along the trek. I’ve read up on the food and water situation, but some friends have concerns about my ability to complete this alone. For context I am 23, work as a valet, and enjoy hiking, but I’m definitely not in tiptop athletic shape. This will be my first time carrying a heavy pack. Is there anywhere in Cusco that acts as short term locker storage to shed some weight? I am not on a strict schedule and willing to spend 6 days instead of 5 if my body and pace gives out.

Any tips are appreciated, thank you.