Recently, the number of visitors coming to the city of Cusco has increased considerably, especially tourists who want to visit Machu Picchu, which means that some services, tickets, and travel arrangements must be booked in advance.
Below, we present a summary of the most important points to consider when planning your trip to the city of Cusco:
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The first step for a successful trip to the city of Cusco and to visit the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is to buy your Machu Picchu ticket. The Decentralized Directorate of Culture of Cusco is the institution in charge of managing and selling tickets to Machu Picchu.
Due to the massive influx of visitors, entry tickets must be booked at least 3 months in advance in order to find availability on the day you wish to travel.
There are 5 Machu Picchu tickets, and they are very different, since each one offers a distinct visit to the Inca citadel. Here, we present what they are and their main differences.
Important: Each ticket is unique and non-transferable, so it is essential to enter the first name, last name, and document number of each visitor correctly.
Once you have purchased your Machu Picchu ticket, the next step is to buy your train tickets so you can travel from the town of Ollantaytambo to the town of Aguas Calientes or from the city of Cusco to the town.
There are various types of train services and schedules, but in general, if you want to make reservations from one day to the next, especially during high season, prices may vary considerably. It is recommended to purchase these tickets in advance.
The railway companies operating on the Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes route are the following:
The types of train services offered on the Cusco-Machu Picchu route are:
The Hiram Bingham stands out for its blue and gold colors, as well as its warm and welcoming interiors with elegant upholstery. This service has four cars: two dining cars, one bar car with an observatory, and one kitchen car.
Surrounded by glass, with cars featuring wide panoramic windows that offer unmatched scenic views and are perfect for taking spectacular photographs.
The Expedition has cars fully covered with panoramic windows so that travelers can immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural landscape; in addition, they will be informed about the most important points along this ancient route.
The company Inca Rail received permission to begin operations on this route in 2009. The types of train services it offers on the route to Machu Picchu are:
Designed for passengers seeking privacy, luxury, and maximum comfort, this car also features a beautiful onboard bar. It is fully paneled in wood, with warm lighting, panoramic windows, and luxurious finishes.
This service offers spacious and comfortable seats, carefully designed to ensure total passenger comfort. In addition, all seats have tables in front and panoramic windows to enjoy the beautiful landscape.
It features comfortable seats that were carefully designed. In addition, all seats have tables in front and panoramic windows to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
It offers comfortable seats, which have been carefully designed to ensure maximum comfort. In addition, all seats have tables in front and panoramic windows to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
The city of Cusco has developed an extensive hotel offering, which means that you will most likely have no trouble finding available accommodation. On your trip to the city of Cusco, keep in mind that the hotel supply is broad; however, during high season (from May to August), hotel rooms are usually scarce, so you should book at least one month in advance.
During high season, prices also tend to go up, not only for hotels, but also for all the services offered in Cusco and Aguas Calientes.
To visit Machu Picchu, you must first arrive in the city of Cusco, either by air or by land. Below is a brief summary:
The journey from Lima to the city of Cusco by land takes approximately 20 hours; this may vary if you travel during the rainy season, which in some cases can extend the trip to 22 or 24 hours. The route is operated by the following companies:
Each company has its own schedule; however, they are similar in some respects:
Air services between Cusco and Lima offer an efficient connection between two key destinations in Peru. With a flight duration of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the airline, you can find the best option according to your needs. The route is operated by the following airlines:
Each airline has its own schedule; however, they are similar in some respects:
The citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world. Built by the Inca Pachacútec, this incredible archaeological center is Peru’s main tourist attraction.
The famous Inca city is located at 2,430 m.a.s.l. (7,972 ft), that is, almost 1,000 meters below the city of Cusco, which is located at 3,300 m.a.s.l.
This marvel of Inca architecture is the main tourist attraction for all visitors to Peru and a must-see destination if you plan to travel to the city of Cusco.
This mountain is the one that appears in the background of almost all photographs of Machu Picchu, and it is famous for how challenging it is to reach the summit. The climb to the top of the mountain takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The path follows stone stairs and runs along the edge of a four-hundred-meter abyss above the Urubamba River.
Because it is considered one of the five best short hikes in the world, tickets are in high demand, so they must be purchased at least six months in advance.
The Machu Picchu Mountain is also located next to the Inca citadel, but it offers a better view of the entire surrounding area. The climb to this mountain is more accessible and less demanding than the climb to Huayna Picchu Mountain, and it takes around 2 hours.
The hike to the summit of this mountain is an option when Huayna Picchu tickets are sold out.
The city of Cusco is characterized by urban architecture in which, on the one hand, Inca influence is intertwined, with its stone walls, stairways, and other lithic constructions, and on the other hand, Spanish influence, with its balconies, houses with large entrance gates, and gabled roofs, all of which you should visit on your trip to the Inca capital.
The city of Cusco has at least 12 churches in its urban area; many of them were built more than 400 years ago. Among the most representative are:
Many of the museums found in the city of Cusco once belonged to the most important Spanish authorities living at that time and were, long before, Inca palaces. Among the most representative museums are:
Although they were partially destroyed by the Spanish, today it is still possible to appreciate part of the original structure of some Inca palaces. The best known are:
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, and for this reason the remains of the ancient city are buried and scattered throughout the city of Cusco.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located one hour by car from the city of Cusco and has countless attractions, both natural and archaeological.
The town of Pisac is located in the Sacred Valley and has a craft fair that is very popular in the area. In the upper part of the town, there are Inca terraces that offer an impressive view of the entire valley.
The archaeological site of Pisac is considered one of the best archaeological complexes in Peru. This place was not only an Inca citadel but also an important religious center.
In the Inca period, this archaeological site was a fortress and observation center, since it is strategically located at the junction of three valleys. In the streets of the town of Ollantaytambo, you can find Inca walls, aqueducts, as well as terraces and farming platforms.
The Incas probably built Moray intending to experiment with their crops, since in this structure, which resembles a coliseum, important temperature differences have been recorded between one level and another, which is why it is believed that new types of seeds were tested and developed here.
Evidence of experimentation with seeds during Inca times can be seen in the town of Urubamba, where giant Cusco corn can be found, unique in the world because of the size of its kernels and its pleasant taste.
This town is famous for its textiles and textile industry; at its traditional market, there is an endless variety of woven goods, wool, and textile designs. Its archaeological site features terraces, stairways, storage niches, and channels, all dedicated to agriculture.
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