Elevating Machu Picchu

Travelers with Machu Picchu on their bucket list can be so focused on getting there that they overlook some of the details and upgrades that can make the trip even better than they expected. Having met the challenges of creating that journey many times for our travelers, we’ve perfected how to get the most from this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We offer 7-to-11-day itineraries, including one for families, that can be customized for your schedule and budget. Here are five ways to make sure your Machu Picchu adventure doesn’t disappoint.

Altitude sickness—aka acute mountain sickness (AMS)–is no fun. Even a mild case of headaches and woozies that Peruvians call soroche will dampen your enthusiasm for touring the Lost City of the Incas. Think of it as sightseeing with a serious hangover!

The preventive that works for most people is simply to give the body time to adjust to the reduced oxygen supply. That’s why we allow plenty of time for altitude adjustment in Cusco, the gateway to the Inca Trail.

At well over 11,000 feet above sea level, Cusco is actually higher than Machu Picchu, which is roughly 8,000 feet above sea level.

It’s not unusual for even the most fit lowlander to develop AMS above 8,000 feet, so don’t think you can skip this step just because you ran a marathon last month.

If you have medical issues such as heart disease or lung problems that could possibly affect your ability to adjust to high altitudes, see your doctor to be sure it is safe for you to travel above 8,000 feet and to learn the warning signs of AMS, especially those for your particular condition. We would also recommend that you start your trip in the Sacred Valley (which is lower elevation than Cusco), to help you adjust better to the altitude, then ending the trip in Cusco when you’ve had a few days to acclimate.

Even if you’re not a shopping enthusiast, touring Pisaq market, Chinchero market or another one will give you an insider’s view of the local culture. It’s also your best opportunity to photograph locals wearing colorful traditional wear.

You can interact with the villagers, farmers and their families, watch weavers and other traditional crafts people at work, sample food (like the delicacy of roasted guinea pig!) and, of course, buy authentic gifts for friends at prices much better than those in hotel gift shops. You’ll find most vendors are friendly and will be extremely patient with your broken Spanish or attempts at pantomime.

The mountainous setting and vast ruins of Machu Picchu have earned it a spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites’ list, but there are other fascinating ruins to see not far from Cusco, the capital city of the Inca Empire.

You’ll marvel at the ingenuity and engineering skills of the Incas when you tour the ruins of Maras and Moray in the Sacred Valley. Both are fine examples of how the Incas mastered of the art of landscape terracing to serve a very specific purpose.

For instance, near Moray, you’ll see enormous concentric circles of earth. Experts believe these were a kind of laboratory where the Incas could study which crops to plant and how to best cultivate them.

In Maras, salt harvesting from the terraced, shallow ponds of mineral-rich water still takes place centuries after the Inca’s built the original ones.

Both of these visitor sites are typically not included on most Machu Picchu itineraries. Adding them will be a memorable plus to an already incredible trip.

Non-trekking tours to the walled city of Machu Picchu are typically one-day affairs, but we believe that travelers who have come so far enjoy staying at least one night to see the sunrise over the ruins in the morning. The extra time also allows you to hike the trails leading up to the steep peak of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu. Another popular option after touring the important archeological sights is to settle into a quiet nook and quietly contemplate the timeless landscape that surrounds you.

In Cusco, we recommend one of several hotels on or near the plaza armadas, the main plaza, of the town. In Peru, as in many South American countries, the plaza is where the action is. There’s a lovely cathedral anchoring one side and restaurants and shops line the streets facing the plaza. By far it’s one of the best people-watching spots in Cusco. A favorite recommendation of ours is the El Mercado, a boutique hotel near the plaza with just 30 impeccable rooms.

In the Sacred Valley, we enjoy the Pakaritampu Inn, conveniently located just five minutes from the station where morning trains depart for Machu Picchu. Many balcony rooms of the inn overlook the spectacular ruins of Ollantaytambo.  A bit farther away is the Tambo Del Inka, a luxury property with its own private train depot with limited service to Machu Picchu.

Of course, the most sought after hotel in Machu Picchu is the legendary Sanctuary Lodge. Location, location, location is why guests pay $800 and up for a night here. Since the Sanctuary is the only hotel perched at the ruins and just steps away from the main gates of Machu Picchu, it sells out months in advance. If you’re willing to pay the price, reserve as soon as you know you want to take this trip off your bucket list.