Peru is an incredibly diverse spectrum of landscapes that enchants thousands of visitors every year. We always say that the unique diversity and rich history of the country have given visitors the best souvenirs to buy in Peru. The colonial cities, the world-class Inca ruins and the picturesque towns that you explore during your holidays in Peru should not only be imprinted in your memory but also be remembered through beautiful souvenirs.
One of the best ways to remember a once-in-a-lifetime journey is to bring home some authentic souvenirs and gifts. So, when you see them, you will remember with joy and affection all the awe-inspiring moments you lived. Indeed, for many travelers, hunting for souvenirs is one of the most exciting and funniest parts of their trip. And our country is a veritable paradise for those who are hoping to find unique souvenirs to buy in Peru.
So, if you are looking for special gifts for your loved ones at home, Peru counts with many traditional markets and souvenir shops where you will find the perfect ones. From Andean hand-woven textiles to Peru’s famous Pisco.
Certainly, a wide array of souvenirs to buy in Peru are available. This can sound overwhelming because everybody wants to buy something authentic that perfectly encapsulates the magic of the place that it came from. But take it easy. We will help you to simplify your shopping experience with our list of the most representative souvenirs to buy in Peru. So, don’t forget to leave extra space in your bag.
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the hardest and most rewarding things. While you don’t need to train like you would for a marathon, the Inca Trail still requires preparation. It’s a four-day physical journey that will test your mental and physical limits. Here is what you need to know to prepare for hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
For this reason, we recommend that you prepare yourself at least a month before leaving for Peru, such as with small walks in your town, sports activities where you train your muscles will also help you a lot. Remember that on the Inca Trail you will ascend mountains with heights of 4,000 meters, in the Andes the oxygen level is a bit scarce which will make your breathing slow and fatiguing in sections.
For those planning to hike to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail, it is one of the best experiences in South America. We will break down the best time to plan your visit below, but keep in mind that the trail is closed for repairs for the entire month of February. You can still visit Machu Picchu, but you won’t be able to hike the trail.
Also, keep in mind that only 500 permits are allowed on the trail per day. Some seasons are busier than others, so be sure to book your trip well in advance! You can check the availability of Inca Trail permits or book a tour (that includes permits) in advance.
Is a four days of trekking the Inca Trail to finally reach Machu Picchu. It is one of the most incredible and challenging experiences. Here’s a breakdown of each day on the Inca Trail leading up to your final destination Machu Picchu.
This famous trek is full of beautiful mountain landscapes, valleys and cloud forests. In its 45 km route, mountains that reach up to 4,200 masl are ascended. For this, it is advisable to wear good hiking shoes, walking sticks, and most importantly, a great desire to meet new challenges along the ancient routes of the Inca empire.
From the first day you will be able to understand the magic of this road that will take you to the sacred citadel of the Incas, the sanctuaries and royal residences of the Incas are still preserved, among the most famous ruins that you can find is the archaeological complex of Llaqtapa, Runkurakay, Phuyupatamarka, Intipata and Wiñaywayna.
The Incas had two main meals a day, one in the early morning and one in the afternoon. They both did them sitting on the floor without a table. For the common people, the Inca diet was mostly vegetarian since the meat of camelids, ducks, guinea pigs, and game such as deer and vizcachas, was so precious that it was reserved only for special occasions. More common was freeze-dried meat (ch’arki), a popular food for travelers. A staple food was a porridge made from quinoa, and near the coast fish was eaten, usually in stews. Using small reed boats, the Inca fishermen caught anchovies, sardines, tuna, salmon, bass, and shellfish.
Food was prepared in stone or clay stoves over fires made from wood or llama dung, so most food was boiled or roasted. Corn was cooked into pancakes or toasted, while popcorn was considered a special indulgence. Potatoes were another staple food, and for storage they were often dried or freeze-dried as chuño. Quinoa and cañigua grains were also important, along with tubers such as oca, mashua, and maca. Additional flavors could be achieved by adding herbs and spices, especially chili peppers.
The fruits of the Incas: The empire of the Incas during its peak contributed to the spread and adaptation of the new fruits between exotic and common throughout all the territories of South America. This culture of the Quechuas greatly loved the fruits that were produced in the internal valleys, the coast and the jungles. It was an essential part of their diet, so the inhabitants of the highlands where only potatoes and corn were produced, made the exchange for these delicacies of nature in the typical regional markets, there they practiced exchanges and barter for cucumbers. cherimoyas, lucmas, avocados, etc.
The history of Peru is the maximum degree of use of natural resources of its inhabitants since the arrival of the first settlers of the Asian continent, perhaps they brought some products from southern areas such as Mexico and Central America, and once established in these territories they undertake a great project of cultivation and improvement of fruits that to this day we can still enjoy its exquisite flavor.
In the empire of the Incas, many of the fruits were supplied only seasonally and certain products such as nuts were the most requested by the noble classes.
Peru is a country where many of the sacred foods of the incas were created in the ancient andean laboratories, through the massive genetic modifications maded by the pre-inca cultures, and visitors exploring this diverse country will find a wonderful range of ingredients and dishes that are commonly available.
Food consumed by the inhabitants of the Inca Empire varied depending on where in the vast territory they lived. People living near the coast based their diet on fresh seafood and fruits and in the Andes on potatoes and corn. The vast majority of the Inca population lived along the Andes where in many places food could not be grown due to the rugged terrain and freezing temperatures.
The Incas grew their food in the fertile plains between mountains peaks, seasonal rains made its soil suitable for agriculture. The Inca civilization inherited their knowledge of agriculture from Andean cultures predating the Incas. They built agricultural terraces by cutting wide flat steps into the slopes of the mountains making agriculture more efficient.The also inherited an efficient water management system.
With great knowledge about the soil, Incas agriculture overcame both the adversities presented by the rugged Andean terrain, as well as the unfavorable climatic conditions, by adapting innovative agricultural techniques, which allowed organizing production in the geographical diversity of Tahuantinsuyo.
Inca agriculture as the main economic activity, managed to acclimatize a wide variety of products to the environment, in this way, they cultivated potatoes, olluco, corn, sweet potatoes and beans, among others. Thus, to till the land, they used the human-powered plow or tajlla, which consisted of a stick with a curved stone or metal point crossed by a beam at its lower end, which served as a support to sink the tool into the earth and open the grooves. Additionally, they used the manure of seabirds, called guano, and the fallen leaves of carob trees as fertilizers.
The basic activity of the Inca economy had always been agriculture, even in coastal areas where fishing played an important role or where trade generated wealth. Society, its interests or its culture, revolved around the land, seen as a source of life and the most precious asset, a source of disputes, wars and worship. The Incas deified her with the name of Pacha Mama.
The Chakana is the graphic representation of a concept that has multiple levels of complexity according to its use. Literally, Chakana is a word of Quechua origin, born either from the union of the words chaka (bridge, union) and hanan (high, up, big), or from the same chakana, ladder. Thus, Chakana carries the meaning of union with the Hanan Pacha, what is above or what is great.
The chakana or chaka hanan means the bridge to the top. It has a double reference: it is the Quechua denomination of the constellation of the Southern Cross, which is the basic symbol and origin of its worldview, due to its proportionality and cosmogonic character. By extension of its principles, the stepped signs are also called chakana, among which the stepped cross stands out.
The Civil Engineering of the Incas, in which geometric configurations are shown that show that mathematics and natural sciences were known in the Inca culture. Thus, in the Andean world, 2000 years BC, there is evidence of a Proportional Geometric System of measurements, whose factor of change or variation was the mathematical relationship “PI”, synthesized in the geometric formula of the Square Cross that originated in the ancient cult to the constellation of the Southern Cross, whose existence has been verified by the discovery of the Star Geoglyph of Las Salinas de Chao, on the north coast of Peru.
His vertical aerial photography allowed the discovery of the geoglyph and later the geometric and astronomical analysis of it, the constellation of the Southern Cross is an entity and an astronomical concept linked to the problem of controlling the seasons, its cross shape is purely casual and the length of its smaller and larger arms are in the same ratio as the side of a square and its diagonal. This constellation, which with its major axis points to the south pole, is the ruler of the southern hemisphere, as is the case with the pole star in the northern hemisphere.
The great incas technology is still the subject of many studies.The Incas achieved great knowledge because they achieved objective truth through accurate and reasoned knowledge of things or facts, that is, by their own methods. The sciences that were cultivated in the empire mostly in the Yachayhuasi and some in the Acllahuasi: they were Philosophy, Cosmology, Astronomy, the latter in relation to Mathematics and Geometry. They also treated History, Geography, Medicine and Law.
The Incas knew perfectly the components of the natural environment, its various processes and phenomena of the biosphere as a whole and the ecological systems that compose it, which is demonstrated by the successful use of agricultural and climatic technologies, well applied in their time.
The chasquis were the messengers of the Inca empire; they traveled the network of the Inca Trails at great speeds.
They were selected from children, which in addition to running very fast, they had to be very athletic and very resistant, since they had to cover great distances at great speeds doing messenger relief, without harming the rest of the team, since communication in the empire It depended on them.
The special training to which they were subjected, made their lungs develop a lot, in order to withstand long distances at great speeds. The Coca Leaf, a sacred thing of the Incas, helped the chasquis withstand the exhausting journeys. There were few people who were allowed to chew coca leaves, considered by the Incas as a divine plant.
The term chasqui comes from the Quechua chaskiq or chaskij, which means ‘he who receives and gives’, and this was precisely his work. The messages carried by the chasquis were encrypted in quipus; these contained official records, logistics information and other important information for the empire.
The Archaeological Center of Chinchero is little known by travelers, however, it has interesting attractions. So, if you plan to get to know Cusco and Machu Picchu on a tour, you cannot fail to include your visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and get to know Chinchero.
Chichero is one of the 7 districts of the Urubamba province, Cusco department. It is also known as the city of the Rainbow, because it is surrounded by beautiful panoramas of the Andes mountain range demarcated by the imposing snowy Salkantay, Verónica and Soray “Apus Tutelares of the Cusco region” and lagoons such as Huaypo and Piuray.
Chinchero was the place chosen by the Inca Túpac Yupanqui to settle his residence where he built his palace, where the Church of the Virgin Nativity was built on the Inca settlement, in it you can see a combination of colonial and Inca construction. In addition, its traditions and culture are still alive.
What is the difference between a camping sleeping bag and a sleeping bag for hiking? In general, camping bags offer plenty of room to move around, while backpacking bags are lightweight and comfortable. If you are going to use one bag for both activities, choose a backpack style because you need it to be lightweight if you are going to carry it in a backpack.
Cusco is a city in the mountains of Peru with 3,399 mt. above sea level, therefore it is a city where it is quite cold compared to other cities in the north or jungle of Peru. The tours offered by the city of Cusco are the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Lares Trek, Ausangate Trek, Salkantay Trek, etc. They are walks that in some sections reach higher temperatures than in the center of the city.
The Ausangate trek is a “little” gem among the attractions of the Cusco region of Peru. To 100 km southeast of Cusco is the impressive Vilcanota mountain range. The mountain range has several peaks over 6,000 meters, including the sacred Ausangate (6372m), the highest mountain in the Cusco region. It is not very popular among millions of tourists that visit the more famous Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. The full circuit, is a six day affair although it can be done in a shorter time. There are a few variations of the track, one ends at the Rainbow Mountain, other cuts across the front of the range. There is also a longer version that traverses the entire range of Cordillera Vilcanota.
The Ausangate Trek is renowned for its otherworldly natural scenery. It’s considered by many to be one of the world’s best high-altitude treks, the trek takes hikers over several high passes, into low alpine valleys, and through traditional Peruvian villages. You’ll see snow-capped peaks, herds of llamas, glaciers, and turquoise lakes, all within a stunningly beautiful mountain range. You will also have the opportunity to see the Rainbow Mountains of Vinicunca!
You don’t have to be climbing the highest mountain in the world to encounter altitude sickness. Anyone hiking, trekking, or just hanging out several thousand feet above sea level can be affected. Most cases of altitude sickness are mild, but some can be fatal. Symptoms usually appear hours after arriving at a high-altitude location. They include headache, nausea, shortness of breath and, in addition, inability to do physical activity. Mild cases resolve within one to three days. Severe cases may require oxygen, medication, and transfer to a lower altitude.
Altitude sickness is a physical discomfort that usually occurs when visiting a place located at a high altitude. In Peru, the destinations at the highest altitudes are Cusco, the Colca Canyon in Arequipa, Huaraz or Puno. The Mountain of Colors Palccoyo in Cusco at 4900 m.
The Inca Trail through Lares is one of the many options of the Inca Trail that leads to Machu Picchu. Every Lares trek to Machu Picchu includes some transportation from Huaran to Ollantaytambo and from there you take a train to Aguas Calientes, most choose to do it in 4 days. Of those 4 days, you are effectively only trekking for 3 days. The fourth day is spent in Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. As for the actual itinerary of the route, there are a number of variations on the Lares trek and most of them end in Ollantaytambo.
The Lares trek is not just an alternative to the overloaded Classic Inca Trail. The Lares trek has a lot to offer for people looking for a combination of nature, history and local culture. The walks depart from Cusco and take you to the Lares hot springs. Before you tie your laces and get ready for the hike, you’ll relax your muscles in the hot springs. After you have enjoyed the hot water, you will want to take it easy, so on the first day you only walk for about 2 hours.
From the town of Quiswarani (sometimes also Wacawasi) the trek continues through the 4,300m high Condor Pass to the community of Canchachanca. This is where the tour distinguishes itself from others in the Cusco region. You will most likely interact a lot with the local Quechuas. The last section to Huaran or Pumamarka is the crown of the route. Here you prepare little by little to discover the icing on the cake, Machu Picchu.
Lares Trek Peru is a couple of days hike, and the beginning of the road is from the sacred valley of the Incas. So this Lares Adventure in Peru is quite famous for the mountain lovers with connection to Machupicchu Inca site and recommended trekking in an organized group since this hike is through the Andes mountain.
Moreover, this trek goes through some remote villages, where live the living Culture people in houses made of stone and thatched roofs, also they farm different types of potatoes in an organic way since they fertilize the soil with the llamas and alpacas animals manure, so that means they raise these native llamas and alpacas, through the Lares trek mountains.
Furthermore, this Lares Trek In Peru is one of the well-recommended trail, as an alternative to the traditional Inca trail Machupicchu. It is a slightly hilly road and higher in altitude than the traditional Inca trail, and the most important no needing an official permit neither is limited the number of people to hike Lares Trek in Peru with connection to the Machu Picchu city.
Cusco is the perfect place to start a trekking adventure since it has varied walks that mostly end with the wonderful visit to Machu Picchu. If you are thinking of starting this adventure, you have to know how to choose trekking poles for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? Trekking poles could help your performance on travel days. Trekking and hiking are mountain activities that have become very fashionable. To walk through this type of terrain and be able to enjoy it, it is necessary to be well equipped. There are different types of canes that suit personal needs. If you don’t know which one is ideal for you, take note. We teach you how to choose hiking poles. Follow these tips to get yours and enjoy nature doing mountain activities.
Peru is breath-taking country. The Andean highlands, where our trips are based, is literally so. But more than just the thin air of the high altitude cities, the well-preserved ancient stonework, the incredible textiles, and the friendliest people you could hope to meet will all equally take your breath away. Peru is a hidden gem. Without the crowds of the Alps or Rockies, Peru still feels like the kind of spectacular landscape where you could get lost for hours (don’t worry, we won’t let you) and not encounter a soul. Yet, the trails and dirt roads which snake out across the valleys in mountains make the Sacred Valley, Ausangate, Lares, Anascocha and surrounding highland areas a dream come true for hikers. We present the best treks to Machu Picchu.
Our adventure starts in the beautiful city of Cusco, highlighted by amazing cuisine and the unique hybrid architecture that is one part Inca Stone and one part Spanish Cathedral, a must see. From there, we’ll head to our best places to start one of our best treks to Machu Picchu.
The mountains around Cusco offers an unending supply of trekking adventures and amazing alternative treks to Machu Picchu, that are sure to satisfy everyone, from the expert mountaineer to the weekend hiker, the history buff to the nature lover. The Peruvian Andes have something for everyone! At Andean Great Treks, we specialize in offering unique, alternative Machu Picchu Treks. Here are some of our favourites!
There’s nothing like the satisfaction of approaching Machu Picchu on one’s own two feet, which is why the classic Inca Trail hike has become so popular in recent years. The time when a traveler could roll into Cusco and set up an Inca Trail trek for the following day—or week, or month—has long since passed, though. To limit damage to the trail, the Peruvian government now limits access to 500 persons per day, porters included. Permits for the peak summer season sell out months in advance.
Fortunately, the Inca were master road builders who blazed trails all throughout the Andes, and many of these are alternate routes to Machu Picchu (or at least you get as close as a quick train ride). Here are we listed the best alternative treks to Machu Picchu, most of which require no permits and can be arranged through Andean Great Treks. Some of these hikes are available in multiple variations and can be tailored to meet a particular fitness level.
The 2 day short Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful treks. It is a unique style hiking, with spectacular views of the Andes chain, a great mix of jungle and you will enjoy from beginning to end. The authentic sites of South America’s most-popular country, Peru, come to life before your eyes on our short Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu.
The short Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu has long been a dream destination for explorers and adventurers. The short inca trail hike can be challenging at times, but priceless rewards await you along the way. For bird enthusiasts, the famous short inca trail hike to Machu Picchu takes this already amazing experience to a whole new level. The exceptionally unique environment of the Amazon rainforest offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for bird watching, making the trail worthwhile. In the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, around 400 species of birds were discovered, of which 50% can be seen while doing the short inca trail hike to Machu Picchu.
The Short Inca Trail hike 2 days to Machu Picchu is a unique opportunity for those who may not have as much time to hike the entire Inca Trail. This trek combines highlights from the Classic 4 days Inca Trail, with some of the most beautiful Inca ruins nestled in the cloud forest’s dense vegetation. Enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) late in the afternoon and therefore have the unique opportunity to see the city almost empty.
The Short Inca Trail, 2 days to Machu Picchu, is perfect for families with children as it is only one-day hiking, and the next day you explore the citadel of Machu Picchu. This tour allows you to arrive at Machu Picchu twice through the Sun Gate.
The birds of the short inca trail hike to Machu Picchu are very picturesque and showy birds. Since, we can find many species of low jungle and high jungle of Peru. For this reason, they are mostly birds of beautiful colors and shapes. Those who live in the “Cloud Forest” of the short Inca trail hike to machu picchu. However, let us remember that this area has a considerable concentration of clouds and fogs. As a consequence, we will find ecosystems with a lot of epiphytism. In the internal forests of the short Inca trail hike we will find humid montane forests with trees less than 20 meters high. Also, the branches and trunks of many trees are covered by mosses, bromeliads, orchids, ferns, and other epiphytes. They also have areas where Chusquea-type shrubs and bamboo predominate.
INCA ASTRONOMY: The Inca civilization in Peru gave great importance to astronomy. They were the only culture in the world that defined the constellations of light and darkness. The Incas not only identified individual constellations and stars, but also assigned them a purpose. They believed that everything in our world and its surroundings was connected. Contemplating a starry night sky is magical. People have always been fascinated with the stars and tried to find meaning in what they saw in the sky.
Astronomy was one of the most important studies for the Inca civilization and, of course, they developed it very well. They were able to define constellations, stars, the passage of time, the change of seasons, etc. The Inca city of Machu Picchu is completely built according to the sun; The same goes for the old buildings in the city of Cusco, whose streets were designed to mimic their constellations.
According to Article N ° 2 of the aforementioned supreme decree, the objective of the ACR Ausangate Cusco Regional Conservation Area is to conserve a representative sample of the Puna ecoregion of the Central Andes of Cusco, which contains a high biological, landscape and water regulation value.
The snowy Ausangate is considered a guardian Apu in Cusco, due to its imposing presence and intimate religious-cultural connection that exists with the local population since the time of our ancestors. Its location, the Andean ecosystems, the permanent and quality water services it offers, the high Andean lagoons and the landscapes associated with this glacier, make Ausangate a very important place for its conservation.
Through the publication of Supreme Decree No. 012-2019-Minam, the Peruvian State recently formalized the creation of the Ausangate Regional Conservation Area (ACR) in Cusco, in order to conserve the vast biological wealth available to the place.
This natural area comprises an area of 66,514 hectares and is located between the district of Ocongate (Quispicanchi) and the districts of Pitumarca and Checacupe (Canchis), which as of this date are delimited for the respective protection works.
The extension includes the snowfall of the Ausangate massif and the areas associated with it, so the ACR will contribute to the reduction of the vulnerability of fragile species and ecosystems to climate change and thereby ensure the ecosystem services they provide for the benefit local, regional and national.
The supreme decree also stipulates that the administration and financing of the ACR Ausangate will be fully covered with the institutional budget of the Regional Government of Cusco, responsible in addition to reporting the state of conservation of the perimeter, according to the coordination and procedures established by the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp), which in turn will provide guidance and technical support to make ACR management a success.
As part of the reforestation campaign “One million trees in 10 years for the Machu Picchu historical sanctuary”, our company Andean Great Treks, operator of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, has played the reforestation of trees in Machu Picchu, with the support of our administrative staff, tour guides, chefs, porters, in the initial sector of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu KM 82 Piscakucho, Misquipuquio at 3800 masl.
Campaign seeks to reforest 11 thousand hectares of land of protected natural area of Cusco. Initiative seeks to recover areas degraded by forest fires. Strengthening the image of Machu Picchu as an eco-sustainable natural wonder, the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (SERNANP) relaunched last Tuesday the campaign “A Million Trees for Machu Picchu and its buffer zone”. Specialists from the Ministry of Environment argue the need to plant trees in the ecological belt (buffer zone) that allows to protect the archaeological sanctuary and the surrounding flora and fauna.
The ancient capital of the Inca Empire (15th and 16th centuries), located in the Machu Picchu district, Urubamba province, 80 kilometers northwest of the city of Cusco, has been threatened for years by heavy rains that cause landslides in winter and fires in summer.
13 kilometers from the main square of Cusco, is “The abode of the Gods in Cusco”, this magical place, dazzles visitors with huge works of art made of stone, these sculptures were made by Michael Monteagudo Mejia, better known as the Titan.
If you want to get to this place, you have to go to the final whereabouts of Sencca, (through the Tica Tica arch) 13 kilometers from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, there walking about 30 minutes along the road, or by car about 10 minutes , until we reach a reservoir and there we find the stone sculptures.
Manu the Amazon Rainforest near Cusco: “Where can I live an experience in the jungle?” “Can we go to some jungle near Cusco?”, Are some questions we ask ourselves when we arrive in the capital of the Inca Empire. We are surrounded by a mountainous landscape, with forest and arid areas. But we feel far from jungle geography. And it is not like that. A few hours from Cusco we can enter the Madre de Dios region, which borders the region of Cusco and Brazil at its sites.
Cusco has different natural destinations ideal to live an unforgettable experience. One of them is the Quelccaya glacier, located in Cusco, which is considered one of the wonders of the country. Today, we invite you to know this beautiful place.
Imposing, magical, incomparable, unique are the common names to describe Machu Picchu. This city was built during the 15th century in the middle of two mountains on the border between the Andes and the Amazon, in the Urubamba river valley known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, at 2,260 meters of altitude; He has received dozens of titles, one of the best known is Wonder of the World. You can arrive on an organized tour; but it comes alone, knowing that you must book the tickets for Machu Picchu weeks in advance, unless of course you want to enter the Huayna Picchu mountain, the available tickets from Machu Picchu to enter this mountain must be booked months in advance . We knew you had yours, but we will show you 6 reasons to visit Machu Picchu.
It is normal to see spectacled bear in Machu Picchu is considered a historical and natural heritage by UNESCO, in addition to its incredible structures, you can see beautiful species of animals, plants and insects. The historic and natural sanctuary of Machu Picchu houses, among all plant species, about 450 species of orchids and nowhere else in the world can you find so many. Hundreds of animal species, among which are the spectacled bear and the cock of the rocks in danger of extinction.
The Important Festivals in Cusco, There are unique dates that make the trip to the Capital of the Incas a magical experience: Carnivals, Easter, Corpus Christi, Inti Raymi, Christmas, New Years, are just some of the most important festivals celebrated by the population of Cusco. Get to know the tradition and the joy that the city “Navel of the World” radiates during those days.
How to save in Cusco? Most of us have wanted to travel for a long time, but reality hits us hard when we have to go through our pockets and see that it is not as simple as we hope, so saving is essential. However, today it is a reality to be able to travel on a limited budget. If your destination is Cusco, this list with tips will help you enough to make that dream come true.
Peruvian gastronomy occupies a very prominent place throughout the world, becoming considered by the French newspaper Le Monde as one of the three great kitchens of humanity, along with the Chinese and French, although in international gastronomy competitions it also competes With Indian cuisine.
The immense variety of ingredients that exists in Peruvian lands, thanks to the geographic territory with which we have is one of the factors why our cuisine is full of wealth.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: 10 things you must know to do the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. If you choose to enter the Wonder of the World for this impressive trekking route, there are a few things you need to know.
The Inca trail hike to Machu Picchu is one of the 5 best walks in the world. But there is a great demand for tickets. For this reason, you must reserve your income in advance.
Please note the following before reserving the ticket for the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu:
• The income for the Inca trail ran out 6 months before. Remember that only 500 people can do this route every day.
• Only 200 people enter Machu Picchu through this route, the rest belong to the support team, cooks, porters and guides.
• The entrance to the Inca trail only includes the Inca city of Machu Picchu. If you want to visit the Machu Picchu mountain or the Huayna Picchu; request it at the tourism agency.
• The purchase of the income for the Inca trail is through our website. We are an authorized tourism agency.
In this article we will answer all about the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
The duration is according to the tour you do; the most famous is the tour of the Classic Inca Trail that lasts 4 days and 3 nights and you reach a maximum height of 4200 masl; The second is the Inca Trail Short tour of 2 days and 1 night and you reach a maximum height of 2650 meters. We also have other alternative adventure tours to the Inca Trail: the so-called “Inca Jungle” that consists of cycling and walking until you reach the Inca citadel and lasts 4 days and 3 nights; Finally there is the walking tour to Machu Picchu through the snowy Salkantay which lasts 5 days and 4 nights.
The Classic Inca Trail 4 days 3 nights shows you its exquisite beauty and natural environment. Along the Inca trail you will see archaeological sites from the Inca period, surrounded by vegetation that give the impression of being discovered for the first time. The Inca Trail is one of the 5 best treks in the world and Machu Picchu is the end point of this wonderful tour. This hiking trail is the most amazing way to get your first view of the Wonder of the World, just as the Incas did almost 600 years ago.
How long is the Inca Trail? There are different Inca trail tours including alternative treks to get to Machu Picchu each of the tours with different experiences and traditions of the areas where it will be traveled. The duration time is according to the tour you take; the most famous is the Classic Inca Trail that lasts 4 days and 3 nights and reaches a maximum height of 4200 meters above sea level; the second is the short Inca Trail tour of 2 days and 1 night and you reach a maximum height of 2650 meters above sea level. We also have other alternative adventure tours: the so-called “Inca Jungle” that consists of biking and hiking until reaching the Inca citadel and lasts 4 days and 3 nights; Finally, there is the trekking tour to Machu Picchu through the Salkantay snowy which lasts 5 days and 4 nights.
Where is the inca trail? It is located in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, in Cusco, capital of the ancient Inca empire and the citadel of Machu Picchu. The alternation of mountains and valleys along the walk offers an incredible and very diversified spectacle. It is situated in the Andes mountain range, the Inca trail passes through different types of Andean environments including green forests and rocky roads. Settlements, tunnels and many Inca ruins are found along the way before ending at the Puerta del Sol on the mountain of Machu Picchu.
The Inca trail begins at kilometer 82 of the railway that leads to Machu Picchu (2 hours and 30 minutes by bus from the city of Cusco). At the checkpoint we meet our porters and we will pass the passport control and the Inca trail tickets. However, Machu Picchu is not the only archaeological site that you will see on the Inca trail. On the tour you will also appreciate the ruins of Llactapata, the archaeological site of Runkurakay, Saycamarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñaywayna.
The Inca Trail is the name that has been given to the road networks or roads that make up the road system of the Inca Empire, in this sense What is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? Is an Inca route through which one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World. Along the way, different archeological sites, beautiful landscapes and beautiful panoramic views are known and enjoyed. The Inca trail is very famous worldwide, and is known by many tourists because it is part of the road networks that linked the great Inca empire. The Inca Trail is part of an extensive system of road networks of more than 23,000 kilometers that integrated the Tahuantinsuyo Empire (meaning “Four parts of the World”). This road covered Colombia, western Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, and reaches central Chile and northern Argentina.
“Peru best culinary destination in the world”. Peru was recognized this Thursday, November 28, as the best culinary destination in the world for the eighth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards, which was held in Muscat capital of Oman, in Asia. Our country was also awarded as the best cultural destination and the same was done with Machu Picchu as the biggest tourist attraction in the world. The World Travel Awards are the most prestigious awards within the framework of the tourism sector worldwide by recognizing since 1993 excellence in the universe of travel and hospitality.
The renowned Peruvian Gastronomy conquers palates and has become a travel motivator for thousands of people, so Peru was awarded the best culinary destination award in the World.
“Best Culinary Destination in the World”, “Best Cultural Destination in the World” and “Best Tourist Attraction in the World: Machu Picchu” were the three awards for which the international tourism industry awards our country. This is not the first time that Peru triumphs in these categories, being the recognition of our gastronomy the most awarded for eight consecutive years.
How much does the Inca Trail cost? This magnificent hike in the heights of the highlands and jungle of Cusco is also one of the most demanded in the world, specifically the Classic Inca Trail 4 Days and Short Inca Trail 2 Days as they have a limited number of tickets for each date and must be booked well in advance (6 months before is recommended).
Meet the beautiful flora and fauna along the way and of course the triumphant arrival at the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. Performing the Inca Trail also gives you the wonderful opportunity to get to know the city of Cusco, a place full of history. The previous stay in Cusco will be very pleasant and useful in several ways.
There are many roads that lead to Machu Picchu but none like the Inca Trail. The most popular among travelers and the most famous hike on the American continent. From Cusco, 43 kilometers of path through forests and dense fogs, ancient stone steps and majestic views. In the end is the reward. Where does the Inca Trail start? The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins at kilometer 82 of the railway that leads to Machu Picchu (2 hours and 30 minutes by bus from the city of Cusco). The Inca Trail is considered the best trek in South America. It is a route of 43 kilometers through ancient Inca trails to Machu Picchu. Tourists have the opportunity to appreciate the scenic beauty with Inca archaeological sites including the Wonder of the World.
For nature and adventure lovers, especially those who really want to get to Machu Picchu through the Inca Trail, which by the way, will transport you to a new world where you will change the noise of the city for the beautiful singing of the Birds and the most beautiful landscapes you can imagine. However, trekking is not a simple thing, especially for those who are not used to exercise or physical effort normally. You need to know what to pack for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail, is one of the 5 best hiking trails in the world, many of the travelers wish to make this journey, but due to the limitations that exist because it is a route with high demand, it must be booked in advance. But first, choose the best season to enjoy your trip to the fullest. When to do the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, there are seasons in the city of Cusco different from other cities in Peru.
The months of May, June and July are the best to do the Inca Trail. During those days the mornings and afternoons are clear and you will be able to clearly observe the landscapes. The days are cooler, however, the nights are cold in the highlands.
Do you want to travel to Machu Picchu but are looking for some adventure? The Wonder of the World also offers various options for adventurous spirits. The Inca Trail and the ascent of Huayna Picchu are perhaps the most popular treks offered by the Inca citadel. How difficult is it to get to Machu Picchu through the Inca Trail? The hike is physically challenging, but requires no technical skill. The difficulty of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu mostly comes from the repeated ascending and descending steps, and the height. The climb to the first pass takes you to approximately 2,000 to more than 4,000 meters above sea level. in a relatively short length followed by a descent of approximately 1,500 meters above sea level.
The Incas left us a great legacy of archaeological and architectural places that are preserved to this day. Thanks to that we have been able to learn much of the history and culture of this empire that inhabited Peru for around 100 years, between 1438 and 1533. One of the most fascinating places you can find in the Sacred Valley is Moray, an archaeological complex used by the Incas as an agricultural research center. The ruins of Moray is one of the mandatory destinations on your visit to Cusco.
Immersed in the impressive Andean beauty of the Sacred Valley, the Salt Mines of Maras offer a new look at surprising Inca ingenuity and skill. The salt encrusted ponds at Maras look like a blanket of snow covering the side of the Qoripujio mountain in the distance. It is a spectacular sight. Each of the more than 3,000 pools have various shades of white to brown. Maras Salt has been collected since pre-Inca times, and travelers are invited to see this centuries-old tradition at work.
Ollantaytambo ruins, a historic place, is one of the busiest tourist attractions in Cusco. This site functioned as a ceremonial center for the Incas, as well as being a control center for those who passed through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The great walls, the watchtowers and the perfect carving of the stone walls impress all the travelers that cross it. The Construction of Ollantaytambo had a role of protecting the Sacred Valley. Due to its strategic location, it was a center of operations during the Spanish invasion. In addition, the researchers indicate that it was a place where water was worshiped. Dare to visit it!
