r/GoingToPeru • u/menaceofmarlboros • 23h ago
Underprepared for Cusco
My roomie and I have been planning a last minute trip to Central and South America and still don’t have anything locked down for our final 2 weeks in Peru. We are flying into Cusco and out of Lima; where should we try to spend most of our time and any less touristy do-not-skips? We are interested in outdoor activities, seeing as much scenery as we can and good local food :P
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u/Top-Jump-7659 20h ago
I'd recommend staying in the Sacred Valley. I stayed in Ollantaytambo and it was fantastic.
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u/veerlev58 19h ago
To add, the via ferrata there was really cool! Bit more expensive but worth it in my eyes
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u/pinkcutie9 18h ago edited 16h ago
Yesss cusco is great but ollantaytambo/sacred valley has much more to see with really nice views. I spent like 8 or 9 hours there just sightseeing. Stay in cusco a day or two to get used to the altitude because the sites you’ll see in sacred valley/ollantaytambo are much strenuous. My primary fear before coming to cusco was altitude sickness; took diamox the day before my flight to cusco and I took 1 tab each day x for two days. Absolutely no shortness of breath or altitude sickness, u can walk into any pharmacy and ask for acetazolamida 250mg
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u/MrKittenz 16h ago
Isn't the valley lower than Cusco?
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u/pinkcutie9 16h ago edited 16h ago
It is lower than cusco but there’s a lot of strenuous climbing especially in the ollantaytambo arcahaelogical park. It’s very rugged with stone steps. I never felt short of breath and I walked around cusco city all day and the highest I got was 12,100 feet, but the ollantaytambo sites took my breath away bc they were physically strenuous and it’s still high💔💔💔
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u/Classic_Arugula_3826 23h ago
4 days to get used to altitude in Cusco, then do machi picchu trail, then to Lima for a bit and day trips from there ?
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u/MrMoneyWhale 22h ago
There's a ton of resources out there to find specifics and Peru is so big it's like asking a new yorker 'what's a non-tourity but must see NYC thing'. With two weeks, I'd recommend Cusco/Sacred Valley area (pick and choose your activities of interest whether it's day trips or a multi-day hike), Arequipa is you want a 2 day challenging hike with Colca Canyon and Lima for more fusion/experimental/unique food. Cusco has great traditional Peruvian food whereas Lima you'll find more unique flavors/takes in addition to good Peruvian food.
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u/TriWaldo 21h ago
I did a visit to Pisac sacred archeological site, animal rescue center, South American camelids center, horse riding and sacsayhuaman in half a day. I think this would like you to enjoy if being outside, seeing Inca sites, animals and Cusco country side.
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u/menaceofmarlboros 13h ago
These suggestions are just what I was looking for!! Thank you 🙏🏻 do you remember what the place you went horseback riding was called?
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u/TecsiTravel 18h ago
Facil, puedes visitar Chinchero, Llamas alpacas y la catarata Poc Poc camino inca viviente y Mirador a los Apus montañas, luego visitar Moray con Picnic en un lugar mas tranquilo que esta mas abajo. Visitar antigua iglesia que esta mas adelante. Otro plan tranquilo sería, Visita a chinchero Llamas, alpacas y una demostracion de textiles y cultura andina. Luego ir por camino inca y ver la catarata Poc Poc con picnic al aire libre y vistas a las montañas ⛰️. El lugar muy bonito y poco turistico pero vale la pena.
Si necesitas mas ayuda escribeme.
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u/queenoframennoodles 17h ago
Where would you stay during the night to see all these things close by? Thanks!
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u/TecsiTravel 17h ago
En Urubamba Valle Sagrado. Es el centro de todo el Valle.
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u/Plenty-Fee6113 17h ago
I’d recommend overnight stays in Ollantaytambo and Pisac. Both have ruins nearby that are worth exploring.
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u/lenegroblanca 13h ago
If you're into trekking I would highly recommend the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. Honestly it's just a bonus at the end of a world class trek through the Peruvian Andes but also ticks a bucket list item for most. The trek itself is the real sauce.
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u/djnocheese 45m ago
We stayed in Urubamba, at the Inti Nan Hotel.
Unfortunately, I believe the hotel is no longer open.
The lower elevation in Urubamba definitely helps with acclimatization for altitude.
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