Machu Picchu Day Tour

Cusco airport is currently reserved for domestic flights, so all international air travelers must disembark in Lima and go through customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is made the same day by the same airline, you must collect your luggage in Lima and then check it again.

The best way to get to Cusco is by air and there are several options on the airlines. LAN tends to be the most expensive, but it has more options and flights. Expect flight delays or cancellations. Due to Cusco’s high altitude, it tends to be difficult to land and any weather conditions will stop air traffic.

The Bus trips are always available and although the trip can be long, especially from Lima, buses in Peru are very well maintained and comfortable. This option is highly recommended if you come from a city closer to Cusco, such as Puno or Arequipa. Lima buses will take around 20 hours to arrive in Cusco .

Even if it’s a train tour, your luggage limit is still limited due to train restrictions. All bags brought to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) must be kept in size. Any additional luggage you have with you can be safely left in Cusco at your hotel during your Machu Picchu Tour. Make sure your bags carry some form of identification so they are easy to locate.

As soon as people book their trip to Peru, especially Cusco, they begin to wonder about altitude sickness. High-altitude air contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. For several days at high altitude, your body adjusts to the least amount of oxygen in the air.

With altitude sickness, you may first feel like you have the flu or hangover. You may have a headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, shortness of breath while exercising. If any of these effects are aggravated, please contact our office and we will help you see a doctor.

Most of the time, these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend slowly slowing down activity, allowing your body to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids like water or coca tea. Coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Coca leaves contain alkaloids that help carry oxygen to the blood, which helps your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness.

Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee. They will make you urinate more often and will dehydrate you. Avoid smoking. Smoking makes it difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They can cause shallow breathing at night, making it difficult for your body to absorb oxygen during sleep.

Your healthcare professional may prescribe medications, such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone, to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medication two days before reaching a high altitude. Keep taking it while you are at high altitude.

Train, bus, walking.

About our Transportation:  Ground transfers and tours / activities included: Many of the ground transfers and tours included will be by private van, car or taxi, while others may be shared with other travelers depending on availability, the nature of the activity and the destination. For transfers, you may only have a local non-English speaking driver, for the included tours you will be accompanied by a local English-speaking guide.

We believe that single travelers should not have to pay more to travel, so our group tours are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travelers joining group tours are combined into double or shared accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our independent trips are designed differently and individual travelers on these itineraries must pay the price of the individual trip.