72 Hours in Peru
The thing about having a BUCKET LIST, is that you’re constantly trying to check items off - So when a layover in Lima, Peru appeared on my itinerary, turning that into a trip to finally see Machu Picchu was an absolute must. The biggest challenge was that I had no clue how to get there. I’d heard of hiking the Inca Trail over the course of four days with an arrival through the Sun Gate, and while it sounded like an incredible adventure, I didn’t have the time or the equipment to execute that. What I had was 3 days, nothing planned, and an insatiable desire to see it all. Here are my tips on how to visit the beautiful land of the Incas warned that even walking to the bathroom from your hotel bed is a chore.
Take the scenic peru rail Your goal is to get to Aguas Calientes. A small village on a river at the foot of Mount Machupichu. The 3 hour train ride arrives early enough to make it to the top of the mountain and back all in one day. While it is convenient, I would suggest staying the night in Aguas Calientes - most accomodations are like hostels.
Fly to cusco The best airport to fly into is Cusco. It sits at 14,000 ft above sea level which makes it challenging to breathe. The locals know this and have cocoa tea available. Make sure to drink this as it helps relax you but be Bus to the top The gates at the base of Machu Picchu open at 5 and thats when the busses start shuttling people to the top. The line starts forming at least an hour before but moves fast. We braved out the hike and while the 1.5 hour climb to the top felt like an accomplishment, the arrival location is the parking lot of the gate full of busses.
Get A tour guide While most of the trip should be booked as far in advance as possible (peak season sells out quickly), tour guides are readily available at the gate. They keep the groups small and try to make $100 a session with a max of 6 people. It’s easy to explore the “University in the Sky” on your own but all the intricacies are lost without a guide.
Spend some time in Cusco With day trips to other locations in the Sacred Valley, spending time in Cusco is a must. The city is beautiful with historic charm and the food is absolutely incredible. I highly recommend tapas at Cioccopolo, I order the chef’s set of 6 which started with the duck prosciutto rolled over a mango chutney on bread. The city also has great lodging with some of the hotels built in old monastaries.
