Today we’re focusing on the small things every traveler can do to avoid potentially trip-ruining problems brought on by food & drink, insects, sun exposure and altitude sickness. With a few easy steps, you can live the adventure of your trip to Peru to the fullest!
Qorikancha was the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The name means golden enclosure in Quechua- an apt choice, as when the Spanish conquistadores arrived in Peru, Qorikancha’s exterior walls were covered with a band of gold. The temple was dedicated to the sun, Inti, the supreme deity. Originally, one could only enter the temple barefoot, carrying a load on their back to show humility, and after having fasted. Today, you only need to purchase your admission in order to explore it.
If you’d like to make the most of a free day in Lima, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the ancient, colonial, and modern monuments of the city, hopefully taking in as much beauty, history and culture as possible. You can do this easily through a half-day tour which takes place twice a day, each morning and afternoon, or you can go the independent route.
The majority of travelers reach the ruins of Machu Picchu Citadel not by the Inca Trail, nor by an alternative trek, but by taking one of the trains which run from Cusco and the Sacred Valley and the town of Aguas Calientes. The trains aren’t just a necessary part of most trips; they’re a delight in themselves. They descend into the Sacred Valley (where Ollantaytambo station is located) and the Andean foothills, following the Urubamba River for some time. You’ll see traditionally-dressed locals as they tend to their llama or sheep herds, and will pass colorful mudbrick villages. The scenery of the river gives way to the stunning greenery of the high-altitude jungle as you enter the protected zone known as Machu Picchu Sanctuary, in which the town of Aguas Calientes and the ruins of Machu Picchu are found. Occasionally, you’ll even see the odd Inca ruin or agricultural terraces.
If you sit on the left-hand side on the train going to Machu Picchu, or on the right-hand side on the train returning from Machu Picchu, you’ll get the best views! You can’t request a side, but you are permitted to change sides if there are empty seats…
The mythic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a beautiful, rewarding hike, but it can also be a difficult undertaking. To make the going easier, here are our six tips on things to do before hiking the Inca Trail: