Travel Guide

Classic Day Tour to Sacred Valley – The Sacred Valley trip is one of the most popular tours in the region or must-see. The Sacred Valley of the Incas was the most important area for the Inca empire and it functioned as both an agricultural, spiritual and political center for them. Likewise, the Sacred Valley is the stretch of the Andes that lies between Cusco and Machu Picchu through isolated villages and numerous Inca and Pre-Inca sites under the lush green landscape and formidable foothills.
Many tourists opt to do this Sacred Valley tour or Classic full-day trip from Cusco just before their visit to Machu Picchu as you can choose to finish in Ollantaytambo from where you can take the train on to Aguas Calientes (the town at the base of Machu Picchu).

The weather in Cusco: The weather in Cusco is unpredictable. The dry season in Cusco is from April to October, but this does not prevent rain from falling in June or the sun from rising in December – just be prepared. No matter what month you are doing the tour, please make sure you have rain gear that includes a rain jacket, pants, poncho and rain gloves. Many people forget their gloves, but the cold and humidity make the tours very unpleasant.

If you are going to do trekking or expeditions in the Peruvian Andes. Prepare yourself also for four seasons. Many of the walks through the Andes involve many microclimates and you will need to be prepared for all seasons. Layers are always key as they are easy to adjust to different temperatures. And the nights will always be cold, so please prepare yourself with a warm winter jacket.

What is altitude sickness? Altitude sickness is when the body begins to react differently to compensate for changes in oxygen levels. As it rises, the air pressure decreases (the air becomes “thinner”), so for each breath, there will be less oxygen for your body. Your body gradually adjusts to receiving less oxygen – you breathe faster and deeper and the body produces more red blood cells.

This takes time, so if you go from low to high altitude too fast, you may feel symptoms of altitude sickness until your body becomes acclimated.

Cusco is located at an altitude of 3,400 meters (11,200 feet) and it is common for many visitors to experience some mild symptoms of altitude sickness in Cusco, or “soroche” as it is locally known. It is difficult to know if you will be affected by altitude sickness, as some people may be more susceptible than others, regardless of their age, sex or physical condition.

How can you tell if you are suffering from altitude sickness? Common mild symptoms of altitude sickness may include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Poor appetite
• Dizziness
• Disturbed sleep

Climbing the stairs to your hotel room can sometimes feel like the last mile in a marathon in the first few days of your Peru trip particularly in Cusco which is at a higher altitude than say Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley!

Frequently Asked Questions