Guides, tips and experiences told by our local guides.
A local's guide to Cusco's best areas to stay by trip type: Historic Center, San Blas, San Pedro and the Sacred Valley. Pros, prices and altitude tips.
Real 2026 numbers for a Machu Picchu and Cusco trip, with three budgets broken down: backpacker, standard and premium.
What the Cusco Tourist Ticket is, how much it costs, which sites each version covers, and how to pick the right one for your trip.
There is no direct road to Machu Picchu. We break down the 5 ways to get there from Cusco — train, Inca Trail, Salkantay, Hidroeléctrica and Inca Jungle — with prices, travel times and which one fits your trip.
Every way to reach Cusco: flights from Lima and other cities, buses, distances and times. Airport tips, transfers and handling the altitude on landing.
The complete guide to the Machu Picchu train: PeruRail vs IncaRail, the Ollantaytambo and Poroy stations, service classes, prices and how to choose your train.
A local guide explains Machu Picchu's circuits step by step: ticket types, 2026 prices, and how to secure a morning entry slot without surprises.
How to visit the Maras Salt Mines and the Moray terraces from Cusco: what they are, how to get there, best time of day, tickets and what to bring.
Everything about Rainbow Mountain in Cusco: altitude, difficulty, how to get there, what to pack, the best season, and Vinicunca vs Palccoyo vs Pallay Punchu. Tips to beat altitude sickness.
An honest comparison of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain: difficulty, views, duration, altitude, and which to choose based on your fitness and ticket type.
Palccoyo is the easier, quieter rainbow mountain compared to Vinicunca: a short walk, three colored ridges and a stone forest. How to get there and when to go.
A local guide explains the Cusco City Tour: the Cathedral, Qoricancha and the four nearby ruins, with duration, price and the tickets you will need.
Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Maras and Moray: everything to see in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. 1- and 2-day itineraries, the tourist ticket, best season and where to stay.
A local guide shares what to pack for Cusco and Machu Picchu: layered clothing, footwear, sun protection and a checklist by season and tour type.
The 3-day Cusco itinerary I build for my travelers, prioritizing altitude acclimatization so you enjoy Machu Picchu without getting sick.
How to plan Machu Picchu over 2 days and 1 night, with an hour-by-hour itinerary, real costs, and why it beats the rushed Full Day tour.
The complete Humantay Lake guide (4,200 m): how to get there from Cusco, the trek's real difficulty, the horse option, what to pack, best season and how to avoid altitude sickness.
A local guide on what to eat in Cusco: cuy, lechón, chicharrón, chairo, rocoto relleno, drinks, desserts, where to eat cheap and altitude eating tips.
A Cusco guide explains what Inti Raymi is, why it is celebrated on June 24, and how to plan your visit to see it at Sacsayhuamán in 2026.
The Salkantay Trek 5D/4N guide: itinerary, difficulty, the 4,630 m pass, what to pack, price, and Salkantay vs Inca Trail compared. Ideal if Inca Trail permits are sold out.
A detailed analysis of the best time to visit Machu Picchu. Weather, ticket availability, prices and crowds month by month, with recommendations by traveler type.
The complete guide to soroche (altitude sickness) in Cusco: symptoms, prevention, what to do if it hits, when it is serious, and acclimatization tips validated by Andean doctors.
A detailed 7-day Cusco itinerary: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay, city tour and more. With timings, costs and acclimatization tips.
Everything you need for the classic 4-day Inca Trail: the day-by-day itinerary, SERNANP permits, training plan, packing list and how to choose an operator.