11 days in Peru - 2 day Machu Pichu trek - please help with itinerary -

Hello,
My wife and I are headed to Peru Sept. 11th to the 24th - giving us about 11 or so full days. Can you please help me work out a good itinerary?

Our top priority is Machu Pichu, and we've found availability with Liz Explorer for a 2 day trek between the 15th and the 18th.

Other than that, our other top priorities are to check out the foodie scene in Lima, visit Lake Titicaca. I see a lot of positive feedback on Cuzco/Sacred Valley area also. Other than the Inca Trail we're pretty indifferent about hiking; I plan on bringing my running shoes to do some jogging. We really like to try street foods and mingle with locals. I speak un poquito Espanol; she speaks none.

I was thinking we might head straight to Cuzco, but it seems that the altitude could be a problem. We're both fit in our 30s.

Your advice is MP (Much Appreciated/Machu Piccu)!!!

Thanks!

I count 12 full days and that may be just enough time for Lima, Cusco/Sacred Valley/MP and Lake Titicaca.

The 2 day Inca Trail is expensive for what is really only one day of hiking. The second day is a visit of MP which you can easily plan on your own (you would just buy train tickets and MP tickets). But maybe you have your heart set on it.

For the 4 day Inca trail you would have to acclimatize in Cusco for at least 2 nights before doing the trek but I don't think that is necessary for the 2 day Inca trail. You could go to Ollantaytambo on arrival in Cusco (Ollantaytambo is lower in elevation than Cusco but still as high as you will be on your trek). If you arrive in Cusco early you could sightsee on the way (Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salineras). Or just go to Ollantaytambo, explore the town, see the ruins, hike up to the granaries and visit Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salineras the next day. Then go back to Cusco and explore Cusco. Do the two day trek and visit MP. Then another day in Cusco for Pisac and the ruins north of Cusco (don't miss Sacsayhuaman). Then take a bus to Puno. Do a 2 day-1 night Lake Titicaca tour with an overnight on one of the islands. Fly to Lima and spend two days there.

You could also do Cusco first (a day for Cusco and a day for Pisac and the ruins north of Cusco), then the trek and then Chinchero, Moray, the Maras salineras and Ollantaytambo. In that case just take it easy in Cusco those first two days. Being fit doesn't mean you won't feel the altitude. You most likely will. Just don't overdo it. And if you do any hikes/walks take it slow and steady.

Consider hiking up one of the mountains at MP. Huayna Picchu or MP Montana. We chose the latter and loved it.

Thanks very much for your insights; these are great options! It's really just 11 days due to travel time.

We do have our heart set on hiking the Inca Trail, but 4 days is just too much.

Our provisional flight into Lima looks like it will land at about 2:20PM, so if we go straight to Cuzco we can be there by about ~5PM. Looks like we can get to Olly fairly easily, which does seem much easier to adjust to. Apparently the 2K in different elevation is important.

Any strong recommendations for Punto and Cusco beyond Sacsayhuaman? For Punto, "the islands" are the reed islands?

I flew into Lima one evening and the next morning flew to Cuzco. Spent 2 nights there acclimatising: one day exploring Cuzco the next a day trip to the Sacred Valley. The third day we set off on the 4 day trek to Machu Pichu and I think the acclimitisation, especially after a long 16 hour flight to Lima, was well worth it.

This was over 20 years ago when I was younger and fitter, but altitude can affect anyone no matter how young and fit.

Have a great trip, I loved Peru. MP was inspiring but when I was there the place was virtually deserted and I was awestruck watching the sun rise over such a magnificent place.

This was over 20 years ago when I was younger and fitter, but altitude can affect anyone no matter how young and fit.

Fitness is not a factor in AMS , but there is age factor : the 50+ group is at lower risk.

This was over 20 years ago when I was younger and fitter, but altitude can affect anyone no matter how young and fit.

Fitness is not a factor in AMS , but there is age factor : the 50+ group is at lower risk.

I said fitness wasn't?

Care to elaborate on why over 50's are at a lower risk.
Just curious.

Just be aware that the 2 day Inca Trail only has one day of hiking. There are many other great day hikes in the area.

At 5 pm you can still get to Ollantaytambo from Cusco by minibus or taxi.

Make sure you have time for the ruins in Ollantaytambo. And for Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salineras.

In Cusco you can just wander around. See the Plaza de Armas of course, San Blas, Qorikancha, Hatun Rumiyoc Street, a few museums, San Pedro market... And yes, Sacsayhuaman but you can get a bus or taxi to Tambomachay and walk via Puka Pukara and Q'enqo to Sacsayhuaman and back to Cusco (or take a taxi from site to site). Pisac can easily be visited from Cusco as well (walk down from the top of the ruins to the village).

We did not go to Lake Titicaca but the reed islands (Uros) are very touristy. Staying overnight on one of the other islands is often recommended, for example on Amantani.

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