The journey begins long before boarding the train or bus. It starts with a decision: to gift yourself an experience that is as physical as it is emotional. For those coming from cities at sea level, the change in altitude is an important factor. Cusco sits at 3,339 meters above sea level, and although Machu Picchu descends to 2,430, the body needs preparation.
Sleeping well in the days prior; avoiding heavy meals, alcohol, or cigarettes; and staying consistently hydrated are part of the self-care one offers oneself. Some travelers choose to take SorojchiPills an hour before landing in Cusco (after consulting a doctor, of course) as a preventive measure against altitude sickness. Because, after all, acclimating and adapting to the environment is also a form of wisdom.
Cusco Altitude: 3,339 meters above sea level
Suggested Acclimatization Time: 24 to 48 hours
Recommended Prevention: SorojchiPills or coca tea (consult a doctor)
Avoid: alcohol, tobacco, high-fat foods
When the plane touches down in Cusco, a gentle transition begins. The air feels lighter, but also clearer. You’re welcomed with a private, unhurried transfer—like someone accompanying you home. No rushing, no loud voices, no urgency. Everything is arranged for rest.
The hotel is more than just accommodation: it’s a refuge for adaptation. That first day is solely for acclimatization. Drink water, enjoy a cup of coca tea, eat something warm, look out the window, and listen to the city without needing to explore it. The body, wise, asks for pause—and we honor it.
Check-in: at a central hotel or in the Sacred Valley (a lower-altitude option)
Recommended Diet: high in carbohydrates (purees, cereals, soft fruits)
Suggested Hydration: at least 2 liters of fluids per day
La segunda mañana despierta con una promesa: el inicio del camino hacia Machu Picchu. El tren Vistadome, con sus grandes ventanales, permite que el paisaje andino no solo se vea, sino que se sienta. El río serpentea al costado como un compañero de ruta, las montañas aparecen y desaparecen entre neblinas, los pueblos pequeños saludan en silencio.
Solo basta con mirar pues no hace falta entenderlo todo. A veces. El tren avanza como un pensamiento largo, y tú viajas dentro de él como quien recuerda un sueño que aún está por vivirse.
Aguas Calientes te recibe con tibieza. El hotel espera. Se respira humedad, vegetación, y un murmullo constante del río. Aquí no hay visitas rápidas ni agendas llenas. Solo una tarde libre para caminar un poco, dejarse sorprender por una flor que no conocías, o simplemente tomar una siesta con el sonido del agua de fondo.
Duración aproximada de viaje: Tren Vistadome 3 h 30 min (desde Cusco vía Ollantaytambo)
Altitud de Aguas Calientes: 2,040 m.s.n.m.
Actividad física sugerida: paseo leve, caminatas sin pendiente
Descanso recomendado: siesta en hotel, hidratación constante
The next morning, the world awakens differently. The ascent to Machu Picchu is by bus, and through the window, the jungle peeks between the curves. The guide walks at your pace, speaks softly, and observes before explaining. There’s no rush. There is respect.
Inside the sanctuary, the experience feels more intimate than monumental. There are places to sit, to breathe, to watch the mist rise and vanish. Sometimes, you don’t need to move. Just be. And let the place do its work.
If at any moment you need assistance, oxygen is available. But often, all you need is a pause. Machu Picchu is not a place to rush—it’s a space to be. And in that silence—full of history, stone, and sky—something reveals itself without words.
Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,430 meters above sea level
Terrain Type: Subtropical Andean, with irregular and humid sections
Climate: Humid temperate, with frequent changes
Bus Ascent: 30 minutes from Aguas Calientes
Average Visit Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours (with frequent pauses)
Difficulty: Low to moderate, depending on the chosen route (bridges, stairways)
Rest Areas: Available at strategic points within the complex
Support: Portable oxygen available with prior coordination
On the fourth day, the train returns—but the landscape has changed. Or maybe it was you. What you saw, what you felt, what you understood—all travels with you. Upon arriving in Cusco, there are no mandatory itineraries. You can visit the San Pedro market to see the vibrant colors of fresh fruits and diverse crafts; you can sit at a café facing the plaza, or stay at the hotel simply enjoying the long-forgotten art of doing nothing.
And if you want more, there are gentle and enriching options. A pottery workshop. A thermal bath in the valley. A slow-paced visit to a museum where a Quechua woman weaves stories with threads.
Return Train: 2 hours from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo + 1 hour 30 minutes by vehicle to Cusco
Optional Activities: San Pedro market, accessible museums, and workshops
Recommendation: avoid intense walks after the trip, stay hydrated
Machu Picchu is not a place to conquer. It’s a place you reach when you’re ready. That’s why this itinerary doesn’t rush or demand—it accompanies. It’s designed for those who know that dreams don’t have expiration dates, and that true luxury is having the time to live things well.
If you’re interested, we’ll be ready to create a personalized package just for you. At CuscoPeru.com, we believe in more happy travelers because we know the most important story isn’t the one told by monuments, but the one lived by the traveler who walks among them.
Happy passengers
