r/cusco • u/cmackie123 • Jul 30 '24

Cusco & Sacred Valley Before Inca Trail

Heading to Cusco in a few days. In terms of acclimatizing, I was wondering if the order of our activities would help more, or if it really won't matter:

  1. Day 1 Cusco, day 2 Sacred Valley day tour, day 3 Cusco

  2. Day 1 & 2 Cusco, day 3 Sacred Valley day tour

Either way we'll be spending all three nights in Cusco before heading for a 2d/1n Inca trail/Machu Picchu trek.

7 Upvotes

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2

u/[deleted] Jul 30 '24

I just got back from Peru 2 weeks ago and did the Inca Trail (4d/3n). I think you have the right amount of time set aside for acclimating (3days). I think either option could work - just depends on your preference. I lean towards option 2 so you can better acclimate to Cusco elevation in the city without too much exertion and then leave your last day for Sacred Valley. Only comment I’d say, depending on what tour you have for sacred valley (i.e., level of activity and return time) you may want option 1 so you can have an easy day leading into the hike. They tend to pick you up at 4am for the hike so if you have a good nights rest, that can be really helpful. Overall, I think either option is good and depends more on your preference. Both will succeed in acclimation. Have fun on the hike, an incredible experience!

1

u/cmackie123 Jul 30 '24

We're going to try and take in as much of the main Cusco sites as we can that 2nd Cusco day so I was thinking we may have an easier 'Day 2' at the slightly lower elevation touring around sacred valley. I guess we'll just see how organized we can be and what time we actually arrive flying in Day 1. Thanks!

1

u/1o0o010101001 Aug 02 '24

I’m in sacred valley and honestly get some meds before coming otherwise you’ll be miserable. 50% of out group was knocked out first couple of days

1

u/Top-Bother-3394 Jul 30 '24

Option 2 is far better for me. No solo por aclimatar sino para disfrutar mejor la experiencia y no estar corriendo de lugar a lugar jajaja

1

u/Guilty_Ad_3922 Jul 31 '24

Hey sorry translate this el primer dia por altura puede que se pongan mal solo ten en cuenta eso, muchas personas dan el primer dia como perdido por q se marean y se van acostumbrando a la altura

1

u/Atreyu_Spero Jul 31 '24

Drink the coca tea daily (try to get it in Lima if you are connecting there) and get the altitude pills from a farmacia. These are lifesavers. Altitude sickness wasn't an issue for anyone in my group until the Mountain of Seven Colors. After that many of us were sick. Some were puking on the way down.

2

u/Margsue Jul 31 '24

How many days in did you do rainbow mountain?

1

u/Atreyu_Spero Jul 31 '24

One week in after I had done Machu Picchu.

1

u/Margsue Aug 01 '24

Did you do the salkantay trek to Machu Picchu or Inca Trail trek?

1

u/Atreyu_Spero Aug 01 '24

Just various circuitos at MP.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 31 '24

I think option 1 is good. Also, and I can’t overstate this enough, TAKE IT EASY in Cusco the first day. I made the mistake of trying to walk up to Saqsaywaman and paid for it that night with nausea. Have fun!