Cusco and Machu Picchu
It all begins with an idea.
Inti at Palacio del Inka - Cusco
As long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to adventure—the thrill of discovering new places, cultures, and cuisines has always fueled my travels. Machu Picchu had been at the top of my bucket list for years, and in December 2024, we finally made that dream a reality. Our goal? To hike the iconic Inca Trail and immerse ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of Cusco and Lima along the way.
From the moment we arrived, we fell in love with Peru. It’s a place where nature’s power is palpable, where history whispers through ancient ruins, and where being present feels effortless. This trip was nothing short of magical.
In this post, I’ll take you through our experience—from the accommodations we stayed in to our unforgettable Inca Trail trek and all the incredible places we explored. And, of course, I’ll share plenty of restaurant recommendations because I truly believe that a country’s cuisine speaks volumes about its people and culture. Plus, I have a heartwarming story that made this journey even more special.
Let’s dive in!
Altitude Sickness and Coca Leaves :)
Altitude sickness is real, and if you’re heading to Cusco, you need to be prepared. Sitting at 3,399 meters (11,152 feet) above sea level, Cusco’s high altitude can take a toll—especially if you’re coming from a lower elevation. Your body will feel the difference, and symptoms like headaches, nausea, and dizziness are common.
Luckily, I did my research beforehand! Before our trip, we visited our primary care doctor and got prescribed Diamox, a medication that helps ease the transition. Pro tip: It’s best to start taking it before your flight to Cusco to get the full benefit. We decided to wait and see if we could adjust naturally, and let me tell you—it made our first day absolutely miserable.
If you look up altitude sickness remedies, you’ll see that many people recommend drinking coca leaf tea or chewing coca leaves. And yes, we’re talking about the main ingredient in cocaine—so do not attempt to bring coca leaves back to the U.S.! I’m still not sure of the exact science behind why it helps, but during our time in Cusco, we drank a lot of it since most hotel lobbies offer it for free. Just a heads-up: don’t drink it at night unless you want to be wide awake! Instead, I switched to muña mint tea in the evenings, which was much more relaxing.
If you’re traveling to Cusco, I highly recommend planning ahead and considering altitude sickness prevention—it can make a world of difference!
Where We Stayed in Cusco: Iconic Hotels Full of History
Cusco is a city rich in history, and we had the privilege of staying at two incredible hotels that truly reflected its charm.
Palacio del Inka – A Stay with History (and an Alpaca!)
📍 Palacio del Inka – Marriott Luxury Collection
Our first stop was Palacio del Inka, a stunning hotel located directly across from Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun. It’s also just a short walk from Cusco’s main square, where you’ll find museums, shops, and local restaurants.
We stayed here for two nights to acclimate to the altitude before starting our trek to Machu Picchu. The hotel itself is gorgeous, but the real star? Inti, the hotel’s resident alpaca. I lost count of how many carrots I fed this little girl!
Hiking to Machu Picchu – Our Luxury Lodge Experience
For hiking Machu Picchu, you have many options. The classic 4-day Inca Trail trek is popular, but we weren’t too keen on camping—especially with no showers or proper toilets along the way.
After lots of research, I found Mountain Lodges of Peru, which offers a 4-day trek where you hike by day and stay in luxury mountain lodges by night. It was the perfect balance of adventure and comfort! We originally signed up for a group tour, but it ended up being a private tour—a truly magical experience.
(Stay tuned for a day-by-day breakdown of our trek in the next section!)
Monasterio Belmond – A Hotel I Never Wanted to Leave
After our hiking trip, we treated ourselves to a stay at Monasterio Belmond, and wow—I could have stayed there for a month! This hotel is beyond special, blending history, luxury, and incredible service. We had a gorgeous room, and everything about the stay felt magical.
If you ever visit Cusco, you’ll understand what I mean!
Our 4-Day Hiking Adventure with Mountain Lodges of Peru
This trek was the perfect way to experience Peru’s stunning landscapes, rich culture, and the magic of Machu Picchu—all while staying in luxurious mountain lodges instead of tents. Each day, we hiked through breathtaking trails, climbed to incredible viewpoints, and immersed ourselves in the Andean way of life.
Day 1: Hiking to Pisaq
We left Cusco and made our way to the Sacred Valley, surrounded by towering peaks and lush fields. Instead of the cultural tour, we opted for an invigorating hike from the village of Amaru to Viacha.
🥾 Hike Details:
Distance: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 14,200 ft (4,328 m)
Along the way, we passed through remote villages and enjoyed stunning views of the valley below. After reaching Viacha, we continued to the Pisaq archaeological site for a guided tour.
🏡 Overnight: Lamay Lodge (9,705 ft)
Day 2: Hiking to Huacahuasi
The day started with a scenic drive into the heart of Lares Valley, with a quick stop at the Ancasmarca archaeological site. From there, we had two hiking options—and we went for the longer and more challenging trek from Cuncani to Huacahuasi.
🥾 Hike Details:
Distance: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 13,838 ft (4,219 m)
This was one of the most picturesque hikes of the trip, passing through crystal-clear lakes, jagged mountain peaks, and grazing llamas. Reaching Huacahuasi, we settled into our cozy lodge and enjoyed the stunning Andean highlands views.
🏡 Overnight: Huacahuasi Lodge (12,585 ft)
Day 3: Hiking to Ollantaytambo
We started the morning with a scenic drive to Huilloc, a remote Andean village. From there, we set off on our morning hike to Pumamarka, an ancient Inca site.
🥾 Hike 2: Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo
Distance: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
This stretch of the hike took us through beautiful terraced landscapes and ancient Inca paths. We finished the day by exploring the maze-like streets of Ollantaytambo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in South America.
🏡 Overnight: Las Qolqas
Day 4: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
We started the day with a scenic train ride from Ollantaytambo to Km104, where our Inca Trail hike began. This stretch of the journey gave us a glimpse of the stunning landscape that awaited us. From Km104, we began our trek, which is a shorter but equally breathtaking section of the famous Inca Trail.
🥾 Hike Details:
Distance: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation: Varies (highest point, 13,828 ft / 4,215 m)
The trail led us through fascinating ruins like the "Runkurakay" checkpoint, offering incredible views as we ascended towards the famous “Inti Punku” (Sun Gate), the gateway to Machu Picchu. Reaching the Sun Gate, we had our first full view of Machu Picchu, with the sun rising over the ancient citadel—truly a magical moment.
After descending to the Machu Picchu site, we explored the vast ruins with our guide, learning about the fascinating history of the Inca Empire.
🏡 Overnight: Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel
Day 5: The Grand Finale – Machu Picchu!
We woke up early to take the bus up to Machu Picchu, where we spent the morning hiking through its terraces, temples, and sacred sites. The beauty of the citadel, with its incredible architecture and breathtaking views, was beyond words. We felt like we were stepping back in time as we explored the ancient ruins and learned more about their significance.
After the guided tour, we had a relaxing lunch in Aguas Calientes before taking the Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, we had a scenic drive back to Cusco, reflecting on the unforgettable journey we had experienced.