My Travel Recommendations: Cuzco
The night had finally arrived for my flight to Lima. It was a dream come true for me as I was about to embark on a luxury adventure, all-expenses-paid trip to Machu Picchu, courtesy of my former employer, Lan Airlines. I felt like the envy of all millennial women in their mid-twenties in 2015.
My main responsibility was to ensure that the influencers and photographers, Kevin Burg and Jamie Beck, had an amazing time. I had to repost their content on Instagram, which was a part of my job.
The trip turned out to be the best one ever! However, before the journey, I had to put in a lot of effort and plan out an epic itinerary for Jamie and Kevin. I have compiled my notes, which I hope will be useful for you when planning your trip to Pichu.
Me with my rainboots.
HERE’S SOME GENERAL INFO ABOUT PERU:
TIME ZONE: UTC-5. Sometimes, Peru is in the same time zone as New York City.
ELECTRICITY: 220V 50Hz. You will need an adapter for the round pin plug.
TIPPING GUIDELINES: Tip of 10% of the bill in restaurants. You do not need to tip taxi drivers. For tours, a tip of US$10-15 per day is appropriate for a private guide, and US$5-10 per day for a private driver.
WHEN TO GO: I say in October or November - smaller crowd.
The Peruvian winter (May – September) is the dry season and the "best time to travel". The summer (December – March) is the wet season - lots of rain, but again, I loved Oct + Nov.
Bring lots of layers. It can be hot as b***s one second, then freezing.
When visiting Cuzco, there are some important things you need to keep in mind:
ALTITUDE: Research altitude medication before your trip. I found that coca leaves, which are commonly used as a "cure," made me nauseous and did not ease my altitude sickness.
SPEND TIME IN CUZCO: Make sure to spend at least two nights in Cuzco, as this is where the real fun is. The flea markets are amazing, and the colors, food, and nightlife are all incredible. I fell in love with Peru because of Cuzco.
ACCOMMODATION: Most hotels and hostels are great, but if you want the best and have the budget for it, stay at Inkaterra hotels. They are all fantastic.
FOOD AND HEALTH: If you're into food, Ayurveda, or health, spend at least one night in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley and explore those areas. There is a train stop there.
TRAINS: I recommend the Vistadome train, but if you want to go all out, then buy a round-trip ticket on The Hiram Bingham train and travel to Machu Picchu in style.
LIMA: Spend one or two nights in Lima. The food is great, but if you have to choose, I suggest skipping it and spending more time in Cuzco.
Also, I highly encourage you to visit www.annstreetstudio.com and read about their trip to Peru. They have beautiful pictures and cinemagraphs/videos from the journey!
Here is the full itinerary that we did (pls note flights 100% have changed since the airline is now called LATAM Airlines)
Wednesday, November 19
Depart JFK for Lima on LAN Airlines in the evening in Premium Business Class
Flight: LA 531 19NOV JFK-LIM 2245 0650
Thursday, November 20
Arrive in Lima airport at 6:50 am, connect to Cusco flight departing at 9:45 am
Flight: LA2027 20NOV LIM-CUZ 0945 1105
Arrive in Cusco at 9:45 am
Transfer from airport to Inkaterra La Casona Hotel with Grayline
1:00 pm - Lunch: MAP Café at the Precolombian Museum of Art
Free afternoon
7:00 p.m. Dinner at Incanto:
Overnight at Inkaterra La Casona, Cusco
Friday, November 21
7:30 a.m. Breakfast at Inkaterra La Casona Hotel
8:00 a.m. Transportation with Grayline from hotel in Cuzco to Poroy Station
9:05 a.m. Depart Poroy Station on Belmond Hiram Bingham Train
12:45 Arrive at train station in Aguas Calientes (the gateway town to Machu Picchu)
Short on foot transfer from train station to INKATERRA MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO HOTEL
1:45 p.m.: Lunch: At the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Afternoon Activities: (TBD confirmation of tour with Inkaterra Eco-tourism team upon arrival)
Tea plantation tour
Twilight orchids and garden tour before the sun goes down
7:00 p.m.: Dinner at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel Restaurant
Saturday, November 22
5:00 am: Breakfast
5:30 a.m. Depart Hotel for bus station for transportation to the Citadel of Machu Picchu and Half-day itinerary to Machu Picchu with private guide from Gray Line
1:00 p.m. Lunch : Back at Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Afternoon activities:
Walk through the Aguas Calientes outdoor market with their famous textiles, beautiful scarves, ponchos, table clothes and fabrics.
25 minute de-stress massage Spa Treatment (Time TBD per scheduling with spa upon arrival – nice to soothe aching feet after an epic day discovering Machu Picchu)
7:30 p.m. Dinner at Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel overnight
Sunday, November 23
8:30 a.m. Breakfast
Free morning: Available activities: bird-watching, nature tour (TBD upon arrival with Inkaterra eco-guides)
1:00 p.m. Lunch at Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
3:20 pm: Depart Aguas Calientes on Vistadome 32 Train , Machu Picchu to Poroy (Cusco)
Arrive Cusco at 7:05 p.m.
Transportation from train station to Inkaterra La Casona Hotel
8: 00 pm - Dinner: Inkaterra La Casona Restaurant
Overnight at Inkaterra La Casona
Monday, November 24
7:30 a.m. - Breakfast at Inkaterra La Casona Hotel
8:00 a.m. – Departure with Grayline for visit to the Parque Arqueologico de Ollantaytambo (Ollantaytambo Archeology Park and Museum)
1:00 p.m. Lunch: Limo Restaurant: http://www.cuscorestaurants.com/limo/
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Half-Day tour of Cuzco with GrayLine and visit to the Chocolate Museum, Art Museum and Textile markets
8:00 p.m. Dinner at Cicciolina
9:30 p.m. After Dinner Drinks at Fallen Angel
Overnight at Inkaterra La Casona Hotel in Cuzco
Tuesday, November 25
9:00 a.m. Breakfast at La Casona
Free morning in Cuzco
1:00 pm - Lunch at Pachapapa
Free afternoon to go back and visit any favorite Cusco spots
Option to taste Peruvian Cuy (Guini Pig) https://www.facebook.com/Chactao) and tea time at the Inkaterra La Casona Hotel
4:45 p.m. Transportation from Hotel to Cuzco Airport with Grayline
7:15 p.m. - Depart Cuzco for Lima on LAN Peru
Flight: LA2066 25NOV CUZ-LIM 1915 2040
Arrive at Lima Airport at 8:40 p.m. Invitation to use SUMAQ VIP Lounge.
12:25 a.m. Depart Lima for JFK in LAN Premium Business Class
Flight: LA 530 26NOV LIM-JFK 0025 0815
Wednesday, November 26
8:15 am - Arrive JFK in the early morning
