{"id":60114,"date":"2017-05-04T14:31:16","date_gmt":"2017-05-04T19:31:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=60114"},"modified":"2017-09-23T16:16:17","modified_gmt":"2017-09-23T21:16:17","slug":"bucket-list-adventures-plan-machu-picchu-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/bucket-list-adventures-plan-machu-picchu-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"Bucket list how to: Plan a Machu Picchu trip"},"content":{"rendered":"
A trip to Peru’s lost city of the Incas is a dream trip for many travelers, <\/span>however<\/span>, it\u2019s not the easiest journey to coordinate\u2014especially if you have your eye on hiking the famous Inca Trail<\/a><\/span>. We put together this first-hand guide on how to plan a Machu Picchu trip and overcome some of its unexpected challenges.<\/div>\n
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RELATED:<\/strong> Cruising the Amazon River \u2014 Peru vs Brazil<\/a><\/div>\n
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The journey to Machu Picchu is full of incredible natural beauty | Photo by GettingStamped.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Getting there<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Travel to Peru is getting fairly<\/span> easy and affordable with a few big U.S. airlines running direct routes to Lima<\/a>. The capital city is the most cost effective destination to fly<\/span> into from both America and Europe. From here, domestic flights can <\/span>be arranged<\/span> to Cusco<\/a>, which is the main hub for tourists visiting the ancient city<\/span>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Most visitors travel to Lima and then to Cusco by air (flights run about $150), and then head to Aguas Calientes<\/a> by train. From the town of Aguas Calientes, a bus will bring you to the Machu Picchu site. Those wanting to hike the Inca Trail should head to Cusco to meet their pre-arranged hiking guides (you can’t hike the trail without an official guide)<\/span>. Read on for a more complete description of the cities and logistics below.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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See the beautiful Monastery of San Francisco’s catacombs | Photo by GettingStamped.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Lima<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Most international flights will touch down here and a two-night stopover is recommended if time allows. Highlights include the famous yellow Monastery of San Francisco, subterranean catacombs, and some of the city\u2019s other \u201cmust sees\u201d\u2014like the Parque Kennedy cats\u2014a park full of felines<\/span>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Use the charming town of Cusco as a base for your hike | Photo by GettingStamped.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Cusco<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Many people choose the charming colonial city of Cusco<\/a> to base themselves while exploring Machu Picchu<\/span>. The town actually<\/span> sits at an elevation of more than 11,000 feet, which is higher than Machu Picchu itself<\/span>, so spending 2-3 nights here is essential as you <\/span>acclimate to the altitude before your big hike. Ample hotels and restaurants make it a comfortable, beautiful place to rest up and there are plenty of sights to explore, including some ruins, lively markets, and don\u2019t miss the world\u2019s highest-elevation Irish bar<\/span>.<\/div>\n
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From Cusco, you’re still a 3.5-hour train ride to reach the ruins. Tours can <\/span>be arranged<\/span> from Cusco to Machu Picchu in advance or on a walk-up basis if you are not planning to hike the Inca Trail<\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Aguas Calientes (aka Machupicchu Pueblo)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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The town located at the base of the Lost City is called<\/span> Aguas Calientes. There are many restaurants, markets for crafts and souvenirs and hotels<\/a> for visitors wanting to spend the night<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Some choose to simply<\/span> see Machu Picchu as a long day trip from Cusco, however<\/span>,we would recommend spending at least one night in Aguas Calientes to give yourself more time to <\/span>properly<\/span> explore the ruins, the Sun Gate and Huayna Picchu, which is the second highest peak with ruins and views of the main site<\/span>. The flavor of this small city is a bit more touristy than Cusco because it <\/span>primarily<\/span> exists as a lodging haven for visitors to the archeological site<\/span>. However<\/span>, it\u2019s not without its charms, like a rushing river and many lodge-inspired restaurants and small hotels<\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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From town, you’re only a bus ride away from Machu Picchu via a hair-raising set of switchbacks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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ALSO:<\/strong> Tell those other rewards programs to take a hike\u2014 Orbitz Rewards lets you earn instantly!<\/a><\/div>\n
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Book your guide for the famous Inca Trail early | Photo by GettingStamped.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Hiking the Inca Trail<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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\u00a0What first-time visitors might not know is that you don\u2019t need to hike the Inca Trail in order to<\/span> see Machu Picchu. What they might also not know is that arranging to hike the famous trail will be the most complicated part of planning a trip to Machu Picchu<\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Inca Trail FAQ:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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