Should You Start a Machu Picchu Trip in Cusco?
Almost every visitor to Machu Picchu flies into Cusco’s convenient little airport. This is the main access point to reach Machu Picchu. But if you’ve done any research at all, you’ll know that Cusco sits at a dizzying 11,000 feet (while Machu Picchu sits at 8,000 feet), making Cusco the highest city in the region. So the question is: should you start a Machu Picchu trip in Cusco? Many people do, simply out of convenience. But some pay a price for this, experiencing terrible altitude sickness.
Where should you start your Machu Picchu trip, to minimize altitude sickness? Keep reading to find out…
In this article, I’ll help you figure out where to start your Machu Picchu trip, so that you can create your perfect Peru itinerary (minus any altitude sickness)!
All Altitudes by Machu Picchu:
- Cusco = 11,152 feet (3,400 meters)
- Machu Picchu = 8,000 feet (2,438 meters)
- Aguas Calientes (town at base of Machu Picchu) = 6,700 feet (2,000 meters)
- Ollantaytambo (2-hour train ride from Machu Picchu) = 9,160 feet (2,800 meters)
- Pisac = 9,751 feet (3,000 meters)
How Bad is Altitude Sickness in Cusco?
You can see from the stats above: Cusco is the HIGHEST city in the region around Machu Picchu. This is why I don’t think it’s the best place to start your trip, especially if you’ve ever suffered from altitude sickness. How bad is altitude sickness there? Answer: it can be REALLY BAD. Cusco is often where people feel the worst in Peru. I felt very winded walking up hills during my first 2-3 days in town, as did my friend Tasha; but neither of us experienced full-blown altitude sickness.
So this begs the question: should you even start your trip in Cusco??!
Though I love Cusco, I think you should end your Machu Picchu trip there. Why? Because the 11,000-foot altitude crushes so many people, I think it’s a bad place to start your trip. In every group I talked to: someone had gotten very sick in Cusco.
Like, huddled in a ball on-the-floor kind of sick.
Cusco is my #1 favorite city in Peru. But save time after Machu Picchu to really explore it, so that you don’t suffer from altitude issues.
Where to Start Your Peru Trip Then?
I think it’s better to acclimate elsewhere, then return to Cusco. You’ll appreciate the city so much more. For example, the second time I visited: my friend Nina & I were picked up at Cusco’s airport, & drove straight to Pisac ~ which is 45 minutes from Cusco. The altitude in Pisac is 9,751 feet: so still very high, but not the dizzying heights of Cusco.
Neither Nina nor I had any altitude issues in Pisac….& we were able to hike up to their incredible ruins.
My friend Nina & I hiked from the valley floor up to the top of the Pisac ruins! Altitude was not as serious an issue as in Cusco.
In a Rush? Here’s the Bottom Line:
3 Alternatives to Starting Your Trip in Cusco
- AGUAS CALIENTES: If you’re traveling with older travelers, or anyone who’s had significant altitude sickness in the past: start your trip in Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. At 6,700 feet, this is the lowest elevation in the region. If flying late into Cusco, spend 1 night there (at a hotel that doesn’t require uphill walking, like the JW Marriott El Convento). The next day, bus or train to Aguas Calientes, & spend 1-2 days acclimating before heading up to Machu Picchu.
Two of My Favorite Hotels in Aguas Calientes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Inkaterra El Mapi Hotel & Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Hotel. Click here for rates & availability
- OLLANTAYTAMBO: If you’ve never experienced altitude sickness before, but are afraid of the dizzying heights in Cusco: spend 2 nights in Ollantaytambo before heading to Machu Picchu. At 9,160 feet, this is a great place to get acclimated, & they have beautiful ruins of their own.
My Favorite Hotel in Ollantaytambo: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ El Albergue Hotel. Located right at the train station, they have incredible grounds & gardens, that feel a world away from the crowds at Machu Picchu. Click here for rates & availability
- PISAC: If you’re traveling with a fit crew, & have at least 7-10 days in the Sacred Valley: spend 2 nights in Pisac. The ruins here are my 2nd favorite in Peru ~ STUNNING!! And at 9,751 feet, the altitude is less intense than in Cusco. Accommodations are cheaper, & they have great shopping.
My Favorite Hotel in Pisac: ⭐️⭐️ Pisac Inca Guest House (a charming family-run boutique hotel with INCREDIBLE breakfasts)!! Click here for rates & availability
Video of the Journey to Machu Picchu…
The video below shows footage of my first trip to Machu Picchu, via Cusco & Aguas Calientes. We stayed in some absolutely TERRIBLE hostels along the way (that we still laugh about)! So if you can afford it: I highly recommend splurging a little in Aguas Calientes. Spending a day at Machu Picchu is strenuous, & requires a lot of walking up & down hills.
It feels great to know that you’ve got a cozy bed & a hot shower to return to at the end of the day….
If you have any questions about Peru ~ reach out in the comments below!
xoxo Noelia
Read Next: Best Brunch Spots in Cusco, Peru
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