Whilst travelling to Machu-Picchu it is best to base yourself in the city of Cusco. It is 3310 metres above sea level and this will help you acclimitise. Machu-Picchu is 113 km away. There are several ways to get there, helicopter, train, bus and numerous trails if you want to walk. The most popular walk is the classic Inca trail (this includes the Dead woman Pass 4200 m), but there is also the Hiram Bingham trail as well as the Secret road (which includes the Salcantay peak at 5050 m) ..
We thought we would base ourselves at Cusco, which is only 113 km from Machu-Picchu. Cusco is 3310 metres above sea level and if you are not used to it, it can be quite something to experience. It is therefore important that your body adjusts itself. More so, if you are going to go walking up and down the surrounding hills. We were going to split up, as a group, in 3 days time. Members had opted for whatever they felt comfortable with, some were travelling by train, some by bus and the majority were walking. There was the option to take a helicopter but let’s just say that the cost was a bit steep. Sam and I were taking the classic Inca trail, it would take us 4 days and see us climb to a height of 4200 m on day two when we went through the famous Dead woman Pass. Mark and Michelle were following the less strenuous, Hiram Bingham trail, this follows the archeologist’s 1911path. Kurt of course had to be more daring than everyone else and insisted on using the ‘secret road’ among hefty peaks, the highest of which is Salcantay at 5050m.
Whichever way you choose your first sight of Machu-Picchu at 2400 metres is awesome . . .
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