Travel to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, Peru 2017

Cusco,Peru

Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes, was once capital of the Inca Empire, and is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. Plaza de Armas is the central square in the old city, with arcades, carved wooden balconies and Incan wall ruins. The baroque Santo Domingo Convent was built on top of the Incan Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), and has archaeological remains of Inca stonework.

Places to go in Cusco.

*Hatunrumiyoc

The origins of the magnificent ruins of a building that we call Hatunrumiyoc are lost in time. Built with huge polygonal stones, cut and fitted with exceptional precision, it is one of the most impressive structures of ancient Cusco. Its imposing walls hide a number of surprises, from the famous 12-Angle Stone, to shapes of local animals built into the structure itself.

Famous 12-Angle Stone
Although not the Inca-carved stone with the most sides or angles (there is a 13 angle stone on the opposite side of the building, some say there is a 14 angle stone, and in other places in the region there are stones with up to 44 angles) but it is the stone that has its sides most clearly defined and placed together with such perfection. It is as famous for this perfection as its still quite extraordinary number of angles, becoming symbolic of the skill of Inca stonemasons and architects.

It has also become a local symbol and object of pride for Cusqueños and for Peru in general, perhaps what enticed two tourists from Chile (a neighbor who successfully invaded Peru and Bolivia for their mineral wealth) to deface it.

*Saksaywaman

Located on a steep hill that overlooks the city, the fortified complex has a wide view of the valley to the southeast. Archaeological studies of surface collections of pottery at Saksaywaman indicate that the earliest occupation of the hilltop dates to about 900 CE.

*Tambomachay

Tambomachay is an archaeological site associated with the Inca Empire, located near Cusco, Peru. An alternate Spanish name is El Baño del Inca. It consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks!

*Qenko, Kenko,

Q'enqo or Quenco is an archaeological site in the Sacred Valley of Peru located in the Cusco Region, Cusco Province, Cusco District, about 6 km north east of Cusco.

How to prevent altitude sickness in Cusco

Symptoms of Altitude Sickness
• Dizziness, lightheartedness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Difficulty breathing
• Heart racing

Important Things to Note

*There isn’t really a “cure” for altitude sickness, other than descending back down to a normal elevation.

*Cusco is at 11,152 feet (3,399 meters). Machu Picchu is significantly lower at 7,972 ft (2,430 m). Altitude sickness generally starts affecting people at 8,000 feet or higher, so Machu Picchu isn’t really the potential problem–Cusco is. Everyone who goes to Machu Picchu must pass through Cusco. Flights land here. Buses from Lima stop here.

I am not a doctor.

1. Take it easy. This is seriously the easiest—and most ignored—piece of advice for avoiding altitude sickness. Remember, your body is trying to get accustomed to the lower amount of oxygen it’s getting; therefore, it is of utmost importance that you take it easy the first few days you are in Cusco. Don’t go on hikes or long walks. Don’t put any excess stress on your body—it’s already working overtime to oxygenate your blood!

2. Take deep breaths. Again, your body is trying to get oxygen, but there is less of it available in each breath. take deep breaths to try to get more air in.

3. Avoid alcohol. The reasons for this are debated, but certain studies show that the effects of alcohol are enhanced at high altitude (i.e. You get drunk more easily). Also, alcohol may exacerbate the effects of altitude sickness. Hold off on the Pisco Sours for the first couple of days you’re in Cusco.

4. Drink lots of water. This may not alleviate altitude sickness exactly, but sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between altitude sickness and dehydration, and high elevations tend to be very dry, meaning you need more water for proper hydration.

5. Acclimate at a lower altitude, and ascend slowly. This piece of advice is sometimes hard to follow because it means changing your trip plans. A lot of people recommend that the second your plane lands in Cusco, you should take a taxi or colectivo to the Sacred Valley, about an hour outside of Cusco, where the elevation is about 2,000 feet lower. This allows you to acclimate at a somewhat lower altitude, and then move back up to Cusco when your body is more used to high altitude. The other option is to take a 21-hour bus ride from Lima to Cusco.

6. Take Diamox. In the U.S., Diamox is a prescription drug often used to treat glaucoma; however, it can also treat altitude sickness. You need to take it 24 hours before arriving in Cusco, though, and a side effect of the drug is that you’ll probably need to pee more frequently–not very convenient when you’re traveling.

next stop the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu..

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