To get to Machu Picchu you must pass through the historic city of Cusco,  located in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range at an elevation of 11,200 ft. I felt the difference immediately coming from sea level in Florida. The city has a population of approx. 400,000 and was the historic capital of the Inca Empire from the 13th to the 16th century until the Spanish conquest took place. The city is definitely a tourist hub and filled with travel and excursion operators servicing Machu Picchu and surrounding tourist destinations. Hawkers, selling mostly art and the normal tourist fare can spot a tourist immediately and…hearing the word “NO” just makes them work harder. However, I still found it fascinating to walk in the streets and look at architecture with such a rich history.

Flying into Cusco

Cusco is a 1 hr flight from Lima. The search engines  only came up with Lan Airlines, who has several flights from Lima to Cusco daily for $250 round trip. However, I discovered Peruvian Airlines’ round trip was $99, AND they had a flight leaving 2 hours after my arrival in Lima. Perfect!

I made a reservation for 2 nights at Pisko and Soul Bed and Breakfast, $18 per night for a single room. The owner sent me an email stating that I should only pay approx 10 Nuevo Soles for cab fare from the airport. (Approx $3.20).  After arriving at the airport. I asked the first cab driver how much to the B&B and he said fourteen Nuevo Soles. I figured it was close enough and I climbed in.

The 20 minute cab ride to the B&B was interesting!

When we arrived at Pisko and Soul I handed the cab driver fourteen Nuevo Soles. He said it was NOT forteen but forty Nuevo Soles. I grabbed my bags and quickly walked through the front door of the B&B. I told him “no habla espanol”.  The driver elected not to follow me inside.

My room at Piskol & Soul  $18 per night, no frills and very clean.

My original plan was to stay in Cusco for 3 days to get acclimated to the altitude before taking one of the many 4-5 day treks to Machu Picchu.  I thought it would be better to sign up with one of the guided treks so that I could learn more about the history of the area leading to MP. After checking in I walked down to the Plaza de Armas, and met with some excursion operators and travel agencies. To see if I could line up a trek to Machu Picchu.

After meeting with 3-4 agencies located near the Plaza de Armas, I signed up for the 5 day Salkantay Trek read more to Machu Picchu, as the famous Inca Trail is closed during the month of February.  The total cost of this trek was $230, including food, 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu & Wayna Picchu tickets and train back to Cusco. (This price was substantially less than if I had booked in advance online and much less since February is off season).