Final Word

Always negotiate the price of your taxi ride before getting in
If you are spending more than a day in Cusco, then do some window shopping first to figure out the prices. The San Pedro Market has some good Peruvian garments and trinkets at a cheaper price if that's the price range you are looking for. (ex: a high quality Alpaca woolen sweater in the stores around the main square could run you up to 200-250 sole, but you could get a similar looking decent quality sweater for 25 sole at the market)
We were warned not eat any of the stuff at the San Pedro Market, but the juice is ok to drink since its freshly squeezed.
if you want to take pictures with the locals, wait till you get to a historical site. If you are lucky you can take one for free or for a cheaper price there compared to the square
If you are doing the 2-day Inca trail (like the one I did) there are plenty of stairs, so be prepared and make sure to rest after a string of stairs. if you start on the trail by 8am, you have plenty of time to complete it with enough daylight remaining at the end.
If you are even in average shape, I suggest skipping the walking poles, since they just come in the way while climbing steps.
The trail is pretty well shaded for the most part, so you will not need a lot of sunscreen. We took some bug spray, but did not end up needing it either.
There are no toilets once you start on the trail so make sure to use it at the starting point (Chachabamba)... atleast until you get to the Wiñay Wayna.
Carry your passport. You will need it to board the train at Ollantaytambo and at the entrance to the trail (Chachabamba)
"Alpaca Expeditions" was a very good tour company. Everything was included in the price (train tickets, bus tickets, permits for the trail & Machu Picchu, lunch and dinner on day-1 of the hike, hotel stay and breakfast the next day, pickup and drop-off at the hotel in Cusco)
It rains a lot here (we got lucky) so be prepared for it.
I made this trip in late November and it was not cold, so you do not need anything more than a light jacket.
The elevation at Cusco (11,000 ft) could be a shock to a few, so plan on spending at least 1 night there to get acclimatized.
If I had not waited till the last day to plan this trip, you could probably do what I did (including my souvenirs) for well within USD $1,750; which includes flying to Cusco from Los Angeles and back and the hotel rooms for 2 nights in Cusco

Final Word

Always negotiate the price of your taxi ride before getting in

We were warned not eat any of the stuff at the San Pedro Market, but the juice is ok to drink since its freshly squeezed.

if you want to take pictures with the locals, wait till you get to a historical site. If you are lucky you can take one for free or for a cheaper price there compared to the square

If you are doing the 2-day Inca trail (like the one I did) there are plenty of stairs, so be prepared and make sure to rest after a string of stairs. if you start on the trail by 8am, you have plenty of time to complete it with enough daylight remaining at the end.

If you are even in average shape, I suggest skipping the walking poles, since they just come in the way while climbing steps.

The trail is pretty well shaded for the most part, so you will not need a lot of sunscreen. We took some bug spray, but did not end up needing it either.

There are no toilets once you start on the trail so make sure to use it at the starting point (Chachabamba)... atleast until you get to the Wiñay Wayna.

Carry your passport. You will need it to board the train at Ollantaytambo and at the entrance to the trail (Chachabamba)

"Alpaca Expeditions" was a very good tour company. Everything was included in the price (train tickets, bus tickets, permits for the trail & Machu Picchu, lunch and dinner on day-1 of the hike, hotel stay and breakfast the next day, pickup and drop-off at the hotel in Cusco)

It rains a lot here (we got lucky) so be prepared for it.

I made this trip in late November and it was not cold, so you do not need anything more than a light jacket.

The elevation at Cusco (11,000 ft) could be a shock to a few, so plan on spending at least 1 night there to get acclimatized.

If I had not waited till the last day to plan this trip, you could probably do what I did (including my souvenirs) for well within USD $1,750; which includes flying to Cusco from Los Angeles and back and the hotel rooms for 2 nights in Cusco

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