Peru in 5 Days: Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain – A Candid Review
Planning a whirlwind trip to Peru? The “Peru in 5 Days: Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain” tour sounds almost like something of a dream. It’s the kind of itinerary that packs several big bucket-list destinations into less than a week. Is that manageable? Is that almost too hectic? This review will share my experiences, and give you something to consider if you’re thinking of booking this particular adventure. I’ll be sharing not only the highlights, yet also some of the challenges that came up during my adventure. This way, you should have a decent idea of whether it’s the best fit for you and your precious vacation time.
First Impressions: Arrival in Cusco and Acclimatization
Touchdown in Cusco is very much like hitting the ground running…at 11,000 feet above sea level! The thin air really makes that point, that is if you’re coming from sea level, like me. Most tours, so it seems, including this one, strongly recommend spending the first day, you know, taking it slow. This advice? Solid gold, actually. I opted for a leisurely walk around the Plaza de Armas. So it really is a gorgeous central square that gives you something of a feel for the city’s vibe without straining yourself. Many tours I saw online offered coca tea. Coca tea is something you might find being offered; that’s a traditional remedy that can help with altitude sickness. Hydration is very important too, that’s why drinking a lot of water helps. Look, this first day is actually key. Treat it very seriously, alright? Push yourself too hard and you might end up spending the rest of your adventure feeling pretty bad. I was told it was very unpleasant for a friend!
Day 2: Exploring the Sacred Valley
Day two sees you head to the Sacred Valley, that’s where you find several key sites. I had to see Pisac, with its fantastic market and hillside ruins that have to be seen, too it’s a feast for the senses. After that, we moved on to Ollantaytambo, very impressive and an Inca site. That, it seems, boasts some seriously impressive stonework. I got the sense that my tour group’s guide was incredibly helpful throughout, providing so much historical and cultural background. It helps to make these places come very much to life, too it gives extra depth to everything you see. The altitude, yet again, it’s still something of a factor, but because you are descending into the valley a bit, so it’s often somewhat easier to manage than Cusco. That said, that means pace yourself still. I still had the occasional headache, you know, just to remind me where I was.
Day 3: Machu Picchu – The Lost City
Machu Picchu. It’s why a person comes to Peru, maybe. No photos do it justice; you really have to see it with your own eyes. My tour had an early train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, that’s the town at the base of Machu Picchu. Then, is that a bus up to the site? This part, very, very crowded, that’s fair warning. Once inside, my experience, it felt magical. Our guide expertly showed us around, so weaving through the terraces and explaining the purpose of each site. Hearing about the history and the amazing skill it must have taken to construct this city was something to marvel at. I thought I was reasonably prepared; I still wasn’t. The scale of Machu Picchu, you know, it’s difficult to get across in writing. What a view. The site really is large, very large, and you can wander all over; that makes it well worth the cost and effort.
Day 4: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
The Rainbow Mountain trek is very popular, though perhaps it is one of the most physically hard days of the tour. The tour sets off before dawn to get to the mountain. The drive is, arguably, two or three hours, which, when you’re so sleepy, makes for something of a long start to the day. The real challenge begins when you get there. So that’s a steep, roughly, one-and-a-half to two-hour climb to the peak at over 16,000 feet. Yes, that means the air is really, really thin. I saw so many people gasping. You do feel like you might need to stop every few steps! Is it worth it? If that’s clear, seeing the colors of the mountain reveal themselves as the sun rises has some serious rewards. The views? Wow. Horses, of course, are available for hire. However, even with a horse, you still need to walk the last section, that’s something a lot of people weren’t ready for, that’s what I heard anyway. This day tested my limits, but seeing those unbelievable views and unbelievable colours made me feel happy that I did.
Day 5: Departure from Cusco
Day 5 is normally a departure day; it’s an opportunity for some last-minute souvenir hunting before going to the airport. Is that the best part of the trip? No, it is, honestly, kind of a comedown after the craziness of the previous few days! You can walk a little slower on this last day too. So, take this moment to enjoy Cusco a bit more. Then reflect on everything you’ve experienced. Five days seems quite short, though my time in Peru made me remember things like altitude issues and tough treks are worth seeing some unreal views. All trips will give you ups and downs, that’s alright, but this one’s for sure a wild one! Don’t forget it, plan, respect the altitude, and remember what you felt the first moment you set foot in Peru.
Is the “Peru in 5 Days” tour worthwhile? It’s great to fit the highlights in, though the altitude can cause challenges and, sometimes, limitations on things. Do the acclimatization carefully. Even though the hikes push you, so the end results, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain, are incredible rewards for what you’ve done. Should you be someone who wants to experience a few bucket-list sights but doesn’t have much time, I’d recommend this trip without holding back. Be sure you are really fit and set for some real efforts!