Review: 6 Days Cusco, Machu Picchu, La Paz & Uyuni

So, thinking of visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu, La Paz, and the Uyuni Salt Flats all in one trip? Sounds like a whirlwind, too it’s almost an amazing one! Well, I did that trip myself, and I’m here to share my experiences, maybe providing a bit of insight that you might find useful. I’ll go over what went well, what I would probably change, and what you ought to maybe think about before booking a similar trip. As I see it, cramming these iconic South American destinations into just six days presents a fair bit of challenges, yet also provides the chance for unbelievable memories. The goal here? Basically giving you the lowdown so you can decide whether this breakneck pace is really for you, so maybe manage your expectations a little.

First Stop: Cusco – Acclimatizing to the Altitude

Anyway, the first leg, Cusco, is really about altitude, just a little! Landing in Cusco means your body has to, like, get used to being way up high – around 11,000 feet above sea level. That’s a pretty big deal. I will say, I felt it. Headaches, a bit of shortness of breath, and generally just feeling kind of sluggish. So, what can you do? I made sure to take it super easy on day one. That meant zero plans except wandering around a bit, drinking coca tea (it really does seem to help, though), and trying not to overexert myself, you know. As a matter of fact, many hotels will give you coca tea as soon as you check in – drink up! Maybe also think about chatting with your doctor before you travel about altitude sickness medication. Some people swear by it; I personally preferred the coca tea approach, alright. I did find Cusco very amazing, with its old streets and Incan walls; I felt a bit guilty I didn’t have more energy to properly investigate. Give Cusco a day or two more if you really want to investigate the town and nearby Sacred Valley.

Machu Picchu: An Unforgettable Day Trip

Now, Machu Picchu, the lost city! Most of the trips from Cusco to Machu Picchu are day trips, that’s a must-see destination. You normally take an early train to Aguas Calientes, which is, like, at the base of Machu Picchu. From there, it’s a bus ride up a winding road, but frankly, it is pretty exciting. The moment you finally see Machu Picchu, though, any travel tiredness sort of goes away. Even with tons of tourists, the place has this really quiet, powerful feel about it, you know. I spent about four hours looking around, and I almost wish I had longer. The guide was really quite good, providing good stories and insight that, really, made the experience so much richer. Pro tip: Get your tickets in advance! And, like, think about getting a timed entry for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for cool viewpoints. Just a little warning though, those hikes can be pretty tough, mostly because of the altitude. One thing I think I would probably change? Spending a night in Aguas Calientes. That would mean you can get to Machu Picchu earlier, maybe beating some of the crowds, alright providing a more leisurely experience overall. Anyway, definitely something to consider!

La Paz: High Altitude and Hustle

After Peru, it’s on to La Paz, which is in Bolivia. And honestly? It is even higher than Cusco! We are talking over 13,000 feet. By this point, I was mostly okay, but some people in our group really felt the height. La Paz is such a crazy town – chaotic, very busy, and completely different from Cusco. The Witches’ Market is, like, an eye-opener, offering all types of conventional remedies and weird stuff. The cable car system is a neat way to see town from above, too it’s almost providing unbelievable views of the sprawling city and the mountains all around, I will say. Just so you know, I only had a day in La Paz, and that really wasn’t enough. I would have surely liked to have spent more time there to explore more fully. Yet, the main draw in Bolivia for me? Just a little spoiler; that has to be the Uyuni Salt Flats, as a matter of fact!

Salar de Uyuni: Surreal Beauty

The Uyuni Salt Flats are, very much, unlike any place else I have ever gone to. So, flying from La Paz to Uyuni, then driving out onto this big, big, flat, white surface? Pretty wild! The salt flats are visually quite amazing, in some respects. The sky merges with the ground, and you get this mind-bending sense of space and perspective. The tour I went on was a three-day trip that, actually, started and ended in Uyuni. We visited spots such as Incahuasi Island (a rocky outcrop with huge cacti), various colored lagoons with flamingos, and quirky rock formations. Just so you know, the accommodations out there are basic – don’t really expect luxury – yet the landscape basically makes up for it, definitely. The trip includes driving via some very rough roads, yet seeing that ever changing scenery makes everything worth it. This was surely the part of the trip that felt most like a real adventure.

Things to Think About Before You Go

Anyway, squeezing all these destinations into six days is, like, doable, but you really have to understand it’s a fast pace. As I see it, it’s probably better if you are alright with moving quickly and maybe aren’t too fussed about seeing every little thing, basically. The altitude is surely something to be ready for. Give yourself time to get used to it, alright. Pack light! You’ll be, you know, moving around a fair bit, and honestly, nobody likes carting around a heavy suitcase any way. Maybe plan for potential delays, too. Flights in South America aren’t normally as punctual, just a little. Booking tours ahead of time? Surely saves stress, specifically Machu Picchu and Uyuni. Oh, and make sure you have travel insurance that surely covers high-altitude trekking, too. Anyway, overall, while I actually saw some superb places, I felt a little hurried, but at the end of the day.

Is this Trip for You?

Well, that surely depends! If you only have a very little bit of time and desperately want to get a taste of all of those spots, then go for it, honestly. Simply understand that you will be seeing highlights, definitely not getting any seriously deep understanding. Now, if you actually prefer a bit more relaxed pace, I would tell you to spend at least ten days, very. So add an extra day or two in Cusco, mostly explore the Sacred Valley fully, spend a night in Aguas Calientes, and permit extra time in La Paz to soak in town life, like your local. For me? I kind of enjoyed the whirlwind, yet I would actually pick a longer trip the next time. To each their own, right?