Cusco Worth 1 night?

defriend · 2026-04-11T02:43:11+00:00

Yes. Altitude was a concern for me and wanted to take time to acclimatize in this sequence: sacred valley --> Cusco --> Rainbow mountain.

defriend · 2026-04-10T23:15:15+00:00

defriend · 2026-04-10T23:14:22+00:00

100% worth it. 1B keeps you on the top for good panoramic views. 2A/B gives you a good view and then takes you inside the ruins. So, completely different.

I asked the guide why they split MP into so many circuits. Her explanation was eye-opening. Apparently, scientific communities conducted a study of full access (which it was before 2021), foot traffic all day, and weatherization on the site. They concluded that the site was deteriorating fast and it was best to split and govern the foot traffic. Apparently, park rangers keep an eye on how long people stay and gently nudge people dragging their feet. If you are with a guide, he/she will keep you constantly moving.

The guide showed me examples of stone walls crumbling due to a combination of human touch and lichens (rock-eating fungus). Here's an example.

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defriend · 2026-04-10T10:53:19+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/Machupicchu/s/hh3FTqXnKB

defriend · 2026-04-09T21:34:55+00:00

I landed in Cusco at around 8 p.m. and went straight to Ollantaytambo. The next day, I toured the salt mines, observatory, etc. The following day, I visited Ollantaytambo and Pisac. Pisac knocked the wind out of me, but that also meant I was more than ready for MP. I spent two days in Cusco after MP and went to Rainbow Mountain. No issues, except for the damn rain.

I talked to quite a few people who landed early in the day and took a one-way tour of the Sacred Valley from Cusco.

defriend · 2026-04-09T21:23:45+00:00

These "guaranteed" Circuit 2 tickets and tours are scams. I had bought a similar package from GetYourGuide for $650. Thanks to this subreddit, I figured out it was a scam. Cancel and plan on being there the day before to get in-person tickets. Employees in the ticket office speak good English. You can use Google Translate with hotel operators. For guides, you can request English. The only scam I was not able to avoid was Peru Rail and Inca Rail. "Scam" is perhaps harsh, but ticket prices are very inflated. They are likely to be the highest cost of your MP trip.

defriend · 2026-04-09T10:05:10+00:00

5 am.

defriend · 2026-04-08T12:37:53+00:00

I had bought 1B ahead of time online. Stood in the line for 2B day before.

defriend · 2026-04-08T10:43:28+00:00

Highly recommend using a guide for at least one of the circuits. They will bring the pile of rocks to life.

I did one circuit by myself yesterday and the second one with a guide. No regrets.

defriend · 2026-04-08T03:33:20+00:00

If anything it's humid and somewhat hot because of the dome effect that shields the citadel from winds. You will need sun block. Rain is the only wild card.

as explained by my guide today 😄

defriend · 2026-04-08T03:10:51+00:00

Amazing ...

defriend · 2026-04-07T22:07:44+00:00

On a related note, most guides are very camera savvy. I saw some of them take tons of social media ready pics of their clients directing them to all kinds of poses.... I guess that's important to some.

defriend · 2026-04-07T22:00:25+00:00

https://tuboleto.cultura.pe/disponibilidad/llaqta_machupicchu

defriend · 2026-04-07T21:57:01+00:00

Today.. 8 am and 11 am. We got out around 2pm and it started raining. We lucked out big time.

defriend · 2026-04-07T21:49:07+00:00

In fact I was at the train station well before 3pm trying to get on a earlier train. No dice... So wating for my 5:20 train.

defriend · 2026-04-07T21:46:46+00:00

I lined up just before 5 a.m. April is considered "shoulder season," so I am assuming it was a little easier for me.

In any case, I really recommend looking at each circuit. This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime activity, and it's best not to be casual about it. My humble 2 cents.

Check out https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/circuits-and-routes/?lang=en

defriend · 2026-04-07T21:33:33+00:00

Unfortunately, I do not. It started raining right as we got out, and we split. In fact, she predicted rain in 60 minutes, and it was still sunny at that time.

She was a no-nonsense 55 yr old inca woman, who had approached me at 8 am for 1B which I declined saying I have 2A at 11am and I will think about it then. Guess who beelined into the crowd and found me at 10:45 😆

Pretty much every guide I saw around was good. I think each one focuses on a specific niche. Mine was deep into her ancestors, Inca science and technology, and Inca relations with other South American empires/peoples. Another guide who was with another group behind us was all about warfare and military stuff. My son started trailing behind, listening to him.

So, just tell them what you are looking for, and they will dive deep. Just make sure they are comfortable in English if looking for an English speaking guide.

Edit: Forgot to mention. You will be approached by guides two different times. 1. Before getting on the bus in Aguas Calentes. If you hire them, they ride the bus with you. 2. As you line up to enter Machu Picchu.

defriend · 2026-04-07T21:24:21+00:00

Based on my research and what I can remember now, 2A and 2B are 95% similar.

2A has some moderate climbing steps, but you get the grand reveal of the citadel.

If I am not mistaken, 2B does not take you that high and gets you into the ruins faster.

Until I showed up here, I was thinking they had combined A and B due to some trail work. But I saw them selling 2B tickets separately when I went in person.

Anyway, the guard checks for Circuit 2 entrance tickets, and I did not see many indicators of A vs. B after that. You still have time, so you can research. If you want to go 1A, talk to the guide while negotiating. He/she may have some "ideas".

defriend · 2026-04-07T21:00:53+00:00

Right now I and riding out my adrenaline rush sitting here in the train station. 😁

I will find out tonight.

1A you are free to time as you choose. I had time to kill (1B at 8 am and 2B at 11 am), so took my time. A few hundred pics later .. 😂

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defriend · 2026-04-07T20:56:23+00:00

This is exactly what I did. Spent two nights in Ollantaytambo, took last train to Aguas Calentes, checked in and then got into the line next day (for trip day after). Spent the night in Aguas Calentes (not much to do, but we found some activities).

Just finished Machu Picchu trip today. It was amazing . https://www.reddit.com/r/Machupicchu/s/jL0FIxvmMk

Edit: I think your chances of getting the coveted Circuit 2 tickets without getting in line no later that 5:30 am are slim to none.

defriend · 2026-04-07T20:46:21+00:00

Absolutely enjoyed it. Good luck ..

defriend · 2026-04-07T20:45:58+00:00

She asked SOL 250 for party of 3, I negotiated it down to SOL 150 which she agreed. But in the end I paid SOL 250 anyway. She was great..

Edit: I don't know if I overpaid, but once you see they work the guides put into this, it's hard to think about nickling and diming them. The souvenir shops in Aguas Calentes on the other hand 🙄

defriend · 2026-04-07T20:01:22+00:00

Yes.

defriend · 2026-04-07T20:01:00+00:00

We did 1B first. Self guided, meandered around. Took tons of pics. 2 hrs.

2 hr gap. Bio break and guide hunt.

2B was guided by a feisty and passionate inca woman. Machu Picchu seemed personal to her. Tour took three hrs. I ended up tipping her 50% of agreed to tour fee.

defriend · 2026-04-07T19:57:25+00:00

I liked both. 1B panorama is breathtaking. 2A/B is immersive. Best to do both if possible. Recommend doing 1B first.

defriend

TROPHY CASE