Extending your Machu Picchu trek in Cusco, Peru

Things to do in Cusco for a day on your own

If you’re traveling to Cusco for a trek to Machu Picchu, you’ll want to spend an extra day or two exploring Cusco. Extend your trip to wander through the ancient capital of the Incas packed with exquisite colonial architecture, incredible places to eat out, and world-class museums. Here are a few must-sees to consider when extending your trip:

Explore Plaza de Armas

Make your way to the Plaza de Armas – the historic center of the city. This wide-open square is awash with fountains and places to people watch. The square has a long history and two of the city’s top churches are found here - the Cusco Cathedral and the Iglesia la Compañia de Jesus. If you’re visiting during the festival season, be prepared for an incredible (but slightly crowded) time. During the Inti Raymi festival (Inca festival of the sun) and New Years’ Eve, the square is thronged with revelers. You could easily spend half a day around Plaza de Armas eating, drinking, exploring the historical buildings, and just people-watching.

Visit the museums

In Quechua, the language of the native people of the Andes, Cusco means, “navel of the world” and it is considered the capital city of the ancient Inca. Just off Plaza de Armas, you’ll find the huge Inka Museum. Not only does it have Incan art, artifacts, and mummies, but there are several exhibits that date back to pre-Inca times and the people who called Peru and South America home before the Incan empire. There are also modern art museums including Garcilaso de la Vega’s House, and the temple of Qorikancha – the most important Inca temple. It may be worth investing in a Boleto Turistico de Cusco if you’re hoping to visit several sites.

Explore San Blas Square and find the best views of the city

Located at a whopping 11,152 feet, Cusco sits at a higher altitude than most cities. Remember to drink plenty of water and take more leisurely walks when exploring the city on foot. From the San Blas District, you already have a pretty great view of Cusco from above. If you want an even better one, there are some awesome viewpoints in the district including the San Cristobal Church. It’s far enough from the busy crowds of the center that you can relax and feel that you’ve found your own hidden gem. If you really want to push yourself, find a route to the Cristo Blanco. You can get here in less than half an hour from San Blas. The Christ the Redeemer style statue has incredible views of the city and you can pick up a snack at one of the vendors nearby.

Visit the markets and sample the best Peruvian food

Peru is known for having some of the best food in South America and there’s nowhere better to try it than in Cusco. If you’re looking for something traditional and cheap, you can head to the market where there’ll be dishes like lomo saltado, papa a la huancaína, and ceviche. If you have the budget, top Peruvian chefs have restaurants here with contemporary fusion twists on traditional dishes. If you’re brave enough, try guinea pig (cuy - pronounced "kwee"). However, it’s not just Peruvian food you can make the most of. Cusco’s streets also boast world-class Japanese, Italian, and French food, to name just a few. Don’t forget to pop over the San Pedro market about an 8-minute walk from the Plaza to peruse the stalls of fresh food. You can spend hours in this vibrant and bustling market.

Shop for handicrafts

At the markets and souvenirs shops you can get everything from llama pens, hats, and Inca-patterned notebooks. If you don’t mind spending a little more, you can get a gorgeous alpaca wool poncho, hat, or gloves. Not only will you look good, but it’ll also keep you warm throughout the rest of your adventures in Peru. See some of the more unusual attractions in Cusco. While you’re shopping, swing by the 12 angled stone between Plaza de Armas and San Blas, a famous example of the intricate and advanced Inca craftsmanship.

https://trip101.com/peru/cusco-region-/cusco

7 Ways to Travel More Sustainably on Your Next Adventure

1. Come prepared with helpful knowledge

Spend some time learning about the history and culture of the areas you plan to visit. Having a general background will provide a unique lens as you travel, plus your guides will be able to share more and help answer any questions in-country.

Be sure to research local customs before you arrive. What may be a friendly gesture in one country could be quite offensive in another. The easiest way to respect local customs is to know what they are.

Next, familiarize yourself with sustainability issues unique to that location. From water scarcity to animal welfare, every country (including your own) has unique and complex issues with sustainability. Get to know what issues your particular destination is facing to make responsible decisions while traveling.

Lastly, don’t forget to brush up on the local language. Bring a small notebook or make a note in your phone translating “hello/goodbye,” “yes/no”, “please/thank you,” plus a few more phrases that may come in handy. Learning just a few words of the language can go a long way. Don’t worry too much about your pronunciation, people always appreciate the effort!

2. Research your tour operator

Once in a lifetime trips are a big investment, and cost is always a factor when deciding where to travel. You may spend a few years saving to climb Kilimanjaro or visit Easter Island, but before booking the cheapest deal out there, consider the tour operator and why it costs what it does.  

Responsible travel operators choose suppliers that have good environmental practices and are locally owned, they pay their staff fair wages, manage their own environmental impact, and consider animal welfare. While this can be difficult to verify, look for operators who opt-in to third party verification. Partner companies of the Kilimanjaro Porter’s Assistance Project are audited annually (and on every climb) for proper wages and fair treatment of porters. Travel companies with B Corp certification have had their business verified to meet a high standard of sustainability and are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. Greenwashing is rampant in most industries these days - be sure to look for official certifications.

It’s a fine balance between finding something affordable and ensuring that your money is being well spent. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! 

3. Offset the carbon emissions from your flight 

It’s hard to avoid flying across continents to reach your next travel destination. Unfortunately, the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases in the travel industry are long-haul flights. The first and most important step is to invest in projects that offset your flight’s emissions to achieve climate neutrality. Luckily, it’s affordable and shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes.

First, find a reputable organization that has been vetted and is transparent about the projects that they fund. (OneSeed currently uses South Pole to offset all expeditions and internal operations). Next, input your flight itinerary and your carbon emissions will be calculated by the metric ton. Lastly, choose a carbon offset project to fund like forest reforestation, clean cooking stoves, and renewable energy projects.

While methods like carbon capture and sequestration would help move the needle beyond just net-zero, they aren’t yet available or affordable to the masses. It’s important to not let perfect get in the way of good. Changing habits slowly over time helps shift mindsets towards the importance of protecting our planet. 

Other flights tips and tricks to lower your impact:

• Minimize air travel

• Take nonstop flights whenever possible  

• Fly economy rather than business or first class as you’re responsible for less of the calculated emissions based on available space

4. Bring a reusable water bottle filter

The amount of plastic filling our landfills and oceans is overwhelming. Microplastics are being found in our drinking water, even contaminating water and wildlife as far south as Antarctica. While big business and manufacturing need to change, we can always do our part.  

Commit to using a reusable water bottle wherever you go, whether that’s at home or traveling abroad. When you’re in countries where the water is not safe to drink, it can be easy to reach for bottled water as it’s cheap and easy. Keep in mind that many countries don’t have an efficient recycling system, so that plastic bottle is likely going straight into the trash.

The best option is to bring a reusable water bottle and filter system. Try a SteriPen that purifies water through UV light. Water treatment tablets work well and don’t take up much room. A water bottle filter like GRAYL can be an easy all-in-one solution where you fill the water bottle and push the lid filter down to purify the water in about 15 seconds. Being prepared with a water filter system ensures that you can drink from the tap in your hotel, a spigot along the trail, or from a river or lake without the worry of getting sick.

5. Support local business, not chains or imports

Shopping local is a great way to ensure an economy and community thrive. Whether you’re traveling with a tour operator or on your own, make sure to stay at hotels that are locally owned and ideally have environmental best practices in place and/or give back to their local community. That goes for restaurants and other attractions that have private ownership as well. Consider venturing off-the-beaten-path from the more touristy neighborhoods or popular trekking routes to find a restaurant or store.  

Keep in mind, when shopping for handicrafts, art, and other souvenirs, your money can go a long way. While haggling is common in many cultures, pay what feels fair rather than the cheapest possible price. What amounts to just one or two US dollars means quite a bit more to someone selling a custom handicraft that likely took hours or days to make. It’s always helpful to research your destination to see what is customary when purchasing goods. Lastly, be sure to purchase locally made goods (not ones imported from other countries) to support local artisans.    

6. Give back responsibly

It’s great to want to give back when you travel. Instead of bringing miscellaneous items and gifts, ask your tour operator for recommendations or connect with a local nonprofit operating in the country. It’s best to ask first rather than assume as local organizations are the experts when it comes to what a community really needs, and what it doesn’t. 

Consider donating the outdoor gear you use on your trek. It can help out a porter and lighten your luggage on the way home. Depending on your destination, guides and porters often appreciate hiking boots or quality outdoor gear if you want to donate them when you leave. Talk to your tour operator first or ask your head guide what would be most helpful.

If you’re set on volunteering your time while abroad, due diligence is key. Short term volunteer opportunities can often undermine local initiatives without addressing the root cause of issues a particular country or population faces. Monetary and resource support, as well as long-term engagement with skilled individuals, has shown to be the most successful at addressing issues in developing countries. 

At OneSeed, our mission does not include volunteer opportunities, rather it offers travelers a way to directly bolster the local economy. By investing 10% of every trip cost in nonprofit microfinance partners, travelers help empower local entrepreneurs to launch or expand their business through collateral-free microloans. We do not visit borrowers during expeditions as we want to respect their time and privacy, and they are not always located near major cities or travel routes.

7. Remember how you got there

It’s been reported that more than 80% of the world’s population has never flown on an airplane. That may be hard to believe the next time you’re delayed in an overcrowded terminal, but it’s true. While traveling has its ups and downs, it’s important to remember why and how you got there. The freedom your citizenship and passport gives you to cross borders, to choose when and where you want to go is a great privilege. Most people will never have the opportunity to leave the country, let alone the region, they grew up in. Heading into a new adventure with the right mindset will really set the tone of your trip, and will help determine how you interact with the people and place.

Like anywhere in the world, most people welcome visitors with kindness and respect. Be sure to do the same and remember that you are in someone else’s home country and culture. Think twice before taking photos of people going about their daily lives and avoid photos of children. If you want to take someone’s photo, be sure to ask first. Some people may ask for money in exchange for a photo, which is not uncommon in high traffic tourist areas. Just agree on a price beforehand if you’re comfortable doing so.

And finally, remember that English is almost always a second or third language for everyone you will interact with while traveling. Frustrated that you can’t understand the shopkeeper’s broken English? It’s likely you can’t say as much in their own dialect. It’s pretty hard these days to travel far enough to see zero signs in English. Be grateful that the bathroom sign says “toilet” rather than “शौचालय”!

A Tipping Guide For Your Trek to Machu Picchu

Tipping culture and etiquette vary from country to country. On multi-day expeditions, a great amount of organizational work is done by support staff who work around the clock to ensure travelers have the best possible experience. Travelers should consider the region (including its cost of living), the size of your group, the length of your expedition, the amount of work and quality of service received while tipping.

Each trekking group in Peru requires a skilled team of guides, cooks, and horsemen or porters. Nothing can be stored on the trails, thus mules or porters carry all of the necessary equipment; camping tents, sleeping pads, dining tent, kitchen tent, tables, chairs, cooking stove, gas, and food.

Travelers often want to know how many staff members to anticipate and how to accurately tip each individual. The charts below should serve as a helpful guide when considering a tip at the end of your trek. These amounts are simply a suggestion (and are on the higher end). Trekkers are welcome to tip more or less as they see fit.

Ultimate Machu Picchu - 4 Day Trek:

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Backroads Machu Picchu - 3 Day Trek:

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Classic Inca Trail - 4 Day Trek

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Peru Multi-Sport - 5 Day Adventure:

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Taste of Peru - 3 Day Adventure:

All Taste of Peru trips are private departures. Expect to have one head guide for a full three days of sightseeing around the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. At $30/day for a head guide, the group can budget around $90 (300 Soles) total.

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Some Important Things to Note:

1. Talk to your support team to learn about their home country and experience working on the trail. If there is a language barrier, simply showing your team that you appreciate them with a smile and words of encouragement goes a long way!

2. Tipping usually occurs on the last day of the trek prior to leaving your support team for Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes. It is customary to separate tips by individual if possible. If not possible, tipping the guides, cooks, and horsemen/porters separately is highly recommended to ensure everyone receives their fair share.

3. Regardless of the size of your expedition, we recommend budgeting around $100 USD to have on hand for the trekking portion of your expedition.

4. If you feel inclined, you may tip your head guide for additional days of guiding in the Sacred Valley around Cusco before your trek.

5. Travelers can tip in Peruvian Soles or US Dollars. Be sure to bring new/crisp small bills (nothing higher than $20) in order to tip evenly among all staff. If you prefer to exchange money, you can do so in Cusco prior to your trek at any money exchange office or bank.

6. Our recommendations are on the high end of the suggested tipping range for Machu Picchu treks. While you might be inclined to tip higher if you’ve received exceptional service, it’s encouraged to tip a standard amount so that your guide and support staff can continue making a living from their job rather than relying on tips. Similar to wait staff in the U.S. who often make below minimum wage due to tipping, we want to ensure all trekking companies in Peru continue to pay their staff a guaranteed living wage.

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USD to Peruvian Sol Calculator

Peruvian Soles are generally 3.3 to 1 USD depending on the day of conversion. Click or tap the button below to be taken to an online USD to Sol converter with the most recent exchange rates.

Still have questions? Email us at info@oneseedexpeditions.com or ask your head guide on the trail. Guides are happy to provide you with information on the total number of support staff, names, roles, etc.

Packing for Machu Picchu? Here Are Some Tips

Your trip to Machu Picchu has been booked, now it’s time to get packing. Smart packing will make your hiking experience much more enjoyable as you’ll be prepared for any conditions you encounter. A trek to Machu Picchu is a one-of-a-kind experience that requires 5-10 hours of trekking each day.

No matter the season, you should expect rain and always pack accordingly. Since there is always a possibility of rain or cold weather, we recommend that you bring waterproof pants, a down jacket, gloves, a wool hat, and long synthetic underwear (see packing list here). At high altitude, it’s not just the cold you have to worry about. You must also prepare for the high altitude sun with sunscreen and sunglasses for those warmer and sunnier days. Check out current weather here.

On some of the hiking days, you will stay overnight at campsites which is why you’ll need to bring basic camping items such as a sleeping bag, toilet paper, Bitty bags, insect repellent, and a quick- dry towel. In addition to your camping gear, you’ll also want to bring a day pack in which you’ll carry personal toiletries, medicine, an extra layer of clothing, your camera, and other items you’ll need throughout the day.

While you’ll spend most of your time on the trail, don’t forget to pack for your time in the city as well! On those days when you’re not hiking, you’ll want clean, casual clothes for exploring the cities of Cusco and Aguas Calientes.

Have any questions as you prepare for your trip? Give our team a call at 303-586-4723 or email us anytime.

What's the Weather Like at Machu Picchu?

If you're considering a trip to Machu Picchu, it's a good idea to learn what the temperature and precipitation will be like by month. While weather is always a bit unpredictable, being prepared for seasonal changes on the trail is a good place to start.

Average temperatures throughout the year:

Average temperatures (in Fahrenheit) may reach the high 60’s but can drop as low as low 30’s. It is important to note that during the day it may be warm but as the sun goes down temperatures can drop up to 30 degrees. For current weather updates, click on the Current Weather link.

Source: www.weather-and-climate.com

Average precipitation throughout the year:

The rainy months are usually October to March and the driest season is typically April to September.

Source: https://www.machupicchutrek.net/best-time-to-hike-machu-picchu/    

Weather on the trail to Machu Picchu is always changing and impossible to predict. Carefully following the expedition packing list will keep you prepared for any conditions. For more information on what to pack, don’t hesitate to contact our team anytime.

A Note on Solo Traveler Fees

We know solo traveler fees are a bummer and trust us, we don't like charging them either. We require the extra fee because it's the best possible way to provide a fair price to all clients. The solo traveler fee covers the increased cost of hotel stay (single vs. double rooms), ground transportation, and the additional guides, porters, or cooks needed while on the trail.

The good news? The solo room fee guarantees your very own single/private room while in your host city.

Solo Traveler Match Service

If you are interested in being introduced to other solo travelers to avoid the solo supplement fee, reach out to one of our expedition specialists to join our complimentary matching program. If there is another solo traveler of the same gender on your group expedition that is seeking a match, our customer service team will help facilitate and determine if both parties are comfortable sharing accommodations. OneSeed must confirm a match a minimum of 60 days prior to an expedition in order to make appropriate arrangements. All decisions to match are the sole discretion of the traveler.

Connect with Your Fellow Travelers

Our Facebook groups are a great place to source information and tips from past travelers as well as meet other participants traveling on your group expeditions dates.

Training for Your Trek: Quick Tips to Get Ready for the Trail

A frequently asked question here at OneSeed is usually along the lines of, "I'm hiking how much?? How do I train for this??" On a OneSeed trek, you'll be pushing your body to the limit as you hike through some of the most awe-inspiring places in the world. We've included some tips below on how to train for what will be an adventure of a lifetime!

Apparel and Footwear: Before you start training, invest in a solid pair of hiking boots and gym shoes. If your feet are tired and blistered, it will affect the rest of your body and increase the risk for injury. Make it a priority to break in your boots - wear them while you work out or even just walking around the neighborhood!

Sweat!: You want to feel confident going into your expedition so start elevating your heart rate and building muscle! Find a work out routine that works for YOU and stick with it. If you don't like running, don't run, BUT find an activity that makes you sweat and tone. Hiking, running, biking and swimming are all great cardio-boosters but try interval training with activities like yoga and weight-lifting classes as well. Be sure you incorporate squats and lunges into your workouts so you build your leg muscles for the long hikes you'll be accomplishing on the trail. Lastly, don't forget to Stretch! Yoga and pilates classes are the best way to stretch out sore muscles and prevent injuries. 

Hydrate and Fuel: With all of this training, you'll be burning tons of calories! Be sure you're fueling your body with foods that help it perform at it's best and keep you feeling good. Incorporate healthy grains like quinoa, brown rice and wild rice, nuts like almonds and walnuts, fish, lean meats, fruits and vegetables into your diet on a daily basis. And don't forget about water! When you're dehydrated, you feel more fatigued than you actually are, making it easier to trip on the trail and cause injuries. Make it a goal to drink at least 64 oz. of water each day (that's two Nalgenes!) and start each meal with a glass of water.

Get High: Gearing up for a trip above 10,000ft? The higher up in elevation you can train, the better. If you live close to the mountains, push yourself on some high-elevation hikes and train your lungs to adjust to the lack of oxygen. If you don't live in an area where high-altitude trails are available, not to fear! All of our treks factor in rest days in order to acclimate to higher elevation. If you're feeling fatigued on the trail, go slow and take frequent breaks as your body adjusts to the altitude.

See you on the trail!

Quick Tips for Eating on the Trail

When trekking in a remote area, there are certain expectations that will help you make the most of the meals on the trail. Here’s a quick list of things to know about trail food to help you prepare for your expedition.

1) Carbs, Carbs, Carbs. In most of the areas where we travel, the diet is rich in carbs. When you spend 3-10 hours a day hiking, you need carbs for energy, so embrace it! Nepal is known for its dal bhat, Peru for its 3,800 types of potatoes, and Chile is the second largest bread consumer per capita in the world. But guess what? They all make really delicious carbs, so dig in!

2) Eat like a local. They best way to order off the menu in a foreign country is to mimic what the locals are doing. If you’re staying at a teahouse in the Langtang region, ordering a pizza might not be the best option. Pizza with yak cheese isn’t going to taste like is does from your local pizza shop in NYC. Look around you to learn about the delicious local dishes and try sticking to them. It’s a great way to fully immerse yourself in the country in which you’re traveling. What if you’re craving some comforting American food? It will be there for you to eat the day you get back!

3) Bring reserves. While trekking on OneSeed trips, you’ll be fed three large meals a day but some trekkers like to have power bars or granola bars to munch on while hiking. You can always bring a few just in case you need some extra fuel. (*Note: Customs rarely lets you bring nuts, seeds, or fruit into a foreign country)

4) Be adventurous. Some of the countries where we travel have exotic local dishes that you don’t find everywhere. Push your tastebuds to the limit with new flavors. Try the tongue in Chile or the spicy pickle in Nepal because you never know what you might like.

Food is an essential part of any culture. Be prepared to try new things and expand your tastebuds’ comfort zone. Bon Appétit!

7 Tips to Prepare for Your Trek

Always be prepared! The scout’s motto is simple, but true. Being well prepared for your trek will make your time much more enjoyable, and you can focus on the wonders around you rather than your blistered feet! Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your trek.

1.  Buy appropriate footwear and break your boots in.

• Visit an outdoor retailer and do research to buy the appropriate pair of hiking boots for your feet.
• Break them in! Showing up with brand new boots for a multi-day trek is an invitation for blisters and pain. Walk the dog in your boots, do yard work in your boots, take them hiking! You want your boots to feel nice and comfy when you arrive.
• Buy good quality socks (non-cotton, moisture wicking socks such as Smartwool, Thorlos, Darn Tough, Woolrich etc…)
• Remember: Your feet are your best friend. Happy feet, happy camper!

2.  Get out hiking. Regularly!

• Start slowly and build your intensity, difficulty, and length of hikes. It is much better to start slowly and increase the difficulty gradually over several months than to wait to the last few weeks.
• Wear what you will be wearing on the trail, especially if they are new items, so you know how they feel and can adjust anything that is irritating or doesn’t work. This includes your boots and the pack you will be carrying on the trail.
• Go with a partner or a group. You won’t be able to cheat and going with someone else provides motivation and fun!
• Cross train too (Bike, swim, run, yoga, stairs, etc). Different types of exercise work different muscle groups and will help condition your body. Strengthening your body can help prevent injuries on the trail.

3.  Learn about the OneSeed Fund

• 10% of the revenue from your expedition will be loaned to local entrepreneurs via the OneSeed Fund.
• The loans are extended by our partner microfinance institutions across many different industries such as agriculture, retail, food services and more.
• Want to learn more about microfinance? Click here.

4.  Don’t bank on your bank.

• Call your bank ahead of time to let them know about your travel plans.
• Sometimes, when banks see a charge in a foreign country, they assume it was theft and freeze your account.
• While you’re on the phone with your bank, ask them about international ATM fees.
• Be sure to have back-up alternatives such as cash, traveler’s check, and credit cards.
• Having copies of credit cards and passport information is a great safety net.

5.  Health, safety, and more.

• Visit the CDC website or contact a local travel medicine office with any questions about immunizations or vaccines.
• If you have any concerns about your health, contact your physician before you start a training program.
• Learn more about tips to keep your belongings safe while traveling here.

6.  Insure Your Trip.

• All OneSeed trips include medical and evacuation insurance for all travelers. This covers you from the moment your expedition begins.
• We also strongly urge you to purchase the optional cancellation and interruption insurance. This third party insurance covers any injuries, illnesses, or other unforeseeable events between now and your expedition.
• You never know what life has in store so it is better to prepare ahead of time!

7.  Pack light and early.

•  Take a look at our packing list now and start to get an idea of what gear you have and what you will need to purchase. Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for disaster!
• Outdoor gear can be quite expensive. Don’t forget that you can borrow from a friend, rent from various outdoor stores, or look online for items on sale.
• That being said, don’t skimp! Making sure your clothes are built to last is important as you will be hiking outside in the elements for many days on end.
• To lighten your load, bring travel-sized toiletries.
• Ziplock bags make for inexpensive, weightless, water-resistant organizers for loose items.
• Don’t forget to bring an extra outfit for the city. You can leave any extra gear at our partner lodge before the trek.

Happy trekking!