KIRAN GOES PLACES
Destination Guide
Peru Travel Guide
Peru's reputation rests on one place: Machu Picchu, the fifteenth century Inca citadel that pulls people into the Andes on foot or by train to see it in person. Cusco, an old Inca capital rebuilt in Spanish colonial stone, is the usual base, and treks like Salkantay set off nearby. Budget at least a week to do Cusco, the trek and Machu Picchu justice.
Quick Facts
Recommended trip time
7-10 days: 2-3 days in Cusco, 4 days on the Salkantay Trek, at least a day at Machu Picchu
Popular Spots
Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Salkantay Trek, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain
Currency
Peruvian sol
Rough cost
From around $250pp for the Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu leg, travelling independently
Main Language
Spanish
Daily budget
$50-80 (independent/backpacker travel)
Best season
May to September, the Andean dry season, for the clearest trekking conditions.
Watch: Peru
Three Days in Cusco, Peru's Underrated Inca Capital
Four Brutal, Beautiful Days on the Salkantay Trek, Peru
The Machu Picchu Guide I Wish I'd Had Before Visiting, Peru
All Peru Posts
12 April 2026
Three Days in Cusco, Peru's Underrated Inca Capital
Cusco is the gateway to Machu Picchu, but the city deserves more attention than that. Three days in the city, the Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain.
5 April 2026
Four Brutal, Beautiful Days on the Salkantay Trek, Peru
Glacial passes, turquoise lakes and dense cloud forest, climbing to 4,630m before descending towards Machu Picchu. The full Salkantay Trek, day by day.
10 May 2026
The Machu Picchu Guide I Wish I'd Had Before Visiting, Peru
Tickets, circuits, mountain hikes, real costs and a genuine hack for when Circuit 2 sells out. Everything I wish I'd known before visiting.
8 March 2026
We Almost Didn't See Rainbow Mountain, Peru, Because of the Clouds
A 3am bus from Cusco, altitude sickness at 4,900m, and a summit swallowed by cloud. What Rainbow Mountain is really like, colours, crowds and all.
5 June 2026
What I Wish I'd Known Before Hiking the Salkantay Trek, Peru
Altitude, weather, tickets, tour companies and everything else I wish I'd known before hiking the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
22 May 2026
Five Days on the Salkantay Trek, Told Without Words, Peru
No talking, just the trail. Glacial lakes, a 4,630m pass, jungle glass domes and the walk into Machu Picchu, told entirely through the scenery.
30 April 2026
Walking Into Machu Picchu Through the Sun Gate After 75km, Peru
Four days of the Salkantay Trek, a final brutal climb to the Sun Gate, and the moment Machu Picchu appears through the clouds. Worth the hype?
Common Questions
How long do I need for Cusco, the Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu?
Budget at least a week all in: two or three days in Cusco to acclimatise and see the Sacred Valley, four days on the Salkantay Trek itself, and at least a full day at Machu Picchu. Add more if Rainbow Mountain is also on the list.
Is the Salkantay Trek hard?
Altitude is the biggest challenge, climbing to 4,630m before descending towards Machu Picchu, and it's generally considered harder than the classic Inca Trail. The weather is properly unpredictable too, blue skies one stretch, closing in the next, especially in the mornings.
Do I need a guide for the Salkantay Trek?
No, it can be done self-guided, though a shared guide runs about $25 a person and a private guide $80 plus. Comfort varies massively by tour company if you do book one, and horses can carry your gear if you go guided.
How much does the Salkantay Trek and Machu Picchu actually cost?
Most independent travellers end up spending at least $250 a person once entrance tickets, the mountain hike ticket, buses, the train and accommodation in Aguas Calientes are all added up. Hotels there range from around $40 to $200 a night.
Is Rainbow Mountain worth it if it's cloudy?
It's a genuine risk. Rainbow Mountain sits at 4,900m and its colours, caused by mineral layers of iron, copper and sulphur, can be completely swallowed by cloud on the day. It's still worth the early 3am bus from Cusco, but there are no guarantees.
Is Cusco worth more than a stopover before Machu Picchu?
Yes. Cusco is the gateway to Machu Picchu, but the city and the surrounding Sacred Valley deserve two or three days of their own rather than being treated as a one-night stopover on the way to the trek.