Visiting Machu Picchu in 2016 was an incredible opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. On my way to the Rio Olympics, I decided to make a stop in Peru to explore one of the natural wonders of the world. As someone who has always been fascinated by human history, I was thrilled by the chance to uncover the mysteries of an ancient civilization. The breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Machu Picchu promised an unparalleled adventure and a chance to walk in the footsteps of the Incas.
The journey was filled with unforgettable experiences. I explored the “4 ruins” of Cusco, each offering a glimpse into the grandeur of Incan architecture and engineering. I marveled at the Maras salt mines, a stunning network of terraced salt pans that have been in use since pre-Incan times. One of the highlights was hiking 5 miles along a train track to Santa Teresa, where I embarked on an exhilarating white-water rafting trip along the Urubamba River.
This adventure not only satisfied my curiosity about the past but also provided a stunning backdrop to a memorable Olympic experience. Visiting Machu Picchu and its surrounding wonders in 2016 made for a year of incredible discoveries and adventures.

Day 1: Fly to Lima

I flew from Houston to Lima and spent the night in Lima. I chose to do this because another flight from Lima to Cusco would have taken an additional 2 or 3 hours, and there weren’t many flights from Houston to Lima, so our options were limited. I stayed in a hotel in Lima overnight, but in hindsight, I should have stayed at the airport hotel.

Day 2: Lima to Cusco

I took the 8 am flight to Cusco, which is another reason why staying at the airport hotel would have been a good idea, allowing us to sleep in a bit more. I flew with Peruvian Air to Cusco. Flights to Cusco are frequent.

When I landed in Cusco, I scheduled a private tour with Cusco Transport to pick me up at the airport and show us around the city. The tour included both walking and driving through the ruins, specifically the 4 Ruins Tour, which took about 4-6 hours. I explored all the famous ruins in Cusco and also enjoyed a city walk.

I spent the night at the Sonesta Posadas del Inca hotel, which is just a block from the main square.

Day 3: Adventure in Cusco and Sacred Valley

I signed up for a bike tour of the Morays and the Salt Mines. The tour was a bit rough; it was more off-roading than I expected. While biking around Cusco, The Bike Tour stopped at the Morays, a fascinating series of concentric terraces used by the Incas for agricultural experiments. I also visited the Maras Salt Mines, an impressive network of terraced salt pools that have been in use since pre-Inca times.

Afterward, I enjoyed a scenic 1.5-hour taxi ride, costing about 30 dollars, through breathtaking landscapes to the town of Ollantaytambo. From there, I caught the 7 PM train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu). In Aguas Calientes, I stayed at the Flower Hotel, a basic yet clean and comfortable place with hot showers and fresh bedding. We took a taxi, a 1.5 hour drive (which was beautiful landscape) for about 30 dollars to a town called Ollantayabo. In Aguas Calientes (AC), I stayed at the Flowers House MachuPicchu, which has a 8.2 customer rating on Hotels.com.

Day 4 River Rafting in Santa Teresa

I spent the day hiking 5 miles along train tracks to go river rafting, and it was absolutely amazing! If you’re interested in doing the same, let me know and I can provide more details. Otherwise, do what you came here to do and visit Machu Picchu.

The day before, buy bus tickets from a stand along the main road to ride up to the sanctuary. Aguas Calientes is quite touristy with plenty of dining options, ATMs, and most places accept credit cards. English and Spanish are widely spoken.

The bus line to Machu Picchu can be long, so be patient. Once at the top, hire an English-speaking guide for a tour. It typically costs between $25 to $50 per person; negotiate and feel free to decline and find another guide among the many available — no need to book in advance

Day 5 Machu Picchu

I went to Machu Picchu again. Because I hired the guide the previous day, I spent the day just walking around and exploring. I would recommend spending two days at Machu Picchu and taking your time.

What you should do:

• If you are into hikes, consider getting tickets to climb Mt. Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu. The views are incredible. Both mountains look down on the sanctuary.
• Of course, hiking Mt. Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu requires a fee, and you need to book these hikes a few months in advance.
• The hike to the Sun Temple at Machu Picchu is free, or at least it was in 2016, and the view is amazing. The Sun Temple is the endpoint of the famous 5-7 day Inca Trail. This temple, built by the Incas, is quite fascinating. According to legend, on one specific day of the year, which coincides with the time when the Incas would hike the Inca Trail, the sun shines through the gates and illuminates a particular area of Machu Picchu, functioning like a sundial.

Taking the bus back down to Cusco, be prepared for another long line. For my return journey, I opted for the Vistadome train, departing at 5:23 PM. This scenic train ride was a delightful way to end my adventure, offering panoramic views of the beautiful landscape. Upon arrival at the train station, a fleet of taxis awaited, ready to whisk tourists back to Cusco. I returned to the Sonesta Hotel, which had generously stored my travel luggage for a few days, allowing me to explore Machu Picchu unencumbered with just a small carry-on.

Day 6: Sacred Valley

I had a free day to explore, so I ventured southeast of Cusco to discover the famous agricultural site of Pisaq Ruins. Along the way, our guide took us through several charming towns where we shopped for unique souvenirs and enjoyed the local atmosphere. In the afternoon, we caught a 3:40 PM flight to Lima, and later that evening, we jetted off to Rio on a 9:30 PM flight.