Tips in going to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain from Cusco

So you plan to go to Peru to see one of the seven wonders of the world, what should you know before you go? Here are some tips in going to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain from Cusco.

If you can consult a travel clinic, go to one and ask what you need if you’re traveling to a certain country. I had some typhoid vaccine, we didn’t need any malaria vaccine, since the place is too high. The doctor also prescribed some medicine for diarrhea and high altitude. I just used the pills for high altitude. Also in Cusco and Rainbow Mountain, they have coca tea, which can help too. I’ve seen some people who got nose bleed because of this. And you will have a hard time breathing at some point. Even if you’re not doing anything, you will feel like you just ran a mile.

Make sure to have lots of water, be sure to just buy bottled water. Or you can have medication for Diarrhea. Our doctor even said to use bottled water when brushing and washing fruits. But I forgot that one, and I didn’t experience diarrhea at all, but don’t try your luck.

Booked your travel time to Machu Picchu as early as 2 months. If you are planning to go there during peak season. We visit in October, and saw we still have slots for 7:00 am. Though the 6:00 am is already gone. Here’s their site.

Since we had an early morning travel time, we decided to stay in Agua Calientes, so we can have our full rest and breakfast in our hostel. And not be late too. Some tourist, stay in Ollantaytambo and just travel early from there to Agua Calientes.

We booked our Departure with Inca Rail and and our return to Cusco with Peru Rail. To be able to experience both. To know more here’s the review for Train to Machu Picchu: Inca Rail or Peru Rail.

Most of the hostels/hotels in Machu Picchu and Cusco offers free breakfast as early as 5:00 am. Our hotel in Cusco packed us a breakfast bag ’cause we need to leave like 3:00 am to Rainbow Mountain.

We stayed in Hanaqpacha Inn Machu Picchu, and in Polo Cusco Suites in Cusco.

There’s things that are prohibited to bring in Machu Picchu, like selfie stick. Other things are listed in their website too.

We booked our bus/van return ticket in Agua Calientes. When we get there, we asked around where to find place where we can find it. It’s $24 for one person or 85 sol.

The day of our trip, we wake up pretty early, and we were there an hour before our Departure time. But the line is already long, and half an hours, people keep on lining up. The good thing is there’s enough vans to accommodate all of the tourist. I hope it will be more environment friendly soon.

Be aware that there will be a lot of tourist in Machu Picchu. So be patient and be a good tourist and follow any rules that you may see. We want to retain the beauty of each place we visited and be there for lifetime.

There’s washroom before you enter Machu Picchu. So make sure to pee, before going in, since you will be there most probably 4 hours with bottled water. You have to pay like 2 sol for the washroom.

If you are just gonna go with Machu Picchu only, guide is not recommended. However, if you will hike the 2 mountains, you should probably get a guide.

You may be able to see some Llama too.

Get acclimated to the high altitude by staying at least 3 days in Cusco, before going for a hike especially in Rainbow Mountain. We didn’t, so we had a hard time on hiking at some part.

Be sure to bring thick coat or jackets, cause it will be colder when you hike up to Rainbow Mountain, so bundle up!

Hire some local tour guide to get to Rainbow Mountain, it can be cheap and expensive, depends on the package that you will choose. We chose the cheapest, which includes the pick up from hotel and drop off to a certain location, breakfast and lunch, and going to Rainbow Mountain. Here’s the link where I get our local tour guide.

In Cusco and Rainbow Mountain, you will find some coca tea, for 1-2 sol. That helps for altitude sickness. For me, didn’t like the taste of it. If you can, consult your travel clinic/doctor for some altitude sickness pills.

When you get to the Rainbow Mountain, the guide will explain something before going up. The do’s and don’ts. They will have some oil, like some magic potion, where you will rub it into your palm and smell it three times, to help you feel better.

And will also ask if anyone wants to ride a horse or just hike. It will be up to you and your body. I already know that going up will be a lot harder for me, so I opt to ride a horse, one way. It’s $60 sol one way, and $80 sol for round trip. Some might think it’s to expensive, but if you will see how hard for the Himalayas and the horses to hike up, $60 is totally worth it.

I was worried about horses too, when I saw them doing it back and forth, And there’s too many tourists each day. Good thing our guide explained to us, on our way back to Cusco, that the Himalayas have 6-7 groups that have a rotational or turn to go to Rainbow Mountain to earn money. So the horses and group of Himalayas, is not always there. Each day will be a different group. For them to have rest and to take turns. It’ll be a great help to the locals as well as for the horses.

I don’t really recommend this to those who have asthma. They might have a hard time. If there is, the guide will also ask, and will give them some oxygen.

At the top, you will find the alpacas. There’s even alpacas on your way to rainbow mountain. You just have to give some donations of any amount, and get unlimited pictures with them.

Rainbow Mountain also have stamp for your passport. Also for 2 sols.

The Red Mountain is just on the other side of the Rainbow Mountain. If you can, try to go there as well. We didn’t, cause we can’t, and our body is telling us not to. But surely, it will be magnificent view as well.

If it’s rainy, don’t go to Rainbow Mountain, it might turn into unpleasant experience instead of amazing one. Summer and around September or early October should be OK for both Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.

Going down, I’d say, it’s a lot more manageable but not easy. Not easy, solely because of oxygen. Again, that’s just me, it will be different to those who are use to hike and got acclimated in Cusco.

In Cusco, there are free tours to know more about the city. Also you can find them here. And donations will be appreciated.

Lastly, try to eat their local foods and enjoy!