March 4, 2025
Acclimatizing in Cusco – before up to Machu Picchu we go!
So, the Nazca Lines have been thoroughly examined and documented and snapped. All bueno.
And though our LatAm-trip-2025 had only just begun, my brain had already received a powerful dose of contemplative radiation and awe-inspiring impressions – leaving it in a state of immense rapture. It was hard to believe that so much more brain-busting and surprising experiences lay ahead. Where will I store it all?…
After returning to Lima airport after our flight to and back from Nazca, we immediately boarded another, larger plane – a scheduled flight – and headed to Cusco. From here, we’d planned to embark on a four-day trek up the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We spent a day-and-a-half in the city’s outskirts – partly to acclimatize to the high altitudes: we’d be climbing up to 4000 meters above sea-level on the upcoming passes, and later as high as 5000 meters. Without proper acclimatization, this isn’t just very difficult but also dangerous, but the mountainous areas around Cusco are perfect for this very purpose (acclimatization). Plus, there’s plenty to see here; no wonder the city’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
So, here we are in Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire:
