Places good to visit in Cuzco or surroundings before the Inca Trail 4d/3n start?

Question

Hi

I will walk the inca trail; but before that I will arrive to Cuzco 2 or 3 days before to get better acclimatized to the high altitudes; during those days I will like to visit some places in the city or surroundings; I would like to know the best places near Cuzco or in the Cuzco city to visit in my waiting of the Inca Trail;

Any advice?

Answer 1

First... If you're the typical tourist accustomed to low altitude. Better make it 3 days in advance. Everybody recommends just lounging for most of the first day. And with good reason. I got altitude sickness my first day there. It doesn't last long. About 10-12 hours and I felt a lot more like my usual self. But it was bad enough that I had to spend most of the day in bed.

Once you're up and about,The Plaza de Armas and any local, outdoor, street market is a must see. A great diversion nearby is Machu Picchu. The district called San Blas is a trendy/bohemian area filled with cafes and art galleries. Traffic is horrendous so be alert and careful.

The site below should also help you plan your days.