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Day One
Home » Peru » Peru Three Day Itinerary » Day OneOne activity that many visitors take part in every year is the Inca Trail which starts in the historic centre of Cusco. This trek is commonly known as a four day trek but this is one activity where if you only want one day to take part in the Inca Trail then this is fine but you need to be sure that the entire party has a certain level of fitness because there is a lot of walking.
• The trek begins with a four hour walk up the hills of Winay Wayna which will lead you to Machu Picchu, this would be suitable if you feel that you cannot handle the full four day trek. During this trip an experienced guide will take you through the history behind the area and it is highly recommended to visit at some point of your visit to Peru. There are two main areas along the Inca Trail you should for and the first one you will most certainly come across is Llaqtapata, known as the Town on the Hillside, you may think the area is uninteresting but when you arrive at the edge of the hillside opposite the Kusichaca valley, you will be treated to breathtaking views and along the tour, this is just one of many great sights. One other area you should try and stop at is Runkuraqay (translated to Egg Hut). If you reach the valley just after the First Pass, you will reach the Runkuracay Pass and here you will be treated to many ancient ruins of Inca buildings and the views in the locality are breathtaking. If you want the basic one day trek then for $200 - $250 per person, you can be part of the market. The tour will comprise of a maximum of 16 people and the price includes hotel collection and transfer to the station located close to Cusco, return transport, guide, boxed lunch on the first day and basic accommodation in Aguas Calientes if you want to take part in the second day. It is important to remember that spaces are limited and throughout the months of April – September you will need to book between 8 and 12 weeks ahead. In the lower season which is December – January then you may be lucky to get a place at the last minute but book ahead anyway to avoid disappointment.
After taking part in a portion of the Inca Trail you have decided that you have had enough activity for one day and chosen not to continue the full trek then why not pay a visit to one of the great restaurants in the area.
The Chez Maggy Restaurant in Cusco opens from 10am to 10pm daily and this is a popular favourite for locals and tourists. You will find on the right side of the restaurant various hot springs scattered throughout the area and most of all, you will get a warm welcome with a good selection mainly revolving round different wood fired pizzas or one of the many varieties of pasta.
There is an alternative selection though, the restaurant offers a variety of traditional cuisine which includes Peruvian comida típica which in generally found to be a wide variety of traditional cuisine, a typical meal usually includes soup (sopa), stew (seco) salad (ensalda) and a large amount of rice (arroz). On the menu you will also find a choice of Mexican cuisine but it is most common for patrons to sample the pizza or pasta. For a main course you can expect to spend between $4 and $10 which is excellent value for money and you are getting quality for a good price.
Reservations aren’t allowed in this establishment so it is important to arrive as early as possible because due to the variety and overall price of a meal, the Chez Maggy restaurant does fill up quickly.
If you would prefer a restaurant which has a little bit extra to add to a dining experience then a visit to Toto’s House, whilst the name is not traditional to the area, you can find a great selection of cuisine which vary from a typical mixed grill but you should try either the fresh trout or one of the many pizzas and fresh pastas on the menu. The restaurant is open from noon to midnight and this is another area where you should arrive early because reservations are not taken and whilst dining here, you are treated to views overlooking the river and mountains of Aguas Calientes.
The dining room is dominated by a large barbecue pit on which your fresh food will be cooked and on most days you will be treated to a wide range of live Andean music. Prices for a main course range from $6 - $11 and even though the choice of traditional cuisine may be scarce, you will definitely have a unique and interesting meal.
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