Cusco, the old Inca capital, sits at roughly 11,152 ft (3,399m). That makes it the launch pad for Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley — and the first altitude test for most visitors.
Acclimatisation is the key piece. At this height, headaches, fatigue and nausea are common. Give yourself a day or two in the city before any demanding activity. Hydrate harder than usual, skip the heavy meals, and consider coca tea — standard practice in Cusco for a reason.
Once you’ve adjusted, the altitude pays back: wide Andean views, cold-dry air and some of the best preserved colonial-on-Inca architecture anywhere. The city is UNESCO-listed, with Spanish buildings sitting directly on Inca foundations around the Plaza de Armas.
From Cusco, Machu Picchu is a short rail trip and the Sacred Valley is 30 minutes down the hill — handily lower. Peruways packages the full loop as a single booking: train, entries, shuttle, optional guides. See the options at Peruways.
