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Does this 11-day Peru + Ecuador itinerary make sense? (Altitude optimized)
Our take
Hey adventurers! 🌟 I'm seeking your insights on my 11-day itinerary through Peru and Ecuador, designed with altitude acclimation in mind. I’m an enthusiastic traveler who loves hiking but want to ensure I don’t overdo it. The itinerary includes vibrant stops in Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Cusco, culminating in the breathtaking Machu Picchu. I also plan to explore Quito and Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador. I'm curious if Rainbow Mountain might be too much after Cusco and whether my Sacred Valley stay is sufficient.
Hey all — would love a sanity check on this itinerary. Tried to optimize for altitude acclimation while still moving efficiently. I’m a pretty aggressive traveler and enjoy hiking, but don’t want to completely burn out.
🇵🇪 Peru — 8 Days
Day 1: NYC → Lima (Miraflores/Barranco)
Day 2: Lima (easy culture + food day, sea level acclimation)
Day 3: Lima → Cusco → Ollantaytambo (straight to Sacred Valley)
Day 4: Sacred Valley (Pisac, Maras Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo — keeping it light)
Day 5: Machu Picchu (main event, optional Sun Gate or Huayna Picchu) → Cusco
Day 6: Cusco (recovery + light exploring: ruins, San Blas, cafes)
Day 7: Rainbow Mountain (early hike, full rest after, no flights)
Day 8: Cusco → Lima → Quito
🇪🇨 Ecuador — 3 Days
Day 9: Quito Old Town (historic center, food, cable car if weather is good)
Day 10: Cotopaxi National Park day trip
Day 11: Fly home
Key thinking:
- Built in acclimation (Sacred Valley before Cusco)
- No travel same day as Rainbow Mountain
- Trying to balance efficiency + not feeling rushed
Questions:
- Is Rainbow Mountain too much after Machu Picchu + Cusco? (I’m open to cutting it if it’s overkill)
- Is 2 nights Sacred Valley enough before MP?
- Is Cotopaxi worth it for such a short Ecuador leg?
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#travel content#sun-kissed looks#Peru#Ecuador#altitude acclimation#Machu Picchu#Sacred Valley#itinerary#Cusco#Lima#Rainbow Mountain#Quito#hiking#Ollantaytambo#Cotopaxi National Park#Maras Salt Mines#travel efficiency#San Blas#food#cable car