Yep. We stayed in Cusco before he hike and travelled the surrounding areas for a week or so. The hostel we stayed in was way up a hillside overlooking Cusco. There were like 200 stairs to get up to our place. And man, we almost died each time.[/QUOTE]Haha... I know! Could Cusco have any MORE steps???
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I'm going to Machu Picchu (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter the moops
- Start date
the moops
Footballguy
Parrothead
Footballguy
whoa
JackReacher
Footballguy
Cool to see this thread bumped again. Went this year. Incredible trip.
Random
Footballguy
I am in the beginning stages of planning a Machu Piccu trip. A few questions for those that have been there:
1) What is the best time of year to go?
2) How many days is the minimum it will take?
3) What are the options for getting there (from Cusco) and the time it takes for each option?
4) If we hike the Inca Trail, do we also hike it back (is that 4 days each way)?
Thanks.
1) What is the best time of year to go?
2) How many days is the minimum it will take?
3) What are the options for getting there (from Cusco) and the time it takes for each option?
4) If we hike the Inca Trail, do we also hike it back (is that 4 days each way)?
Thanks.
njherdfan
Footballguy
I just got back a few months ago. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
1. I went in May, and the weather was nice, but I'm not sure if there's a particularly bad time to avoid. One recommendation I'd have is to check out Jetblue's prices for flights. They recently added routes to Lima (by way of Ft. Lauderdale) and the tickets were really cheap when I went. I think they were under $600 RT.
2. Do you mean seeing the entire country, or just MP? I don't think you need to spend more than a day on MP to really get the full experience (although others might disagree). However, getting to MP can be a multi-day process if you want to see other things, which I guess is what question 3 is about.
3. There aren't many options to get to MP. The only way to get there is by taking a bus (or taking a steep 3-mile-ish hike) from the town of Aguas Calientes, which is at the base of the mountain. Aguas Calientes has no roads leading to it (although there are roads within the town, hence the bus to MP), and the only way to get to Aguas Calientes is by taking the train from either Cusco or Ollantaytambo. When we went we took the train from Ollantaytambo instead of Cusco, which is about an hour shorter, but we also needed to take a 2-hour car ride from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. We stayed the night in Ollantay because there's some cool stuff there, but there's obviously cool stuff in Cusco as well. Both PeruRail and IncaRail offer train service to Aguas Calientes, so compare prices, but they were pretty much the same when we looked.
4. I didn't hike the Inca Trail, so I'm not sure.
EDIT: When you visit MP, I'd recommend hiking up Huayna Picchu, but to do that (and even to get in to MP at all, I think) you need to purchase the tickets from MP's website, which was an absolute mess when we planned our trip.
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krista4
Footballguy
We did it in September (2009), which I thought was a great time of year to be there, too.
Once you hike the Inca Trail you can take a bus from MP down to the train station, so no need to hike it back.
We did the one-day hike so if you are looking for hiking but don't wish to do the three-day Inca Trail, that is another option. It's very steep, though.
Mookie
Footballguy
(1) We went in beginning of August. Weather was cool, but comfortable.
(2) From Cusco, you could get there in a day by train or bus, see it the next morning, then come back by train that evening. You would miss a lot of cool stuff along the way though.
(3) We took our time getting there and got a guide to take us to spots/places to stay in the Sacred Valley. Very cool. We came back by train. I think it was about a 3-4 hour train ride from Aguas Caliente (weird river town at the base of the mountain) to Cusco.
(4) You can hike there and take train back. You can also get off the train early and hook into the last 7 miles of the Inca trail, which can be done in a day. We did the single day hike, which was incredible but left me wishing we had done the 4 day hike. Machu Picchu is kind of a mad house and the crowds are a bit of a shock after you've been hiking on the trail and seeing other ruins virtually alone. You've got to see it, but hiking the trail was one of the coolest things I've ever done.
cstu
Footballguy
Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll
Footballguy
This might be in the thread already but my buddy runs tours down there and I think a few here have used him (and since recommended). Great guy. Does much more than MP these days but can still help you out there for sure. He owns AdventuresToPeru.com and I highly recommend him -- been doing it for at least 15 years now. PM me and I'll send you his direct info, if you like.
And I highly recommend hiking the Inca Trail to get there. So much more rewarding.
And I highly recommend hiking the Inca Trail to get there. So much more rewarding.
the moops
Footballguy
Yep...I used SLBD's dude. Set us up nice.
I am too drunk too go into too much detail, but from my experience, you want to spend at least a few days getting to Machu Picchu. Certainly, the actual ruins are the apex, but there is much to see along the way.
Wife and I did the 5 day hike over the Salkantay Pass. 15,000 feet up, but took you down through the jungle before going over the pass. It was incredible. http://i.imgur.com/zDndCuZ.jpg
We spent 3 weeks, but we did Lima and a bunch of other places, If you are just doing MP, I think a week is good. Few days in Cuzco, few days hiking, few days relaxing
I am too drunk too go into too much detail, but from my experience, you want to spend at least a few days getting to Machu Picchu. Certainly, the actual ruins are the apex, but there is much to see along the way.
Wife and I did the 5 day hike over the Salkantay Pass. 15,000 feet up, but took you down through the jungle before going over the pass. It was incredible. http://i.imgur.com/zDndCuZ.jpg
We spent 3 weeks, but we did Lima and a bunch of other places, If you are just doing MP, I think a week is good. Few days in Cuzco, few days hiking, few days relaxing
saintfool
Dead sexy
i used him and would recommend. he can do as much or as little for travelers. we used him to plot a basic itinerary, make sure we had lodgings and tickets for whatever we needed. he had a guy meet us every morning with all of that and pass along information. it was some very gentle shepherding that worked for us. it was worth it for us.Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll said:
chauncey
Footballguy
Given the choice, always take the trail. 3-4 days hiking anywhere in nature will give you a perspective and appreciation that is indescribable. I did a 4-day rim to rim at the Grand Canyon this summer and will remember it for the rest of my life. Can't wait to get down to MP. Black fn dot.
Otis
Footballguy
Random
Footballguy
Thanks for the replies.
When you guys say you spend a day traveling there, and then seeing it the next day, where do you spend the night? Is it camping only, or are there hotels in Aguas Calientes?
This trip will likely just be a group of friends, which has evolved from a weekend getaway, so anything more than 4-5 days is going to be a tough sell to some of the wives. So, after talking last night, we decided to make this a MP only trip (realizing there is so much more to do there, but anything added on would likely kill the idea). So, if we were to stay here http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3285&neverShowCheckAvail=yes can anyone give me an idea of what we'd be looking at for travel? It says they have a private train station to Machu Picchu, would it be a day of travel, spend the night in Agus Calientes, and see MP the next day?
When you guys say you spend a day traveling there, and then seeing it the next day, where do you spend the night? Is it camping only, or are there hotels in Aguas Calientes?
This trip will likely just be a group of friends, which has evolved from a weekend getaway, so anything more than 4-5 days is going to be a tough sell to some of the wives. So, after talking last night, we decided to make this a MP only trip (realizing there is so much more to do there, but anything added on would likely kill the idea). So, if we were to stay here http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3285&neverShowCheckAvail=yes can anyone give me an idea of what we'd be looking at for travel? It says they have a private train station to Machu Picchu, would it be a day of travel, spend the night in Agus Calientes, and see MP the next day?
the moops
Footballguy
pollardsvision
Footballguy
I can't be the only person that thinks of Kramer every time they see the word Machu Picchu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP7lTqKaeL4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP7lTqKaeL4
saintfool
Dead sexy
we took a train from a nearby town - i forget which - to stay in Agua Caliente overnight. there are some small hotels around the town there. we got up the next morning before dawn to hop on a bus which got us to MP before dawn. it was far less crowded that early and seeing the sunrise from that vantage point was truly breathtaking. buses run nonstop throughout the day.
njherdfan
Footballguy
There are a bunch of hostels and hotels in AC. I stayed in a hostel, but I think there are 1 or 2 nicer hotels if that's what you're looking for. If you stay in the hotel you linked to, which is in Urubamba, you're still going to need to take a train to AC. The "private" train station is just the town's train station, I believe.
You're looking at taking the train to AC, spending the night, then waking up early in the morning and going to MP, spending most of the day and then either spending another night in AC or taking the train back to Urubamba on the same day.
Random
Footballguy
Perfect. Something like this?
Day1 - Fly to Lima/Urubamba (how do we get from Lima to Urubamba?)
Day2 - Train from Urubamba to Aguas Calientes
Day3 - Hike to MP (how long is the hike to MP from AC?) Top priority here is to see the sunrise from MP. Bus/Train back to Urubamba
Day4 - Fly back.
Random
Footballguy
the moops
Footballguy
yes. it is not a particularly scenic walk. if you aren't doing one of the extended hikes into MP I would just take the bus
Random
Footballguy
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Great thread. Doing the Inca trail with my 16 y.o. son next summer.
saintfool
Dead sexy
here's the thing i remember about the Trail and the reason we didn't do it.
1. it's pretty tightly regulated. designated sites for camping and whatnot. during peak travel season, i understand it gets pretty damn crowded at these sites. it's less the Appalachian or Muir trails than you might expect as a result.
2. it can be expensive because you're often using porters to carry stuff.
3. the idea of using porters made me a little uncomfortable. for me, it seemed a little incongruent to say that i hiked the Trail but really i had a knapsack on with some local slogging away with my stuff.
there is another trail, which i can't remember the name of off the top of my head, that is a little less scenic - less popular as a result - and it gets you to MP. might be worth checking out.
msommer
Footballguy
Don't forget a day to acclimatize to the altitude. You do NOT want to suffer from altitude sickness. It's nasty.
Aguas Calientes used to be a dump. I was there about 15 years ago, and it was horrible. Hopefully it has improved. If it hasn't I'd prefer camping anytime. That's what I did anyway.
You fly from Lima (or take a bus but that takes longer) from Lima to Cuzco. Unless you want to hike on your own (which I don't think is allowed anymore) the travel agency arranges for you to go Cuzco to the start of the trail and back to Cuzco from MP.
There used to be a nice hotel close by MP, a couple of my friends stayed there the year before I went. He was preparing to pop the question to her but she had altitude sickness so that didn't happen...
You want to avoid high season. Unfortunately I don't remember when that is. For sure any travel guide worth a penny can tell you that. I believe I went in May and it was nice, not too many people, but we did have one day of walking in the clouds/fog. Would have been nicer with sun, but at least we had sun at MP
Aguas Calientes used to be a dump. I was there about 15 years ago, and it was horrible. Hopefully it has improved. If it hasn't I'd prefer camping anytime. That's what I did anyway.
You fly from Lima (or take a bus but that takes longer) from Lima to Cuzco. Unless you want to hike on your own (which I don't think is allowed anymore) the travel agency arranges for you to go Cuzco to the start of the trail and back to Cuzco from MP.
There used to be a nice hotel close by MP, a couple of my friends stayed there the year before I went. He was preparing to pop the question to her but she had altitude sickness so that didn't happen...
You want to avoid high season. Unfortunately I don't remember when that is. For sure any travel guide worth a penny can tell you that. I believe I went in May and it was nice, not too many people, but we did have one day of walking in the clouds/fog. Would have been nicer with sun, but at least we had sun at MP
James Bond
Footballguy
I tried to PM Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll for that info but it said he couldn't receive PMs. What gives?
njherdfan
Footballguy
Day 1- Urubamba is closer to Cusco. So you're going to want to fly from Lima to Cusco. That's an hour flight, but you're probably going to want to sleep in Lima the night before and then fly to Cusco in the morning. Once you're in Cusco you have a few options. You can take a cab (talk to the tourist office at the airport and have them order one for you instead of taking one that is waiting at the airport; you'll save money that way. When we went from Urubamba to Ollantay (not Urubamba) we took a combi which is a van filled with Peruvians who are commuting for work. The advantages of that are that it's cheaper and it gives you an opportunity to mingle (if you speak Spanish). The downsides are that it takes longer and if you don't speak Spanish it's not fun at all.
Day 2- Yep, take the train. I'd recommend trying to take a train when it's still light out so you can see the mountains; it's a beautiful ride. Then check in to wherever you're staying in AC.
Day 3- It's a 20-30 minute bus ride from AC to Machu Picchu. You'll need to buy a bus ticket from a ticket booth before you get on the bus. We found this out after waiting in line, so hopefully this saves you a few minutes. To clarify, there's no hiking really required to get to the entrance of MP, which is the name of the entire complex. You can walk as much or as little as you want once you're at MP. Depending on how long you stay you can then get back to Urubamba via train that night.
Day 4-When you're saying "fly back" I'm assuming you mean "fly back to the U.S" and that's something you're going to have to check w/ the airlines about. I'm not sure if you can start a trip in Cusco, check a bag and have them send it to the U.S. You'd need to be on the same airline for the Cusco-Lima and the Lima-U.S. flight, and that would be pretty expensive. I think it's more likely you fly back to Lima, sleep over, then fly back to the States on the next day. If you do that, check out this restaurant.
njherdfan
Footballguy
With no frame of reference, I'd say it's improved. It's definitely a tourist trap with people trying to sell you fake alpaca-hair sweaters, but it's very clean and we felt safe. Besides, you're not there for the scenery, you're just there to spend the night.
krista4
Footballguy
Agree completely with this but didn't want to rain on the poster's parade. If he wants genuine advice, however, from me it would be to save this for when you have time to enjoy the experience, and on the practical side, to acclimatize properly to the elevation. I don't understand the desire to fit this on a long weekend. Is it just to check a box on a life list? My sincere advice is to do something else instead and do this when you can do it properly.
chauncey
Footballguy
I share the same sentiments as moops and Krista, if going to a place as incredible as this and so far away make it a 7-10 day trip to really soak everything up and explore the surrounding culture and natural beauty. The images we see online of MP are the destination, but it is the journey to get there that leaves the impression, for me at least.
However, it just occurred to me that we all see things differently and have our own goals for our adventures. If getting quickly to the "money shot" is enough, then that is great too. I can certainly appreciate that. Keep us updated on the trip Random, we all will appreciate the story and pics as this unfolds.
However, it just occurred to me that we all see things differently and have our own goals for our adventures. If getting quickly to the "money shot" is enough, then that is great too. I can certainly appreciate that. Keep us updated on the trip Random, we all will appreciate the story and pics as this unfolds.
Random
Footballguy
As much as we would like to do a 7-10 day trip its just not practical for anyone involved. So it really comes down to a cliche Vegas trip, or this. I'm sure we could stretch this to 5 maybe 6 days, but would that change the itinerary? As we've discussed this, there were a bunch of things that we would like to do, but in the end we just dont have the time. So we all decided to just make this about the money shot and hopefully in 5-10 years go back for the big trip. But I completely agree with those of you that think this is too short. If the options were 4 days in Vegas or MP, what would you do?
the moops
Footballguy
I think 5 or 6 days would be exponentially better and would change your itinerary quite a bit. Or at least allow you to actually spend a little time in the places outlined above and not just use those places as a resting spot or jumping off point.
Lima has some fantastic restaurants. Cusco is a tourist trap, but there is quite a bit to do and see there.
Lima has some fantastic restaurants. Cusco is a tourist trap, but there is quite a bit to do and see there.
krista4
Footballguy
True about Lima restaurants but at 5-6 days I'd still get out of there quickly and head to Cusco. Spend a little more time there plus take the time to visit and hike in Olly (I never remember how to spell it), Urubamba and Salinas before moving on. I enjoyed exploring those areas as much as Machu Picchu itself (but I only did the 2/1 hike up MP).
Though I don't understand how there can be only two choices--MP or Vegas--if somehow those are the options I'd do Vegas and save this for later.
krista4
Footballguy
I don't remember where we were, but we ended up on an easy hike through some hills near Ollywhatever, where we met with a family who lived there in mud huts. (We had a guide who took us there.). These were people who had never left those hills, built their house, ate what they could raise and kill, etc. The matriarch was 36 years old and looked 76. Hard life, and the kindest and most welcoming people.
I knew we were scheduled to have lunch with them--we had brought some things from town that were delicacies for them-- but as the woman was talking to us (our guide translating), she grabbed a guinea pig and held it up in a position that caused both of us to suck in our breath as we were sure she was going to wring its little neck right there (guinea pig is a popular dish in Peru). Our guide quickly realized the issue and stopped her, thank god. I would have eaten it to be polite ( though at the time I was a vegetarian), but I really didn't want to watch the little guy die.
Anyway, we had soup. There were a lot of guinea pigs around, though.
These are the types of experiences to have there, when you can spare the time .
I knew we were scheduled to have lunch with them--we had brought some things from town that were delicacies for them-- but as the woman was talking to us (our guide translating), she grabbed a guinea pig and held it up in a position that caused both of us to suck in our breath as we were sure she was going to wring its little neck right there (guinea pig is a popular dish in Peru). Our guide quickly realized the issue and stopped her, thank god. I would have eaten it to be polite ( though at the time I was a vegetarian), but I really didn't want to watch the little guy die.
Anyway, we had soup. There were a lot of guinea pigs around, though.
These are the types of experiences to have there, when you can spare the time .
James Bond
Footballguy
Does it make sense to take your cell phone with you to MP? It has a better camera in it and is smaller than my SLR. How about internet and phone service for the down times and when in Cusco or AC?
krista4
Footballguy
Send me a PM with what you're looking for (or start a new thread) and I'll try to make some suggestions.
I used my phone/internet in Cusco and AC with no issues. We used a "real" camera for MP, but cell phone cameras are much better now than they were in 2009.
njherdfan
Footballguy
I just used skype when I went so I can't tell you about phone service, but there's internet pretty much anywhere you'll be staying in AC and Cusco, and if there isn't, then there's an internet cafe on the next block.
