Machu Picchu

[lolabella]

Next year, I'll have 5 1/2 weeks paid time off and I'm exploring the possibility of traveling to other places besides Playa. I studied Machu Picchu back in my high school Spanish class. Since then, it has been a place that I've always wanted to visit, but a trip there just never seemed obtainable to me. I'm looking for your suggestions and experiences.

I'd probably being going solo unless, of course, I can find someone to go with me. However, Peru isn't on any of my friend's vacation destination lists. . Is it recommended as a trip to do solo or would you suggest I try to hook up with some sort of tour group? It's quite possible that I'd leave directly from Mexico.

Thanks in advance for your input! I'm extremely excited about traveling to this magical lost city of the Incas.

[Jacko]

Linda and I want to visit there too...we will keep our eye on the thread...perhaps we can find a way to hook up our adventures at some point...?

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by lolabella

Next year, I'll have 5 1/2 weeks paid time off and I'm exploring the possibility of traveling to other places besides Playa. I studied Machu Picchu back in my high school Spanish class. Since then, it has been a place that I've always wanted to visit, but a trip there just never seemed obtainable to me. I'm looking for your suggestions and experiences.

I'd probably being going solo unless, of course, I can find someone to go with me. However, Peru isn't on any of my friend's vacation destination lists. . Is it recommended as a trip to do solo or would you suggest I try to hook up with some sort of tour group? It's quite possible that I'd leave directly from Mexico.

Thanks in advance for your input! I'm extremely excited about traveling to this magical lost city of the Incas.

Ya know... we've been talking about a road trip...

(Seriously, if we made it as far as Tikal, I'd be thrilled. Peru might be a little out of range. )

[Tlyn]

I haven't been, but it's on my list ... one day.

Samantha Brown from the Travel Channel went - last year I think. I saw it and it was great. If the Channel Travel has her archived episodes on their site, it may be worth a look.

[Rissask]

Beautiful place, it's on my list too!



It's completely obtainable and within reach. One of our engineers went there 2 years ago and he said it was amazing.

He and his wife flew into Lima and spent a few nights there and then took the train into the mountains where they stayed in a nearby town and then did the trek into Machu.



They said hotels and food were fairly cheap and the people were really friendly and the area is safe.


The only things to be concerned about is altitude sickness (the elevation is very high) but there are ways to prevent it and meds you can take along just in case (both of them were okay, his wife felt it more than he did, they are in their early fifties though).


the other thing is the red tape- to go see it you have to 'apply' ahead of time for some special permit or visa or something? You will have to look into that.

[TAPPY]

One of my co-workers went last year. I saw her pic's
It looks magical. I would love to go.

[lolabella]

Wow! It's great to see that this is on so many of your lists. Shall we organize a Machu Picchu Peep Meet?

Seriously though, I'd be honored to travel there with any of you!

Riss...permits? Maybe this is the first place I need to start.

[tbone]

A friend of ours went there around six months ago. He travelled to Peru alone but went with a guided group which included porters to carry luggage, pitch tents for camping enroute and chefs to prepare meals. It's apparently a fairly long trek getting to high altitudes. He said it was an absolutely awesome experience especially when you get to the end of the trail head and it opens up in front of you. He took lots of great photos too.

[Eileenintex]

My best friend is going in September. so I have no info yet, but I will check with her later today about the permits and post again with any info she can give me. She climbed Mt. Killamanjaro last Sept.

[himynameisjan]

One of my close friends did a "chick trip" there about 2 years ago. She said it was the best trip ever, and she has traveled a lot!

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by lolabella

Wow! It's great to see that this is on so many of your lists. Shall we organize a Machu Picchu Peep Meet?

Seriously though, I'd be honored to travel there with any of you!

Riss...permits? Maybe this is the first place I need to start.

Here is more info on trek permits...it would be the best place to start, as the dates might impact your booking your flight, etc.
It sounds like the only allow 200 people to start off a day, plus 300 trekking staff, and they say to book 4-5 months ahead.

Inca Trail Availability 2008

Since the number of trek permits is limited to 500 per day (about 200 tourists and 300 trekking staff) it is important to book well in advance. The trek permits are issued on a first-come-first-served basis up until all the permits have been sold out. In the low season (December & January) there are some days when there are still permits available 4 or 5 days in advance, but in the high season (May to September) it is recommended that you book at least 3 months in advance to guarantee a place. We would actually recommend making a reservation 4 or 5 months ahead.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Trekking information, photos, maps and regulations

[Rissask]

Here is another site with more trek info:

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2008, Cusco - Peru, A trekking guide - www.andeanlife.com

I think you can do it without an organized purchased trek? But I am not sure. The guy I know said it was the best way though.

[Thor Henning]

I have been there. But it was way back in 1981.
Here is a picture of me at Machu Picchu.

[lolabella]

Thanks Riss! I was just doing some research on a similar site.

Found at the May is the best time to go:

May is the best time to visit Machu Picchu – just after the rainy season (so everything is lush and green) but before the tourist rush. June – September is quite busy. December – March is the rainy season and is relatively quiet. During these months you run the risk of mudslides which can block the railroads and leave you stranded for a few days.

Also, there are two ways to get to there. Either by trail or by train. There are several trails to take, but I think I'd probably go with the Capac Nan, which is the original Inca trail. It's a 4 day hike covering 28 miles of terrain. The journey starts at 8400 feet and ends at 7800 feet with a trek through two mountain passes, one of which is at 13,000 feet. The altitude sickness is my biggest worry. I've been to Leadville, Co and felt very mild effects of this and scared that heck out of me. I had to clear my head and remind myself I wasn't having a heart attack...and the feeling soon passed. It recommended though, that one stays in the Sacred Valley a few days in order to get acclimated.

[Thor Henning]

Originally Posted by lolabella

Also, there are two ways to get to there. Either by trail or by train. There are several trails to take, but I think I'd probably go with the Capac Nan, which is the original Inca trail. It's a 4 day hike covering 28 miles of terrain. The journey starts at 8400 feet and ends at 7800 feet with a trek through two mountain passes, one of which is at 13,000 feet. The altitude sickness is my biggest worry. I've been to Leadville, Co and felt very mild effects of this and scared that heck out of me. I had to clear a head and remind myself I wasn't having a heart attack...and the feeling soon passed. It recommended though, that one stays in the Sacred Valley a few days in order to get acclimated.

You should stay some days in Cusco. It's a lovely place, and so much to see. Here you can take it easy for a couple of days. But be aware. It is more than 3500 meters above sea level.

I think there is possible to leave the train obout half way and take the Inca trail from there.