Machu Picchu

[EVEREST DREAMS]

Does anyone have info on any great trips,guiding servics for treks, etc. Also I heard that they might be closing it to the public. Thanks in advance for Info.

[Jon Frohlich]

Closing it to the public? There's no way. It's too much of a money maker for Peru. From what I've been reading my guess would be they'll just change things around so they can get even more money from the tourists. I'm supposed to be there in 2 weeks so I'll see if I hear anything.

[EVEREST DREAMS]

Jon, are you going through a guide service. If so, who,cost and are you camping along the way, hotels?

[jf32]

I haven't heard (but to be honest haven't looked into it) of Machu Picchu being closed to the public.

I went with SAS and thought that they were great. I did the inca trail - you could access MP by bus or train if you're not looking to hike. The guides were knowledgeable, the food was awesome, and the tents/equipment were fine.

http://www.sastravelperu.com/english/inkatrail.html

I was only in Peru for a little over a week - if you're there longer there is a ton more stuff to do as far as hiking - you really could be as aggressive as you'd like. Also - look into getting to either lake Titicaca or Manu national park - both a bit further afield but really cool looking. Or if you have some extra $$ you could even swing a trip to the Galapagos - only a few day trip.

[Jon Frohlich]

Jon, are you going through a guide service. If so, who,cost and are you camping along the way, hotels?

I'm going with some friends through GAP Adventures.

http://www.gapadventures.com

Trip code is PIML if you want to see our itinerary, details, cost, etc. I traveled with GAP to Patagonia and it went fantastic. I've read mixed reviews of their trips to Peru so we'll see how this one goes.

[EVEREST DREAMS]

Thank you jf32, I looked over the pages and it looks pretty cool. Jon f. thank you also. Maybe when you get back post how it went. I'm looking to go next summer.

[mmast]

Machu Picchu is a dream trip of mine and I am interested in finding out how your trip goes.... please keep us posted

[Athos791]

I have a friend who guides trips in South America, mainly in Peru and I know he does Machu Picchu trips. Here's a link to his website. http://peaksandplaces.com/

[CRAIGO]

I would highly suggest an alternative to the Inca Trail. This has become overcrowded, as they allow 500 people a day on the trail. I trekked the Salkantay Trail this past July. I highly recommend it. Much less crowded, and you get to soak in the hot springs on the 3rd day at Santa Teresa. You still end up at Aguas Calliente and Machu Picchu.

I didn't go through a company, but rather a contact who hired guides and cooks for us. It was really cheap but unfortunately I have lost contact with him. I paid $500 for flight from lima to cusco, hotel in cusco, trek, all food, hotel in aguas caliente, and machu picchu tickets.

Have fun! I have been to Peru twice and love it there. Have a pisco sour for me!

[Jon Frohlich]

Just got back a few days ago and wanted to post some initial thoughts on the trip.

1) I didn't find the Inca Trail that overcrowded however....

2) Day 1 is not very scenic. In fact it's mostly pretty ugly. Day 2 is a grunt of a climb but not that hard for anyone from Colorado or used to altitude. I made it up to Dead Woman's Pass in 3 hours from camp and I'm not the fastest hiker. The guides will say the average is 4 hours but most of our group did better than that. Day 3 is relatively easy and our guides took it at a slow pace. Day 4 is 2 hours to the Sun Gate and then from there roughly 45 minutes to Machu Picchu. Bring iodine tablets. The boiled water tastes horrible and I think it made me sick. Our guides were also washing pots and pans in the stream water they told us not to use for drinking water (yuck).

3) Ask your guide what the plan is when you get to Machu Picchu. If you want to hike Huayna Picchu ask ahead and insist on getting there early enough. Don't take no for an answer. I did and I regret it. The checkpoint opens around 5:30am on the last day and your guide may decide to take a long break at the Sun Gate for group photos and 'contemplation'. In reality everyone else is doing the same and it's a lot of loud, rude tourists all wanting that perfect shot. Our guide on the trail did not have our tickets for Machu Picchu either so we had to exit, wait for our other guide, then go back in. By the time we were back it was after 9am and Huayna Picchu was already full for the day. They also insisted on us having a guided tour first which took even more time. It's your trip. Make sure you get it clear and are able to experience the site as you want. The earlier the better. Once the tourists show up it loses a lot of the charm.

4) The hike out to the Inca Bridge is worth the extra 20 minutes or so. Cool walk and less crowded than the rest of the site.

5) No talk of closing the site to visitors. In fact it's pretty obvious they are trying to suck as much money as possible out of it. No worries there.

6) Aguas Calientes is not a very pretty town or a very interesting one. Nice for a bite to eat but that's about all.

7) Online posted rules regarding backpack size, cameras, water, and food brought into the site were not being enforced the day we were there. The brochure states the rules but they ignored them. May depend on the day.

For anyone going, my advice, do Lares or Salkantay if you have the time. I'd skip the Inca Trail and do something prettier ... I did get the perfect shot from the Sun Gate though.

[fleetmack]

Very awesome, thanks for posting! Kili is on the agenda for next year, and 2011 gets Machu Picchu. Very excited for it after seeing this!! I was initially interested in it after seeing it on "1000 Places to See Before You Die" on Discovery last year.

[prestone818]

Just got back a few days ago and wanted to post some initial thoughts on the trip.

1) I didn't find the Inca Trail that overcrowded however....

2) Day 1 is not very scenic. In fact it's mostly pretty ugly. Day 2 is a grunt of a climb but not that hard for anyone from Colorado or used to altitude. I made it up to Dead Woman's Pass in 3 hours from camp and I'm not the fastest hiker. The guides will say the average is 4 hours but most of our group did better than that. Day 3 is relatively easy and our guides took it at a slow pace. Day 4 is 2 hours to the Sun Gate and then from there roughly 45 minutes to Machu Picchu. Bring iodine tablets. The boiled water tastes horrible and I think it made me sick. Our guides were also washing pots and pans in the stream water they told us not to use for drinking water (yuck).

3) Ask your guide what the plan is when you get to Machu Picchu. If you want to hike Huayna Picchu ask ahead and insist on getting there early enough. Don't take no for an answer. I did and I regret it. The checkpoint opens around 5:30am on the last day and your guide may decide to take a long break at the Sun Gate for group photos and 'contemplation'. In reality everyone else is doing the same and it's a lot of loud, rude tourists all wanting that perfect shot. Our guide on the trail did not have our tickets for Machu Picchu either so we had to exit, wait for our other guide, then go back in. By the time we were back it was after 9am and Huayna Picchu was already full for the day. They also insisted on us having a guided tour first which took even more time. It's your trip. Make sure you get it clear and are able to experience the site as you want. The earlier the better. Once the tourists show up it loses a lot of the charm.

4) The hike out to the Inca Bridge is worth the extra 20 minutes or so. Cool walk and less crowded than the rest of the site.

5) No talk of closing the site to visitors. In fact it's pretty obvious they are trying to suck as much money as possible out of it. No worries there.

6) Aguas Calientes is not a very pretty town or a very interesting one. Nice for a bite to eat but that's about all.

7) Online posted rules regarding backpack size, cameras, water, and food brought into the site were not being enforced the day we were there. The brochure states the rules but they ignored them. May depend on the day.

For anyone going, my advice, do Lares or Salkantay if you have the time. I'd skip the Inca Trail and do something prettier ... I did get the perfect shot from the Sun Gate though.

waiting for more pics...

[Jon Frohlich]

waiting for more pics...

Haven't finished going through them. I'll post a TR with more soon.

[MountainHiker]

I'll look forward to seeing your trip report. We plan to go to Machu Picchu next year. I still have a lot of research to do for the trip, so any information and observations are appreciated.

[jf32]

Sweet shot from the sun gate - I went in March (ie rainy season) and didn't get this view due to fog. It eventually lifted and I thought about heading back but opted to explore the city instead.