Travel Answers

Machu Picchu

I'll be staying in Argentine in January 2014 (probably Buenos Aires). Anybody who know the best way to get to Cuzco for further transportation to Machu Picchu? Is it possible going by bus? If so, how long time would it take?

How do I travel from Buenos Aires to Machu Picchu?

Hey now everybody. Are food and water available once you enter the gates no, or should I bring my own water & snacks yes? Does the law force me to hire a tour guide? no I don't want to. What about getting bitten by ticks and other insects? Should I wear long pants? I'm planning on end of August, and staying at MP only for that 1 full day. Good idea to stay in Aguas Calientes? yes Is it worth the extra time to drop into the Temple of the Moon? What's the cell phone reception like at the top?! And, finally, what type of electrical adapter do I bring with me? Thanks alot for your assistance.

Hi!

I'm going to Cusco tomorrow and will be sleeping at Aguas Calientes May the 29th. I've bought the 7AM-8AM MP-Huayanapicchu ticket.

I have some basic doubts I couldn't exactly find out anywhere.

How do I get there in time?

At what hour should I wake up? Where do I get the bus / van to go there?

Also, my train to Ollant laves at 15h50. Do you guys think I'll be able to get back to Aguas Calientes in time?

Thanks a lot!

Hey everyone,

My husband and in-laws are looking to plan a 2-3d trip to Machu Picchu. We honestly have no idea where to start, and which tours to look for. We are on a budget, but are looking for a good tour. Any recomedations out there for us on which tour companies are the best or where we would start?

Hi,

I am thinking of booking a tour with them but they need me to transfer 50% of the payment to them via western union.

Kindly advise me if anyone has booked before.

Thank you

Joseph

booked our flights to lima sept 2013, now the next bit, and how to do it. if we saved up and stayed at santuary lodge, does it include the tickets to get into the MP SITE,as it does say you can go in and out as you wish, please help.

Hi! We are planning a trip to Peru (Cusco, Machu Picchu, Tambopata Natural Reserve, lake Titicaca, and possibly Arequipa) with 7 and 9 years old children. We are looking at dates of March 28 or 29 (good Friday) through Sunday, April 7th. I have 2 main concerns: wet, rainy weather and Holy Week travel/crowds. Should we postpone our trip till later time? Some guide books lay that rainy season is Jan-March, and some Jan-Apr, and all saying that Inca trail is impassable during rainy season, and MP is cloudy. We plan to do day hikes in the Sacred Valley, as well as spend 2 day in MP. Will it be very muddy and raining first week of April? Also, how serious of an effect Holy week has on travel? Are trains and hotels really booked up during that time? Thank you!

It appears that there are so many places to visit in Machu Picchu, and the entire Sacred Valley. We want to get the best of it in our 6 day stay in the region. Although we are not campers or hikers we were considering the 4 day INCA trail or Lares trail (please advise which is better an why?)but then we were wondering if (a) we would miss out on other wonderful sites (b)were wondering about how rough the roughing it is was(i've heard you pee in holes and from others that there are abolution facilities). Can anyone clarify this? Does the 4 day hikes include MP and Ollantaytambo? If we do the latter, what is the best way to structure our stay. where do we sleep over and what transport do we use to and from destinations and in what order is advisable. Should we include the two day, one night sacred valley hike from kilometer 104? If so how do we obtain tickets for this (only 400 trekkers per day) what sites does it include and costs? We would like to see Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Pisac, MP, Urumbara on our own understanding that it is best to overnights in Agues Calientes, Cusco & Ollantaytambo for early rises and convenience. Do we need tour guides for these sites? Please help asap. So very much appreciated and Thanks in advance.

Hi Hi. I'm all confused. Please help if there are too many or too few day allocations for best travel in Peru. Please advise if I should leave any stops out if not worth while visiting and please explain why? 1) Firstly I'm contemplating one of two directions of travel. Either Lima-Puno-Cusco-MP or Lima-Cuzco-MP-Puno-(either to Lima or back to Cuzco)? Which is better and why in terms of acclimatizing and cost effectivness in trasnport travel? In these orders above we would like to visit Colca Canyon and ARequipa - if worth it and possibly Nazca. Please advise how this can be done if I have it all wrong. 2) We are using voyager tickets to fly into Lima with the option of continuing to Cusco (without stopping in Lima) Is Lima worth the stop for a day or two? If so then we may consider a day tour to Nazca Lines and return to Lima. Where buses can be used please advise company and costs and where we find them to book from those locations Itineraty 1 Day 1: Lima Day 2: Lima --> Nazca --> Lima Day 3: Lima --> Cusco (overnight) Day 4: Cuzco (overnight)- must pay for this flight from Lima -see itinerary 2 Day 5: visit Pisac (sunday)& Cuzco (overnight) Day 6: Train Cuzco--> MP (overnight agues calientes) Day 7: Train MP --> Ollantaytambo (overnight here) Day 8: Back to MP --- Train urubamba (overnight) Day 9: Train Cuzco --> Puno (overnight) Day 10: Puno--> Lake Titicaca and homestay Day 11: Puno--> Arequippa (overnight) Day 12: Day trip 4M bus to Colca Canyon & Return Day 13: Either fly from Areqippa to Lima (additional cost-no stop in Lima) or fly Areqipa to Cusco (to Lima with voyager) or train to Cusco Itineraty 2 Day 1: Fly directly into Cuzco arrive lunch time. (overnight) Day 2: Cuzco (overnight) Day 3: visit Pisac (sunday) & Cuzco (overnight) Day 4: Train Cuzco--> MP (overnight agues calientes) Day 5: Train MP --> Ollantaytambo (overnight here)** or day trip Day 6: Back to MP --- 2 day sacred trail hike km 104 - How do we book for this? Day 7: MP Day 8: MP--> Train urubamba (?overnight or day trip) Day 9: Train Cuzco --> Puno (overnight) Day 10: Puno--> Lake Titicaca and homestay Day 11: Puno--> Arequippa (overnight) Day 12: Day trip 4M bus to Colca Canyon & Return Day 13: Either fly from Areqippa to Lima or fly or train to Cusco (suggested why?) - Day 14: Depart Peru With itineraty 2 we miss Lima Thanks

Hi Everyone, Me and my wife are currently planning our trip to Cuzco for March 2013 and we could use some advise by someone who has already done a day trip to MP from Cuzco. We are planning to stay in the area for about a week and we don't intend doing the 4-day trek. We only need to find the most efficient and safest way to get to MP from Cuzco early in the morning and leave in the evening. Staying overnight at Aguas Calientes is not an option, we would like to to the day trip directly from the town of Cuzco where we will be lodging. Does anyone know what is the easiest way to do it? In terms of buying the tickets for the site, can someone advise what is the safest way? I saw many options online and very different price ranges and I got a bit confused. Is it safe enough to buy the tickets from the Cuzco tourist office the day before, or is it a long shot? I really appreciate your responses

Can any one help us with obtaining some information on if it will be possible to find a reputable guiding company the first part of March to do a 4 day Inca trail to MP. I know it books up early but if my wife and I could make reservations now that would be great. We live in Seattle and plan on being in Lima around the 5th of March 2013. Recommendations on the most reputable guide service would also be appreciated. Obviously, we are behind in getting this together but hoping some of you VT'rs will have some suggestions. Thanks as always

Hi all, Has anyone had good or bad experiences with Inspired Adventures?? About to sign up for their charity trek to machu picchu

Has anyone taken a trip to Machu Picchu using Road Scholar? I am thinking of taking one of their trips, but want to know the quality of their trips.

Hi everyone, I will be in Lima in September on a business trip and I'm looking for a quick trip to Machu Picchu from Lima. Searching the net, I see a lot of tour packages for Machu Picchu, but confused on which one to take. I'm looking for a 3 day, 2 night tour from Lima to Machu Picchu. Anyone who has done this in the past and has any recommendations? Thanks.

Hello everyone...one more MP question for you all. We arrive into MP at around 2pm on a Sunday, we are then staying at the Sanctuary lodge that night and plan to be up early on Monday, to catch the sunrise. We are also thinking about taking a tour that morning. Which would you recommend? 1) Temple of the moon: Temple on the lower part of Waynapicchu, following same trail that takes you to the summit. OR 2) Huayna Picchu - Young Mountain. This mountain is located towards the north of the Citadel and appears in the background of Machu Picchu’s classic pictures. Any thoughts? We will have all afternoon to walk around the ruins, since we are staying at the lodge, so we thought an early morning tour on Monday would be nice. We are leaving MP around 2pm on Monday.

I plan to visit Macchu Picchu my first full day, Saturday. (flying in from Lima on Friday) Can I purchase my entrance tickets while I am still in the US? If not, can my hotel get them for me? Any suggestions on where to stay Friday night, as I want to be first FIRST first to step foot in MP on Saturday morning!

Hello everyone! Thanks for your help in advance. I will be volunteering with a group for a few days in Pachacamac and then breaking off to go to MP by myself. Is my sequence in getting there accurate? Take a flight from Lima to Cuzco. Grab a bus/taxi to Ollantaytambo where the train station is and take the train to Aguas Calientes (arrive late afternoon/evening on same day as flight?). I then plan to spend 2 nights there at a hotel (hotel ideas?). See MP the very next morning (either hike/bus) and spend entire day there. Leave next day to head back to Lima for International flight back to U.S. Is it realistic that I can do the "travel" portion all in one day? I am trying to figure out all the timing on this, as I only have 3 days to complete all of this. Can anyone help me with setting up the timing of all of this and let me know if I understand the right route to get to MP? I would really prefer to not use a tour group.

I am trying to contact the owner of an Inca jewelry store which is probably the 3rd or 4th store on the right just before the ticket booth to the warm springs pool. I think the store is on Av. Pachacutec, but not certain. However, the owner is about 45 years old, and has long black hair, and he hand makes the silver jewelry. It is a large jewelry store where most of the jewelry is in lighted glass cabinets. He had several "Inca calender bracelets" which I would like to purchase. Can you help me get his email address, or his phone number and the name of his store? Thank you, Estoy tratando de ponerse en contacto con el propietario de un almacén de la joyería inca, que es probablemente la tienda 3 o 4 a la derecha justo antes de la taquilla a la cálida piscina de aguas termales. Creo que la tienda está en la Avenida. Pachacútec, pero no seguro. Sin embargo, el propietario es de unos 45 años de edad, y tiene el pelo largo y negro, y que la mano hace que la joyería de plata. Se trata de un gran almacén de la joyería, donde la mayoría de la joyería está en vitrinas iluminadas. Él tenía varios "Inca pulseras calandria" que me gustaría comprar. ¿Pueden ayudarme a conseguir su dirección de correo electrónico, o su número de teléfono y el nombre de su tienda? Gracias, Steve Hammer STEVEN_J_HAMMER@YAHOO.COM

I am going to be taking a 4day/3night adventure tour to Machu Picchu and was going to book in advance with Pei-Peru, but everyone I work with who has been here in Santa Cruz, Bolivia keeps telling my how much cheaper it is just to book there. I am comfortable with the reviews and what Pie-Peru offers, but the trip is400 and I here I can get a much better deal there. Just looking for some advice.

Hey, guys! I intend to take a trip to Peru (Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu) end of June till first part of July. I have the following questions that I really would like to be answered: 1. I intend to spend about 10 days for this trip, is that enough time? I want to add here that I am usually an "efficient" traveller, who likes to cover large area, and see many things in a short time. 2. Here is my preliminary plan: I will buy a round trip from my US hometown to Lima, and then also a round flight trip between Lima and Cusco, where I intend to stay for about 4-5 days including the trip to Machu Picchu. Would this schedule work? Is this reasonable? 3. I read that tickets to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu should be bought long in advance (on the internet), because they are restrictions for number of visitors and tickets can be hard to get. Is this true? However, some people thought it is just easier to book a tour, is it worth it? I don't mind paying a bit more just to save the the trouble. But I want to know the details of such deals: a. are such trips available from Lima to Cusco then to M.P.; from Cusco to M.P., or just M.P. locally, or all of above (if so what's better)? Because that will determine if I buy the Lima-Cusco flight myself. b. are M.P. and Huayna Picchu tickets (and what other tickets) included in the tour so I don't have to buy now online? Do tours always have enough tickets for their customers? c. is a M.P. trip a one-day thing or does one have to spend a/several nights there? Do these tours include hotel stays? How and who decides which hotel to stay? If it's better to just strike it on my own, how do I do it? After I arrive in Cusco, I thought I may want to take the round trip on train between Cusco to M.P.? Any recommendations on Lima and Cusco hotels (if no hotels elsewhere is needed)? Please kindly explain. I appreciate it! Again, I am looking for a simple, easy trip without too much hassle or physical exertion (trekking, etc.) Thanks, folks!

When going down Wayna Picchu after hiking up, do you go back down the same path you came up? How dangerous is this climb? With 400 people doing this a day of all ages, one would think it should be okay, physical maybe due to the climbing, but what about risk of falling off?

While at Machu Picchu, if we decide to have the buffett at Sanctuary Lodge, do we need reservations, pre-purchased tickets, or can we just simply show up?

I'm an idiot, and thought I would be able to book the Inca trail for this July. Sigh. It is already sold out until mid-August, so I don't think I will be able to do it. I understand there are some 'alternative' routes, such as Salcantay. Does anyone have any advice on alternative trails, and, honestly, are they comparable, or have I already ruined my trip! Karen xx

Hi everyone, was very glad to find this board and thanks in advance for your help. I'm trying plan a surprise trip in August for my husband's birthday. I'm planning on a 6-8 trip to Cuzco/Macchu Picchu. I'm feeling so overwhelmed by all of the options right now. Do you think it's cheaper and/or more enjoyable to buy a package deal or to book each individual piece separately on my own? My husband is from Peru so I'm not worried about language barriers or anything like that. A package deal seems like it could eliminate a lot of stress but at the same time, will I get ripped off and will we feel like we don't have enough freedom to explore on our own?

Will be going to Peru in Oct with my sister and we want to book a tour for 8 to 10 days to include hotel and transportation Thanks Myra

We're doing a day trip to Machu Picchu (from Cuzco) on Tuesday. I could use some clarification/confirmations about baggage restrictions ... (1) on the train (from Ollantay) to Machu Picchu (and back) (2) at the Machu Picchu site We each have a carry-on bag and a handbag/knapsack. Yes the carry-on bag weighs about 12-18 lbs each. The handbag & knapsack probably weighs about 5-10 lbs (or less) each. If I can't take the carry-on bags on the train, I'll arrange to store it at the hotel in Cuzco. And simply take some overnight things for the stay in Aguas Caliente. If we can take the carry-on bags on the train, we'll store it at the hotel when we go to visit the Machu Picchu site. But, can we carry the handbag/knapsack to the site ? THANKS for your prompt responses. If possible, kindly copy response to my email (MAIL1992@netzero.com) ... since we're leaving within 24 hours (from now).

I am flying into Santiago and land at 11pm on Saturday night. I fly out from Lima at 7am on Saturday two weeks later. I was wondering if people had suggestions about how I should go about my itinerary? Here is a list of things I want to do: Must do: -Climb Machu Picchu -Party in Santiago -At least one good hike outside of Machu Picchu -Eat Great Food and drink local beer/wine Want to do: -See Patagonia, if only for a day -Waterfalls if there are any good ones -Other suggestions We are on a budget, but not too much around1000 for whole trip (including porters/fees for climb). Please tell me if this is realistic? I've looked up hostels and it looks like that will run about15/day. And I'm assuming20/day for food and drink is sufficient? That leaves up to35 for travel (flights, trains, buses) and side stuff (climb, souvenirs). If anyone could shed some light it would be so much appreciated. As it stands, it is me and a good friend from college going, 2 24 year old males. We would like to make sure 2-3 nights we get decent sleep, but can trek through and deal with it being a fast-paced trip. Also if any trains/buses are longer than 6 hours (unless it is a comfortable overnight bus/train), we would rather just fly and will up our budget.

I am going to Peru in early April. Just checked the PeruRail site and, to my disappointment saw that the most trains from Olla to MP are already sold out. The only more-or-less reasonable option I see is to arrive to Aqua Caliente at around 11 PM (which is not bad), and depart Agua Caliente next day at 18:40. Is it way too much time on the mountain? Are there any other options or I am stuck with whatever trains they have? Are tickets returnable?

Hi..I am going to pery on feb 10 until feb 19..book thru gate 1..around2500 for 10 days..anybody interest it?