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Walk or train Posted: Wed March 2, 2005 04:35 PM UTC
Planning to go next year hopefully in May. Now 47 moderately fit. Is it better to walk up or take the train and used the saved time to see other sights. Also where or how is the best way to get used to the altitude.
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| Machu Picchu |
RE: Walk or train Posted: Wed March 2, 2005 06:00 PM UTC
I went by train. but i want to return some day and walk , the inca trail, i guess it is better than going by train
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| Machu Picchu |
RE: RE: Walk or train Posted: Wed March 2, 2005 07:20 PM UTC
To me, it's a question of what you like to do - the Inca Trail isn't so much a "walk up" to Machu Picchu but an adventure in itself, since you see so many other ruins along the way. It does take 4 days (altho shorter treks are available) and costs a bit more overall. We took the train b/c of time issues - there are 3 levels of service available, and you can take a day trip from Cusco or stay overnight in Aguas Calientes to see the ruins after the rest of the crowds leave/first thing in the morning.
Budget at least a day to get used to the altitude - if you do the Trail, more. Most people acclimate in Cusco - it's 2K feet higher than MP. You can take anti-soroche medication before you go, or buy some in Cusco (Sorochil) or just drink the coca tea. Better hotels have O2 available.
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| Machu Picchu |
RE: RE: Walk or train Posted: Wed March 2, 2005 07:40 PM UTC
Coca tea is definately one of the best ways to aclimatise other than that drink lots of water and stay hydrated.
The walk is worth doing if you feel up to it but make sure to have a good group taking you. People I know who went on the 'alternative' routes found it less enjoyable so it is probably worth making sure to be on main inca trail.
The train is a perfectly good way of doing it but it comes down to how much time you have. if you would miss Take Titicaca (another beautiful train journey) or not see Cusco then definately I would say maxamise your time (you won't want to over do it anyway with the altitude)
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| Machu Picchu |
RE: Walk or train Posted: Fri April 1, 2005 02:09 PM UTC
If you like hiking in any way shape or form, then you should do the hike. I just got off the trail yesterday and in my group was a 45 year old moderatly fit woman. She completely enjoyed the 4 day hike and everything she saw/experienced along the way. Since it is not just a hike but as stated, t is more of an adventure with many things along the way climaxing at Machu Picchu.
If you are worried about the hike being hard, I suggest that you just have your stuff portered and just hike with a day pack of water/rain gear/camera. That is what the woman in our group did and she did perfectly fine.
So many people get off the train at Machu Picchu and just see it as another set of ruins, but doing the hike with a good guide that explains everything along the way really makes you appreciate Machu Picchu for what it is...
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| Machu Picchu |
RE: RE: Walk or train Posted: Thu October 13, 2005 11:48 PM UTC
i completely agree with gheek! doing the trail has you experiencing mp in a complete different way b/c you know the history that accompanies it. you see other ruins one the way to mp which the guides talk about..... you find a sense of comraderie w/your hiking mates..... you think about the brilliant minds of the incas and how their burgeoning civilization was squashed by the spaniards. once you arrive to the sun gate on the 4th day and catch your first glimpse of mp, there is a sense of joy especially if you struggled w/the trail at times. the train ride is about 1hr and 5mins as opposed to the 4day/3night hike. BUT it robs you of the immense beauty that you see only if you do the trail. you want to see or experience the ruins?
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