Machu Picchu Travel Forum

I am going to S.A. in June. I want to spend about a week in Cuzco and get to Machu Picchu. Is this a bad time to go? Should I book a train or a hike reservation now? Is it already too late? Should I do the hike or just take the train? The train sounds lame but would it be better to travel faster and see more of Machu Picchu or do the hike? Is the hike hard? I hike year round in Colorado? Is the gear the tours provide adequate or should I bring my own? Is it cold there in June? Is it sketchy to do this alone? After you hike to Machu Picchu do you have to hike back to Cuzco? Someone help me I need to buy my tickets soon.

June is the "dry" season but with a lot of tourists.

For the Inca trail you need to make reservations in advance as early as possible as only a limited number of people are allowed on the trail.

I don't hike (neither did the Inca trail, went by train) so no info about (other) hikes from me but you will find a lot of info about that here on the members' travel pages and in the forums. I can recommend Ken, kzapanta for that.

For other (transportation) info you may want to check my Peru pages.

Hi there:
Ok..first of all June is the highst season due to Cusco`s aniversary, it is very busy month and I would reccomend you to book your Inca trail now..! due to the high demand and limited number of participants per day one must lock a place at least some months before the departure day. The only way to get back to Cusco is by train..but you could do it by bus as well ..but it is a bit tricky and takes longer, If you are not hiking the Inca trail then the best option is to do one full day the sacred valley and then once finishing with Ollantaytambo like at 4pm take the train to aguas calientes wich is just 2 hours from Olantaytambo, you spend the night there and the following day you get to Machu Picchu early in the morning..this option will give you the whole day up there (if you want to get back to cusco the same day then you must be at aguas calientes like at 4pm to take the train back to cusco...if not you might share the day on visiting the citadel and clinbing to Waynapicchu, I reccomend you that option ..it is breathtaking the view from Waynapicchu..! well any other detail just drop me a note, I can help you organizing your trip.1
Have a great day.
Sam

If you are going to hike to MP you will need to make reservations well before you arrive in Peru. You must go with licensed guides and, unless you are very rich, a group. I have heard only a few people complain of the trek. Several because they got sick and one because of the large number of people on the trail. I took the train and saved time for other day hikes. You should bring boots or hiking shoes that you are accustomed to using for long walks, and a rain jacket with a hood. You can buy good warm cloths in Peru that you will want to take back to Colorado. It can get cold at night.

You will not be alone on the trail.

I took the train and saved my hiking for MP. The train ride isn't boring, and the Hiram Birmingham is just too cool to describe. Of course there are two other trains that are much cheaper and give you the same lovely scenery, but the H.B. is true first class.

train vs. hike? of course the hike! Its a bit late now though but there are several different ones that dont need reservation. Choquequirao is a fabulous one as well as Lares-Salkantay. No need for guides here, just a good map (get it at Instituto Nacional de Geologia in Lima or at SouthAmerican Explorers in Lima or Cuzco).
If you are coming in June try to get a txt for the Inty Raimy, quite a festival.
Enjoy Perú

Hi noohlb I was wondering if I need to make reservations for the tren and a overnite in Aguas. one tour guide is telling me that there are always spaces available. Should I believe him or book somtehing now? Chris

Hi noohlb I was wondering if I need to make reservations for the tren and a overnite in Aguas. one tour guide is telling me that there are always spaces available. Should I believe him or book somtehing now? Chris

Advice to book ahead. Not only the train and accomodation but also the entry to MP. Read what member "risse73" wrote about that.

As said, June is dry season and high season.