Machu Picchu Travel Forum

I am planning to get engaged in Machu Pichu. What recomendations would you give me? Is there a specific place I should pop the question? Can I take a Champagne Bottle with me? Please give me as much advice as possible. This will happen in 2 weeks and I don't have a plan of what to do once i get there....

You need to pre-book your train tickets to MP as it sells out fast since tourist season is right around the corner. Unfortunately, Peru Rail's website does not appear to support on-line transactions. Here's what you can do: either instruct your hotel/hostel in Cusco to buy your train tickets in advance OR call them from your home country, then confirm your reservations once you get to Lima before paying/getting the tickets in their office.

As to the entrance tickets, you can no longer buy it at the entrance as of March 2008, so buy it also in advance (via your hostel/hotel in either Cusco or Aguas Calientes) to secure your MP adventure (See my "warning tip" in my Machu Picchu page re: entrance tickets).

As to a nice spot, you will find it once you get there; however, I thought that there were equally dramatic (or I should say more dramatic) spots en route to MP via the Inca Trail. It doesn't appear that you're doing the Inca Trail trek just based on this posting though.

Goodluck & enjoy beautiful Peru!

Well doing it on the main Altar is ok but seeing as how many people probably died there, how about Waina Pichu, that is if you can climb up there. You get a great view of Machu Pichu from the top.

I also agree on Waina Pichu heights as you can get a dramatic scenery shot to go with your engagement.Make sure you pre book the M.P. adventure day pack and once you arrive in Machu Pichu do the climb first thing before it gets crowded ...you will have a lot of stairs to climb so be prepared! Also bring along a good shampane bottle that works in 3,000mts+ heights!....enjoy

I also agree on Waina Pichu heights for your engagement proposal as you can get a dramatic scenery shot to go with your engagement.Make sure you pre book the M.P. adventure day pack and once you arrive in Machu Pichu do the climb first thing before it gets crowded ...you will have a lot of stairs to climb so be prepared! Also bring along a good shampane bottle that works in 3,000mts+ heights!....enjoy

Thanks for the advice. You are correct I am doing it by train and then bus. In terms of the Wayna Pichu, how crowded does it get? I want it to be more private more intimate, but not TOO obvious. I mean I don't want to have to force my GF to run to Wayna Pichu as soon as we get there...I want it kinda to be natural and then when they "break" time from the tour happens, go to the right spot and pop the question...is that realistic?

How long does it take to climg to Wayna Pichu?

Not everyone who visit Machu Pichu climb Waina Pichu as most of them are unaware about this other hill and most visitors are informed only when they reach the peak of Machu Pichu.The fact that they will be a little tired by this time most people do not attempt to climb so i presume it will not be too busy at the top of Waina Pichu.
The climb itself will take you about 1 hour and i suggest you go for it straight away after you finish the Machu Pichu tour with your leader...enjoy

You're quite welcome! The other poster was right, after a few days from the Trail en route to MP, I thought to leave Huayna Picchu for others who may have more energy left. :-) I wanted to rest & relax after and spend some time in AC.

Realistically, going to HP is more like a climb than a trek as it's mostly comprised of steep narrow stairs up to the very top. There's hardly any gravel like in your typical hiking path. If you and your fiancee can handle that, then go for it & make HP your engagement spot. From there you will definitely have a gorgeous view of MP and the surrounding areas-the Vilcanota valley & river down below.

As to HP logistics, be aware that there's a 400 maximum limit of persons allowed per day. The first group of 200 persons are allowed before the influx of tourists gets in to MP, but in order for you to be in this first group, you'll need to arise early--4:00 a.m.--in order to take the first bus ride (about 1/2 hour from AC) en route to MP. This way, you'll also avoid the tourist rush later in the morning. The next group of 200 persons are allowed right after in the same day. If doing the HP hike/climb, do it as part of the first group and do it discreetly by staying away from people who are there at the same time in order to make the occassion more special and intimate. Then, do the MP tour later on in the morning.

I suggest you buy your bus ticket from AC to MP the day before your MP adventure. Check out my "transportation tip" in my MP page for the bus info and see my Aguas Calientes (AC) page for my "accommodation" tip if you wish.

Again, goodluck & do enjoy beautiful Peru!

BTW...Tour guides are available upon arrival at the MP ruins for a reasonable fee (See my tips for independent MP travelers in my Aguas Calientes page) Goodluck!

To make it romantic and, as important intimate and not with a swarm of crowds then here is my suggestion:

Spend the night in Agua Caliente so you can jump on the first buses to Machu Picchu. 1. You get M.P. to yourself. 2. You get to be the first handful to climb up to Huayan Picchu (written by others as Winah Picchu, same peak being mentioned). The climb is a more stair climbing and does need able bodies and should take about 1 hour to climb up. The reason you do that climb early is so that you can use the room on the top most nook of that topmost peak to propose and pop the champagne. (most probably the cork will definitely fly with all the bouncing it will do on your backpack).
The room I am talking about is on the left of the trail, past the cave pathway about 200 meters up the last rope assisted steps. (this sounds vauge right now but trust me, it will be very obvious.)

You better come back to this site and post the pictures for the prime advise you are getting.

Ken

If you don't want to climb the Huayna Picchu (because both might be tired when arrive to the top), you can do it in the ruins, if you walk around, you will find a lot of nice places, and, in some of them, there are not people near you.

SANDRO.

Hi
Just to say that if you can't or don't want to climb HP, you can opt instead for the other hill right next to it. Look at the link below and you can see it on the left of the first picture. I forgot its name but it is an easier climb with still pretty good views of the site from the top. Perfect when you are too tired to climb the much harder HP!

http://www.rediscovermachupicchu.com/mp-attractions.htm

Personally, I think the Intihuatana stone (the sundial at the very top of the site) is a pretty awesome place to propose & have a class of bubbles! Less climbing than HP and closer to the stones & magic of the site. Just my opinion.

A.