Machu Picchu Travel Forum

I am finally going to realize a long intended plan to visit Machu Picchu end of November but am so confused because I only have a limited no of days in Peru yet I don’t want to miss all the sights and sceneries at MP and Cusco. I would really appreciate some feedback from those who have been there.

1. Is the last week of Nov a good time to go, weather wise? I have read about April, May , Sep being the best time, but I only have this period available before I return to Asia. Will the temperature be unbearable till I cant enjoy the trip? I am not too fond of the cold weather , so anything below 0’C may be cause for concern.

2. I have max 8 days for the trip (Houston-Lima-Cusco/MP-Lima-Houston). Will be possible to do the Inca Trail and also see the sights around Cusco within this time frame? I read there are 4 days , 3 days and 2 days hiking trails to MP. I guess the 4 day hike is the most popular but not sure if time will be on my side. Is there a big difference between these trails in terms of the beauty of scenery and landscape? I am not really a hiking type person but priority is to see all things beautiful and captivating. Is the additional time, money and lethargy worth the difference in the sights and sounds absorbed?

4. Is there a big difference between hiking trail and the visit by train in terms of scenery and ruins observed? Can I see the some of the ruins seen on the trail if take the train with the relevant stops (ie Ollantaytambo etc).

5. Is it worthwhile to spend the night in MP or is it better to spend the day (sunrise-sunset) at MP and return to Cusco on the last train? Anything else to see at MP?

Thanks a lot in advance. Been reading quite a bit but still cant seem to get the answers, and time is running short and I need to book the flights and guides (if hiking) asap.

There is so much a tourist can see in Peru and so many ways a traveller can experience the different areas. For 8 days, if the only thing you want to do is Cuzco, MP and the surrounding structures in the Valley, then you have more than enough time to to the trail.

The ruins in Olly. can be seen if you stop by train,bus,taxi to the town. All other "sights" seen by the Inca Trail will not be seen by train.

"yet I don’t want to miss all the sights and sceneries at MP and Cusco.", doing the train won't equate to missing any sights in MP and Cusco since that is the beginning and end stops of the train! If your goal is to see the scenery and ruins then you just answered the question and just get to MP and spend a night there. You will have a much more pleasant and longer time to 'see' the ruins.

There will be 60 feet of snow on the exact day you will be there. But since that is the only time you can go and see it, then do you have another choice?

Have you always dreamed of doing the trek or at least come to the opinion that to travel by the Inca trail is necessary to do MP correctly? I have only met or heard of one person who did not love the trek and that was due to illness, but many more skip it and perhaps never know what they missed. I am one of the latter.

You can not see the sights of the Inca trail when you travel by train. Nor can you experience the elation of having arrived by your own efforts. It must make it feel more like an explorer's trip of discovery then arrival by train/bus.

On the other hand, there is much to see and do in Cuzco and the Sacred Valley. At most you will have 5 days, subtracting the minimum of two international travel days and at least one full day in MP. To get sunrise or sunset in MP without the trek you have to spend a night either in MP or in the nearby town Agua Calientes. (The hotel at MP is extremely expensive.)

You should also consider that you must take it easy the first days of your visit because of the altitude. Getting altitude sickness can not only ruin your visit, it can even threaten your life.

As I indicated my choice was to skip the trek, and despite all the good things I have heard about it, I do not regret this choice.

I hope this helps. bob

While we didn't hike the Trail, we did stay a night at Aguas Caliente at the base of MP, which I highly recommend. This allows you to not rush thru MP, but to stop and let it all soak in. You can watch all the tour groups hurriedly going thru the ruins to catch the same day train.
Of all the places I've been fortunate to see in the world, this one still stands out as the most moving and beautiful. Forget the weather, if you have a chance to go, do it.
Gary

It will be rainy and cold. As to time, 8 days won't be sufficient if you're opting for the traditional 4-day Inca Trail trekking adventure (you may as well opt for the 4 days' trek) and including transit time along with the typical 3-day Cusco acclimatization period prior to your trek. Your best bet is to have shortened visits to Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu (sunset & sunrise) in order to get the most out of your brief Peruvian holiday. It's definitely worth the time, effort, and money. You just need to plan accordingly. Feel free to check my Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu pages if you wish. Goodluck & enjoy beautiful Peru!

Thanks all for your feedback.

Finally booked my ticket to Machu Pichu, leaving Houston mid November. Managed to negotiate with my boss and got 2 weeks off (meaning no long break for Christmas, sob!). Will be going to Bolivia after MP. Have budgeted 8 days for Peru and 7 days for Bolivia. Now need to do some serious planning for the trip. So here it goes:

1. I am planning to do the 2 day Inca trail. Any suggestion of a good tour guide with reasonable pricing? Do I need to book early or can I do it upon arrival in Cuzco considering it’s off peak season.

2. Do I spend the first few days in Cusco and the surrounding areas and then go to AC/MP or vice versa? Which sequence is better for altitude acclimatisation purpose ? I got some some mixed views on this from the readings thus far.

3. How many days roughly to see the sites around Cuzco (Oltan, Sacred Valley etc)?

4. Can I do day trips from Cuzco to these places or better off staying overnight at these places?

Any input is much appreciated.

Thanks.

Good to know about this update. Here are my responses to your questions:

Question #1: You will need to pre-book your Inca Trail hiking adventure--at least 5-6 months in advance because there are always lots of competition for permits and this is not up to the trekking providers, but it's a governmental regulation designed to preserve the trail & MP/HP and safeguard its future. Please check my general Peru page for more info on permit availability, trekking agency, trekking poles, etc. If there's no more space for the Inca Trail, you can opt for the alternative option that will get you through a different trail. I guess there are many trekking providers for this alternative trek, so you can reserve in advance prior to leaving for Peru (just "google" alternative treks or get a good guidebook for suggestions) or get it arranged once you get to Cusco.

Question #2: You will need to acclimate properly (3 days to make sure you will be okay) in Cusco prior to the trek.

Question #3 & 4: 1st day in Cusco: Relax! (don't do anything)
2nd day in Cusco: You can do a 1/2 day city tour of Cusco
3rd day in Cusco: You can do a full day
Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo/Urubamba/Pisac
tour
Day trips are quite fine (see above suggestions). Please check my Cusco pages for more info on this topic if you wish.

Goodluck & enjoy beautiful Peru!