Machu Picchu Travel Forum

Hi,

My fiance and I want to get married at Machu Picchu. We will also do a civil ceremony in the US so we don't care about the legal side of it all. We just want something special. I have found 2 hotels which offer a wedding near Machu, but both are at least $2000 and include all kinds of extras we do not need. Do you think it is possible to find a shaman when there? Does anyone know of a way to set this up before we go? We are also open to a ceremony in Cusco or other ruins in the area. Will it be easy to arrange this once in Peru? We will only be in Cusco for 1 day and then Machu Picchu for 2 before we head to another area. Please let me know if you have any ideas!

Thanks!

We will be visiting the end of Oct throught he beginning of Nov and then going to Galapogos. We are only allowed 44 lbs. Can someone tell me about the weather then and suggest best items to pack for that time of year.
Thanks, Phyllis

I will be visiting Peru for the first time (and probably only time) in Jan 2009. There will be 3 of us, and we will be there for about 11 days. We will be stationed in Lima, but want to take a bus tour to Cuzco/Machu Picchu. I realize this will take 3-4 days to accomplish, but I have no idea where to start looking to purchase this 'tour'. We would like to take a bus from Lima to Arequipa, stay one night there, then go on to Cuzco/Machu Picchu. We're not sure about the return trip to Lima - whether there's another route/overnight stop to consider or just to take a non-stop back. Anyway, do you have any suggestions/recommendations as to who we can contact to help book this part of our vacation? While we cannot afford anything first class, we do want to ensure everything we do is safe. Thank you for your time and consideration!

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.

Hi there,

We will have a free day in MP, during which we're thinking of hiking near the ruins, for example to the Sun Gate. I'm wondering if we have to purchase an entrance ticket to MP in order to do that? Thanks for answering!

ba

Does anyone have any information about Apu Kuntur Travel. They are some local travel agents. Seems to be good. Any information about them will be helpful. They dont have a website though.

Thanks,
Namy

Hi, I am walking the Inca Trail (4 days) mid September and am very confused about appropriate footwear. All my research indicates a preference for hiking boots as oppopsed to runners and I wondered if any readers could recommend a good pair that I can purchase in Australia. With the best of intentions I purchased a pair in June and have been wearing them constantly. To cut a long story short, the boots started to pinch a nerve in my left foot (too tight I think!) and I have had to return them. I now have less than 3 weeks to wear in a new pair, so would appreciate some advice re boot to buy quickly. Thanks. J

does the train run from Aguas Calientes to Cusco on newyears eve?thanks!

So, how cold does it really get at night on the Inca Trail? Also, how decent are the trekking company-provided sleeping bags? Clean? Warm enough? Should I bring my own?

Please recommend a Travel agent or Group thru which we can book our Inca Trail hike. We are planning to do it in December.

Thanks
Namy

Hi I am planning to do Inca Trail in late Dec and want to purchase permits etc beforehand. I am not planning to go with a travel agent, where can I book/reserve a permit?

HI again, I've been trawling through various trekking sites and found interminable lists of 'essential' pieces of equipment - everything from gaffer tape through Swiss Army knives to gps kit. As I'm going on a fairly organised Inca Trail trek, with porters etc., any advice as to what is actually 'essential' (apart from toilet paper, of course !). I don't intend hand to hand combat with a spectacled bear, and I wont be taking too many bottles of wine, so the knife might just be redundant. Thanks for any help
Gary

Hi,I'm travelling to Peru in September and planned on taking the train up to Aguas Calientes - I had a look on perurail.com but the Machu Picchu-Cusco leg seems to be fully booked for weeks! Does anyone know if there is any other way to get up/down (without hiking-i'm travelling with my mum). Is there any point in going over on spec and tryign to book this when we arrive?

Many thanks

we are looking at doing the Inca trail next year. We are very limited for time and this is the best time for us. What is it like in these months.

Help! Does anyone recommend a good mid range hotel at AC. I couldn't get into Rupa Wasi on the date I wanted.
Tks
Adriana

Okay, so I keep hearing & reading conflicting info about MP. I keep hearing that MP is "booked" months (5-6) in advanced. Is this for actual entrance to the ruins or for tours/hikes? I am traveling solo in mid-September (already bought flight and about to purchase train tickets). I know I need to purchase entrance tickets a few days ahead of time. So, can anyone clear up the information about MP being booked months in advance?

Many many thank yous!

Me and two other experienced backpackers are planning on doing the Inca Trail in mid-July. We are accustomed to bringing everything we need to survive for several weeks on our backs, including tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, etc. Should we prepare for this trip like any other backpacking trip? Should we bring our own tents, bags, pads, etc. I understand that the guides have gear, what quality is it? How about water purifiers? I hate relying on iodine tablets, should I bring my own purifier?

do you get cell phone service at the ruins? As much as I hate them(the cell phones that is), i'm currently planning on being at the ruins if I can on my birthday. Just keeping options for the family to call if they so desire.

Last minute questions for our trip we are leaving on soon:) any help appreciated:)
We will be doing day hikes in the sacred valley. should we bring a hydration pack to fill with water or buy water in bottles? Can you typically trust your hotel to give you drinking water or are you better off to buy all drinking water in bottles? Also, we typically travel with clothesline and clothespins so we can wash t-shirts and underclothes and just hang in our room to dry. Is the weather in June in the Sacred Valley dry enough for our clothes to dry in 12 hours or so?

Also, do we really need to bring rain gear for a June Trip? We are not treking, just doing day hikes, and staying in hotels at night.

thanks everyone!

I know that you can buy Machu Picchu tickets in Cusco or Aguas Calientes. My question is are there limited numbers of entrance tickets available per day? I know there are limited numbers allowed for Huayna Picchu, but what about just general entrance to the ruins? We're trying to determine if we need to try to buy entrance tickets in advance before we leave for South America, or if we are "safe" to wait and get them upon arrival in Cusco. We already have train tickets; entrance tickets are the last piece of the puzzle. Any suggestions?

Can anyone recommend any good 2 or 3 day treks, as far as companies?

We will have 5 full days in Cusco/Machu Picchu before we continue on our journey, so estimating a 2 day trip would be most sensible . . . but we would like to do the most rigorous hiking possible that could be in such a brief time, and we don't necessarily care to have "comfortable" accommodations in a hostel/hotel. . . . we want to make the most of our time there. . . .

Thanks in advance

Hi all,
I will be doing the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu in July, and am a little confused about what I should bring on the actual hike. I am backpacking through South America for two months, so I will be carrying a big backpack. Do I take the whole backpack on the trek with me, or do I leave it in Cusco somewhere, and just take a daypack/small packpack? Or do I give the large backpack to the porters?
As you can see, I am quite confused about the logistics of this. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Julia

I have read that you can hire a guide at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Is this correct? We are planning to stay in Aguas Calientes the night before so we can be at Machu Picchu at sunrise the following morning. We'd like to hire someone and would like to know how easy it is to find a knowledgeable guide and approximately how much it will cost. If you have any info or tips, thank you!

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....

Can we drive to Aguas Caliente? If not where is the closest point we can leave our vehicle. Thank you. Terry Smith

What would the "typical" weather be like in March for the Machu Picchu area?

Hi:

I am trying to buy tix for April in the perurail website from Cuszo to MP, and it's proving to be challenging. I tried about a half-dozen times. When I clicked on purchase, it claimed that my session expired.

Has anyone else had difficulty recently. Also, is it easy to buy tickets in-country?

Thanks!

What's the weather like in early July? What should I wear?

I have my train ticket already but not my bus ticket or a guide. Can I purchase the bus ticket when I get off the train? And also, can I book a guide when I reach the ruins?

Hello,

I am planning a surprise trip to machu picchu and inca trail for my husband for his 30th birthday. My budget is limited, but I want him to have time of his life. He enjoys adventure and walking.(sleeping in tents, cooking, traking...) Has anyone got any tips on travelling from UK? Flight tips, package deals better then buying flight separately? has anyone gone there with Lama travel agency? Is anyone there who went on their own?
I am sorry for so many questions, but I really need help please.
many thanks
Blanka