Machu Picchu or Peru?

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:11 pm

Hey all- I am seriously thinking about doing Machu Picchu this year...Fly to Lima---Cusco---Peru Rail to Agua Calliente then the death Bus to MP for a trip back to the time of the Inca...before they were decimated by the Europeans...

Does anyone have any first hand (I'll take second hand too) stories of going to Peru and Machu Picchu??

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php ... Post626954

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php ... Post201887

Chet · Post by **Chet** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 5:08 pm

When you get to Cusco, don't run up the steps. Take time in Cusco to see the sights, and hire a reputable tour operator. Check with the hotel, they should be able to set you up with a tour of Cusco and a tour of Machu Picchu. Plan on 2 days in Cusco - it's beautiful.

Take along plenty if ibuprophen to help with the altitude (11,500'). Cocoa tea helps.

The train to Machu Picchu runs down along the Urubamba River. The river has spectacular white water and soaring cliffs. Take snacks.

If you're adventurous, get off the train and do the hike up the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Get a guide and porters. You can stay in the hotel at the top of the mountain.

There are many breath-taking sights at Machu Picchu. All the buildings are magnificent. The "baths" are cut from stone and cascade down the mountain from a spring - these are not on the usual tour. Walk as far as you can below the baths and look up the hill at the stone terraced hillside - impressive. The Inca worshiped agriculture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cusco

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:20 pm

Yeah, they say the Coca tea helps with altitude, my gess is it helps with attitude too...most Hotels in the area serve it complimentary. The Hotel up near MP is ~$700 US/night, I think I'll be skipping that one.

I'll see where to get more info on these "baths"...

Machu Picchu was named one of the wonders of the world recently so tourist traffic is probably going to pick up...I'm thinking of going solo this year, then maybe take the family when my kids are a bit older...

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/4868899

Kathyzhere · Post by **Kathyzhere** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:45 pm

Hi Sherban,
Sorry I don't have any experience visiting Machu Piccu...yet, but it is definately on my list! The photos I've seen look breathtaking and the Incan history is pretty interesting.
If you go I'll be anxiously awaiting your trip report.

Kathy

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:46 pm

Wow, after seeing how beatiful the sacred valley is, I'm thinking about spending a couple days there before MP, then Cusco a couple of days after MP...

Check these photos out....
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/151021
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/151121.jpg

Kathyzhere · Post by **Kathyzhere** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:12 am

Wow, the lodge and area look beautiful! Have you decided if you're going or not? You're going to put this destination closer to the top of my list!

What time of year would you be interested in?
Enjoy,
Kathy

Hi Chet,
When did you visit? Any photos or report to share??

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:57 am

I've always been interested in that area of the world, too. Thanks for posting the links to those photos. Is that the lodge that's $700 a nite? It reminds me of some places here in Cal.

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:24 pm

Kathy and Margo- That lodge is $110/night in the high season...shhh!

http://www.urubamba.com/webing/home.htm

I am pretty sure I am going in April this year...not comitted yet but thinking hard about it! I need to make sure my wife is REALLY ok with me going solo...

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:39 pm

We watched the Tony Bourdain Peru episode last night. Wow!

Cheers, RickG

brenda · Post by **brenda** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:10 pm

http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-schedul ... 3&start=20

That episode is on again tomorrow. I am going to check it out. I have always found Machu Picchu to be fascinating.

I recorded the Jamaica episode today. I fell asleep half way through. Thank goodness for DVR

. It looked interesting and definitely off the beaten path. There was recently a trip report to Machu Picchu with pictures on Fodor's website. If you are interested, I will try to find the link.

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:05 pm

Rick- Note sure if I get Travel Channel or not...I did notice some of those episodes are available on iTunes...but not Peru.

Brenda- Sure I'd like to see the trip report if it isn't much trouble to find...trip reports are scarce...

Here's a great group of tons of photos...I have a free account with Panoramio, not sure what you see without an account...
http://www.panoramio.com/map/#lt=-13.16 ... 59&z=4&k=2

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:52 pm

Sorry- I made a cut and paste mistake...the photos were of the "Sol Y Luna" resort...it is $145/noche...

The previos link was for K'uychi Rumi, which is also awesome but not the one in the previous photos...

http://www.hotelsolyluna.com/english/rates.htm

brenda · Post by **brenda** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:38 am

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadsele ... mona&fid=5

I hope this works. There are a couple of others if you browse the threads in the left column.

brenda · Post by **brenda** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:43 am

Drats, that didn't work quite how I wanted. It is the one titled "Trip Report w/pics Machu Picchu & Galapagos".

brenda · Post by **brenda** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:59 am

http://www.luv2globetrot.com/Peru/Our_T ... _Peru.html

Here are some pics from another report from that page.

usvi-on-line

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Machu Picchu or Peru?

Machu Picchu or Peru?

sacred valley