South America - It's Got It All

Hotels near Macchu Picchu etc
Hello John. We don't really know about the hotels near Macchu Picchu but there seem to be a number in Aguas Calientes, the town from which the buses go to Macchu Picchu. But if you took the Inca Trail, you'd go to Aguas Calientes after, not before, arriving at Macchu Picchu. As for your safety, all we can say is that we had no problems whatsoever in Central or South America. Granted, we didn't wave flashy gear around and kept our cameras (one each - a larger Lumix and a DSLR with a zoom lens) in locally-made shoulder bags, not brand-name camera bags. People we know have had no problems with expensive gear on the Inca Trail. Some of the climbs around Macchu Picchu are steep, and apparently there are some serious climbs on the Inca Trail (although you can pay additional porters to carry your gear, we're told). And altitude is a consideration as well. The trip is worth it. Have fun!