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Planning the trip to Machu Picchu

How to get ready and put together a good trip to Machu Picchu

16 years ago, November 18th 2007 No: 1 Msg: #22716 Delete Edit

DaveLevin
Dave Levin

N Posts: 2

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, anyone got any bright ideas about how to plan a good trip to Machu Picchu?

I've heard best time to visit is in spring-summer, but need to pre-book...
How much time before should I book in advance?

I've also heard some people get sick...
Is the threat of Malaria and other tropical diseases really high?
Is so, how to get prepared?

Does anyone where to obtain entrance tickets to Machu Picchu?

And so many other things that I'd like to discuss with you guys here...

Dave
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16 years ago, November 18th 2007 No: 2 Msg: #22725 Delete Edit

Jo Trouble
Jo McCarthy

B Posts: 11.5K

Hi Dave,

Welcome to TravelBlog.

I did the Inca Trail in April and we had perfect weather, around the end of the rainy season. To do the traditional IT trek you now have to go with a trek operator - I went with Peru Treks and Adventure. Recommend you book ahead, specially if you are on a time budget
Alternatively you can go direct to Aguas Caliente by train, then a bus up on the day to MP. In that case you pay at the gate.

Malaria is not a problem that I'm aware of, the only medication I had with me was diamox (for altitude sickness) which I only took initially when arriving in Cusco. The main thing there is to allow time to adjust to the altitude.

Hope that helps. Reply to this

16 years ago, November 18th 2007 No: 3 Msg: #22731 Delete Edit

tarainperu
Tara

B Posts: 5

How much time before should I book in advance?

It is best to book a month or two in advance; at least the plane and train tickets. Planning ahead is the most cost effective way to do this trip. That being said, I am an international student in Lima and was able to talk to a travel agent in Lima on a Sunday and was on a plane to Cusco at 5am Tuesday morning with everything taken care of (hotels, tickets, tour guides, etc) for a reasonable price (though I took the train and didn't do the Inka trail hike).

I've also heard some people get sick...
Is the threat of Malaria and other tropical diseases really high?

The threat especially in the Cuzco area is not high. However, it can't hurt to bring malaria pills just in case (you can get them from any doctor or travel doctor). The only other common tropical disease I am aware of is Yellow Fever but the incidence is low and the vaccine is only required for areas in the deep jungle (Iquitos for instance).

Does anyone where to obtain entrance tickets to Machu Picchu?
You can buy them in Aguas Calientes (at the bus station) or from any one of the hundreds of tour agencies in Lima and/or Cusco.

I'd be happy to answer more questions if you have some. Reply to this

16 years ago, November 18th 2007 No: 4 Msg: #22736 Delete Edit

DaveLevin
Dave Levin

N Posts: 2

Hey, thanks for the advices!

I guess I'll have to take extra care of my stomach.
I heard people saying that food borne diseases are more dangerous.

A weak stomach (like mine) taking some unsual, even if hygienic food, could ruin the trip...

I am thinking about the Inca Trail hike. I heard that it's exciting, "not too hard", but I'm not that sure about this part 😊
I have some (little) hiking experience, but at 4.000 m+ and doing that for 4 days... Sounds hard work.
I know about the necessary objects ot be taken, but don't know how it would feel like up there...

I'd love to make it, but I guess I'd like to hear those of you who have been there: how is it really?

-> how long do you keep climbing (in hours per day)? (like, how long time without stopping)
-> I suppose there are no toilets... this is the funny, yet annoying part, so where do you go? 😊
-> after the trek, I suppose you went back to Cuzco from Aguas Calientes... or through some other road, how did you feel then, exhausted?
-> how about the temperature? is it rather cold or hot? (I was thinking about the may-august period, to avoid the rainy season)
-> did you have to climb steep often? or did you walk on a high plateau most of the time?
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16 years ago, November 23rd 2007 No: 5 Msg: #23015 Delete Edit

Jo Trouble
Jo McCarthy

B Posts: 11.5K

The group I was with had stops for mid morning and mid afternoon, and finished for the day around 4:30 I think. Not every day was the exact same timing. We also had stops along the way when there was something of cultural interest to be explained.
The good thing was that one guide was at the front, and one at the back with the slowest people - and they carried a small oxygen tank, but I dont think anyone needed to use it. We were told a number of times not to feel rushed.
Yes there are some pretty steep parts, the hardest is on day 2 - again, everyone took their time and welcomed in those that got to each stop after them.

There are toilets along the way, not all western style, and not all the most hygenic. Btw, I took some hand sanitiser gel - great stuff and dries quickly. Don't go without it, should be able to get it at a supermarket before you leave home. I got my water purifier tablets in Cusco.

Late April was comfortably warm - we were lucky with the weather though. I took thermals, but only once used the thermal top at night. Highly recommend the light weight trousers that have zip-off legs. Don't wear jeans on the trail!!

Other suggestions of things to take; a roll or two of toilet paper and a torch or preferably head lamp. I also took a small guidebook with mostly pictures to show the porters and guides where I was from. I ended up giving it to one of the porters who was studying English - went down really well.
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