Machu Picchu - how would you do it?
Machu Picchu - how would you do it?
Machu Picchu is right at the top of my wish list of places to see, and as my Mum and sister have expressed an interest in joining me I've started seriously researching it.
I found a great tour with Guerba, 5 days trekking and camping along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and I really fancied this. Then I found a holiday with Voyages Jules Verne including flights and hotels (no camping!) with a great itenerary for a fantastic price. I'm not the fittest person in the world, I would be prepared to train if trekking was the only way, but now that I've found out you can get a train, I really fancy the easy option, particularly after seeing a cross section of the mountains we'd have to climb!!
My Mum is not your package holiday type person and has said she only wants to do it if I do the trekking holiday. I just wondered, do you think I'm chickening out? What option would you take?
Thanks for any thoughts
Shell :)
Answers:
It's not just the trekking, there's the altitude to consider. I believe there are 5-day and 2-day Inca trail treks, depending on where they start you off from.
I love walking, so I'd want to do the trekking bit. Sounds as though you're going to have to think about whether you want to do the trip with your Mum or not!
Think about the sense of achievement you'll feel if you get up there under your own steam. See if you can find a tour that has you up near the top for the last night's camping and then gives you access to the site for sunrise - that's supposed to be spectacular.
On the 4th page of the sticky DIY holiday thread at the top of the forum there are lots of links to other activity/adventure holiday companies, besides those you mention, so you can compare what they all offer.
Answers:
Walk it if you possibly can. I took the train and have regretted it ever since. All my friends who walked came away with such a sense of acheivement, and saw so much more than I did. I would agreee with Augusta though, spend a few days in Cuzco getting used to the altitude first; it's a great town to hang out in, and lots of museums/parks/day trips/shopping to keep you busy.
But it does give me a great excuse to go back!
Answers:
I did the inca trail :yay: It is an experience I'll never forget. Sounds corny but because of the altitude too...
Get fit, walk lots beforehand... I wish I'd been fitter, I laughed and cried because it was bloody hard but I'm glad i've done it.
I was on a tour with Dragoman and they were faultless. I've heard gerba are good too but i think the trucks with dragoman are better in the comfortable stakes.
We trekked for four days, camping each night. On our trip the porters carried our gear. Thet take your breath away as they race past you loaded with stuff in old plimsoles while you're slowly plodding in trekking stuff!
The porters cooked our meals making fresh limonade, soups and casseroles in the middle of nowhere!
I know you can get yourselves to Cusco and arrange a trip off your own back. There are loads of decent companies. Cusco is great and very geared up for trekkers. It is cheaper if you carry some of your own gear up with them. But i wouldn't want to do that.
On the last day of the trek you get up at 4 or something to get to the sun gate. On the last night before this, you find more people joining you cos some get the train halfway and trek just 2 days.
or you can be completely lazy and just don't do the inca trail but get the train to Macchu Picchu from aguacaliente.
There is an extended section of the trail that some co's do, i think where you trek for 6 days.
It was great, differing landscape and all the ruins too.
Pm if you want any more info. i've waffled but you have to do it!!!
Answers:
It's great to hear your experiences elspeth and Mrs Buster, thanks :)
I'm not so worried about the walking, I can walk all day long, as I did on my recent holiday, I'm just worried about how steep it is, are there a lot of steps elspeth? I reckon I'd manage it, just wouldn't want to be the slow-coach holding the group up!
I might look more into a 2-day trek then. How long did you guys stay in Peru for the trip? I know you have to get there 2 days before to adjust to the altitude. My sister and I quite fancied finishing it off with a relaxing few days somewhere like Miami, what do you think?
Machu Picchu is right at the top of my wish list of places to see, and as my Mum and sister have expressed an interest in joining me I've started seriously researching it.
I found a great tour with Guerba, 5 days trekking and camping along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and I really fancied this. Then I found a holiday with Voyages Jules Verne including flights and hotels (no camping!) with a great itenerary for a fantastic price. I'm not the fittest person in the world, I would be prepared to train if trekking was the only way, but now that I've found out you can get a train, I really fancy the easy option, particularly after seeing a cross section of the mountains we'd have to climb!!
My Mum is not your package holiday type person and has said she only wants to do it if I do the trekking holiday. I just wondered, do you think I'm chickening out? What option would you take?
Thanks for any thoughts
Shell :)
Answers:
It's not just the trekking, there's the altitude to consider. I believe there are 5-day and 2-day Inca trail treks, depending on where they start you off from.
I love walking, so I'd want to do the trekking bit. Sounds as though you're going to have to think about whether you want to do the trip with your Mum or not!
Think about the sense of achievement you'll feel if you get up there under your own steam. See if you can find a tour that has you up near the top for the last night's camping and then gives you access to the site for sunrise - that's supposed to be spectacular.
On the 4th page of the sticky DIY holiday thread at the top of the forum there are lots of links to other activity/adventure holiday companies, besides those you mention, so you can compare what they all offer.
Answers:
Walk it if you possibly can. I took the train and have regretted it ever since. All my friends who walked came away with such a sense of acheivement, and saw so much more than I did. I would agreee with Augusta though, spend a few days in Cuzco getting used to the altitude first; it's a great town to hang out in, and lots of museums/parks/day trips/shopping to keep you busy.
But it does give me a great excuse to go back!
Answers:
I did the inca trail :yay: It is an experience I'll never forget. Sounds corny but because of the altitude too...
Get fit, walk lots beforehand... I wish I'd been fitter, I laughed and cried because it was bloody hard but I'm glad i've done it.
I was on a tour with Dragoman and they were faultless. I've heard gerba are good too but i think the trucks with dragoman are better in the comfortable stakes.
We trekked for four days, camping each night. On our trip the porters carried our gear. Thet take your breath away as they race past you loaded with stuff in old plimsoles while you're slowly plodding in trekking stuff!
The porters cooked our meals making fresh limonade, soups and casseroles in the middle of nowhere!
I know you can get yourselves to Cusco and arrange a trip off your own back. There are loads of decent companies. Cusco is great and very geared up for trekkers. It is cheaper if you carry some of your own gear up with them. But i wouldn't want to do that.
On the last day of the trek you get up at 4 or something to get to the sun gate. On the last night before this, you find more people joining you cos some get the train halfway and trek just 2 days.
or you can be completely lazy and just don't do the inca trail but get the train to Macchu Picchu from aguacaliente.
There is an extended section of the trail that some co's do, i think where you trek for 6 days.
It was great, differing landscape and all the ruins too.
Pm if you want any more info. i've waffled but you have to do it!!!
Answers:
It's great to hear your experiences elspeth and Mrs Buster, thanks :)
I'm not so worried about the walking, I can walk all day long, as I did on my recent holiday, I'm just worried about how steep it is, are there a lot of steps elspeth? I reckon I'd manage it, just wouldn't want to be the slow-coach holding the group up!
I might look more into a 2-day trek then. How long did you guys stay in Peru for the trip? I know you have to get there 2 days before to adjust to the altitude. My sister and I quite fancied finishing it off with a relaxing few days somewhere like Miami, what do you think?