Machu Picchu?

[vash]

heading there in July2018.

gonna do it the hard way, and walk up there. i read it takes four days, with camping. and YES! we will be using local porters. (bless them!)

any "been there, dont that" type of advice?

my wife is already planning her workout to get ready. me, i backpack hunt..so the transition is hopefully mild..unless i have to be my wife's "other porter".

anyone know anything about high elevation meds?

[TimT]

Was there in 06, took the easy way up...It was a zoo then.... cant imagine what is like now...

The altitude did affect me, but i was a fat effer then, I weigh 40 lbs less now...

You should also try and hit Nazca, for like $60 you can get a plane to really see the lines...

Interesting country

[motion]

We were there a few years ago. Didn't do the hike, but from my research, it doesn't look strenuous at all. Altitude will be a factor... can you spend a few days in Cusco before starting the hike?

MP is my wife's favorite place on earth. We hiked up to the Sun Gate to view the site, which is where you'll emerge after your 4 day hike. It really is beautiful. Expect quite a few people to fight for elbow space with in July. We went in February when the trail is closed for maintenance and even then, it got real busy after 10 AM or so.

If you're in to ceviche, make sure you explore the scene in Lima. Its awesome. Cusco also has many, many nice restaurants and lots of character. Not to be missed.

Don't spend too much time in Aguas Calientes. Its an awful little town, although the locals are very polite and friendly.

[1990C4S]

Co-worker just got back. He hoofed it, and he's mid-50's.

[Don Plumley]

Get the ticket/spot to ascend Huayna Picchu. Tough climb but well worth it.

Amazing experience going there for Beth and me. Highly recommended. The whole civilization is fascinating. More to follow...

[Crowbob]

Lady at work thought the whole thing was a waste of time and money when she did it.

Poor thing.

[TimT]

Ceviche...

I had some great Ceviche, and some Pisco sours at a hotel right on the beach in.... Pisco...

A huge plate of Ceviche and a few cocktails cost around $12... and the hotel I stayed at gave me a room with ocean view for like $60..

Unfortunately I don't have many picture of my Peru trip since my (purchased for the trip) camera broke on the second day.. and I was still in Lima

In Lima go to Calles de la Pizza.... and crack up at everyone using a knife and fork to eat pizza... I did the New York fold and my local companion freaked, telling me that is not how you eat Pizza lol...

There is a Hooters is Lima...

Peru is interesting.... I will go back

[Nostril Cheese]

Totally worth it. Hike is not that bad either.

[vash]

I'm eating a guinea pig for sure.

I heard Lima has three of the best restaurants in the world. I'll leave good clothing at the hotel. Get a fancy guinea pig dish. Hehe.

I hope my boss doesn't poopoo my summer trip like he did this year. I'm pinning him down manana.

[rattlsnak]

My neighbor just came back. She went with a group and every one of them got some type of stomach flu on day 2. She made it up to the top but said it was the worst trip ever.. lol..

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by vash

I'm eating a guinea pig for sure.

I heard Lima has three of the best restaurants in the world. I'll leave good clothing at the hotel. Get a fancy guinea pig dish. Hehe.

I hope my boss doesn't poopoo my summer trip like he did this year. I'm pinning him down manana.

You better hope it was a guinea pig!

[jhynesrockmtn]

My daughter did it when she was studying in Buenos Aires as an undergrad. She traveled quite a bit during that semester and had some amazing experiences. Machu Picchu was definitely one of them.

[seanratpel]

Hey Vash: I can throw my two cents in. I lived in Urubamba for two years which is where the trains leave to MP. Start drinking coca tea (even at the airport) the minute you get there, most people get a serious headache for the first couple of hours from the elevation. You want to spend at least 2 days acclimating (cusco / Urubamba) before you make the trek. Trust me you'll be glad you did. Not so sure about people's comments about the 4 day trek being easy, the first day yes, but the start of the 2nd day you hit the stairway to heaven which looks like its going strait up!
I went last minute with a heavy pack and just about stroked out the morning of the 4th day you come upon (looking down) from 9000 to 6000 feet or so to MP and it all becomes worth it. the town itself Aguas Calientes is a nasty little pit.
Try to see (before or after) the town of Ollantaytambo a cab ride south of Urubamba. They have other ruins quite impressive and the town is very cool. The other direction, you can hit the outdoor market in Pisac great Quechua clothes and stuff.

let me know if you have any questions, still have friends down there, one (Riccardo) in Urubamba owns a great restaurant called Tres Keros - I'll let him know you're coming

[widebody911]

Machu Picchu? I thought the whole Pokémon thing died out last year.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Machu Picchu? I thought the whole Pokémon thing died out last year.

Dude. He's talking about the physicist. Have some respect.

[shinrai]

A lot of excellent info already posted.
If you'd like to do something more intimate and not deal with crowds arrange a hike on the Lares Trek. No permit required. I've done both and Lares was my preference. Pack lightly and bring toilet paper, meds, flashlight and telescoping poles.
Do not miss Huayna Picchu - you'll need to book it. Also get to the site early and walk up to the Sun Gate as mentioned.

[vash]

Originally Posted by seanratpel

.... one (Riccardo) in Urubamba owns a great restaurant called Tres Keros - I'll let him know you're coming

thanks. i just joted this down in my travel notes.

[Major Dad]

Our son did it four years ago. His travel insurance covered him up to a certain altitude but MP was a bit over this and had he not extended and modified his policy he would not have been covered had he needed to claim. Check the altitude restrictions on you travel insurance.

[Don Plumley]

I'll PM you an old website I put up to share the photos from an amazing trip (started in Bolivia in an eco-lodge in the Amazon basin).

This is the standard view looking down on the site:



Huayna Picchu is the peak in the background.

The walls are amazing:



After you climb up, up, and up, this is the view back the other way down on the main site:


(The access road on the left is for the bus that runs up from the village. It's not able to fit two busses at a time, so someone has to back up )

It's like being on top of the world:


(It's hard to tell from this photo, but I'm standing on a tiny sliver of rock at the very peak.)




We took this trip to celebrate 150 years - we both turned 50 and were married for 25.



There are so many memories and experiences. We should get together for a beer.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

We took this trip to celebrate 150 years - we both turned 50 and were married for 25.

We should get together for a beer.

By the same math and logic we will be celebrating 104 years!

We are doing this for our ten year marriage.

And yes to beer! Especially with that roast chicken kung-fu you got going