Machu Picchu

[studor]

Like Travelover, I highly recommend either using the services of hotel or local travel agent to do things like get you local tickets and transport you from place to place. For about ten percent of the price of the tickets, we were moved to the head of all lines, transported around, got on board when we were previously told that we would have to wait a week etc. While you can do many things yourself and save some money, if you are on a trip and want to see a lot and feel safe it is the way to go. I have been to a lot of places but the line ups for the Cuzco flights from Lima were the first time I have seen Nuns pushed aside in a Catholic country:confused2:

 

[EddieWalker]

Thank you to everyone for your help. We've been going over everything we can find on what to do and where to stay. It's a bit overwhelming with all the new names to keep track of and places to see.

The plan is to catch a flight to Cuzco the morning we arrive in Lima and spend three days there. We haven't decided what we will do there, just explore and take it easy.

Then we will take the train to Aquas Calientes for three nights. This will give us one afternoon and two full days to see Machu Picchu. I still don't know how to get tickets into Machu Picchu, so that might be a concern. Any thoughts?

Then back to Cuzco for the night and an early morning flight the next day to Lima. We arrive in Lima at noon and will stay the night there. That gives us half a day then a full day in Lima. We fly out of Lima at midnight.

There is still more unknown and hoping for the best then I'm comfortable with, but with as much time as we have, I think we'll figure out plenty of things to see and do. The travel books list all sort of things to see, and we're hoping that the hotels and people we meet wil also have suggestions.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[Travelover]

Eddie, I think you may have allocated too much time at Machu Picchu proper. We got there when it opened (sunrise) and really saw everything by noonish. It is very cool, but not that big.

As I mentioned before, we took the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and saw some neat stuff in the Sacred Valley with a guide and minivan, then back to Cusco.

This site may answer your ticket question. We had our Cusco hotel buy them for us.

Machu Picchu Tickets and Machu Picchu Entrance Fees - A Guide to Buying your Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu Peru including detailed information, payment options and Machu Picchu entrance fees

 

[EddieWalker]

Thank you for the link Travelover!!!! That is just what I've been needing. The actual website to buy the tickets is a bit confusing, especially with all the options, but the link is really good at explaining it. I need to get my friends passport number, which she said she would get to me tonight, and I will buy the tickets online.

I think you're right that one day is plenty, but I'm not taking any chances and if it rains or something comes up, I'll have another day to make sure I see it. I also don't want to rush, or be in a hurry. Being able to sit and just take it all in is as important to me as seeing everything possible.

Was there anything to see or do in Aguas Calientes?

Is the Sacred Valley closer to Cuzco or Aguas Calientes?

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[texasjohn]

I think you have allotted about the right amount of time all along the way.... true, machu pichu proper is not huge by Texas standards....but after you sit and contemplate it for a while...and take a hike to the top of Wanna Pichu...the peak in the background...you'll enjoy just resting up....altitude, remember, and thinking about how they did it so long ago with the tools they had...for a builder like you, you'll marvel and try to figure it out...The people you run into, for the most part, will be pleasant and informative...much literature available for what to go see...walking shoes a must! Much of the interest is just observing the local houses, culture, how people live, make their living, etc...Remember, a trip like this is subject to surprises re weather, health, delays, transportation, etc.... just part of the adventure....plan in advance things like sunglasses, sunscreen, windbreakers, etc..and you will be fine....many people speak sufficient English for you to get along.... fun to observe facial features...the people you see are true Indians, many pure blood...only a few generations removed from the Incas.

Talk to street venders, wander off the immediate tourist trail in towns.....be aware of safety considerations, but your spidey sense will be true to you...

There are various markets in every location...some more tourist oriented, some more local people oriented....a visit to these will show you many things you would not have thought about before....and, try the local delicacy...the local rodent that many keep as pets...and is also consumed...an experience, but if you like squirrel or rabbit, it'll be kinda familiar. Drink plenty of coca tea!!! I looked for any kind of "kick" to it and didn't find it...but am sure it assisted in avoiding altitude sickness.

Let us know how the trip goes....and, again, i recommend both the catacombs and gold museum in Lima. Remember that you can/should keep your guide book with you.....in a case of lack of communication with a cab driver or whomever, you can pull it out and point to a photo or name....of hotel or tourist destination...and recognition is typically instant....remember, thousands of people make this trek annually....it's good for their economy and they know it.

 

[Travelover]

..........
Was there anything to see or do in Aguas Calientes?

It is a staging area for tourists to see MP, so it is all hotels and restaurants. When we were there there was a religious festival going on with parade and music - pure coincidence.

Is the Sacred Valley closer to Cuzco or Aguas Calientes?

Thank you,
Eddie

The Sacred Valley is between MP and Cusco. See PDF file for map. MP is slightly off the map on the left side.

 

[Travelover]

..............and take a hike to the top of Wanna Pichu...the peak in the background.................

Just a heads up - this hike is now severely restricted to like the first 100 people or something like that. They start lining up at 4 AM to be first.

 

[EddieWalker]

Visa shut down my card when I tried using it to purchase my tickets. I spoke to them and they verified that I was actually the one using my card, and I'm told that I should be able to use it now.

While on the phone with fraud protection, I told them that I might use the card while I'm there, so they took down the dates and said that it might not be a problem, but that they still might want confirmation of any purchases that they suspect might be faudulent.

Eddie

 

[Travelover]

I found transferring money to be the biggest hassle while there. I ended up using my credit union debit card at ATMs mostly. Peruvian businesses don't like credit cards due to much higher fees than in the USA.

 

[MarkV]

Eddie make sure and do some reading about altitude sickness. Even if you and your friend have never been affected by altitude it can be a hit an miss type of thing. When we use to snow ski a lot I got it one time even though I had never been affected in the past. One trick the clinic at the resort told me was to take low dose aspirin daily for a week or two before a trip. The aspirin thins the blood which helps move the lower levels of oxygen through the body more efficiently.

Have a great trip and I will look forward to photo's when you get back.

MarkV

 

[EddieWalker]

Mark,

Thanks for the advise on the altitude sickness. I'm not sure if my friend can handle it or not. I've been to the top of Mt Whitney without any problems, so I think I should be fine. I've heard about using asprin, but had forgotten about it. I'll tell my friend and bring some along.

Travelor,

Did you carry cash? US money or Peru money? I'm trying to decide how much to bring. Everything is paid for except daily expenses like food and things we might do. She speaks Portugese and says she can get by in Spanish, but isn't fluet at all. I'm clueless on the language.

Another thought is what to put my things in. I have a suitcase with wheels that is fine for most trips, but with this trip, we will be changing hotels quite a bit and might be doing some walking. We will have some waiting around too since we will be early for checkins and have some time in airports. Does a frameless backpack make sense? What did you use?

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[texasjohn]

yes, you need backpack...to put light jackets, various stuff, water bottles, etc into ...I always have one when I'm on a trip...not the HUGE kind, but more like what students use at college...good for carrying snacks, maps, all sorts of stuff. These supplement your rolling luggage...and I heartily recommend wheels on all luggage

Typically, I exchange US currency at the airport....usually there are fellows outside the airport that will change US dollars into foreign currency. there will be about 6 of them outside the airport where you catch a taxi...speak OK english. You can talk to several of them, they will be almost identical, but not exactly so, on the exchange rate that they will give you. My experience is that these folks have a better rate than what you find inside the airport. There is one or more stalls, as I recall, near the exterior of the airport in Lima which will exchange money. Often, too, you can exchange money at a hotel, but not every hotel. I usually get a wad of money exchanged at the airport. You can exchange it back to US if you don't use it all...but of course pay a price for this exchange as well...Agree, it is hard to figure out how much to get. Fundamentally, you are not the only one to face this problem....every tourist does...and each one finds a way to make it work for him.

They take the leaves of the coca plant and make a tea out of it...legal and available in all restaurants and for purchase in the markets and shops...start drinking this when you arrive...and all during your stay...neither I nor my son had altitude sickness, but I at age 55 at the time, ran out of air and tired more easily than usual during long treks...so I heartily commend you for taking the time for the trip that you have planned...if you are both feeling up to it, you can go from dawn to past sundown and never run out of things to do...or select those of most interest and rest in between points of interest....take it a little easy on the front end re physical exertion...more as you see how it goes.

Oh, yes, remember to take Kaopectate for drizzles...drink bottled drinks exclusively, avoid raw leafy vegetables, eat cooked stuff...you'll be better off but there is no guarantee to missing tummy problems...can happen to any trip but more frequently when south of the Rio Grande.

 

[phiferpharm]

I'm kinda laughing at timing. I'm on facebook for the first time in weeks and another friend of mine is posting up photos from M.P. on facebook right now. One of the photos shows the complementary bowl of coca leaves in the hotel they are staying at and stated they were serving it on the plane to there in tea form. Seems this is a very special place to vacation and well regarded by those who have been there.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thank you very much for all the help, suggestions and advice. I leave in the morning and will be doing some last minute shopping today. Funny how the closer I get to a trip, the more phone calls I get from clients!!!! At least I'll have plenty of work lined up when I get back.

One good bit of timing is that my parents finally sold their house in CA and are now living here with me, so I don't have to worry about who is going to feed Oscar or get the mail. Sure will be nice to have them here full time!!!

Eddie

 

[Travelover]

.......... I leave in the morning and will be doing some last minute shopping today. ...............Eddie

Have a great trip. Remember to carry a little toilet paper while in Peru.

 

[texasjohn]

We want photos!!! Have a great trip!

 

[lockhaven]

Have a great trip. Remember to carry a little toilet paper while in Peru.

will not do any good, better a cork of appropriate size

 

[studor]

We want photos

I hope that request was bad timing after the toilet paper line

will not do any good, better a cork of appropriate size

:thumbsup:
Lomotil -- I swear those little pills are dehydated balls of cotton that go down and expand where necessary. I think South American customs expects you to have them! -- Hope you have a great trip

 

[dmccarty]

I hope that request was bad timing after the toilet paper line
:thumbsup:

:laughing: THAT is EXACTLY what I thought when I saw those two posts. :laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[brin]

Something tells me right about now...Eddie is having way more fun than any of us.....:laughing: