What are the possibilities
for visiting Machu Picchu?
Visiting
Machu Picchu is, for most people, one of the
highlights of their visit to Peru and you shouldn´t
miss it. There are different options to go to this
old Inca Town .
Inca Trail A four day hike from
Cusco to Machu Picchu
. Please note that you should book this trip at least
40 days prior to arrival as spaces fill up really quickly.
On the fourth day, early in the morning, you will get
to
Machu Picchu at sunrise, a unique experience. You
will be back around 21:00 pm on the fourth day.
Train Excursion There are two different trains that
take the tourists to Machu Picchu (different prices).
A complete excursion includes a transfer from y our
accommodations to the train station, a roundtrip ticket
by train, a roundtrip ticket by bus from Macchu Picchu
train station up to the ruins, the entrance fee to
the ruins and a guided tour.
Do I need to book
the Inca Trail before getting to Cusco?
Because the numbers of persons permitted on the trek
has been dramatically reduced it is advisable to make
a reservation 5-6 weeks in advance. This is particularly
important if you are planning on arriving in Cusco
during the peak season (June-September).
Can I trek the Inca
Trail alone without a travel operator?
No. As from 1st January 2001 trekking independently
has been prohibited. The regulation, however, was not
enforced until early 2002. You will necessarily to
hire an operator to get all the permissions, the entrance
tickets for the trail MUST be bought in Cusco well
in advance only through a licensed
Inca Trail operator.
They cannot be purchased at the start of the trail.
How hard is the Inca
Trail?
The trek is physically challenging, but no technical
expertise is required. The difficulty comes largely
from the repeated step ascents and descents, and from
the high altitude. The climb to the first pass takes
you up from around 2000m (6500ft) to more than 4000m
(13000ft) in a relatively short space, followed by
a descent of around 1500m (5000ft). After the second
pass at 3500m (11500ft), things generally become easier.
I have heard about
the possibility of hiring an extra porter? Should
I?
During the
Inca Trail you will have to carry your personal
stuff (such as backpack, camera, etc) your sleeping
bag and pad (both provided by us if needed). Hiring
an extra porter may make the trek more enjoyable since
you will walking without all that extra weight. Each
porter can carry up to 15 kilos and you must ask for
him to your operator.
What other excursions
or trips do you recommend in and around Cusco?
We recommend you to consider participating in the following
trips.
- Machu Picchu , by train or hiking
- Lake Titicaca, Puno and the Urus Islands
- Arequipa , the Colca Canyon and the Santa Catalina
Convent
- Tambopata, Peruvian Amazone, Monkey Island
- The Sacred Valley of the Inca's, Pisac, Ollantaytambo,
Chincheros
- River rafting
- Horse back Riding
- Mountain Biking
- City Tour in Cusco , Sacsahuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara,
Tambomachay.
