|
|
| *Travel Tips>>>Peru Travel Tips |
Since it is such a long haul to Machu Picchu -is it really worth seeing - apart from the great location? |
Travel Info I am making my plans quite late and may have to spend a lot more to get there. Also, it's the rainy season, I am travelling alone - and I am not used to hiking. I heard that the ruins were nothing much to see, but the location is superb. So unless you do the hike, it's not worth it. Travel Tips I lived in Cusco for a few months last year learning Spanish. Yes MP is definately worth visiting but the number of people doing the original Inca Trail (starting at Kilometer 88) is strictly controlled so you will need to book 6-8 weeks in advance during the summer, (and you have to trek with a local tour operator). There are now several 'alternative' Inca Trails which end at MP and are not restricted to numbers and you can backpack alone or with friends. There are many other Inca ruins to see in and around Cusco and all are well worth it, a bus for 2-3sols (30p) will take you to anywhere in the Sacred Valley. Buy a Cusco guide book in the UK (Lonely Planet or similar) for detailed info. Peru is a magical country, its not just Machu Picchu! Others I made my pilgrimage about 5 years ago. Personally the Incan ruins around Cusco were more interesting to me. You can always take the train it takes about 4 hours to get to machu pichu. It has become a very environmentally unfriendly destination, as the site is being eroded by over-visitation. I was there in May - it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. It is serene and peaceful, not overrun by tourists and exquisitely situated. The ruins are well worth a look especially if you have a good guide. If you are planning to see the other main sites from Cuzco (a pretty & interesting town) see saccsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo BEFORE Macchu Pichu. Definately - it is worth it and go before it really does get over saturated. I went to Peru last December and Macchu Picchu is worth visiting. It was humid and cloudy - you could tell the monsoon season was coming. Admittedly, I wouldn't want to fly all the way just for Macchu Picchu - I'd visit other areas as well such as Pune, Lake Titacacaa, Colca Canyon. It's worth spending a couple of days in the area and if you like hiking the Inca Trail is worth doing. If not, go by train. There are 2 ways to get to Machu Picchu ruins: 1潞 hiking (you have to be in optimal physical condition) 2潞 by train and bus Most of the people use the second option. If you are already in Cuzco, the trip to Machu Picchu will take you just 1 day. You leave early in the morning (6 am) and will be back in the city by 7 pm with your heart filled with different emotions. If you are traveling alone, do it.that way. Otherwise, I recommend you to stay one night in Aguas Calientes (the town near MP) so you can visit the ruins twice. The train leave Aguas Calientes at 5 pm (you have to ask for the exact time schedule). If you have the money, you can stay in the MP Sanctuary Lodge ... http://www.orient-express.com/web/tper/t... |
| Tags |
| Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador Guatemala Panama Peru Uruguay Venezuela General - Latin America Ancona Florence |
Travel Info Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster |