Should we go to Machu Picchu too?

[DrRoy]

DW and I are already pretty set on taking a (probably) once in a lifetime trip for a 16 day, professionally led photography workshop to Patagonia, home to some of the most awe inspiring landscapes on the planet. It is over $6K per person, but we can use airline miles to get most of the way there. It is pretty inclusive after that.

What I am really pondering is, if we are going to be "in the neighborhood" so to speak, should we spend another $2K or more to visit Machu Picchu. I know it is a large site in a rare mountain setting. However, we have seen a lot of ancient stone built sites - castles, Mayan ruins, smaller stone age cities, etc. Is one more worth the added expense? I have some input from friends and family but thought I would also try "the community". What say you?

 

[grasshopper]

We thought along the same lines when we went to the Galapagos in May, Machu Picchu to us was just to close to pass up. Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, the train, the trail it is't just the destination, but the journey getting there.

 

[Ronstar]

I say do it! and bring me with you.

 

[cooch96]

Tough call. If I were younger, had the money, and going solo, I wouldn't think twice. Of course I'd go! Now, DW would be exhausted after three days, let alone 16; and I've noticed that I can only put up with so many museums, or similar experiences, before getting bored. I'd hate to risk getting bored and blasé about Macchu Piccu.

If DW is legitimately excited, and you are both honestly up for that much traveling, then I say go. Just pace yourself and keep a serene mindset to avoid burning out the first couple of weeks. I believe it's a better risk to not have a great, yet still epic trip, than to short yourself that opportunity.

 

[travelover]

I've been there twice and would definitely recommend it. The altitude is high though and taking extra time to adjust makes it more pleasant. The Sacred Valley is worth the trip all on its own.

One option would be to set up your own extension since you will be there anyway and take a little more time. I found it easy to arrange for local guides once there, though I booked hotels in advance.

 

[2017ish]

I'd hesitate to make it a "throw in" to a 16 day Patagonia trip. There is so much to see and cover. (We are allotting 8 weeks to Peru this Sept/Oct, 3-4 weeks of which will be at altitude, and fear that we are cutting it too close...)

When is the trip? If 2017, you may be too late for Inca trail reservations....

 

[Midpack]

I've always wanted to see Machu Picchu, but I probably never will, mostly due to expense. I've seen quite a few historic sites in the USA, Europe and parts of Asia - and they never get old, it's not if you've seen one, you've seen them all IMO. But whether you should see it or not, depends on you alone.

 

[braumeister]

If DW is legitimately excited, and you are both honestly up for that much traveling, then I say go.

This makes sense to me. I'm fine with being away from home for a month or so, but DW can't tolerate more than two weeks. You have to know your limitations. No reason you couldn't do another trip later.

 

[Ian S]

I would definitely recommend Machu Picchu but whether you do it as an addition to your Patagonia trip or separately depends on your situation. When I did it, I suffered from a day of mild altitude sickness in Cusco which is at about 13,000 ft. altitude. Machu Picchu is considerably lower and I had no problem there.

 

[Fedup]

If money is a concern then I would do it. You are not getting any younger. I also have a limit of how long I want to be away from home. I reached my limit last year. Everything was blaze after 4 months. Never again. I will try 2 months max now.

 

[hesperus]

We thought along the same lines when we went to the Galapagos in May, Machu Picchu to us was just to close to pass up. Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, the train, the trail it is't just the destination, but the journey getting there.

+1

In '88 we hiked the trail to macchu picchu, a somewhat grueling 3 day backpack that takes you through deep valleys, peaks, and a lot of jungle. Along the way it has numerous ruins and structures. You really get a sense of how skilled these inca civil engineers were. Amazing where they put things. It is truly the best way to get there, but it takes committment and a level of fitness. We bought some coca leaves in the market and chewed on them through the hike. They helped a lot with the soroche (altitude sickness), and gave us some extra energy for those hard sections. Made tea from them nightly in our camps. Unfortunately most people take the train and miss out on the entire journey.

 

[OldShooter]

We haven't been to Machu Picchu but remember that the Galapagos is also "in the neighborhood" and is a spectacular trip, especially for photography. Tourism is slowing ruining the place, though, so going sooner rather than later would be a good idea.

 

[nash031]

Machu Picchu is on my short list. I'd go in a second.

 

[Bestwifeever]

If I were you, I would not make it part of this trip--stick to the original itinerary as it seems pretty long and the ruins in Peru could blend right in with Patagonia, diluting both experiences. But talk to the trip organizers and see what they say. DH is a big fan of killing two birds with one stone when it comes to travel and the results are often exhausting

Perhaps a future trip: A friend used a groupon from this site www.gate1travel.com for ten days to Peru for less than $2K per person including r/t airfare from Chicago (the groupon saved only $200, so not a big deal).

 

[Moemg]

If you are in good shape I would go now .You never know what next year will bring .

 

[Souschef]

Do it! It is an experience of a lifetime. If you are up to it, climb the trail to Aya Picchu, the mountain.
Also, if you are taking the train from Cuzco to MP, sit on the left side, so you can see the Urubamba River. If you sit on the right side, you will see nothing but rocks!

 

[explanade]

It's on my list, I briefly investigated but went to Vietnam this past Feb instead.

Is there a way to drive or train all the way to the top?

Have no interest in doing extreme hikes.

I just got back from Mallorca and there were a lot of seniors riding bicycles in the hilly roads. I got to the same places they were going fine in a rental car. I was interested in the place, not doing some cardio-vascular challenge on a vacation.

 

[Souschef]

There is a bus that takes you from the train station up to the entrance up a switchback road

 

[travelover]

It's on my list, I briefly investigated but went to Vietnam this past Feb instead.

Is there a way to drive or train all the way to the top?

Have no interest in doing extreme hikes.

I just got back from Mallorca and there were a lot of seniors riding bicycles in the hilly roads. I got to the same places they were going fine in a rental car. I was interested in the place, not doing some cardio-vascular challenge on a vacation.

There is a very nice and modern train from near Cusco that takes you to Aguas Calientes at the base. From there, buses take you up to the ruins. One needs advance reservations.

 

[W2R]

DW and I are already pretty set on taking a (probably) once in a lifetime trip for a 16 day, professionally led photography workshop to Patagonia, home to some of the most awe inspiring landscapes on the planet. It is over $6K per person, but we can use airline miles to get most of the way there. It is pretty inclusive after that.

What I am really pondering is, if we are going to be "in the neighborhood" so to speak, should we spend another $2K or more to visit Machu Picchu. I know it is a large site in a rare mountain setting. However, we have seen a lot of ancient stone built sites - castles, Mayan ruins, smaller stone age cities, etc. Is one more worth the added expense? I have some input from friends and family but thought I would also try "the community". What say you?

By now you probably know that Macchu Picchu isn't just more ruins to wander through. It's quite amazing and spectacular. So, I am thinking the following:

You want to go.
You can afford to go.
You have the time to go.
You aren't getting any younger, and there are some physically demanding things to do there that perhaps you won't be able to do when you are 75 (like walk the Inca Trail).
If you don't go, you will always wonder if maybe you should have done that.

Seems crystal clear to me... GO!!! And have a great time.

 

[Gumby]

You know how sometimes you see a cool looking place in National Geographic, so you go there and it is not quite as great as it looked in the magazine? Machu Picchu is not that place. It is far and away the most spectacular place we have ever seen. No picture can ever do it justice. You really should not miss it.

That said, unless you've got super stamina, I think it deserves it's own dedicated trip, as it is remote and you'll need some time to adjust to the altitude. Spend 10 days to two weeks. See Lima and Cuzco, Ollantaytambo, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

If you do go, I can recommend R. Crusoe & Son (Luxury Travel - Luxury Vacations | R. Crusoe & Son) as your travel company. They put together a private trip for us that was the easiest and best I've ever been on. The young wife and I were met at the plane in Lima and taken care of every minute until the moment we got back on the plane to leave. We had our own private vans, with a driver and a tour guide/interpreter. One in Lima and one in the highlands. They assisted us with checking in and checking out of every hotel and saw to our luggage in between. Everything was thoughtful and well organized, so that we could enjoy our time to the maximum extent possible and see the things I had told them we were interested in.

If you want to plan your own, here are the hotels we stayed at:

In Lima: The Country Club Hotel -- Country Club Lima Hotel
In Cusco: Hotel Monasterio -- https://www.belmond.com/hotel-monasterio-cusco/
At Machu Picchu: The Sanctuary Lodge -- https://www.belmond.com/sanctuary-lodge-machu-picchu/


We took the Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu. It was very elegant and fun. https://www.belmond.com/hiram-bingham-train/


Go now, go on a separate trip, but by all means GO. You won't regret it.

 

[Souschef]

There is a very nice and modern train from near Cusco that takes you to Aguas Calientes at the base. From there, buses take you up to the ruins. One needs advance reservations.

I believe it is called the Hiram Bingham Express.

 

[Souschef]

Would you really want to miss this??

 

[OldShooter]

I'll see your rocks and raise you a couple of Galapagos critters:

The Galapagos critters have absolutely no fear. Photography is a piece of cake. Of course, I guess I'd have to concede that you can walk right up to those rocks, too.
​

 

[Fedup]

You guys got to stop. Now you are giving more ideas of where to go.