Best/quickest way to get to Machu Picchu?
Dec 22, 2009, 5:37 am
#46
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: NJ
Programs: AA, DL
Posts: 456
I like the idea of being in AC, even if it is dumpy, and getting to MP before the tourist trains & groups. Does this look reasonable? I realize it's a bit rushed but hopefully I'll find some time to go back.
Wed : Arrive LIM at 9PM, find a good place for dinner and relax at hotel
Thurs : 9AM flight on Star Peru to CUZ, catch cab to Ollantaytambo departing around 1, Vistadome train to AC departing at 15:37, stay overnight in AC
Fri : explore Machu Picchu, train back to CUZ at 15:20, overnight in CUZ
Sat : 11AM Flight back to Lima. Spend afternoon in town, back at airport for 11PM departure.
Wed : Arrive LIM at 9PM, find a good place for dinner and relax at hotel
Thurs : 9AM flight on Star Peru to CUZ, catch cab to Ollantaytambo departing around 1, Vistadome train to AC departing at 15:37, stay overnight in AC
Fri : explore Machu Picchu, train back to CUZ at 15:20, overnight in CUZ
Sat : 11AM Flight back to Lima. Spend afternoon in town, back at airport for 11PM departure.
I am Leaving Thur
Fri: Lima to Cuz flight...getting in 11am..catching a taxi at 4 to Ollantaytambo..leaving Ollantaytambo at 7 to Augues Calientes
Sat: Early morning to climb and hike and spend day at MP..evening train back to Cuzco
Sun: Day in Cuzco
Mon: Flight to Lima all day in Lima then depart home!
Dec 22, 2009, 6:39 am
#47
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CNF
Programs: Priority Club, TAM Fidelidade, BAEC, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,183
If you have time at Ollantaytambo, there are interesting Inca ruins there. Also, there are busses from Aguas Calientes to MP, quite pricey for the 15 min ride, but otherwise it is an extremely steep walk. I think the tickets to MP must be purchased in Aguas Calientes.
Another approach to save time if you are in Cuzco early in the morning is to take a guided tour around the Sacred valley (Pisac market and ruins, Ollantaytambo), ask to be left there in the evening and then take the last trains to MP (I think the tours start about 9am) However, the sacred valley may be high, so you'll need to acclimatize if doing that.
Another approach to save time if you are in Cuzco early in the morning is to take a guided tour around the Sacred valley (Pisac market and ruins, Ollantaytambo), ask to be left there in the evening and then take the last trains to MP (I think the tours start about 9am) However, the sacred valley may be high, so you'll need to acclimatize if doing that.
Dec 25, 2009, 2:05 pm
#48
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
Cuzco-Lima flight: are delays likely?
One question: I have a flight Cuzco-Lima (LAN) arriving at 12:40PM, and another one LIM-SJO departing at 2:15PM. I've heard that flights on the Lima-Cuzco route frequently get delayed. I understand, there's always a risk, but does anybody know how likely is it? I'm traveling in the end of April if it helps. Thanks.
Dec 27, 2009, 2:33 pm
#49
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Northern Ireland
Programs: MR Lifetime Titanium, United Silver
Posts: 625
One question: I have a flight Cuzco-Lima (LAN) arriving at 12:40PM, and another one LIM-SJO departing at 2:15PM. I've heard that flights on the Lima-Cuzco route frequently get delayed. I understand, there's always a risk, but does anybody know how likely is it? I'm traveling in the end of April if it helps. Thanks.
Jan 23, 2010, 9:30 am
#52
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA, DL, VS, BA
Posts: 28
On my journey from Lima to Cusco on Lan, the flight was cancelled, the we re-booked on a later flight. That flight left on time but the pilot aborted the landing in final approach due to some sort of 'smoke condition' on the ground from people burning things. From my vantage point it seemed like a load of BS and landing should not have been an issue, but then again...I'm not a pilot.
The flight returned back to Lima and we departed the next morning at about 10 am after a 3 hour delay.
I heard a few explanations as to what it was and I did not really understand it all, but it was apparently about some gov't labor dispute and tourism there.
In any event, we spend a 2nd night in Lima and I could not complain. Definitely a great time. A few casinos and great pubs in Miraflores. We ended up getting a last minute suite at El Condado for really cheap and had another great night out.
Altitude sickness in Cusco is no joke. It had some really negative effects on my travelling companion for about 24 hours and he was knocked out.
The flight returned back to Lima and we departed the next morning at about 10 am after a 3 hour delay.
I heard a few explanations as to what it was and I did not really understand it all, but it was apparently about some gov't labor dispute and tourism there.
In any event, we spend a 2nd night in Lima and I could not complain. Definitely a great time. A few casinos and great pubs in Miraflores. We ended up getting a last minute suite at El Condado for really cheap and had another great night out.
Altitude sickness in Cusco is no joke. It had some really negative effects on my travelling companion for about 24 hours and he was knocked out.
Jan 24, 2010, 2:01 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
did either of you try any of the meds that supposedly help with altitude sickness? The one doc I talked to checked with some others and had said the do work pretty well. I'm planning on going that route for my trip.
Jan 24, 2010, 8:14 pm
#55
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: QF, SQ, GA
Posts: 159
Diamox is the usual med for altitude sickness. I did the Inca Trail and didn't bother with it, and I was fine. Drank peppermint tea a lot and had the cocoa toffee and candy that you can buy from most shops. Common consensus seems to be that you get up to altitude, see how you cope with it after a day or two, and then decide whether you need the Diamox or not - most people find that they don't need it.
Jan 26, 2010, 8:30 am
#56
Ambassador: Peru
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LIM Peru
Programs: LanPass Premium, AA (former gold), MileagePlus Silver
Posts: 761
Jan 27, 2010, 7:28 pm
#57
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, Marriot LTG
Posts: 614
Severe flooding in Peru has caused several landslides that have left hundreds (reports range from 1500 to 2500) of people stranded at Machu Picchu. Many of the landslides happened on Saturday, killing one tourist and his guide, and leaving others stuck in spots along the Inca Trail that leads to the site. The 40-mile railway that connects the ancient site to Cuzco was also blocked by the landslides, leaving tourists stranded and the city's only hotel overwhelmed as it tries to care for everyone.
According to the UK's Guardian, helicopters are the only option for getting supplies in and getting people out right now. Unfortunately, the going is slow and supplies at Machu Picchu are dwindling. And, says the AFP, some of those stranded are concerned that others are bribing officials in order to be rescued first. In the meantime, those who can't find accommodation are camping out by the train station or in the city square.
Over 1300 homes have been destroyed because of the flooding and landslides, which have been called the worst in 15 years. A 60-day state of emergency has been declared.
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/27/hu...fter-flooding/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010...flood-tourists
According to the UK's Guardian, helicopters are the only option for getting supplies in and getting people out right now. Unfortunately, the going is slow and supplies at Machu Picchu are dwindling. And, says the AFP, some of those stranded are concerned that others are bribing officials in order to be rescued first. In the meantime, those who can't find accommodation are camping out by the train station or in the city square.
Over 1300 homes have been destroyed because of the flooding and landslides, which have been called the worst in 15 years. A 60-day state of emergency has been declared.
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/27/hu...fter-flooding/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010...flood-tourists
Jan 28, 2010, 9:29 am
#58
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: united, american, alaska
Posts: 1,782
The Guardian article, at least, is not very accurate. There is only one hotel at the site itself, but there are plenty of hotels in Machu Picchu Pueblo (aka Aguas Calientes) which is at the foot of the hill and reachable from the site by bus or foot. If people are camping out at the railroad station, then they are in the village, not at the site, since that's where the station is.
I'm also not sure where they got the idea that "there are no cashpoints" as I used an ATM near the train station just over 2 months ago.
I suppose it is possible that the road between the village and the site had a mudslide, but the articles I've seen were focused on the rail line and didn't say that.
I'm also not sure where they got the idea that "there are no cashpoints" as I used an ATM near the train station just over 2 months ago.
I suppose it is possible that the road between the village and the site had a mudslide, but the articles I've seen were focused on the rail line and didn't say that.
Jan 28, 2010, 6:22 pm
#59
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: QF, SQ, GA
Posts: 159
No 
I actually did mean peppermint tea! There's wild mint that grows up in the mountains. Our trek guide picked some every morning for us while on the Inca Trail. Tear up a stalk of that, pour hot water over it, a spoon of sugar...Worked a treat!
I actually did mean peppermint tea! There's wild mint that grows up in the mountains. Our trek guide picked some every morning for us while on the Inca Trail. Tear up a stalk of that, pour hot water over it, a spoon of sugar...Worked a treat!
Jan 28, 2010, 9:11 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Saigon/Hanoi/San Francisco
Posts: 1,779
Just read the news about tourists are being evacuated out of Cuzco.
"Skies cleared over the fabled Machu Picchu citadel Thursday, speeding the evacuation of stranded tourists, many of whom were left to eat from communal pots and sleep outdoors after weekend flooding and mudslides cut access to the area."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100129/...u_machu_picchu
"Skies cleared over the fabled Machu Picchu citadel Thursday, speeding the evacuation of stranded tourists, many of whom were left to eat from communal pots and sleep outdoors after weekend flooding and mudslides cut access to the area."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100129/...u_machu_picchu