Not at all - I think you're actually dead on. Machu Pichu, while fascinating, is overrun with tourist groups, expensive (though, we just went a couple of months ago and it wasn't anywhere near $400 - for two people it only cost us about $200 total), and time consuming to get to. On the other hand - it's one of those sort of once in a lifetime visits. But, I'd agree, some of the other areas are far more interesting - beyond the ones you mention, taking a guide and a cab ride out to places like Pikillacta and Tipon, where you'll be one of maybe half a dozen people visiting, and seeing things that are truly amazing, is well worth doing. Ollantaytambo is another large and amazingly beautiful spot,
Originally Posted by
rsercely
I am probably the only tourist in the world with the following opinion: I believe Machu Pichu is overrated.
Before going there, I went to:
Saqsayhuaman (pronounced more or less sexywoman). 30 minute walk from the city square of Cusco. It has much more fine rock work and the rocks are larger. By comparison, Machu Pichu has almost no rock wall worth looking at.
Pisaq - this is a site VERY similar to Machu Pichu, but, is a $1 to $2 public 1 hour bus ride from Cusco, then a $10-$20 cab ride to get to the site, or a very strenuous walk. I walked down. The "city" of Machu Pichu is larger, but the overall site and terracing as Pisaq is much larger.
At $400 for Machu Pichu - I think the Peru tourism industry is simply gouging the foreign toursists.
You can check out my pics at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ronald.sercely
Just my thoughts.